Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 232: Mutual Schemes

At this point, four bodies lay on the ground—the former wielders of Hiramekarei, Lightning Blades, Kabutowari, and Shibuki:

Hozuki Chigen (Hiramekarei)

Kurosuki Raiga (Lightning Blades)

Ameyuri Ringo (Kabutowari)

Jinpachi Munashi (Shibuki)

Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, four had perished here, one had fled, and the remaining two were loyal to the Third Mizukage.

Without a doubt, this weakened the Hozuki Clan's grip on Kirigakure.

With the Third Mizukage solidifying his influence, the "Bloody Mist" policy would only intensify. His plan was simple: continue eliminating clan shinobi while raising stronger warriors from commoners.

At first, the Hozuki Clan and other noble families had supported the policy—but why?

What exactly was the "Bloody Mist"?

Many outsiders knew of Water Country's isolationist policies, but few truly understood Kirigakure's internal bloodshed.

The first time the world heard the term "Bloody Mist", it was during the Third Shinobi War, when Kirigakure's shinobi proudly declared themselves "Blood Mist Warriors."

Most assumed the Bloody Mist was the work of the Fourth Mizukage, but in reality, it had already begun under the Third Mizukage.

The concept was simple:

> Lock a group of graduating ninja in a closed space.

Force them to fight to the death.

Only when the numbers were reduced to a set amount would the test end.

Those who survived were not just ninjas—they became Blood Mist Warriors.

At first, the noble clans supported it, believing their clan-trained shinobi would always outclass commoners in these death matches.

But they underestimated desperation.

For the first time in history, commoners had a chance to become strong.

They fought harder than ever, and more and more of them survived.

The balance shifted—the Third Mizukage's faction grew stronger, while the noble families weakened.

This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Now, his coup had begun—starting with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

With a calm expression, the Third Mizukage personally collected the fallen ninja's blades.

Once he trained new wielders, the Seven Swordsmen would fully serve him.

Finally, he turned to Tonari, eyes sharp.

"When Juzo Biwa fled, why didn't you stop him?"

His tone was laced with accusation, but Tonari didn't back down.

He met the Mizukage's gaze, unshaken.

"Why should I stop him? I don't work for you."

"You—!" The Third Mizukage's eyes narrowed in frustration.

His gaze then fell on the Hiramekarei strapped to Tonari's back.

Noticing his intent, Tonari took a small step back and smirked.

"I'll return the sword when this is over. That person vouches for me."

The Third Mizukage's expression flickered.

After a moment's hesitation, he let it go.

Behind him, Kushimaru Kuriarare and Fuguki Suikazan remained on alert.

If given the order, they would attack instantly.

However, their Mizukage wasn't ready to escalate things—yet.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Kushimaru Kuriarare.

"Juzo Biwa betrayed the village, conspiring with an outsider to steal the Seven Blades. Thanks to my efforts, along with you and Fuguki Suikazan, we stopped them."

"Unfortunately, the Seven Swordsmen suffered losses. Kurosuki Raiga, Jinpachi Munashi, Ameyuri Ringo, and Hozuki Chigen have perished."

"Juzo Biwa escaped with the Kubikiribocho and Hiramekarei.

"Issue an S-Rank bounty—Juzo Biwa is now a rogue ninja. Any who harbor him will be considered enemies of Kirigakure!"

Just like that, Juzo Biwa became the scapegoat.

He would be blamed for everything.

As the victor, the Third Mizukage controlled the narrative.

Kushimaru Kuriarare hesitated briefly, but Fuguki Suikazan reacted first, immediately kneeling.

"Understood! I will hunt him down and retrieve the Kubikiribocho and Hiramekarei!"

Kushimaru quickly followed suit.

"Yes, sir!"

The Third Mizukage noted Fuguki's eagerness, but in truth, he preferred Kushimaru Kuriarare.

He had already seen Fuguki's reluctance to fully commit during the previous battle.

Still, he needed all the manpower he could get, so he said nothing—for now.

Tonari, watching the entire exchange, smirked inwardly.

"Reality is truly ruthless… This is how history gets written."

Then, the Mizukage turned to Tonari.

"What do you want?"

Since Uchiha Madara's name had been invoked, they avoided discussing it openly.

Tonari responded calmly.

"Kirigakure must attack the Land of Lightning."

The Mizukage immediately rejected the idea.

"Impossible!"

Right now, he had finally secured his power in Kirigakure. His focus needed to be on strengthening his rule, not wasting resources in a war.

Tonari had expected this.

There was no way the Mizukage would blindly follow an outsider's orders.

And it was clear now—Madara did not fully control him.

Rather, he had influenced him, subtly manipulating his choices over time.

If Madara himself had come, the Mizukage might have obeyed.

But Tonari wasn't Madara.

Still, he had to extract something from this deal.

"Fine. Then give me a hundred ninja. Half can be Genin."

The Mizukage scoffed.

"At most, fifty. No more than twenty-five Genin."

Tonari nodded.

"Alright. But on one condition—Fuguki Suikazan leads them."

The Mizukage's eyes narrowed.

Fuguki Suikazan looked surprised but waited for his leader's response.

After a long pause, the Mizukage finally agreed.

"Fine. Wait outside. I'll gather the men."

With that, the Mizukage left with Fuguki and Kushimaru.

Once they were gone, Tonari's expression turned cold.

"They'll try to betray me."

He knew this wasn't over.

Meanwhile, as they walked, Fuguki whispered to the Mizukage.

"Mizukage-sama… are we really giving him fifty of our men?"

The Mizukage's expression darkened.

"Give them to him. But after the mission—kill him and reclaim the Hiramekarei."

"If he resists—eliminate him."

Fuguki's eyes gleamed.

"Understood."

Deep down, he was already plotting his own moves.

The Mizukage was aging, and there were many who opposed the "Bloody Mist."

Lately, rumors had surfaced about a young genius from the Kaguya Clan—Kaguya Yagura—who was rallying opposition.

Fuguki had no intention of choosing a side just yet.

But if the situation shifted further, he would ensure he was on the winning team.

Meanwhile, Tonari remained unaware of the Mizukage's exact orders.

But he wasn't stupid.

He was already making preparations.

Deep in a secluded area, three figures watched the battle unfold.

A masked figure—Tonari's shadow clone—stood before two young shinobi.

A green-haired youth, Kaguya Yagura, and a striking girl with chestnut hair, Mei Terumi.

Mei's eyes burned with anger.

"What do you mean, the Mizukage is compromised?!"

Tonari's clone smirked.

"Ask Yagura. He knows."

Mei turned to Yagura, her expression desperate.

But Yagura only sighed.

"It's true."

Mei's eyes widened in horror.

Everything in Kirigakure was about to change.

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