Heads of various Leaf ninja clans from across the Ninja World arrived in Hakone Prefecture, preparing to attend an emergency joint meeting about to be held.
There was no need to state the content of the meeting outright—it was definitely connected to the recent changes occurring within the Land of Water.
Especially after arriving in Hakone Prefecture city, the most direct impression for these Clan Heads was seeing massive amounts of ninja tools and military supplies being escorted by genin units toward frontline areas like the eastern part of the Land of Fire and the Land of Snow to establish forward bases.
"Could we really be planning a cross-sea expedition into the Land of Water?"
Despite their concerns, each Clan Head held different opinions on this matter.
"It shouldn't come to that. After all, if we did decide to launch an expedition to the Land of Water, collecting enough ships alone would take quite some time, not even mentioning full-scale military mobilization."
Inuzuka Clan Leader gave his judgment first: "Commander SOUSHU probably wants to build forward bases mainly to relieve future border pressures."
"If that were all, Commander SOUSHU wouldn't have needed to summon us all here,"
Yamanaka Clan Head murmured softly with a gleam in his eyes: "Mobilizing forces on this scale only makes Mist more alert without offering any tangible benefit."
However, Yamanaka Clan Head's words received no response from the gathered clan leaders. They just glanced at him and resumed their conversations about matters they actually cared about.
The air grew thick with unspoken distance.
This left the Yamanaka Clan Head feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
"Uchiha has arrived!"
Suddenly someone shouted loudly, and immediately all the other clan heads rushed over respectfully, alleviating the embarrassment of the Yamanaka Clan Head.
"They're always like that. We shouldn't pay too much attention to it. Honestly speaking, there's no need for us to get too close with them anyway,"
At this moment, Nara Clan Head walked up beside the Yamanaka Clan Head and whispered a reminder before strolling casually toward the conference hall.
Now that even the last remaining Uchiha had arrived, the emergency joint meeting could officially begin!
"As of yesterday, the Mist Ninja Clan Alliance had already engaged in no fewer than 300 large and small skirmishes with the Crimson Mist faction within Hidden Mist Village, with both sides winning and losing alternately."
During the emergency joint meeting, Hyuga Soushu reported the current situation of the Hidden Mist civil war to attending clan representatives: "Furthermore, the death toll from this civil war has reached three thousand, countless injured, plus two minor ninja clans tragically wiped out during that night of chaos."
The clan representatives stirred slightly but quickly fell silent again.
"Now, Mist Ninja Clans led by Suiton and Kaguya hope our side can provide military support; the Crimson Mist faction hasn't shown any intention to communicate yet."
Hyuga Soushu continued, "Moreover, those Mist ninja clans also wish to purchase large quantities of military equipment from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation."
These issues didn't spark much interest among the clan representatives, so they fell silent again.
After all, without fully participating in this civil war or serving as the main force, the combined ninja forces controlled by the Hyuga Clan itself should be sufficient to tip the balance of power within the Hidden Mist Village. It might not necessarily require collective intervention from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation representing all clans.
Moreover, since the control and command authority of the company's Standing Ninja Army was in the hands of Hyuga Soushu, if he intended to intervene, other ninja clans could do nothing about it.
"As for the matter of military equipment sales abroad, what are your opinions, gentlemen?"
Hyuga Soushu looked at the group of ninja clan representatives who were staring at him intently and raised the first agenda item.
The clan representatives instead felt a slight surprise—how could they actually have a say in such matters?
"Sell everything! We supply whatever quantity they want!"
Fugaku Uchiha, representing the Uchiha Clan at this meeting, spoke up first.
The previous order from the Hyuga for half a million explosive tags had already whetted their appetite. Now that Soushu was once again bringing up military sales, Fugaku immediately imagined Gold Kan gleaming with adorable brilliance waving at him invitingly.
"In that case, let's start by placing an initial order with the Uchiha Clan for 500,000 explosive tags. How long would production take?"
Hyuga Soushu readily agreed without hesitation.
"One month! No, twenty days!"
Fugaku Uchiha immediately responded.
"Then that's settled!"
Hyuga Soushu hammered down his decision firmly.
At that moment, the other representatives' eyes turned red enough to rival even the Sharingan of the Uchiha!
Such an enormous deal just got finalized just like that?
This deal was just too lucrative!
As a result, everyone's gazes locked on Hyuga Soushu.
"There's also another order for three million shuriken, one million kunai,"
Soushu slowly pulled out Mist's purchase order list from the various hidden villages' clans and started reading aloud:
"Additionally, ten thousand standard bottles of Military Rations Pills, ten thousand standard bottles of wound-healing medicines, and one hundred thousand medical bandage sets."
"The Nara Clan can provide the Military Rations Pills!"
Nara Clan Head himself, clenching his teeth, declared loudly: "Our unit price is one-third lower than the village's standard procurement price!"
"Aaaah!"
At these words, none of the other clans wanted to continue competing with the Nara Clan any further.
While producing Military Rations Pills wasn't especially technically challenging, for most clans, the cost itself posed an insurmountable barrier. They simply couldn't compete in a price war against the Nara Clan, which owned its own plantations and deer herds.
Naturally, Soushu accepted this offer enthusiastically, then continued assigning the items on Mist's purchase order one by one via bidding, trying to be fair and ensure each family received some benefit.
Though insufficient to satisfy all the ninja clans completely, at least no major objections would arise toward the company's subsequent resolutions—and that was more than adequate.
"Also, to guarantee safe delivery, we propose deploying our Standing Ninja Army into the Snow Country for defense. Does anyone have any objection?"
Hyuga Soushu put down the purchase list and said leisurely: "If you do have concerns, feel free to voice them—we're democratic here!"
...
The clan representatives instantly fell silent.
Though they'd anticipated Hyuga Soushu might utilize the Standing Ninja Army as public assets sooner or later, they hadn't expected him to bring it up so directly and bluntly.
Having just secured contracts of various sizes—and bound by the unspoken rule that 'when someone feeds you, keep your mouth shut'—they found it hard to openly oppose him now.
"Since there's no opposition, I'll count it as unanimously approved!"
Hyuga Soushu deftly redefined the discussion and smoothly pivoted to another topic. "I propose a new Asylum Protection Act. If foreign ninja clans are persecuted in their home countries and flee into our territory, we shall provide asylum regardless of their crimes or past deeds. Here's the draft text for your review."
The clan reps hadn't even had time to react before getting hit with another proposal.
"Protecting foreign ninja clans…"
The representatives instantly felt a sense of excitement.
Everyone understood this protection act held more symbolic meaning than practical significance. However, such symbolism alone was already enough.
Especially when dealing with foreign ninja forces, having such a protective law in place could act as a powerful bargaining chip during negotiations. While it might not be enough to persuade enemy-ninjas to defect completely, it would at least prevent unnecessary hostility.
"What do you all think?"
After the ninja reps had gone over the draft, Hyuga Soushu asked calmly.
"No objections!"
"In favor!"
"All in support!"
The clan representatives voiced their approval one after another, and the show of hands confirmed unanimous approval.
After all, this bill was fundamentally different in nature from mobilizing the Standing Ninja Army. Besides, if there was an opportunity to absorb outside ninja talent, it wouldn't be a bad deal for these clans either.
"If that's settled, I'll call a temporary recess on today's meeting. Later on, we'll receive military intelligence reports from Mist, and then we can discuss further strategies together."
Hyuga Soushu immediately announced the adjournment and stood up first to leave.
Though slightly puzzled, the ninja representatives had no complaints since meals and accommodations were all taken care of during the conference.
Moreover, except for the Land of Water which had broken out in civil war overseas, the rest of the world remained relatively peaceful lately. Therefore, even if these influential clan representatives stayed longer in Hakone Prefecture city, it wouldn't significantly affect the overall situation back home.
Before the emergency joint meeting of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation commenced, the first batch of military supplies had already arrived at Kaguya Clan's secret harbor under the personal supervision of Hizashi Hyuga.
At the same time, ninja warriors from both Kaguya and Suiton Clans returned secretly into the Land of Water with massive quantities of military equipment under the cover of a dark and wind-swept night, quickly distributing them for preparation of the next counterattack.
During the prolonged stalemate, Mist ninja forces had suffered significant losses.
In particular, once Mist's Border Forces received orders from Mizukage to return to the village, the only option left for the rebel clans was to hold defensive positions firmly. They barricaded themselves street by street, building by building within the village, relying heavily on numerous explosive tags as threats. However, this tactic easily allowed small elite squads to isolate defenders piece by piece, causing heavy casualties. Reluctantly, the rebel clan forces had no choice but to keep increasing troop deployments. Consequently, they were dragged unwillingly into a costly war of attrition.
"With 300,000 explosive tags, we can launch two major counterattacks."
Now that all supplies from the Hyuga Clan had fully arrived, Suiton Clan Head was preparing for the next offensive.
"Over the past two days, we've lost no fewer than a hundred men."
A Hozuki Clan elder spoke gloomily with ashen features. "Is there even any point in continuing this stalemate within the village?"
"But what if we lose the village?"
The Suiton Clan Head coldly snorted. "Without the village, what are we? Are we just waiting for every clan member to be branded a Rogue Ninja?"
"Don't forget, those noble courtiers aren't on our side!"
When the Hozuki elder heard this, he had nothing to say.
Although the Land of Water consisted of many islands, it didn't mean they could split off and defend independently.
Surrounded by sea on all sides, these islands destined anyone attempting secession to encirclement and destruction. This was why the Suiton Clan Head remained determined to continue fighting within Hidden Mist against the forces of the Third Mizukage.
"It's simply a war of attrition,"
Said Tsunashige Kaguya, leader of the Kaguya Clan, chewing loudly on a leg of beef as he spoke. "We may be suffering, but don't those bastards suffer too?"
He sneered contemptuously. "As members of ninja clans, even when one of us falls, our families will still be looked after by others in the clan. But how about those commoners who proudly call themselves part of the Bloodline faction?"
Tsunashige Kaguya's face twisted with scorn. "Many families fall into poverty after the ninja in their household dies in battle!"
"But..."
The Hozuki elder still looked deeply worried, though he didn't keep arguing.
After all, under current circumstances, the ninja clans needed to send their members to fight desperately, paying with their lives for the protection of their families. Considering the bloody methods of the village, the three major powerful clans definitely couldn't expect mercy anyway, so they might as well drag along other clans — whether willingly or unwillingly joining — and fight to the bitter end.
If they really withdrew from the village, perhaps their various allied families would then pursue different agendas, quickly fracturing and disintegrating.
Once the Hozuki elder grasped this key point, he began discussing specific counterattack plans with the Suiton Clan Head.
Meanwhile, Tsunashige Kaguya returned to devouring his meat hungrily, since once the counterattack started, he'd need to lead his people again as the vanguard tearing through enemy lines like a blade.
Just at that moment, a Hozuki Ninja rushed in urgently, shouting loudly: "Urgent message from the company!"
"What is it!?"
Both the Suiton Clan Head and the Hozuki elder were instantly alarmed.
After all, the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation had already become the backbone allowing Mist Ninja Clans to keep fighting. If something went wrong, the Mist Ninja Clans would truly have no chance of recovery!
However, after reading the urgent message, both let out sighs of relief.
"It seems the Hyuga Clan has begun advocating for direct intervention among the ninja clans."
A rare bright smile appeared on the Suiton Clan Head's face as he passed the urgent message to Tsunashige Kaguya, who continued eating without missing a beat.
Tsunashige Kaguya grabbed the report with his greasy hands, barely skimmed it, and tossed it away without interest. "Fine by me."
Then he grabbed the stripped beef bone and crunched right through it, gnawing greedily on the marrow inside.
"It'd be even better if the company could actually send some military support,"
The Hozuki elder said regretfully.
Of course, he fully understood the principle that there's no such thing as unconditional love. Therefore, he never truly expected the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation to offer direct military support. If Hyuga Soushu had actually made such a suggestion, he might even suspect some ulterior motive behind it.
"That's more than enough!"
The Suiton Clan Head felt inspired and declared fervently, "Summon all the clan heads at once — deploy all our forces tonight and launch the counterattack before dawn!"
"This time, forget about casualties — just secure the positions!"
Hozuki elder clenched his teeth and added fiercely, "We must hit them hard and show those Bloodline brats exactly who they're dealing with!"
"What does the Kaguya Clan think?"
The Suiton Clan Head remained neutral as he turned his gaze toward Tsunashige Kaguya, who was calmly cleaning the blade in front of him.
"The Kaguya Clan will continue serving as the vanguard."
After a long pause, Tsunashige Kaguya finally gave a response that satisfied everyone.
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