Hozuki Mangetsu is the perfect candidate for the second Animal Path Puppet.
Because the Animal Path Puppet must excel in Summoning Jutsu, the more skilled the ninja is at it, the stronger they become as an Animal Path Puppet.
"... "
Hozuki Mangetsu's body started to tremble.
People in the Ninja World mostly believe that souls can ascend, even ninjas believe the deceased live in the Pure Land, preventing a soul from going to the Pure Land is a cruel thing.
"Should I agree?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Hozuki Mangetsu, seemingly waiting for his response.
"Do I have a choice to refuse?"
Hozuki Mangetsu, perhaps having come to terms, grinned with his shark-like teeth as if relieved: "At least that idiot Suigetsu can still live on..."
"That's even better."
Akihara Kagura nodded, signaling the Root Ninja to take Hozuki Mangetsu away and brought Hozuki Suigetsu to his office.
"Where's my brother?"
Hozuki Suigetsu searched for his brother's whereabouts.
"He's about to die."
Akihara Kagura observed the little fellow.
"I know that! Dead is dead!"
Hozuki Suigetsu grumbled discontentedly, then pursued further, "At least before he dies, can I be by his side?"
This somewhat goofy Hozuki Suigetsu actually had this side!
"I have a Jutsu."
Akihara Kagura looked at Hozuki Suigetsu and continued softly, "Even if he dies, I can still bring him back to this world in the future. You still have a chance to see him again, as long as you obediently agree to help me with a task..."
"What task?"
Hozuki Suigetsu raised his eyebrows, doubting that Akihara Kagura had anything for him to do: "Is there anything you can't do? Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious what the task is, I'm not really interested in him coming back to life..."
"Go undercover with Orochimaru."
Akihara Kagura's fingers lightly tapped the desk.
"!!!"
Hozuki Suigetsu broke into a cold sweat!
Are you kidding!
Do you want me to die there!
"I will assign you a companion."
Akihara Kagura looked at Hozuki Suigetsu and continued softly, "And someone there will protect you, you won't die there..."
"That sounds better."
Hozuki Suigetsu carefree nodded and continued, "So, can I go see my brother now? I'm not really interested in him reviving back; I'm just worried about when he will die now..."
"He's already dead."
Akihara Kagura frowned and spoke softly, "After you return, you should defect from The Hidden Mist Village to join Orochimaru, to avoid his suspicion..."
"I got it."
Hozuki Suigetsu grinned discontentedly, revealing shark-like teeth like his brother: "So you're just using that guy as a hostage to threaten me?"
"..."
A group of Root Ninja escorted Hozuki Suigetsu back to his cell.
Time passed quickly.
The peace treaty has been signed.
The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village delivered their reparations and Jutsu Scrolls, Chiyo took away the Sand Ninja prisoners, and Terumi Mei took away the Mist Village Ninja prisoners.
Before everyone left, a minor incident occurred.
Now, the leader of the Seven-Swords Ninja from The Hidden Mist Village, Hozuki Mangetsu, is plagued by illness, Terumi Mei hoped Tsunade could help treat him but couldn't find Hozuki Mangetsu.
"Lord Hokage, the Seven-Swords Ninja from our village, Hozuki Mangetsu..."
Terumi Mei urgently inquired Tsunade about Hozuki Mangetsu's disappearance.
"This..."
Tsunade wasn't really aware of the situation.
"He's dead."
Akihara Kagura casually responded.
"Where is his body?"
Terumi Mei immediately looked at Akihara Kagura and nervously reminded, "And Mangetsu had a ninja sword, which is a treasure of The Hidden Mist Village..."
"Dead is dead!"
Hozuki Suigetsu, next to Terumi Mei, muttered indifferently, "Since he's dead, what's the point of asking so much? Anyway, he's already done a lot for The Hidden Mist Village, it's only normal for you high officials to get him killed here..."
"..."
The faces of the people present changed.
"Lord Hokage, we're heading back now."
Terumi Mei didn't want to argue with this kid here.
In the future, they could continue to come to Konoha to request the return of the lost ninja sword, to avoid making The Hidden Mist Village a laughing stock for Konoha. It would be too embarrassing.
Tsunade watched as a group of Hidden Mist Ninja left Konoha and rubbed her forehead, then asked Akihara Kagura, "Is Hozuki Mangetsu really dead?"
"Why?"
Akihara Kagura's gaze fixed on Tsunade. As if he hadn't heard clearly, he curiously repeated the question, "Does Lady Tsunade not believe me?"
"That's not it."
Tsunade frowned, looking at Akihara Kagura's expression. This Hokage Assistant seemed somewhat curious, as if he found the situation odd...
This...
What is there to find odd?
This is just a trivial matter, right?
Wait!
Reanimation Jutsu!
Tsunade suddenly remembered that Akihara Kagura was skilled in Reanimation Jutsu, perhaps Hozuki Mangetsu had already died, and Akihara Kagura used Reanimation Jutsu to bring him back and use him?
This...
Made Tsunade hesitate.
Jiraiya had repeatedly reminded her not to let Akihara Kagura get lost in evil Kinjutsu like Reanimation Jutsu, but after this kid revived all the previous Hokage...
It seems...
He's already fallen into it?
If so...
It seems to betray Jiraiya.
Now that Konoha Village's war and diplomacy have been resolved, I need to find time to have a good talk with Akihara Kagura about Reanimation Jutsu.
"I have to get to work now."
Akihara Kagura turned around, preparing to return to Root for a break and to study the Ninjutsu Scrolls sent by The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village.
"Wait a moment..."
Tsunade stopped Akihara Kagura, her expression serious, "Kagura, there are some things I want to discuss with you, have you been using the forbidden Reanimation Jutsu inappropriately?"
"Lady Tsunade?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Tsunade in surprise, seemingly not understanding her reasoning: "Wasn't this Jutsu, when created, already intended to break the rules?"
"But..."
Akihara Kagura watched Tsunade and continued to ask, "To protect Konoha, is using any means possible not acceptable as well? Like how we revived the previous Hokage..."
"That was because we were worried Orochimaru would use the previous Hokage..."
Tsunade immediately retorted, sighing, "For Konoha Ninja, to protect Konoha, sacrificing their lives is not too much, but..."
To protect Konoha, whatever it takes.
This phrase is, of course, correct.
But continually carrying out activities that violate the rules with this phrase isn't right?
Tsunade recalled the red-haired little girl under Akihara Kagura's command, who also liked to shout slogans for the protection of Konoha, and she worried that the little girl might get led astray by Akihara Kagura.
"That's right."
Tsunade remembered she had made a decision when she first met Karin before her inauguration, so she spoke, "I've met Karin from Root; I'm planning to move the little girl to my side..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura's eyes narrowed.
Akihara Kagura vaguely felt a sense of déjà vu with this scene; he vaguely understood what Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen felt when moving him to Anbu, and wondered what Lord Danzo felt at that time...
Hokage is always like this...
This is why it's no wonder Lord Danzo always quarreled with Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"Do you have other thoughts?"
Tsunade looked at Akihara Kagura in surprise and asked proactively, "Others have mentioned that Karin has been serving as your assistant in Root, but her talent is very strong. Keeping her in Root is a waste of her talent..."
"History always seems to repeat itself..."
Akihara Kagura sighed faintly, his eyes turning slightly cold: "Perhaps Mitokado Homura was right; because of war, Konoha can ease its internal conflicts; when the war ends, the internal conflicts come to the surface..."
"!!!"
Tsunade was startled.
This newly appointed Hokage seemed to see the shadow of Shimura Danzo in Akihara Kagura's eyes!