Chapter 278: Spies and Documents

The Hidden Mist Village is located in the center of the main island of the Land of Water. It is shrouded in thick fog all year round, which is highly consistent with its name.

It was the fourth day after the Whirlpool Country was captured, and the fifth day after Kakashi's team was attacked. The Hidden Mist Village was unusually deserted, with few pedestrians to be seen on the streets. Occasionally, people walked by, but they were all in a hurry, as if someone was chasing them.

In a small room in a residential area near the Mizukage Building, two people were having a conversation, and the content of their conversation was absolutely not to be spread.

"There have been frequent deployments of ANBU ninjas in the past few days. Something big must have happened. It's a pity that Wild Wolf guy went out on a mission, otherwise, with his position in the ANBU, you and I wouldn't be in the dark right now." said a young ninja wearing a standard Mist Village vest and a Mist Village forehead protector.

"The three of us were ordered to infiltrate here more than ten years ago, and we have been working together to pass on information, and everything has been peaceful. It stands to reason that we should not meet with any trouble today, but there has been no news from Wild Wolf, and we don't know if he has met with any accident." said another young ninja who was dressed almost the same way.

"I don't know why, but I've been feeling uneasy these past few days, and I always feel like something big is going to happen. My team has also been asked to stay on standby. The last time this happened was on the eve of the Third Ninja World War."

From the conversation between two ninjas, a man and a woman, it is not difficult to find that they are the most hated spy ninjas in each ninja village, and they have been lurking for decades.

"I'm almost the same. Most of the medical staff have been gathered together, and no one is allowed to go out without permission. If you have anything to say, please tell me quickly. You can't leave my place for too long, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous." said the young female ninja.

The male ninja looked around. In fact, they were all in a secret room. It was just his personal habit. "I heard the captain mentioned that the village has already occupied the Whirlpool Country, so they are so nervous!"

It was four days ago that the Whirlpool Country was conquered, but the two of them were still kept in the dark. It was obvious that the top leaders of the Hidden Mist Village had put a lot of effort into blocking the news.

The female ninja showed a hint of surprise on her pretty face, and said, "With the Hokage in the village, it has become increasingly powerful in recent years. Now that the Whirlpool Country has been taken over, perhaps the time has come for us to return to Konoha!"

"Return to Konoha?" The male ninja was stunned and muttered, "Is there any hope for people like us to go back?"

"Why not?" The female ninja said in a low voice excitedly, "The Hokage is determined to reform the new policy. The village rarely sends out spies now. I believe that there will be a day when we can return to our hometown."

The male ninja looked at his hands and smiled bitterly. From the moment he stepped into the Land of Water, he knew that his hometown had become a sealed memory. For decades, he couldn't sleep at night and didn't even dare to sleep in the same room with others, fearing that his sleep talk would reveal his identity. During the Third Ninja World War, he personally killed several Konoha ninjas and had long lost track of his true identity.

So, he said solemnly: "The more critical the moment, the more we must remain calm. You must be cautious and cautious again. Don't ever fantasize about returning to your hometown one day! People like us have long been reduced to rats in the sewer. Once we show our heads, there is only one way to go, and that is death!"

"The most important thing right now is not to pass on information. The village doesn't lack this little information for decision-making! What we need to do is to hide well, save our lives and wait and see what happens. Wild Wolf is most likely dead, and there are only you and me left in the same group of spy ninjas. I don't want to end up without anyone to talk to!"

The female ninja nodded, looked at the time again, and finally stood up and said, "I should go back, you should make sure of yourself!"

“I wish you peace!”

The two separated, walking to the left and the right on a narrow street. The thick fog soon swallowed up their figures, and they could no longer see each other.

At the same time, the Mizukage Building welcomed an uninvited guest, who was the Konoha envoy who was ordered to go to the Land of Water. The dark green ninja vest he wore was so out of place among the Mist Ninjas, but even though he was surrounded by powerful enemies, he still had a steady smile on his face. Without this courage, the envoy's mission would not have fallen on him.

"I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be Uchiha Seiji! It's been a while since we parted in the Land of Fire." Muri Shinpachi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, said in surprise.

The visitor was Uchiha Seiji, the hottest new generation representative of the Uchiha clan. He was currently in charge of the daily work of the Hokage's office and was highly regarded by the top management. Upon hearing this, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face, and he said, "Okay, okay, I fought with you in the past and the result was evenly matched, so we can barely be considered acquaintances. Where is the Mizukage? I have some documents that need to be handed to him in person."

"How dare you!" A Kirigakure ninja immediately jumped out and shouted, "Who do you think you are? Why is it so disrespectful to address Mizukage-sama?"

Muri Jinpachi did not stop his subordinates' actions. To him, he was very happy to see the Konoha ninjas being scolded, and he even wished that his subordinates would teach them a lesson.

Uchiha Seiji crossed his arms and said with a smile, "Today I come here with the documents of the Land of Fire Daimyo, and I come here on behalf of the Hokage. May I ask who you are and who you represent?"

"If this is how the Land of Water and the Hidden Mist Village treat guests, I dare not stay any longer. The next time you come, it will be the Hokage himself. Have you forgotten what happened to the Hidden Mist Village?"

Back then, Ye Shan rushed to Iwagakure Village in a rage and kicked down its Tsuchikage Building. This was no secret in the ninja world. Now Uchiha Seiji brought up the past again, and the threat he expressed was very explicit.

All the Kirigakure ninjas fell silent, because they were really afraid of the god-like man from Konohagakure. The trauma he brought to Kirigakure has not healed to this day, so how could they not be afraid?

Seeing that the situation was not good, Muri Jinpachi smiled and stepped forward with his belly bulging, saying, "You are a guest from afar. The Mizukage has been waiting for you for a long time. Please ask the Konoha envoy to move to the conference room."

Uchiha Seiji sneered and walked directly into the power center building of the Hidden Mist Village, with an expression that said, "What can you do to me?", which made the Mist Ninjas present almost bite their back teeth.

The Shuiying Building is a six-story building that is majestically built. It is covered entirely with water-blue glass and is decorated with mist that looks like a silver ribbon, making it look like a fairyland on earth.

Uchiha Seiji went straight up to the third floor without looking around. The doors of the rooms around him were all tightly closed, except for one door which was open. It went without saying that this was where the Mizukage usually received foreign envoys.

After entering the house, Uchiha Seiji looked around and as expected, he saw the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village, who was also known as the ruthless man in the ninja world. This was because the Mizukage, who was born in the Terumi clan, had implemented the blood mist policy since he took over, killing his own ninjas without mercy, so he was dubbed as a ruthless man.

"Konohagakure jonin Uchiha Seiji has come to your village to issue a document under the order of the Hokage!"

Good fellow, Uchiha Seiji's first words greatly offended several people in the room, and the vague murderous aura suddenly spread out. What is a written order? A written order is a document sent to a vassal state! But the status of the Land of Water and the Land of Fire in the Ninja World is the same, and the word "a written order" is a naked humiliation!

The Mizukage was about thirty-five years old, with a face with clear lines and frighteningly bright eyes. He looked like a strategic leader. Hearing this, he was not angry but smiled naturally: "You are Uchiha Seiji? The new generation leader of the Uchiha clan is indeed extraordinary. Konoha is really the cradle of geniuses. It makes people envious."

"You're too polite, Mizukage. The ninjas from your village are well-trained, but there is one thing that is not so good."

"What's wrong?"

"All the emotions are written on your face, which is a bit childish."

He was implying that the ninjas of the Hidden Mist Village were filled with murderous intent. Even when two countries were at war, they would not kill envoys. He was just an errand boy, and there was no need for him to have murderous intent at every turn. His fierce appearance and weak heart made people laugh for no reason.

The Mizukage chuckled and tapped his fingers on the table. The people in the room immediately restrained their breath and sat quietly in their seats.

"You are not training hard in Konohagakure, but you come to Kirigakure to deliver some documents for no reason. Is it a declaration of war?"

"The Konoha Ninja Village cherishes the hard-earned peace and does not want to be the sinner who starts a war. But if someone dares to provoke us without knowing what is good for him, the tens of thousands of elite ninjas in our village will not be pushovers. Could it be that the Mizukage has been bored lately and wants to send the ninjas of his own village to the battlefield for some training? I have heard that craftsmen in the Iron Country often break the finest ninja tools. Please think twice before you act." Uchiha Seiji said neither humbly nor arrogantly, and even a fool could hear the threat in his words.

The smile on the Mizukage's face became more intense. He waved his hand and said, "Let's stop talking nonsense. After all, everyone's time is precious. Submit the documents. Please stay here tonight. The night in the Hidden Mist Village is also unique."

A Kirigakure Anbu stepped forward, holding a tray covered with red cloth. Uchiha Seiji took out a document from his arms and put it in solemnly.

The Anbu ninja checked it in front of everyone, confirmed that there was no problem, and then half-knelt on the ground and raised the tray. The Fourth Mizukage leaned back in his chair, casually stretched out his right hand to pick up the document from the tray, opened it and took a look, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

"Hokage-sama is so arrogant, asking for the sixteen islands of Whirlpool Country right away. Aren't you afraid of hurting yourself?"

Uchiha Seiji did not answer. His mission had been completed. He had no control over what to do next, so there was naturally no need for him to respond to the other party's obligations.

"Hand over the main culprit? Rebuke the Daimyo? Does Baiyun Yeshan really think he has the final say in the ninja world?"

The Mizukage became angrier and angrier as he spoke, so he simply handed the document to his subordinates to pass around. A moment later, the office was filled with an uproar, with many clamoring to send troops to retake the territory of the Whirlpool Country to avenge the previous humiliation.

The Mizukage and his subordinates stopped laughing, but Uchiha Seiji started laughing, and his laugh was very subtle, to the point where his teeth were exposed.

Of course he could laugh, and he had the confidence to laugh. In Uchiha Seiji's opinion, the ninjas of the Land of Water were no different from the monkeys in the zoo, they were just a bunch of clowns.

"Lord Mizukage!" A ninja stood up and shouted, "The Konohagakure is going too far. When has the Hidden Mist Village ever been bullied like this since it was built? I implore you to issue a war mobilization to take back our lost territory!"

"That's right! We in the Water Country have always been law-abiding. It was Konoha Village that started the conflict. The army of justice will win!"

Everyone was stating their opinions excitedly, but suddenly they heard a burst of shrill laughter. They paused for a moment and looked over with raised eyebrows.

"why are you laughing?"

Uchiha Qingsi laughed so hard that tears almost came out. Hearing this, he rubbed his stomach and said, "Nothing. I just remembered something happy."

Everyone present is smart, so naturally no one would be stupid enough to ask the other person what happy things they remembered. Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

"Your territory? If I remember correctly, the Land of Whirlpools has belonged to the Land of Fire since ancient times. When did it become your territory? Even if it is really your territory, you can send troops to fight for it! As long as you have the ability to conquer it, my Konohagakure will not say a word and will directly issue a notice to acknowledge that the Land of Whirlpools will be yours from now on. Do you dare?"

Uchiha Seiji's eyes widened, and even without opening his Sharingan, he was full of momentum, and shouted: "The Land of Water betrayed the signed treaty and sent Anbu to sneak into the Land of Fire without authorization to kill Konoha ninjas, resulting in three deaths and one serious injury. The Land of Whirlpools has been dependent on the Land of Fire since ancient times. The Hokage was entrusted by the Daimyo to recover the homeland, and it is legitimate! At this point, you don't reflect on your own actions, but are still trying to stir up new disputes. Do you really think we are made of clay?"

The Mizukage stood up, his hands unconsciously behind his back, and he couldn't help but have the intention to kill. But after thinking it over again, he still didn't dare to do it, so he suppressed his anger and said, "Since the document has been delivered, the messenger should go back. The Kirigakure is not peaceful at night, and it would be bad if someone got hurt and the news got out."

"Humph!"

Uchiha Seiji snorted coldly and turned away without any courtesy, which made the eyes of everyone in the room bulge with veins, and they wished they could pick up their weapons and kill him immediately.

After he left, Shuiying's expression became completely gloomy, as if he had been frozen for a thousand years. He sat upright in his chair and said, "You have all read the documents. If you have any ideas, please feel free to raise them."

The office was silent. All the ninjas who had just clamored to send troops to teach Konoha a lesson had become mute. They lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Under the blood mist policy, any ninja who dared to speak out was killed. Although this Mizukage had thick eyebrows and big eyes and looked righteous, he was very ruthless behind the scenes and eliminated dissidents without restraint. If not, how could the Hidden Mist Village not be able to gather the Seven Ninja Swordsmen for many years?