The coastline of the Land of Fire.
On the vast sea, countless speedboats and warships were speeding across it, all bearing the flags representing The Hidden Mist Village.
After the Blastsword: Shibuki and Long Blade - Sewing Needle delivered the intelligence back to the Hidden Mist, it immediately caused a sensation.
Konoha's mine array unexpectedly led to the total annihilation of the Hidden Mist's elite scout unit, costing the lives of two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and both Kaguya Kimijiro, the genius of the Kaguya Clan, and Terumi Mei of the Terumi Clan, who possessed dual Kekkeigenkai, perished in battle...
The losses were nothing short of devastating.
But fortunately, the information conveyed through the blade excited the Third Mizukage.
Although some of the village's geniuses had died, Konoha's weakness was fully probed.
The forces guarding the Hidden Mist were unexpectedly led by the Uchiha Clan...
The Uchiha Clan excelled at Fire Release, but the Sharingan was countered by the Hidden Mist Jutsu; this battlefield near the waters was the least favorable for their clan.
Upon seeing this intelligence, the Third Mizukage laughed.
A familiar scent.
Dealing with disobedient ninja clans, war naturally becomes the highest justification, and the tense relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper echelons is one of the classic topics in the Ninja World, serving as a reference for every Kage in managing their ninja clans.
At this moment, the Third Mizukage, who initiated the Blood Mist era, felt a sense of mutual understanding with Sarutobi Hiruzen from a distance...
He should learn well the method of persecuting disobedient ninja clans.
Simply initiating purges made him seem impulsive and not smooth enough.
"Mine clearing team, use Water Release at all costs to swiftly clear the path for the main force!"
Disembarking, the Third Mizukage, with a stern face, commanded sharply:
"For the glory of the village, for the sacrifice of Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi, two of the Ninja Blade Group, for Kaguya Kimijiro and Terumi Mei, these outstanding Bloodline Ninja, for every Hidden Mist Ninja fallen at the hands of Konoha..."
"We must cherish the intelligence they brought back with their lives and break through Konoha's mine array defense at the fastest speed to strike directly at their stronghold!"
"In this battle, I will fight on the front lines with all of you!"
With an angry demeanor, the Third Mizukage roared in a motivational speech before the gathered Hidden Mist troops, not forgetting to rally the morale.
This was undoubtedly a golden opportunity for him.
No matter if the Uchiha Clan was countered or if Konoha's forces were sufficient...
As long as the Third Mizukage wins this war, the records will only state that he was a great Mizukage who defeated the Uchiha Clan, the premier powerhouse of the Ninja World!
His fame and prestige would grow rapidly, and the current chaos within the Hidden Mist would be quelled as well.
In the eyes of the Third Mizukage, this was like Sarutobi Hiruzen having a conversation with him from afar...
He needed a decisive victory, and Sarutobi Hiruzen needed to deal with the Uchiha Clan; the two coincided perfectly...
From this perspective, it completely aligned with the intelligence relayed by the ninja blades—the forces guarding Konoha were few and primarily composed of the Uchiha Clan.
The Third Mizukage did not doubt this intelligence at all.
The ability to transmit it back to the village through Summoning Jutsu and written in the Hidden Mist's coded language made it impossible to fake.
Unless the Cryptography Class, and the two Ninja Swordsmen betrayed, abandoning their ninja blades...
But how was that possible?
The Third Mizukage felt a bit of emotion; the Hokage's ruthlessness was impressive.
With dire enemies at the gate and the village facing a crisis of destruction, they were still using such ruthless internal tactics!
No wonder Konoha had so many Bloodline Ninja Clans, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen could keep the village under such firm control; indeed, he had remarkable qualities...
The Third Mizukage waved his hand, raising the ninja blade high:
"Blood Mist Village, blood for blood!"
"Blood Mist Village, blood for blood!"
The Hidden Mist Ninjas shouted, with their morale continually rising.
Despite some internal issues within the Hidden Mist, under external pressure, the Third Mizukage's rhetoric once again unified their spirits.
"Indeed, Hozuki Gengetsu-sama was right..."
The Third Mizukage squinted his eyes, musing, "When internal pressure reaches its limit, it must be released externally!"
And among the ranks.
The elders of the Terumi Clan and the Kaguya Clan had flickering eyes.
Compared to others, they knew some inside information...
Persuaded once by Terumi Mei and Kaguya Kimijiro, they knew that Konoha had a peculiar Uchiha.
Possessing a pure Dead Bone Pulse and Boil Release, Lava Release, he was a strange ninja more like a Mizukage than even the Third Mizukage.
At the time, they took it as nothing, deeming it an excuse for the younger generation's failed mission, as it seemed too fantastical.
But when news of their deaths came out, the entire matter seemed to hold another extremely absurd possibility...
Could it be that what they said was true?
Perhaps this death was another Suikazan Fuguki incident, aimed at defecting to Konoha...
Even though there were many questionable points within this...
Out of caution, the elders of the Terumi Clan and the Kaguya Clan hesitated for a moment before quietly instructing their clansmen—
To move to the back of the ranks, not charge too fiercely, and act according to the situation.
Both Terumi Mei and Kaguya Kimijiro were the most outstanding geniuses of their clans; if they were defecting and not dead, then there must be a compelling reason that convinced them...