Although this is considered a very foolish policy by Hakushi,
from the perspective of the vested interests, the Daimyo and the nobles are also reducing ninja expenditures for their own benefit, while they themselves indulge extravagantly.
As for the commoners, they are the weak and poverty-stricken class collectively overlooked by ninjas and nobles.
The Hidden Mist Village wishes to transform and break this deadlock, but the majority of the internal high ranks are bound to be implicated, possibly even extending to the Daimyo and the nobles.
"Let's observe a bit longer."
In the end, Hakushi still took no action.
The current situation in the Hidden Mist Village is still unclear. It's uncertain to what extent the factional fights have reached and what situation the leaders of the factions are in.
As a neutral party, he only needed to perform his duties properly.
◎
"Cough, cough... cough, cough..."
In the white room, dim yellow lights shone.
In the ambiance of the deep night, a shadow of death enveloped the room.
A woman lay painfully on a sickbed, her eyes barely able to open, staring somewhat blankly at the ceiling's lighting, with an unnaturally pale complexion, terminally ill.
At this moment, a figure wearing a mask and clad in a ninja suit entered from outside, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, slowly approaching the woman on the sickbed.
This attire signifies a Hidden Mist Anbu Ninja directly under the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist.
A notorious member of the Hidden Mist Tracking Unit.
Through the eye holes of the mask, the gaze of this ninja appeared indifferent and devoid of mercy, merely following the Mizukage's command to execute a task.
"Lady Ameyuri, it's time to take your medicine now."
The woman on the sickbed turned her head to look at the bowl of medicinal soup in the Hidden Mist Anbu's hand, showing fear in her eyes, shaking her head vigorously on the bed.
"I'm not sick... Take it away..."
"Only a sick person would say they're not sick. This medicinal soup was specially prepared by the Mizukage for you; it's very beneficial for your health. Drink it while it's hot."
The Hidden Mist Anbu softened his tone as much as possible, speaking to the woman on the sickbed.
"... Take it away..."
"You're one of our Hidden Mist's Seven-swords Ninja, don't be so willful. Recover well; you still have to go to battle to kill enemies. Let me feed you."
Ignoring the woman's struggle on the sickbed, the Hidden Mist Anbu forcibly grabbed her shoulder, lifting her up, pressing the rim of the bowl filled with medicinal soup against her pale lips forcefully.
Just as the Hidden Mist Anbu was about to tilt the bowl, forcing the woman to drink the medicinal soup, something was suddenly detected, and he swiftly dodged aside, causing the bowl filled with soup to shatter on the ground, spilling everywhere.
Crack!
The sound of a neck breaking.
Even after a timely dodge, the attack of the assailant could not be fully avoided.
The proficiency in Instantaneous Body Jutsu was clearly far superior to that of the Hidden Mist Anbu Ninja.
The arrival went to the bedside, looking at the woman writhing in pain on the bed, sighed softly.
The woman on the bed caught her breath and looked at the person who came to the bedside, her lips slightly parted:
"Long time no see... I heard you've joined the Third Mizukage... Are you here to kill me?"
The person did not answer but reached out directly, placing a hand on the woman's forehead.
The woman on the bed immediately felt drowsy and fell asleep on the bed.
◎
Before dawn.
Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, falling on the buildings of the Hidden Mist Village.
In this silent morning, a force composed of a dozen ninjas hurriedly moved outside the Hidden Mist Village.
Leading were two male ninjas.
One had yellow, spiky long hair, wore a Hidden Mist Anbu Mask, with limbs slender like a youthful woman, but the true gender was male, carrying weaponry as thin as needles on his back.
Holder of the Long Blade·Sewing Needle from the Seven-swords Ninja — Kuriarare Kushimaru.
The other had long black hair, distinct in form with a whip-like beard and mustache, with a black cloth covering the left eye, and sharp teeth, giving off a cruel and vicious image.
Holder of the Blastsword: Shibuki from the Seven-swords Ninja — Munashi Jinpachi.
As the 'Heartless Duo' of the Seven-swords Ninja, Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi often moved together, fighting as a pair. In the Ninja Realm, they were notorious for executing enemies through brutal means.
Yet the pair took this as a hobby, seeing it as an honor.
Following them were elite ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village.
Currently executing a classified S-Class Mission directly communicated by the Third Mizukage alongside these two.
Even outside the village, they maintained a high speed of action.
"Really, letting the two of us handle such a task, the Third Mizukage seems to have no capable people left on hand."
Munashi Jinpachi's arrogant voice spread through the foggy forest.
Following them were their confidants, so there was no need, like in the village, to speak cautiously.
However, expressing such words was merely a simple complaint.
"Given his age, it's inevitable that he's somewhat powerless. I already said that executing them directly would have saved a lot of trouble. He insisted on calling them comrades of the same village, making them die young under the guise of illness. Old and senile."
"Humph. I am more concerned about who let that woman out in private."
"But there are too many suspects."
Kuriarare Kushimaru responded.
Within the village, there were not a few people opposing the glorified 'Bloody Mist' policy. Despite having cleared out some earlier, the effect seemed inadequate, and they continue to resist desperately there.