The moment Yagura spoke, the already tense atmosphere ignited like a spark on dry grass. The guards behind both men immediately moved forward, their hands inching toward their weapons.
Neither Yagura nor Kitsuchi stopped them. One wore a heavy expression, while the other smirked with open provocation.
Who was the real villain here?
Was it Iwagakure, which had invaded Sunagakure while it was at its weakest and forced it into an unfair treaty?
In the grand scheme of international conflict, there was no such thing as absolute right or wrong. Sunagakure was simply unlucky, too weak to resist. But calling out such hypocrisy so blatantly was bound to provoke anger.
Kitsuchi straightened his posture and said seriously, "Mizukage-sama, I believe we can resolve this matter through negotiation. There's no need for such hostility."
"Oh? And you brought all these men along for a sightseeing tour of Kirigakure, then?"
Yagura swept his gaze over the Iwagakure jōnin and chūnin standing off against Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri before locking eyes with Kitsuchi once more, his expression laced with mockery.
Ōnoki didn't send him here just because of his lineage. Kitsuchi was a competent shinobi in his own right. Despite his unassuming appearance, he was the father of the future Fourth. Though he never claimed the Tsuchikage title himself, his abilities were undeniable.
His Earth Release techniques were Kage-level. In the Fourth Great Ninja War, he had mustered enough chakra to trap the Ten-Tails with his Earth Release.
Though still in his prime, Kitsuchi was undoubtedly at least an elite jōnin.
An elite jōnin—perhaps even a quasi-Kage—accompanied by several other Iwagakure jōnin and chūnin.
Was this supposed to be a diplomatic mission?
Who would believe that?
Yagura's voice turned sharp. "After what happened with Sunagakure, can you really blame me for being cautious, Kitsuchi-san?"
Iwagakure had already used underhanded tactics once. Who was to say they wouldn't try the same thing again?
"Mizukage-sama, I assure you, this is a misunderstanding! These men are here solely to ensure my safety."
Kitsuchi was sweating now. He had no intention of ruining these negotiations and turning Yagura against him. If he somehow pushed Kirigakure into Konoha's arms instead of Iwagakure's, it would be a complete disaster.
Sarutobi Hiruzen would probably laugh himself awake in his sleep. And then Ōnoki would erase Kitsuchi from existence with a single Dust Release technique.
"You lot! Who gave you permission to act on your own? Get out! No one is to enter until I say so!"
So, they were afraid of Kirigakure allying with Konoha after all.
Yagura smirked. "I thought you weren't scared. Yet here you are, backing down after just a little pressure."
Compared to his father, Kitsuchi lacked a certain edge. He could threaten, but he wouldn't follow through. The moment he faced real resistance, he caved.
As the Iwagakure shinobi reluctantly retreated, Yagura gestured for Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri to stand down as well.
But since tensions had already flared...
"How about this?" Yagura leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "There's no point in more talking. Let's settle this with a fight."
Words alone wouldn't sway Ōnoki. To negotiate with the weak, Yagura could use diplomacy. But with the strong, he needed to assert his own power.
"Choose someone from your side to fight one of mine. What do you say?"
Kitsuchi's heart nearly leaped out of his chest.
Yagura made decisions with the same ruthless efficiency that had propelled him into the Mizukage's seat at such a young age.
After observing Yagura closely, Kitsuchi had formed a clear impression of him—an arrogant genius with unwavering confidence. Someone who refused to take a single loss and had no patience for empty posturing.
And he wasn't acting under the influence of others. His every move was his own choice. Bribes, threats, promises—none of them would work on him.
If they couldn't pressure Kirigakure into an alliance, they had to at least gauge its military strength.
It seemed Yagura had handed them that chance.
A large open area outside the camp was cleared for the fight.
"I'll send one of my Seven Ninja Swordsmen," Yagura announced. "Kisame, you're up."
Both Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri were momentarily stunned.
By all logic, Yagura should have chosen Ringo. He had known her longer and could trust her abilities completely. Yet, he selected Kisame—the newest member of the Seven Swordsmen.
"Understood!" Kisame stepped forward eagerly.
Despite his intimidating appearance and rapid growth, it was clear that he was still young.
After careful consideration, Kitsuchi picked a skilled Iwagakure shinobi whose strength fell between chūnin and jōnin.
Ringo chuckled. "They're underestimating you, Kisame."
She had sparred with him the night he claimed Samehada and knew firsthand that he was no pushover.
...
The battle began with Kisame forming hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"
Three shark-shaped water projectiles launched toward the Iwagakure shinobi.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Choosing a defensive approach, the Iwagakure ninja erected a thick barrier of earth to block the attack.
The water sharks crashed into the wall, shaking its foundation and sending fragments flying. But Kisame had already moved, dashing up the wall and leaping toward his opponent, blade poised to strike.
The Iwagakure shinobi barely dodged the swing, but a searing pain in his arm made him stagger back. Blood dripped from a fresh wound.
Samehada's bandages had unraveled slightly, revealing its hungry, spiked flesh.
"Samehada is made for cutting," Kisame said, grinning as he lunged again.
The Iwagakure ninja threw down a smoke bomb and vanished.
Kisame wasn't fazed. With a powerful swing, he struck the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth.
A hand burst out of the crumbling terrain.
"Found you~"
Kisame yanked his opponent out of the ground and slashed. Samehada feasted on the shinobi's chakra, shredding his flesh in the process.
With a final, brutal toss, the Iwagakure shinobi crashed into the dirt, barely clinging to consciousness.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Yagura calmly ordered his men, "Fetch a medic."
The onlookers obeyed immediately.
Kitsuchi exhaled heavily, nodding to his subordinates to treat the fallen warrior. He cast a wary glance at Kisame.
He had underestimated him. No wonder he had been accepted into the Seven Swordsmen—he was a natural-born fighter.
"Shall we go another round?" Yagura asked, stepping forward. "How about a match between us?"
If he wanted to keep Iwagakure in check, he needed to demonstrate his own strength as well.
Kitsuchi hesitated, then clenched his fists. "I wouldn't dare refuse, Mizukage-dono."
As they squared off, Yagura exhaled slowly, releasing a dense surge of chakra.
A blue-gray tail materialized behind him.
Kitsuchi's eyes widened.
Yagura was a jinchūriki.
And he was already tapping into his Tailed Beast's power.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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