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Hidden Mist, Mizukage Building.
After receiving the news, all the high-ranking officials of Hidden Mist gathered in the Mizukage's office.
The Third Mizukage, with his long, dark hair, remained seated in his original spot with his eyes closed, his fingers interlocked and resting quietly, his brows tightly furrowed, waiting in silence.
Outside the door, one Hidden Mist high-ranking official after another, along with several Ninja Clan leaders, successively arrived at the office.
Noticing the Mizukage's expression, which was unlike his usual calm demeanor no matter the situation, everyone involuntarily felt a sense of foreboding.
Coupled with their past conflicts with the Third Mizukage, they didn't even dare to speak up and offer advice at this moment.
It wasn't until a while later, when a clear sound of a cane tapping the ground came from outside, that everyone seemed to see a savior and turned their heads towards the door.
Wearing a dark gray monk's robe and sporting a bald head, Elder Genji, who at first glance seemed to be in his dotage, slowly entered the Mizukage's office, assisted by a young man.
Yagura Karatachi scanned the scene in the office while supporting Elder Genji, and his heart tightened.
It seemed that the Mizukage had already learned all the news.
Only after Elder Genji was seated with Yagura Karatachi's assistance, and everyone had arrived, did the Mizukage's office door close heavily.
The Third Mizukage then spoke coldly:
"Since everyone is here, let's discuss the major intelligence front issue that has arisen this time."
He still had his eyes closed and tilted his head slightly towards his Mizukage secretary, giving a brief instruction.
The Mizukage secretary behind him immediately stepped forward, picked up the thick document in his hand, bowed deeply to the many high-ranking officials present, and then spoke:
"The main focus of this meeting is the serious issue of our Village's top-secret spy embedded in Konoha, codenamed Deep Sea 004, formerly known as Kaguya Ren, and disguised as Sawara Kiri, showing severe rebellious tendencies and single-handedly slaughtering our Village's entire intelligence network embedded in Konoha, totaling one hundred and sixty-seven people."
Almost as soon as these words fell, most of the people present showed a look of astonishment.
Since Sawara Kiri was a Mizukage direct Deep Sea-level Anbu agent, the highest-level secret spy that almost every Ninja Village had only one of, most of the high-ranking officials present, except for the Mizukage and Elder Genji, didn't even know about this matter.
At this moment, hearing that Sawara Kiri, who had recently become famous throughout the Ninja World, was actually a Ninja from their own Village, many people were even a little stunned.
"Sawara Kiri? The 'Crimson Blade Kiri' from the Konoha and Sunagakure battlefield!"
"I heard he's a young Jonin skilled in swordsmanship, only fifteen years old this year, right?"
"Your information is outdated. The latest information is that he's not only skilled in swordsmanship but also in a special space Ninjutsu, combining offense and defense. Ordinary people can't even touch him."
"A while ago, even the perfect Jinchuriki of Sunagakure, who they always considered their trump card, was killed by him in one go."
"Because after that battle, that little guy didn't have a single injury on him, and Sunagakure has already started calling him 'Takamagahara no Kiri.'"
This latest updated information immediately made many people whose intelligence was lagging gasp.
He single-handedly took down a fully powered perfect Jinchuriki and remained completely unharmed himself?
What level of combat power is that?
"Hiss—"
"No, this is our spy?"
"Who on earth sent him to Konoha!"
"..."
The scene immediately became a cacophony of intense noise, but then gradually quieted down under some inexplicable pressure, and many people cast subtle glances towards the Third Mizukage and Elder Genji.
In the entire Hidden Mist Village, if anyone could silently embed a Ninja from their own Village deep within Konoha, it could only be these two individuals.
But.
Now it has led to such a result.
Allowing their own infinitely talented genius to become the pillar of another Village.
The question of responsibility...
"Wait a minute? What's going on?!"
Among them, the most astonished person was naturally the current Kaguya Clan Leader.
This burly man, with two small topknots on his head and a vermilion mark on his brow, suddenly stood up and stared wide-eyed at the Mizukage:
"I never heard that someone from our clan was taken to be a spy!"
"Mizukage, what exactly is going on?!"
The Kaguya clan Leader stared straight at the Third Mizukage, appearing impulsive and foolish.
However, only those with keen eyes noticed that with just a word or two, he had completely absolved himself of any responsibility in the matter, feigning complete ignorance.
In reality, a clan member disappearing from their clan territory without a trace, could he truly have known nothing about it?
Rough on the outside, but meticulous on the inside, probably describes people like him.
Seeing this scene, Yagura Karatachi felt immense pressure, and he subtly glanced at Elder Genji, who was sitting calmly in front of him, his thoughts complex and his expression strained.
Just a few months ago, he had submitted an action report to the Village, stating that he had re-secured the Sealing Technique on 'Sawara Kiri' to ensure the Village's control over him, and at that time, he had also shown no signs of extraordinary combat power.
But, it's only been a few short months...
First, he killed Rasa, then Monzaemon, then the three-thousand-mile Sakuma suddenly appeared, leading Konoha's forces to break through Sunagakure's stronghold, and then single-handedly killed the Ichibi Jinchuriki.
He virtually single-handedly stabilized Konoha's front line in the Land of Wind.
Such achievements have almost certainly earmarked him for the next or the one after next Hokage position—and more importantly, the person who accomplished all this is only fifteen years old this year.
For all Ninja in the Ninja World, at this age, even reaching the level of a regular Jonin can be considered an extremely outstanding genius.
However, Ren, that guy, has achieved many things that even those bearing the title of 'Kage' would find difficult to do.
Most importantly...
This person was also a 'discarded child' that Hidden Mist Village personally sent into Konoha as a child soldier back then.
Just hearing this round of news, even Yagura Karatachi himself felt that this matter was absurdly excessive.
Besides, who should bear the responsibility for sending such a profoundly talented genius out of the Village?
The person who proposed the intelligence layout in various Ninja Villages years ago was the Third Mizukage, the person responsible for the specific execution plan and design framework was Elder Genji, and the selection, assessment, verification of identity, loyalty training... all these tasks were carried out by the Hidden Mist Anbu.
But, unfortunately, the person currently in charge of liaison with Ren is him, Yagura Karatachi!
This is like a game of pass the parcel that has lasted for ten years, and when the parcel reached his hands, it suddenly exploded!
Who wouldn't be terrified by this?
Therefore, Yagura Karatachi is now extremely worried, fearing that he will be made the scapegoat for this incident and be brought to the forefront for execution.
Such things are not uncommon among Ninja.
What he finds most unacceptable is the vast difference between the strength Sawara Kiri displayed on the Land of Wind battlefield and when he interacted with him.
Yagura Karatachi doesn't believe he was deceived for so long.
After all, after he took over as the overall commander of the Konoha intelligence network, the first person he began to observe was Sawara Kiri.
He spent a full half-month to confirm that at that time, this guy's strength was indeed only between Special Jonin and regular Jonin, which is why he was so confident.
But now, everything that has been displayed indicates that all the phenomena he observed were fake?
Yagura Karatachi couldn't believe it, nor did he dare to believe it.
'That guy must have some problem!'
However, all the high-ranking officials present at this time had no time to pay attention to Yagura Karatachi's intense psychological activity; all they were thinking about was how this incident would impact the high-level structure of Hidden Mist.
Such an outstanding genius rebelling might not be enough to bring down the Mizukage, but what about the people around him?
How many positions in the Mizukage Building would become vacant?
At this moment, they were like silent wolves, quietly staring at the Third Mizukage, like a juicy piece of meat, waiting for him to squeeze out delicious fat himself.
However, the Third Mizukage merely listened quietly.
Only when the room was completely silent did he speak with his eyes closed:
"Elder Genji, please tell us the specific situation."
"Yes."
These two power holders at the very top of Hidden Mist continued with the meeting's agenda as if unaware of the covetous gazes around them.
Elder Genji sat there and calmly narrated:
"According to our battlefield and daily intelligence observations, Kaguya Ren has displayed numerous Kekkei Genkai-like abilities during combat, including but not limited to super-large-range perception, space-based defense and attack, powerful body and recovery abilities..."
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the Kaguya Clan Leader: "Hozuki Clan Leader, has the Kaguya Clan concealed any Kekkei Genkai intelligence content in this regard from the Village?"
"Nonsense!"
The Kaguya clan Leader almost jumped out of his chair, refuting loudly: "If the Kaguya Clan had that kind of Kekkei Genkai, I would have already competed for the next Mizukage myself!"
"Our clan has a family tree, and no such space-attribute ability has appeared for a thousand years!"
Elder Genji nodded gently upon hearing this and continued: "If that's the case, then it means that the powerful strength Sawara Kiri is now displaying was entirely developed by him in the Konoha environment, correct?"
Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this, and immediately understood Elder Genji's intention.
You see, a strange event that the Kaguya Clan had not seen in a thousand years happened to occur in our generation.
If we consider the original scope of the Kaguya Clan's Kekkei Genkai, such an unexpected event could not have happened to him. This is an extremely rare phenomenon, and we, the decision-makers, cannot be blamed, can we?
The Kaguya clan Leader, hearing this, immediately understood that he had been used, and stood there stammering for a long time, unable to speak.
The Third Mizukage, however, directly made a conclusion: "Indeed, the current situation with Kaguya Ren was something none of us could have foreseen."
"However, as decision-makers and supervisors, someone still needs to be held responsible for the inadequate control over the Kaguya Ren case."
In just a word or two, the originally extremely serious case of 'Hidden Mist Genius Rebellion' was directly downgraded to the level of 'supervisor's inadequate control,' which was a light dismissal of the matter.
Noticing this interaction between the two, many people present felt a chill in their hearts.
It was clear that the Mizukage and Elder Genji, who had been subtly vying for power, must have already reached some kind of consensus in secret, which is why they were acting this way in the meeting.
As expected, upon hearing the Third Mizukage's words, Elder Genji immediately took over:
"This case is indeed due to my inadequate control and supervision, Mizukage. Please punish me."
"Then, the matter of the second contact with Kaguya Ren will be entirely entrusted to you, Elder Genji." The Mizukage's voice remained calm.
"Yes."
With this back-and-forth, the two quickly suppressed the matter, demonstrating a very clear stance.
Seeing this scene, the various Hidden Mist Ninja Clan Leaders exchanged glances, all feeling immense pressure.
"But how are we going to bring Kaguya Ren back to Hidden Mist afterwards?"
"Are we just going to let a peerless genius from our Hidden Mist become the next Hokage of Konoha?"
Suddenly, a clan leader with a mouth full of shark teeth grinned and asked.
Noticing the person who spoke, many people present narrowed their eyes, looking as if they were enjoying a show.
That was the Hozuki Clan Leader.
Since the Second Mizukage's era, the conflict between the Hozuki Clan and the current Mizukage has been continuous and never stopped.
"That is certainly not possible."
Elder Genji spoke slowly, smiling gently as he looked at the Hozuki Clan Leader, and calmly said: "Although the original plan and control had various problems, we still have our last trump card."
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the young man behind him: "Yagura, no problem, right?"
At this moment, Yagura Karatachi immediately realized that this should be his last chance.
He immediately bowed his head and responded:
"Yes!"
"Last time, this subordinate updated all the Sealing Technique on Kaguya Ren."
"There will be no problems!"
Upon hearing this, Elder Genji nodded calmly: "Hozuki Clan Leader, have you heard?"
"Hmph."
The Hozuki Clan Leader didn't say much, just laughed mockingly, and leaned back in his chair.
Noticing that there were no other objections from those present, the Third Mizukage then nodded slightly:
"Then, the remaining matters will be left to Elder Genji."
"No matter what, you must subdue Kaguya Ren and restore the original Konoha intelligence network."
"If any unexpected problems arise later..."
He raised his head and looked at the young man behind Elder Genji.
Yagura Karatachi bowed, secretly breathing a sigh of relief:
"This subordinate is willing to accept punishment."
The Third Mizukage said no more and nodded slightly:
"Meeting adjourned."
After all the high-ranking officials had left the meeting room, the Third Mizukage sat quietly at his desk, pondering matters related to Sawara Kiri.
As he thought, he seemed to suddenly recall something and spoke to the Mizukage secretary behind him:
"Some time ago, I think I signed a 'Underground Assassination Order.' Go find it for me."
Upon hearing this, the Mizukage secretary's expression immediately stiffened:
"M-Mizukage?"
"Hmm?"
The Third Mizukage turned his head to look at him.
This secretary had been with him for several years, but unfortunately, he was the only one who knew he had signed that underground assassination order against Sawara Kiri at the time.
He had to get rid of this burden cleanly.
The secretary clearly remembered this minor detail as well, and his face immediately turned pale.
The next day, this Mizukage secretary suddenly disappeared from the Mizukage Building.
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