Uchiha Ryun's clone returned to the battlefield, wielding the Kubikiribōchō and cutting down one enemy after another with each swing. Wherever his gaze fell, slaughter followed.
At the main body's location
Uchiha Ryun looked at the Blazing Flame Fan in his hand, feeling pleased. He kept thinking, 'What a treasure, what a treasure!'
The Blazing Flame Fan seemed to sense Ryun's inner praise and flickered with a red light.
Yagura's expression changed as he looked at Ryun with complex emotions. This guy really had an abundance of precious tools. Even now, comparing himself to Ryun felt inadequate, not to mention Ryun hadn't even used Susano'o yet.
The thought of surrender began to form in Yagura's mind, though he found it difficult to voice. Ryun glanced at him and immediately understood what he was thinking—after all, Ōnoki, the Third Raikage, and Chiyo had all had that same look in their eyes before.
Ryun smiled and said, "I assume the Mizukage doesn't want to continue fighting either? How about this: agree to one condition from me, and I can reduce your compensation payment."
Yagura frowned. "Tell me first." He no longer wanted to fight. Continuing this battle was meaningless. Moreover, they were fighting right at his village's doorstep.
The losses to his village were immeasurable.
Ryun replied, "I've heard that Kirigakure recently produced a rogue ninja. From time to time, his tailed beast goes on a rampage, causing injuries among the villagers. He even killed his own master, who was a high-ranking official in Kirigakure."
Ryun's scheme was so transparent it was practically slapping Yagura in the face—or rather, it was like fanning his cheeks.
(Subtext: "Otherwise, don't blame me if your country gets destroyed!")
Yagura's expression shifted repeatedly. On one side was Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki—Kirigakure's only nuclear weapon. Although difficult to control, eventually, he could reclaim the tailed beast with his men. On the other side were the villagers of Kirigakure. One option meant becoming slaves, the other meant certain death.
He could choose to die with dignity, but he had to consider the lives of the villagers and the shinobi.
"Words alone are meaningless. How can I trust you? What if you take the Six-Tails Jinchūriki and still slaughter everyone in Kirigakure?" Yagura said coldly.
Seeing that Yagura was already leaning toward retreat, Ryun smiled. "I swear on the honor of the Uchiha clan: if Kirigakure hands over the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, I, Uchiha Ryun, and Konoha are willing to reestablish friendly relations with Kirigakure!"
"Can you make that decision?" Yagura was already 80% convinced. In the history of the shinobi world, everyone knew that a vow made on Uchiha honor was unbreakable. The only question now was whether Ryun had the authority to make such a promise.
"Although I am only the Vice-Hokage in Konoha, I have full authority over external military affairs. That is undeniable," Ryun said with a smile.
Yagura fell silent for a second or two before nodding. "Very well. In that case, let's cease hostilities. I'll take you to Utakata."
Ryun's lips curled upward. "Straightforward!" He transmitted the information to his clone. Upon receiving it, the clone shouted, "The Mizukage has surrendered! The battle is over! All Konoha forces, stand behind me!"
Instantly, the entire battlefield fell silent. Both sides stopped fighting. In this battle, Konoha had suffered 200 casualties, while Kirigakure had lost over 3,000.
A ratio of one to fifteen—not bad!
Afterward, Ryun and Yagura returned to the battlefield. One stood before the Konoha shinobi, the other before the Kirigakure forces.
"Everyone, the battle is over. All of this was my fault as the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. Please, everyone, clean up the battlefield." Yagura bowed to his shinobi.
"Mizukage-sama, it's not your fault!"
"Yes, Mizukage-sama, we are proud of you!"
"Facing a Konoha like this, even other villages would have been defeated. Please don't blame yourself!"
The Kirigakure shinobi comforted Yagura one after another. Currently, he was the only Kage-level fighter capable of leading them.
If he resigned or committed suicide out of guilt, Kirigakure would be in danger!
Deeply moved, Yagura instructed his secretary to organize the villagers to collect the bodies. He himself prepared to take Ryun to deal with the Six-Tails Jinchūriki.
Ryun ordered his clone to lead the shinobi to the dock to wait for him. He still had to capture a tailed beast for his wife.
Yagura led Ryun to Utakata's residence. Unlike Kirigakure, Utakata's area was sunny and peaceful, without heavy fog—a place with excellent feng shui.
On that land stood a wooden house, likely Utakata's dwelling.
"This is Utakata's residence. I won't go any further," Yagura said, preparing to leave.
But Ryun stopped him. "Hey, hey, hey, Mizukage-sama, sign this war repar agreement first!"
As he spoke, Ryun took out a pre-drafted agreement. It stated that Kirigakure would compensate Konoha with 100 million ryo in silver.
That was the only clause. Yagura's嘴角 twitched. He signed three copies, kept one for himself, and left. He never wanted to see Uchiha Ryun again.
Ryun smiled. 100 million ryo plus a tailed beast—worth it!
Ryun put away the agreement. He wasn't worried that Kirigakure would refuse to pay. If necessary, he could always come back again. No big deal.
Besides, Kirigakure was surrounded by the sea and rich in marine resources. Even 500 million ryo wouldn't be beyond their means. But killing their people, stealing their Jinchūriki, and still demanding so much from them was just too...
Ryun smiled and then walked toward the wooden house. However, the moment he stepped into this territory, the wind suddenly picked up, and the humidity in the air thickened noticeably.
"Who are you?" A voice came from the wooden house. Then the door opened, and a black-haired man in a blue kimono stepped out, blowing bubbles with a pipe in his mouth.
He looked at Ryun with laziness and disdain in his eyes.
Ryun smiled. "Me? I'm here to capture you."
"Oh? Sent by the Mizukage again? It seems I was too merciful before for not killing his subordinates. Very well, today I'll use your life to show him the consequences of disturbing me!"
With that, Utakata snapped his fingers, and bubbles instantly proliferated, rushing toward Ryun.
Ryun gently fanned the Blazing Flame Fan, causing the air to grow scorching hot and pop all the bubbles.
Utakata raised an eyebrow. 'What a treasure—I want it.' He began forming hand signs, then spat out a highly acidic liquid that shot toward Ryun.
Ryun dodged, and the acidic droplets hit the ground, sizzling.
The green grass corroded, turned yellow, and then crumbled to ash.
Ryun looked up at Utakata, excitement flashing in his eyes. He recognized this technique—it was the Six-Tails Saiken's mucus.
Utakata thought this guy was an idiot. Why was he smiling at a time like this? Was it because he was too merciful? Or was his handsome appearance too captivating?
He touched his face, took out a mirror, and admired his reflection.
—————
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