Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 114 The Water Shadow's Sharp Blade

The meeting concluded in a spirited atmosphere.

Kaguya Soranosuke and Yukinojo, two men who were just at odds, were now unusually standing together, discussing something in hushed tones.

It is foreseeable that in the days to come, the two races will engage in frantic preparations for the upcoming "feast".

At this moment, the entire leadership of Kirigakure achieved unprecedented unity.

Soon, only Mizukage Mizuki and the Hozuki siblings, who had been standing silently behind him, remained in the conference room.

"Master Yuan, thank you for your hard work."

Jian Yue personally poured a cup of hot tea for Master Yuan, her tone filled with emotion.

"Lord Mizukage, you flatter me."

Master Yuan took the teacup, a relieved smile appearing on his aged face. "I only did what I was supposed to do. For the future of the village, this little bit of hardship is nothing."

"I was just doing my part. The final decision was yours."

"Well, but..."

Seeing this, Yue changed the subject, a hint of worry appearing on her face. "This mission to Kumogakure is a long and dangerous journey. Those people from the Land of Lightning are all unreasonable brutes. I'm really worried about you going alone."

"Hehe, it's alright."

Master Yuan smiled and said nonchalantly, "My old bones can still fight. Although the Third Raikage A is domineering, he is not stupid. He can distinguish between advantages and disadvantages."

"There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. The Raikage has no reason to refuse."

Jian Yue's expression turned serious. "That may be true, but we still cannot afford to be careless."

Jian Yue shook his head; his attitude was resolute.

This mission concerns the future of the entire Hidden Mist Village, and it absolutely cannot be lost.

He must provide the Yuan Master with the strongest support and send out the sharpest blade in his hand.

Jian Yue's gaze slowly fell on the brother and sister behind her.

"Haiyue, tide."

"I hereby order the two of you to serve as Master Yuan's personal bodyguards from this moment forward, and to protect Master Yuan's safety throughout the entire mission until its completion."

"Yes, Lord Mizukage."

Hozuki Kaigetsu's voice was cold and crisp, just like him, devoid of any superfluous emotion. He simply bowed slightly to Genji, like a silent statue.

Hozuki Shio, on the other hand, is a completely different person.

She walked up to Master Yuan, playfully blinked her large, light blue eyes, and wore a carefree smile: "Master Yuan, rest assured! With my brother and I here, let alone a mere Cloud Hidden Village, even a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, we can ensure you come and go as you please!"

The voice was clear, pleasant, and full of confidence, as if what was about to begin was not a secret diplomacy concerning the ninja world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or structure of the ninja world), but an interesting journey.

"However..."

The girl abruptly changed the subject, extending a slender finger and waving it in front of Master Yuan, saying with a grin, "Protecting you for such an important task... I heard a new dessert shop opened in the village..."

"Shi!"

Hozuki Kaigetsu's cold voice came from the side, carrying a warning tone.

"Okay, okay, how boring."

Hozuki Shio stuck out her tongue, made a face in her brother's direction, and then returned to her usual grinning expression.

Master Yuan looked at the brother and sister in front of him, who had very different styles but were in perfect harmony, and his eyes were full of admiration.

Hozuki Kaigetsu is calm and decisive, like an undercurrent in the deep sea, silent yet capable of unleashing deadly power.

He is the top ace of the Hidden Mist Village's assassination squad, the sharpest blade in the Mizukage's hand.

Hozuki Shio is lively and cunning. She seems harmless but always manages to manipulate her enemies in the most unexpected ways.

Her creative development of water escape techniques amazed even this old man.

With the two of them present, the safety of this mission was indeed greatly guaranteed.

"Hehe, okay, okay."

Master Yuan smiled kindly, "Once the mission is complete, I'll personally treat you to desserts, as much as you want."

"Really? Master Yuan, you can't lie to me!" Hozuki Shio's eyes lit up instantly.

It's a deal.

"Yes, except for the two of them."

Mizuki continued, "I will also select dozens of elites from the Dark Guard to accompany the mission. They will be responsible for intelligence gathering and security."

"Lord Mizukage, you've considered everything thoroughly."

Master Yuan nodded, very satisfied with Jian Yue's arrangements.

"Then, without further ado."

Jian Yue stood up. "Yuan Shi, Hai Yue, tide, you should make preparations immediately. We will meet at the northern port at midnight tonight and depart on time."

"yes!"

The three accepted the order and turned to leave the conference room.

In the empty conference room, only Jian Yue remained once again.

He walked to the window, looking at the village gradually being swallowed by the night, his eyes becoming incredibly deep.

With the combined strength of Master Yuan and the Hozuki siblings, they are capable of handling most unexpected situations.

Now, all he has to do is wait.

They await Master Yuan's return from Hidden Cloud Village with the result he desires most.

……

That night, at midnight.

The port in the eastern part of Kirigakure was shrouded in a silent darkness.

A medium-sized, camouflaged speedboat is quietly docked at the pier.

There were no flags flying on the ship, making it look like an ordinary merchant ship.

Genji, dressed in a simple traveler's robe and leaning on a cane, boarded the deck with Hozuki Kaigetsu.

Hozuki Shiori, like a cheerful little bird, had already hopped onto the boat and was curiously looking around.

"Wow, this ship is pretty big! Bro, how many days are we going to be gone this time? Do you have any good barbecue in Kumogakure? I heard that Konoha's barbecue is amazing, I wonder how Kumogakure's is."

"Shut up, you glutton."

Hozuki Kaigetsu coldly interrupted his sister's rambling.

"Tch, how boring."

Hozuki Shio pouted.

Soon, ten elite members of the Hidden Mist Village's ANBU, also dressed in plain clothes and with their auras concealed, quietly boarded the ship.

After bowing to the master and the Hozuki siblings, they quickly dispersed and took up key positions on the ship.

Everything is ready.

"set sail."

At the commander's command, the ship released its mooring lines and slowly sailed away from the harbor, disappearing silently into the vast sea shrouded in night and thick fog, like a black phantom.

On the ship lies the ambition of Kirigakure's rise and its future destiny.

Even after they left, the ancestral homes of the Kaguya and Yuki clans remained brightly lit in the distance.

Kaguya Soranosuke is in the training grounds, selecting the most bloodthirsty warrior.

Yukinojo, in his ice chamber, was carving a new artwork called Uzushio.

They were all making final preparations for the upcoming feast.

A storm that will sweep through the ninja world is quietly brewing.