With the war effort running strong, Fuyōna had been very busy with his duties as the Mizukage. Having little time for himself and for his family spending most of his time in the office, something he had not seen himself doing in this world at all.
"How are the 10th and 16th units fairing?" Ao asked as he read the reports that had been coming in from the battlefield.
"It looks like the Stone have still got a strong hold on the border of the land of Grass. Keeping their position of Kannabi bridge and Tenchi bridge secured." Another of the advisors said.
"And how about the Cloud, what word has come from the 21st and 33rd unit?" Mei asked, also reading through the reports.
"Word is that the Cloud is holding the line at the border of the land of Frost, with the Leaf trying their best to push them back." Another adviser said.
"Ao nodded and walked over to the war table where a map had been spread out and figures placed all around to represent their forces and their locations.
"Our main threat is from the north. If the Cloud decided to cross the sea they could attack us directly." Ao said, looking at the map again as he studied it.
"On the other hand, if the Stone are able to push past our defences at the board of the land of Grass. The leaf is done for." He said, knowing that the Stone currently had more shinobi than any other nation.
"And what about the Sand, where do they stand in all of this?" One of the elders asked.
"The Kazekage has taken a step back from the war after her defeat at the hands of lord 5th. For now, we are in talks of peace with them, but who knows what those crafty bastards could be up to behind our backs." Ao said.
Fuyōna was listening to all of the information while he sat in his chair thinking everything over.
He knew for a fact that Obito had placed the 5th Kazekage in a powerful genjutsu like he had done with Yagura before, using the bad blood between the Sand and Mist to kickstart a war that had now dragged all of the other nations into it. However, once Fuyōna had broken the Genjutsu and things had been brought to light with Pakura, she had agreed to withdraw her forces and retreat back to the hidden Sand without resistance.
All that remained now was whether or not she would keep her word or join forces with the Stone and Cloud.
However, Fuyōna couldn't help but wonder why Obito would start a war so early on compared to the real timeline of the Naruto verse.
"How is our naval force fairing in the sea defences?" Mei asked, snapping Fuyōna out of his deep thoughts.
"So far so good, we have reported that the blockade is holding strong. It would take a considerable amount of force to break through, with the bulk of the sea defences being held by the Hōzuki clan." The advisor said, giving them extra piece of mind knowing that the Hōzuki clan were holding the sea defences, knowing there was no one better suited for the job.
"Any word from Ganryu regarding the mission in the land of Waterfalls?" Fuyōna suddenly asked, knowing it had been a while since he had received an update regarding their mission.
Everyone in the room went silent for a moment before Mei answered him.
"I'm afraid not dear." She said, also having a bad feeling about it.
"I have no doubts that Ganryu and his team will be successful. After all, he knows that the success of that mission will change the war." Ao said, trying to lighten the mood a little.
Suddenly a knocking sound came from the door, alerting everyone in the war chamber to it.
"Come in," Fuyōna said, already knowing who it was.
"Forgive me for interrupting your meeting sir, but this has arrived for you." The Anbu member said, holding a sealed letter with the marking of the water Daimyō attached to it.
Ao took the scroll from the Anbu member before he bowed his head and dismissed himself, knowing that this meeting was only for the higher-ups of the village.
"Here, it is addressed to you," Ao said as he handed the scroll over to Fuyōna.
Fuyōna took the scroll and opened it, undoing the seal on it as he did.
"Is everything alright?" Mei asked, watching while he read it.
"It would seem that the Daimyō has fallen ill and has requested an audience with me," Fuyōna said as he placed the scroll on the table.
Everyone in the room remained silent, being the first they had heard of this and unsure as to why.
"Very well, we will ready your personal guard for departure at once," Mei said.
"No, I will go alone." Fuyōna suddenly said, cutting her off and surprising her.
"But sir, you cannot leave the village alone during a time of war such as this," Ao said, not agreeing.
"Don't worry about me, I won't be long," Fuyōna said before he summoned an ice mirror in front of his desk.
"Very well. Do be safe dear." Mei said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Always," Fuyōna said before he stepped into the ice mirror, disappearing from the office with everyone watching while the ice mirror melted.
"That man," Mei said, not being able to help a smile form on her face due to her husband's actions.
Fuyōna took a step out of another ice mirror not a second later that led him to the heart of the Daimyō's meeting hall, seeing that it was currently empty.
Fuyōna had placed a seal tag here long ago in case he had to make the trip over, knowing it would come in handy. He could sense that many people were currently located upstairs, along with the Daimyō himself, and another person that he had not seen in a while.
Fuyōna decided it would be best if he go and see them, considering that he had been summoned at such short notice like this.
"S-Stop, how did you get in here!" Two men yelled as Fuyōna walked out of the meeting hall and into one of the large corridors, coming face to face with two guards taking them both by surprise.
It only took them a moment to realize who he was before they lowered their spears and quickly stood to attention.
"L-Lord Mizukage. Please forgive us, we did not recognize you, sir." They said, hoping he would not kill them for pointing their weapons at him.
"It's fine, just doing your job, keep it up," Fuyōna said, giving one of them a pat on the shoulder before he carried on walking toward the first floor of the mansion, causing both of them to breath a large sigh of relief.
Fuyōna couldn't help but notice the increased amount of guards inside the residence. During wartime the shinobi would provide personal guards to protect the feudal lords of their nation, however, these were hired soldiers paid for by the Daimyō himself, not just the guard that Fuyōna had assigned.
Soon enough Fuyōna reached the bedroom where he could sense everyone was, being met by four more guards and two personal guards that had been hand-picked by Fuyōna himself from his own Anbu unit.
"Lord Mizukage." One of them said, bowing his head as he greeted his leader.
"Good to see you both again," Fuyōna said with a smile.
"We knew you would come right away, sir." The other said before he gave a nod to the normal guards that were stationed at the door.
The guards nodded back and opened the large doors allowing Fuyōna to step into the room as they announced his presence for him.
"Lord 5th Mizukage. Fuyōna Yuki has arrived sir." The guard said, getting everyones attention.
Fuyōna could see that the Daimyō was led in his bed, looking much worse than he had imagined. He was also able to see that most of his advisors and some other nobles from the land of water were here too.
Everyone greeted and paid their respect toward him, some more out of fear than respect.
"You came." A familiar voice said, catching Fuyōna's attention above all else.
"Of course, I did, Princess Mizuko," Fuyōna said after a moment, taking in the sight of her.
"Please, I need to speak with you in private, lord Mizukage." She said, catching his attention without saying anything else.
Fuyōna could see that her father looked ill and was unable to move let alone talk, giving Fuyōna the feeling that there was more going on here.
"Certainly," Fuyōna said, following the princess out of the room.
"Keep an eye on all of them," Fuyōna said to one of the guards he trusted so that only he could hear him.
"Yes sir." He said, nodding his head.
Fuyōna followed the princess down the hall and into another room, seeing that she was making sure it was empty.
"Is everything alright?" Fuyōna asked, trying to put the pieces together here.
"Are we alone?" She asked.
Fuyōna's eyes grew a little more serious now, realising that something was indeed wrong.
"Yes," Fuyōna said, not being able to sense anyone listening to them.
"Good. I knew I could trust you." She said before she suddenly ran into his arms, wrapping hers around his body.
Fuyōna was taken back a little, hearing the soft sobbing coming from her as she pressed her face into his chest.
"Please, Princess you need to tell me what is going on here?" Fuyōna said, trying to keep her calm.
Mizuko took a moment before she let go of Fuyōna and slowly looked up at him with tears still in her eyes.
"My father... I think someone poisoned him." She said, getting a serious look from Fuyōna.
"Who?" He asked, trying to see who she thought it might be.
"I'm not sure..." She said, turning away from him.
"Things have slowly been getting worse since the war with the other nations. And some of our nobles have been voicing their disapproval, even going as far as to threaten a revolt against my father."
Fuyōna was very surprised, wondering why he was only hearing about this now.
"Tell me everything. Mizuko." Fuyōna said, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes.
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