Mizukage Gengetsu's heart was struggling violently.
Yukinijo's plan to "attack the Land of Whirlpools" was like a fruit full of deadly temptation placed before him.
Reason told him that this was currently the most efficient and least risky solution to the village's predicament.
A small country aloof from worldly strife, focusing on the study of sealing jutsu, was simply easy pickings for Kirigakure, which would send out all its elites.
As long as they acted fast enough, got what they wanted before Konoha could react, and then quickly withdrew.
Even if Konoha was angry, would they really cross the ocean from thousands of miles away to start a full-scale war with Kirigakure for an ally that had already been destroyed?
The possibility was very small.
However, emotionally, he could never make up his mind.
In his mind, the figure of that man always involuntarily surfaced.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The man who, in the Second Great Ninja War, played the three great ninja villages in the palm of his hand with means bordering on the unpredictable.
The man who, with his own power, faced the Third Raikage head-on and finally forced him to sign a humiliating reparation treaty.
Would attacking his ally really not touch a reverse scale?
The wife of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama—the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Mito, hailed from the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools.
The bond between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools was far deeper than it appeared on the surface.
What if...
What if Sarutobi Hiruzen really waged war at all costs for the Land of Whirlpools? Could Kirigakure really withstand Konoha's wrath?
A layer of fine cold sweat had unknowingly seeped from Gengetsu's back.
He looked at the people present. Kaguya Soranosuke's eyes held undisguised bloodlust, and Yukinijo's face wore an elegant smile of having everything under control.
The atmosphere in the entire conference room had been pushed to a dangerous edge.
As the Mizukage, he had to make a decision.
"Clan Head Yukinijo."
Gengetsu spoke slowly, his voice still steady. "Your plan is indeed perfect."
"However, you have overlooked the most crucial point."
"Oh?"
Yukinijo raised an eyebrow and asked elegantly, "I'd like to hear the details, Lord Mizukage."
"Konoha's reaction."
Gengetsu said word by word, "None of us can predict what kind of reaction that Sarutobi Hiruzen will make when we act against the Land of Whirlpools."
"Once he chooses full-scale war, who will bear this responsibility?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the conference room, which had just been heated, instantly cooled down.
Kaguya Soranosuke curled his lips disdainfully, wanting to say something, but seeing the Mizukage's solemn expression, he swallowed his words.
At this moment of stalemate again.
A voice full of wisdom sounded slowly.
"Lord Mizukage's worry is correct."
The one who spoke was Elder Gen, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
He first agreed with the Mizukage's worry, and then said unhurriedly, "Therefore, we cannot act alone."
"Hm?" Gengetsu raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
Gen did not answer immediately. He stood up and walked to the huge map of the ninja world.
"Clan Head Yukinijo's plan is feasible."
"But it needs a supplement."
Gen extended a finger and pointed heavily at the northeast corner of the map.
That mountain range shrouded in thunderclouds all year round.
"We need an ally."
"An ally who has the same needs as us, an ally who harbors deep hatred towards Konoha."
"Kumogakure."
Gen's voice was not loud, but every word stirred up a thousand waves.
Rope in Kumogakure?
Kaguya Soranosuke and Yukinijo exchanged a look, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.
Neither of them expected that this guy who had always been singing a different tune would propose a plan even crazier and bolder than theirs.
"Gen, you mean..."
Gengetsu's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"That's right."
Gen nodded, a smile like an old fox appearing on his face.
"The Third Raikage, A, that conceited man, his village also has two Tailed Beasts that cannot be perfectly controlled—the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails. His desire for high-level sealing jutsu will definitely not be less than ours."
"More importantly,"
A cold light flashed in Gen's eyes, "Just recently, he 'led the charge personally,' leading the main force of Kumogakure to launch a surprise attack on Konoha. And the result? He was beaten by Sarutobi Hiruzen alone until he lost his helmet and armor, returned in a sorry state, and signed a humiliating compensation agreement."
"With the Third Raikage's proud character, will he swallow this humiliation? He wants to get back at them more than anyone else right now."
"At this time, if our Kirigakure extends an olive branch to him, telling him that there is an opportunity to wipe out his previous shame and get what he wants most. Do you think the Third Raikage will refuse?"
Gen looked around at everyone, his voice becoming resonant and powerful.
"Nine times out of ten, he will agree!"
"At that time, our Kirigakure and Kumogakure, two great ninja villages joining forces, will act against the Land of Whirlpools simultaneously."
"After success, we will 'share' the sealing jutsu."
"This is the true, foolproof strategy!"
A near-perfect overt scheme that calculated everyone's interests and desires!
The conference room boiled over completely.
"High! Truly high! Lord Gen!"
"You are indeed ruthless! I like it!"
Yukinijo applauded elegantly, his emerald eyes filled with admiration for this old man.
Gengetsu looked at the map, his brain working at high speed.
Kirigakure, Kumogakure, joining forces.
This plan reduced almost all risks to the minimum.
The success rate was infinitely close to one hundred percent.
The last bit of doubt in his heart vanished completely.
"Good! What a 'law does not punish the majority'!"
Gengetsu slammed the table and stood up, light bursting from his eyes. "We'll do it this way!"
"Gen, then the candidate to go to Kumogakure..."
"I am willing to go personally."
Gen volunteered before he could finish, as if he saw the future of the village's growth and expansion in an instant. "These old bones of mine can still do something for the village."
Gengetsu looked at Gen's determined eyes, moved in his heart.
He knew that this old friend who had dedicated his life to the village would once again use his wisdom to pry open a brand-new future for Kirigakure.
"Good!"
Gengetsu nodded heavily, his voice resonant, echoing throughout the conference room.
"This matter is settled!"
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