Chapter 288 Converging Attention

PS: I have nothing to do today. I just stayed at home and wrote a little more. This is to make up for the updates I owed due to the previous leave. I will write more to make up for it when I have time in the future. Thank you all for your support. Although the increase in bookings is extremely slow, it is still heading towards 1300. I will continue to work hard!

"Huh? Did the Vulpix fall into the hands of Menma Uzumaki instead of Orochimaru? And was it the alliance between Takigakure and Kusagakure?"

The country of water, the Hidden Mist Village.

In a very simple style mansion.

On the long corridor on the left side of the inner house.

Yuanshi, who was sleeping with his eyes closed, suddenly heard the report from his confidant. He slowly opened his eyes. A look of surprise appeared on his old face. He looked at the Mist Ninja in front of him and asked. .

"Bi, you're not kidding, are you?"

"Yes, Genshi-sama, this is not only the news that our frontline investigators have learned, but also the information coming from Konoha. The Fifth Hokage has officially sent us a request for joint operations."

As a confidant of Yuanshi, he has expressed his position on many matters for Yuanshi over the years. There is no doubt that this Mist Ninja also plays an important role in the Kirigakure Village, and he can be trusted by Yuanshi. The most important thing is that he can be trusted by Yuanshi. One thing is that this Mist Ninja is very down-to-earth and steady. No matter how small a thing is, he will never be careless. He has been consistent for decades and rarely uses the words "probably", "maybe", and "maybe" when reporting anything to the Master. Such speculative words will not add the slightest bit of personal subjective opinion.

All information is reported to Master Yuan objectively and truthfully, and then they strictly abide by Master Yuan's orders.

Master Yuan didn't ask.

He never said much.

As rigorous as a machine.

Because of this, among Master Yuan's many confidants, Bi has always been the most special one, a position that no one can replace.

"Show me."

"yes!"

After Bi bowed his head and answered, he immediately stepped forward and handed the scroll in his hand to Master Yuan.

The old man's trembling right hand stretched out, took the scroll, opened it very slowly, and slowly read word by word. The space that instantly became silent, Bi still stood beside it with a calm look on his face.

Master Yuan fell into a long silence after slowly reading all the information recorded in the scroll.

It took more than an hour.

"It seems that's really the case..."

There was a very emotional expression on Master Yuan's haggard face.

"Hey, I'm so sorry for having to wait for so long every time, Bi. As I get older, my brain can't move as fast..."

"No, Genshi-sama is serious. So, how should we reply to Konoha? And how should we deal with the Vulpix?"

Bi still looked calm, raised her eyes slightly, faced the Yuan Master in front of her, and asked softly.

"Although I don't want to start a big fight, after all, the interests of our village are still involved. Go ahead and call Terumi Mei and Ao. Our Kirigakure Village has withdrawn from the ninja world for too long, and it is time to return to the ninja world. ”

Master Yuan said this in a very slow but extremely firm tone.

In the Third Ninja World War more than ten years ago, their Kirigakure Village was the defeated side. The number of Kirigakure killed and injured was countless. Later, their own Mizukage was actually controlled by outsiders, which triggered murders one after another. .

As a result, countless companions died under the sword of their own people.

The three wealthy ninja clans once made the ninja world fearful.

They also withered one after another.

Even though the recuperation in recent years has restored a certain vitality to the village, it is still far from enough.

Otherwise, Kirigakure Village would have sent a large force to capture the lost three-tails and six-tails.

How can I wait until now? ?

If possible, Genshi naturally hopes that the ninja world can stabilize for a while, not too much. As long as it takes another four or five years, Kirigakure Village, not to mention returning to its peak, can at least come and join other ninjas. The extent of the village's head-on confrontation.

However, the accident was so sudden.

Of course you can continue to be silent.

But that means that Kirigakure itself has given up a series of interests that originally belonged to them by default, such as the current Vulpix.

International unspoken rules have always been like this.

If you don't fight for it, everyone will give up by default.

This is a result that Master Yuan absolutely cannot accept.

Therefore, even if the timing is wrong, they, Kirigakure Village, must take action.

"Yes, Master Yuanshi!"

After Bi suddenly lowered his head in response, he straightened up and left the place to inform Terumi Mei and Ao.

‘Konoha, Kumogakure, Orochimaru, Uzumaki Menma, and the Takigakure and Kusagakure villages? This really doesn't make the elderly any easier at all. . . . ’

Master Yuan slightly opened his pair of extremely cloudy eyes, and there was a look of helplessness on his old face.

Ninja war.

This can easily seriously damage a ninja village's vitality.

Regardless of the victor or the loser, after the three ninja wars, the five major ninja villages have to pay an extremely heavy price.

This is a heavy loss that will take five to six years, or even longer, to recover from.

But their Kirigakure Village is better.

A few years after the end of the Third Ninja War.

It has always been in the wake of infinite civil strife.

Either someone assassinates the Mizukage today, or a ninja clan is destroyed tomorrow.

Even Master Yuan himself encountered several assassinations in those few years. The number of attackers he killed and the number of guards who died protecting him exceeded three figures. Everyone is a mist ninja.

In this.

The most terrifying casualties were the destruction of the three powerful clans: the Kaguya clan, the Snow clan, and the Oniden clan. You must know that the combined number of ninjas from these three ninja clans was nearly 2,000. In order to destroy these three great ninja clans, clan, Wuyin Village paid an almost equally tragic price.

The other ninja villages are recovering their strength.

As for them, Kirigakure Village has been constantly weakening itself.

It wasn't until Qingli discovered the abnormality of his fourth-generation Mizukage-sama with his Byakugan, and completely solved the root cause of the problem, that Kirigakure Village got back on track and began to regain its strength. But now, that is, A few years' time.

It is simply not enough to restore Kirigakure Village to its former peak.

Otherwise, how could Yuanshi let his three-tailed and six-tailed people wander outside? Isn't it just because I don't have the strength to take it back?

Their Kirigakure Village currently lacks both top-level power and middle-level power, and even the bottom-level power is also lacking.

As weak as Sand Hidden Village is, if we really try our best, there will be no problem in unleashing a ninja army of tens of thousands of people.

But if their Kirigakure Village really wanted to bring out an army of 10,000 ninjas, they would have to drain all their wealth, and even empty all the defense fronts on other borders.

Including the own Ninja Village may become an empty shell.

Is this possible?

The answer is obviously no.

Therefore, Genshi really does not want to usher in a new round of collision between the ninja world now, which will not only interrupt the recovery of vitality of their Kirigakure Village, but may also cause their Kirigakure Village to directly and permanently Sex sinks.

But Master Yuan had no choice.

Such is the situation.

‘It’s really time and time that I don’t have. . . ’

Master Yuan slowly shook his head.

"Whoosh"

"Whoosh"

And less than ten minutes have passed.

On the other side of the courtyard corridor.

Suddenly, two figures appeared in a flash, stepping down from a very far away place, and slowly pacing closer.

To show respect for Master Yuan, a veteran of Kirigakure Village.

Of the two figures, the one on the right has gray-blue standing hair, with light yellow sealing talisman hanging on his ears. The most conspicuous thing is that he wears a black eyepatch on his right eye. The veins protruding near the extended temples, with a solemn look on his face, were none other than the only Kirito ninja with white eyes besides the Hyuga clan - Ao!

The tall, plump woman on the left is wearing a dark blue tube top dress. Her breasts are almost stalwart, with waist-length reddish-brown cross curly hair, slender, round legs, and those The mature charm exuded from the emerald green eyes is captivating.

It is the future fifth generation Mizukage who has such a huge reputation in the original novel - Terumi Mei!

"Master Yuanshi."

When the two of them came close to Master Yuan, they immediately knelt down on one knee and saluted Master Yuan with respectful expressions on their faces.

At this time, Terumi Mei had not yet become the Fifth Mizukage.

Like Qing, in front of Master Yuan, the superimposed gap in status and seniority must be treated with the highest courtesy.

Or even more accurately.

Even if Terumi Meiyi takes the position of Mizukage as in the original work.

She still treated Master Yuan with the highest standards.

Master Yuan's qualifications and prestige cannot be overshadowed.

"Ah, Terumi Mei and Ao are here." (The original work doesn't seem to make it clear how Terumi Mei's name should be pronounced. I don't know if it's just the same name like Jiraiya and Orochimaru, or if the surname is Terumi Mei. , the surname is Terumi and the name is Mei, I will just choose the first one here. If any book lover knows which chapter or episode in the original book has a clear record, please tell me and I will correct it.)

"You should also know the reason why I called you two here, right? Tell me, what do you two think?"

Genshi looked at Terumi Mei and Qing and said.

Qing and Bi are both old subordinates of Master Yuan. Compared to Bi, Qing's actions are more overall-oriented. Therefore, generally speaking, Qing is responsible for external affairs, while Bi is responsible for internal affairs. .

Terumi Mei is a genius from a small ninja clan in Kirigakure Village that Genshi accidentally discovered in the past few years.

In the case where the top fighting forces in Kirigakure Village either died or defected.

Terumi Mei, who possesses extremely strong talents, especially the talent of a double-blooded successor, is Genshi's favorite young generation.

If nothing else happens.

Genshi is the Mizukage who wants Terumi Mei to become the next generation.

But for now, we still need to wait and see.

After all, this is still Kirigakure Village. Since the establishment of the Five Great Ninja Villages, it was only last year that a female figure, Tsunade, appeared.

And she also has the bonus of being the granddaughter of the first Hokage.

Terumi Meditation will need more tests to successfully ascend to the top in Kirigakure Village.

"Yes, Mr. Yuanshi, although the current situation of our Kirigakure Village is not very good, considering the problem of Yu Gaojun, our Kirigakure Village must take action. This is the interest of our Kirigakure Village. , and it is not ruled out that this is Konoha's test of our Kirigakure Village. Even if we don't consider Konoha, just because of the covetousness of Kumogakure Village, we Kirigakure Village can't really wait and see!"

As soon as Master Yu Yuan finished his question, Terumi Mei, who was very powerful on the left, spoke directly in reply.

You can see it.

long before arrival.

Terumi Mei had already made a decision in her heart.

On the contrary, beneath Qing Na's seemingly calm appearance, there was still a trace of entanglement and hesitation hidden in the depths of his pupils.

"Well, Qing, what about you?"

Master Yuan nodded slowly and looked at Qing on one side.

"Both taking action and waiting and watching have their own pros and cons. I think it's better to compromise. Master Yuanshi, it's still the same as the pressure on Konoha before. Let's express our attitude symbolically. We will see what happens in Konoha and Yunyin Village later. As for action, if everything goes well, we will take action again, even if it will be a little late, but we can control the risk to a minimum, which should be the most appropriate approach. "

After Qing pondered for a while, he slowly spoke.

A very moderate approach.

On the surface.

It is indeed the safest choice.

After all, if everything in the intelligence is true, there are three Tailed Beast Jinchūriki on the hostile side, which is not a existence that ordinary ninjas can be hostile to.

The cost of casualties due to an accident can be calculated in four figures.

This is all conservative.

God knows how much power Uzumaki Menma, as the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, can unleash! ?

What if it is 100%?

Who would be the first to take action?

That would be really bad luck.

The families of Konoha and Kumogakure have a great cause and can still withstand it. Their Kirigakure village is just holding on on the surface and cannot withstand any huge impact.

If there is another large-scale casualty.

It is about to fall out of the sequence of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

As for Qing's answer.

Under Master Yuan's seemingly unchanged face, there was a hint of disappointment in his pupils.

Just when Master Yuan was about to say something.

"No, Qingsang, if we wait until then to take action, we will completely lose the opportunity. Indeed, as you said, if we take action now, we need to bear corresponding risks, but this is exactly what we should bear. This It is not only related to the prestige of our Kirigakure Village, but more importantly, the status in the ninja world and the division of actual interests. The Vulpix belongs to our Kirigakure Village, and other ninja villages must not get involved. If Ye and Kumogakure Village progresses smoothly, will Vulpix still belong to our Kirigakure Village by then? And other ninja villages will definitely feel that our Kirigakure Village has entered an unprecedented period of weakness. This is the most deadly thing. A little bit!”

Terumi Mei, who was on one side, had already spoken in advance, looking at Qing with a very serious and stern expression.

This seems to be the same attitude as at the beginning.

But there is a big difference.

The previous statement is just an attitude.

And the following words.

This is enough to prove Terumi Mei's strategic vision and judgment. These are the qualities required to be a qualified or even outstanding leader.

Master Yuan was slightly stunned.

The pair of turbid pupils revealed a very obvious look of appreciation.

I didn't see the wrong person.

Terumi Mei is indeed the one who can take on the great responsibility and future of Kirigakure Village.

"Well, Terumi Mei is right. Our Kirigakure Village should and must actively participate in this joint operation. It is not just a Vulpix problem, but involves the next step of our Kirigakure Village. On the issue of the structure of the Ninja World, we cannot give in, and there is no room for compromise. "

Qing, who was standing aside, didn't wait to say anything more.

Master Yuan said with finality.

I heard that my Master Yuan suddenly made such a decisive decision.

Qing was startled at first, as if he was not used to it, because his Yuanshi Master has always been the type who makes decisions before taking action. Over the past few decades, he has never made any suggestions or decisions so quickly. , it always requires multiple weighings, and the final decision often seems to be a very safe one.

But today it is very different.

Qing is naturally difficult to understand.

He didn't know what was the reason that caused such a big change in his Master Yuan?

But what Qing didn't know was.

Master Yuan has never changed. His decisions have always been very clean and decisive. In the past, he seemed to have second thoughts just because many times, he was just a suggester, but there was still a water shadow in the village. exist.

Genshi is just like Chiyo and Ebizo of Sunagakure Village. He is a kind of senior senior who knows how to "keep his duty". He will not interfere in the high-level affairs of Ninja Village easily. They are old people who don't want to cause misunderstandings. , and even less willing to cause internal conflicts in the village.

It is precisely because they know their status and prestige in the village so well.

Therefore, in the past few decades, as long as the village has a Mizukage in power, and the Mizukage did not take the initiative to send someone to inquire.

The master always remained silent.

The rare two or three times he took the initiative were when the second generation Mizukage died in battle, the third generation Mizukage passed away, and the fourth generation Mizukage was revealed to be under illusion and controlled by others. He took action for the benefit of the ninja village and for the survival of the ninja village.

This is in sharp contrast to Konoha's F4.

This time's affairs are also the same.

There is no Mizukage in the village, and it is a critical moment to determine the survival of the ninja village. Naturally, the master will not hesitate.

Thanks to the high prestige of the master.

Although Qing didn't understand it a little, a good habit developed over the years made Qing follow Terumi Mei. At the same time, the two bowed and replied: "Yes, Master Yuanshi!"

"Well, this time, Mei Terumi will lead the team, and Qing you will follow along. This operation is crucial for our Kirigakure. In addition to the front-line troops, the village will draw more than 1,500 people, a total of more than 3,000 people will follow you, and Aoi will be responsible for your logistics. Although it is a joint action request issued by Konoha, it is best for us to be responsible for logistics ourselves. Remember, our ultimate intention is to recover the six-tailed Jinchuriki, but this is not the only, let alone the primary goal. Mei Terumi, you should understand what I am talking about, right?"

Master Yuan nodded slowly, and a pair of eyes that seemed very turbid flashed a very sharp cold light at this moment, and the hunched body seemed to straighten up at this moment, and said with a slightly grim meaning.

"Yes, Master Yuanshi, please rest assured, I know very well what to do, I will not let our Kirigakure's reputation down! Nor will I let other ninja villages take advantage of it."

Mei Terumi nodded heavily.

A firm look appeared in her beautiful eyes.

This was clearly what he could get.

The Yuanshi nodded with satisfaction.

Only Qing on the side still seemed to have only a vague understanding.

He wanted to ask something, but he swallowed it back in the end. Anyway, as long as Mei Terumi could understand, it would be fine. Although Qing was undoubtedly Mei Terumi's senior in terms of age and seniority, Qing was also a person who was dedicated to the public, just like the Yuanshi valued Mei Terumi very much. At this stage, Qing also felt that Mei Terumi was the best in Kirigakure in terms of strength, capacity, means and overall view.

Whether it was leading the team this time or the position of Mizukage in the future.

Qing was willing to recognize Mei Terumi.

"Very good, then you go down and prepare. If nothing unexpected happens, Konoha and Kumogakure should also take action in the next few days, especially the fourth generation Raikage of Kumogakure, who is not a good-tempered person."

The master nodded slowly, and the slightly raised sight seemed to be able to see the Konohagakure Village in the Land of Fire and the Kumogakure Village in the Land of Lightning, and said softly.

"Yes!!!"

The Kirigakure Village officially took action.

Unlike the previous open wait-and-see, this time they are going to participate in it in a real way. Of course, it is still uncertain who the blade is pointing at.

The only thing that can be confirmed is that whether it is the master or Mei Terumi, they will never allow the core interests of their own ninja village to be tainted by other countries' ninja villages.

As long as this can be ensured.

The rest of the things, the master and Mei Terumi will not care, even if Konoha is weak and Kumogakure rises, at most it will be a new overlord of the ninja world. At this stage, they, the Kirigakure Village, do not want to, and have no ability to participate in these things!

They just want to defend their own ninja village!

"Swoosh"

"Swoosh"

"Swoosh"

"Swoosh"

"Swoosh"

The Mist Ninjas gathered after receiving the conscription order.

Each of them is the elite of the ninja village. They can survive the more cruel and bloody blood mist civil strife a few years ago. Except for the rookie Genin who graduated from the new generation and some lucky ones, the rest are elites who lick blood on the tip of the knife.

Even if there are only 3,000 people, the combat power that can be burst out is unparalleled, not to mention that the leader is Mei Terumi, who is currently at the level of Kage.

Such a legion, according to past experience, is enough to deal with almost all hostile situations.

What's more, the main force of this operation is Kumogakure and Konoha.

At this point, Yuanshi and Mei Terumi both saw it very thoroughly, and that is when the personnel are complete and the materials are mobilized.

As Aoi sent the reply letter agreeing to the joint action of Konoha in the name of the master.

Mei Terumi also led these Mist Ninjas through the waves.

They quickly moved towards the mainland.

And just before the Mist Ninjas took action.

The Cloud Ninjas in the northeast corner of the mainland also took the lead in taking action as the master expected.

It can be said that the Fourth Raikage received the news earlier than the master.

Almost after his own intelligence system confirmed it.

He was furious!

The ferocious look shown directly in the office made him want to fly to the front line immediately, find Orochimaru, Menma and others, and devour them alive.

Although judging from the current intelligence, there is no evidence that is 100% certain that Darui and his group died at the hands of Orochimaru and Menma.

But doubt is enough for this kind of thing.

Not to mention.

The Kyuubi itself was the prey that the Fourth Raikage longed to acquire.

And now we have to add the Vulpix and Nanao.

This is a collection of pure interests and hatred.

It was impossible for the Fourth Raikage not to take action, let alone as soon as he fell asleep, Konoha directly sent him a pillow. Therefore, the Fourth Raikage was once again arbitrary.

Directly when the information is confirmed.

An order for combat readiness and mobilization was issued.

Of course, in his rage, the fourth generation Raikage Ai still maintained his most basic rationality and did not say any plans to engage in a full-scale war. One was afraid of the preparations on the side of Konoha and Kirigakure.

The five great ninja villages have been fighting each other for decades.

Talk about trust and friendship?

That's a joke.

No matter what the situation is, the five major ninja villages must be vigilant and alert to each other. The situation where they are happily fighting with other ninja villages in the front, and suddenly they are attacked by other ninja villages behind them, has happened in the past three ninja worlds. This has happened countless times during the war.

Konoha is certainly the hardest hit area.

Yunyin Village has also experienced disaster.

The Iwagakure Village in the Third Ninja War is a recent example.

Therefore, on the necessary defense line, the Fourth Raikage not only did not relax at all, but also further strengthened the defensive strength.

As for Orochimaru, Uzumaki Menma, and the extended issues of Kusagakure and Takigakure.

This time!

The Fourth Raikage plans to lead the team himself!

Coincidentally, the Fourth Raikage really doesn't want to see similar things happen again. The enemies he has to deal with now can be treated as a great ninja village of the same level, Takigakure + Kusagakure. !

The number of combatable troops reached seven or eight thousand, or even more.

The most important ones are the three Tailed Beast Jinchūriki!

And Orochimaru, a five-kage level being who has been famous for many years (to this day, most people in the outside world still think that Menma belongs to Orochimaru.)

If you want to leave it to others to take responsibility.

That is no longer a question of being cautious enough.

But Chun Chun's brain is flooded.

The Fourth Raikage, who was already determined to declare his hegemony over the shinobi village with the gesture of sweeping away the fallen leaves in the autumn wind, did not hesitate to convey the order from top to bottom.

Also gathered were more than 3,000 elite Kumo ninjas, as well as Yukito, the second-tailed Jinchuuriki specially summoned by the Fourth Raikage.

It was under the leadership of this fourth generation Raikage.

Speeding down the road, heading towards the location of Takigakure Village in the southwest of the Land of Thunder.

It must be said.

This Fourth Raikage is truly unparalleled in his ability to execute.

When the Hidden Leaf Village received the news.

The fourth generation Raikage had already led their own Kumo ninja troops to the Kingdom of Frost, and then headed westward towards the Kingdom of Taki.

"The Fourth Raikage, do we really not want to wait for Konoha to act together? As for Kirigakure, I heard that Konoha also sent special personnel to request joint action. Judging from the current situation, either the other two families will take the lead. Go up, or it would be most appropriate for the three families to act together. If we start the war first, we are likely to suffer the heaviest blow. In any case, there are three Tailed Beast Jinchuriki there now. "

On the fast road.

The staff officer Dodai, who was following closely beside the Fourth Raikage, also looked at the Fourth Raikage's side face with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice.

This time the action itself.

Tutai has no objection.

There is hatred in itself. Todai is very aware of Darui's position in his own Ninja Village and his own Raikage-sama's heart. If such an important person is killed, he will definitely come back with revenge. Their Kumoyin Village is not a tree. leaf.

Otherwise, the Fourth Raikage would not have directly attacked Konoha when there was only a little sign of it. Now that it is almost 100% confirmed what Orochimaru and Uzumaki Menma did, the move was certain.

It is also said that there are huge interests such as Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails.

It is impossible for Tutai not to support it.

But he still objected to sending troops so hastily. The situation must be shown, but at least he had to pull Konoha together to take action, right?

This is not just sharing pressure, but also putting pressure on Konoha.

Tudai didn't want to see their family finally confronting Orochimaru and Uzumaki Menma. The risk was too high.

"Tudai, you do need to be cautious, but it depends on the occasion. Now is not the time to worry about those details. Humph, wait for Konoha? No, I will not let such an opportunity go. As for you What's the risk? Just defeat the enemy with a thunderous force! And, do you think they will wait and see even if they take the initiative? The initiative is now in our hands. Unless those guys in Konoha really want to cause an all-out war with our Hidden Cloud Village, but even then, I have a way to deal with it!"

The Fourth Raikage Ai didn't even look back, and said those words directly with a tone of disdain.

Ling Tutai's expression couldn't help but change slightly.

The next second, there was a hint of surprise in the pupils. At this moment, Tutai could truly understand why his fourth-generation Raikage-sama led the troops forward so decisively.

Seize the reins!

That's the most important thing!

As long as this is ensured, isn't it Yunyin Village who has the final say on what to do next?

After understanding this, especially after confirming that his own Raikage-sama was not really angry, and going forward regardless, the big stone hanging above Dodai's heart slowly relaxed.

"I understand what you mean. I will pay more attention to the other side."

Tutai nodded and replied.

"Well, I'll leave it to you. This time, I want to make the entire ninja world tremble at the power of our Kumogakure!"

The Fourth Raikage snorted coldly.

The aura flowing out of his body was like violent thunder.

Chakra exploded.

Go forward at a faster speed.

The sights gathered, the three major ninja villages took action separately, and Menma had already expected and prepared.

Take action in the three great ninja villages.

Especially when the troops from Yunyin Village approached at top speed.

Menma also received the most accurate news as soon as possible.

It should be said that even though he had already awakened, at the moment when he received the information that Kumogakure and Konoha were moving simultaneously (because of the distance, at this time, no news from the Kiri Ninja had been received).

Menmadu still couldn't help but feel nervous inside.

Menma Shang is like this.

Not to mention Shenmu, Ajun and others.

The moment they received the news, they all obviously looked very nervous and worried.

The heart has expectations.

And the moment when this scene really comes.

There is still an essential difference! !