"This is the Three-Tails jinchūriki—Rin. Now... she’s returned to your Hidden Mist Village."
Koharu Utatane took Rin’s small hand and delivered the little girl to the smiling Elder Genji.
"Don’t mistreat this child."
Minato Namikaze said in a deep voice. Today marked exactly the seventh day since the Konoha squad arrived at Hidden Mist Village—the crucial mont of the exchange. To ensure Sand and Cloud didn’t interfere and cause trouble, he’d used the Flying Thunder God Technique to personally ensure safety. Strangely, neither Sand nor Cloud had taken action against Konoha’s squad. The handover proceeded unusually smoothly.
"Naturally."
Yagura Karatachi nodded.
Rin suddenly turned back, forcing an unnatural smile toward Kakashi and Obito, waving her hand.
Kakashi closed his eyes tightly and turned his head away. Obito’s heart was breaking—he could barely contain his emotions and was about to rush forward when Minato firmly held him back.
Koharu paid no attention to these small gestures. Instead, she addressed Yagura seriously.
"Lord Mizukage, we’ve honored our promise. Hidden Mist Village should fulfill its vow as well."
Yagura and Elder Genji exchanged glances. Genji kindly said to Rin,
"Co, child. Let show you to your room."
He took Rin’s hand and slowly led her away.
Yagura smiled.
"Of course, of course."
Koharu’s expression instantly changed. I’ve delivered the Three-Tails jinchūriki washed and clean, and you give "of course"?
"Lord Mizukage, surely you’re not trying to fool ."
Yagura’s baby face still bead like sunshine.
"Since it’s already agreed upon, Hidden Mist will naturally deploy troops as promised. However, war is no child’s play—especially against an opponent as formidable as Hidden Sand Village. We naturally need to plan carefully. If we’re going to fight, we must win. Charging in chaotically like a mob—wouldn’t that just be a brawl?"
Hearing Yagura speak this way, Koharu’s expression gradually softened.
"In that case, let’s discuss it."
"No rush, no rush."
Yagura smiled and waved his hand.
"It’s already late today. I’ve ordered preparations for the war room. Shall we discuss tomorrow instead?"
"What? Tomorrow!"
Koharu glanced at the sun. I rember we just finished lunch not long ago—why wait until tomorrow?
Seeing Koharu’s expression change, Yagura quickly explained.
"Elder Koharu, don’t be anxious. War can’t be rushed—haste makes waste!"
"Lord Mizukage, surely you don’t intend to break the alliance."
"Elder Koharu, what are you saying? Hidden Mist Village is most trustworthy. Oh, speaking of which, you reminded —soone co!"
At Yagura’s call, four ninja imdiately appeared before him.
Yagura unhurriedly pulled out a scroll from his robes, specifically unrolling it for Koharu to see.
"Look here—this is the general mobilization order I’m issuing."
Koharu looked closely and finally relaxed.
Yagura placed the scroll in one ninja’s hands.
"Go. Deliver this quickly."
"Yes."
The ninja took the scroll and instantly vanished with a Body Flicker.
"Assembling ten thousand ninja will take at least two months. During this ti, we can..."
Before Yagura could finish, Koharu interrupted.
"What! What! Two months!? Why so slow!"
Yagura didn’t mind Koharu’s rudeness and slowly explained.
"Ah, Elder Koharu, you don’t understand. Hidden Mist’s situation differs from Konoha’s. Your ninja mostly stay in the village—summoned at once, dismissed at will. Our Hidden Mist ninja are stationed across various islands. Orders must be transmitted island by island, and ninja must assemble here from each island. Two months is already quite fast."
Koharu was nearly speechless with anger but couldn’t find grounds to argue. They were a mariti nation—these arrangents seed reasonable enough.
Two months it is—still within acceptable range.
But before Koharu could breathe easy, Yagura rubbed salt in her wounds.
"As they say, sharpening the axe doesn’t delay chopping wood. War is no small matter, especially cross-sea warfare. Preparing warships, transporting supplies, gathering intelligence, formulating tactics—everything takes considerable effort, you know?"
Koharu nearly spat blood.
Minato’s expression had grown sowhat grim.
"According to Lord Mizukage’s calculations, by the ti Hidden Mist’s army sets out, it’ll be at least half a year later."
"No, no—five months at most."
Yagura smiled.
"Yagura Karatachi! Are you mocking Konoha?"
Jiraiya could barely restrain himself, stepping closer to Yagura—the perfect position for an attack.
Seeing this, Yagura gradually dropped his smile.
"Hmph! No wonder Konoha has suffered consecutive defeats lately. So this is the root cause."
"Is Lord Mizukage ridiculing Konoha?"
Koharu said.
"I wouldn’t dare. I’m rely stating facts."
Yagura showed no fear.
"Those who calculate victory in the temple before battle have many advantages; those who calculate defeat before battle have few advantages. Military strategy emphasizes thorough preparation and calm readiness. Without strategic planning, how can one avoid defeat? You Konoha don’t fear casualties, but Hidden Mist’s sons’ lives are precious indeed!"
"You!"
Jiraiya was about to explode when his student Minato held him back.
Minato extended five fingers toward Yagura.
"Five months?"
Yagura nodded, also extending five fingers.
"Five months."
"I hope Lord Mizukage keeps his word. If after five months Hidden Mist still makes excuses, I’ll have sothing to say."
As he spoke, Minato suddenly vanished into thin air, reappearing behind Yagura.
He patted Yagura’s shoulder.
"So things, even when pocketed, can’t necessarily be kept secure."
Yagura’s expression turned extrely ugly.
Yagura didn’t notice that when Minato patted his shoulder, a trace of ink had infiltrated his body.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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