Chapter 42: No More Achievements
In Kirigakure Village, a gloomy atmosphere had fallen over the place, especially when Yuki Nezumi set off on the day and sailed a ship to deliver the reports from the frontlines...
Upon hearing that their fathers, children, and husbands had sacrificed themselves, the anti-war sentiment grew more intense, and the depressing drizzle kept falling on this ninja village known as a maritime powerhouse.
They had suffered heavy losses in this Great Ninja War!
Particularly when Gengetsu Hōzuki proposed establishing a forward base in the Land of Whirlpools, Kirigakure Village bled even more, an extremely red kind of loss!!
"Does anyone have any suggestions?" The high-ranking official from Kirigakure Village, who was from the pro-Mizukage faction, rested his chin on his hands and stared sternly at the other high-ranking officials attending the meeting. He had been dispatched by the Mizukage to station in the village, but...
He could no longer bear it!
Boss, you went out to do business, but not only did you have dismal performance, you also suffered a huge loss! Your younger brother can't take it anymore. Can't you see all the vice directors eyeing your position, eager to take you down?
Moreover, why did you send Yuki Nezumi back?
If you hadn't sent him back, the others wouldn't have known, and you could have gotten away with it. But now...
As a strong contender for the Mizukage position, not only did you snatch the Mizukage position from him back then, but now you've also failed to reap any war profits, and you've even suffered a huge loss. The board of directors is seriously questioning your execution ability!
Not to mention the Daimyo.
I have no way to handle this now!!
"Well, we still don't know the actual intelligence, perhaps the situation isn't as bad as we think?" Kenzei sighed and said. Boss, I can only buy you some more time. Hope you can do better!!
Try to take over another country, and the situation might improve.
"But it's already quite bad," the clan head of the Yuki clan said sternly. "It's not just one or two ships, but over a hundred, and they're all large vessels."
Damn it, I've been unhappy with you, Gengetsu Hōzuki, for a long time. It was agreed that the next generation would be the designated next Mizukage after attending the Five Kage Summit as the Mizukage's guard. But you took advantage and seized power. Now we finally have the opportunity!
Are you not going to step down and let the Yuki clan take over?
As for the next Mizukage coming from the Hōzuki clan?
Heh, pay off your debts first!!
"It can't be said for certain," Kenzei said. "Perhaps the profits from destroying the Land of Whirlpools could make up for the loss of this fleet?"
Boss, fight for it!
If we can destroy the Land of Whirlpools, we still have hope, and a bright future is still in our hands.
"What if we can't destroy it?"
Suddenly, a voice spoke up, and it felt like a dagger pierced Kenzei's heart.
Everyone looked towards the person who spoke...
Kaguya Shuta, the clan head of the Kaguya clan!!!
"Typical idiot," Kenzei cursed inwardly. How could you say such a thing? Don't you know you're a ninja of Kirigakure Village? You're actually cursing Kirigakure Village's defeat, especially in this gloomy wartime atmosphere. If you weren't from one of Kirigakure Village's powerful bloodline clans, I would have scolded you long ago.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Kaguya Shuta scratched his ponytail and said with a puzzled expression, "Did I say something wrong?"
No, you said it perfectly.
The clan head of the Yuki clan was almost jumping for joy. What a great assist!
Even the Yuki clan wouldn't dare to say such things casually.
After all, Gengetsu Hōzuki is still the Mizukage. To randomly say he might fail, aren't they afraid of being slapped in the face?
Didn't you see the clan head of the Hōzuki clan wanting to tear you apart?
"The Kaguya clan head makes a good point," the Yuki clan head said contemplatively. "War is full of uncertainties." He sighed, "Alas! Although we don't want to think this way, we need to prepare for the worst."
Don't want to think this way? They're probably thrilled inside!
The Hōzuki clan head and Kenzei thought with disdain, but now they couldn't help but steer the discussion towards the possibility of defeat, all because of the Kaguya clan's blunder. If you don't have the political awareness, don't just butt in!
Bastards!!
"The situation is uncertain, and Kirigakure Village might not be defeated," Kenzei cursed the Kaguya clan head inwardly and said sternly, "After all, the Land of Whirlpools is much weaker than Kirigakure Village, so let's wait for the intelligence team to return before discussing further."
"But now we only have one ship left," the Yuki clan head said. "How can we gather intelligence now, or how can we arrange for reinforcements?"
Even the main forces can only swim back at this point. Just thinking about it is pitiful!!
Damn it, waiting for Gengetsu Hōzuki to return before discussing? If we don't spread the word now, how can Nezumi inherit the Mizukage position?
"What about requesting the Daimyo to provide additional ships?"
"..."
Hearing someone butting in again, the entire meeting fell into silence once more.
The Yuki clan head saw that it was the Kaguya clan head's assist again and was overjoyed. Is the Kaguya clan unhappy with the Hōzuki clan and want to make Yuki Nezumi the next Mizukage?
What a good person!
As for him?
The Hōzuki clan head and the pro-Mizukage faction had already cursed the Kaguya clan head's ancestors eighteen generations back.
Asking the Daimyo for money?
It's possible to request troops, but after hearing that Kirigakure Village suffered a loss, not only did they fail in this Ninja War, but they even lost money trying to conquer the Land of Whirlpools. The Daimyo of the Land of Water is well-known for being stingy. If he doesn't replace the Mizukage, they're already lucky. And now you want to ask for money? Don't you know that?
Please, Kaguya clan head, can you stop talking?
They all wanted to keep it a secret from the Daimyo, not letting him find out so early. But now you're going to tell him personally? Have you had issues with the Mizukage for a long time?
"So what now?" Kenzei sighed helplessly, looking at the clan heads of the various clans. "Let's send ninja to the Land of Whirlpools to gather intelligence first. Maybe the situation isn't as bad as we think."
Boss, hang in there!!
Seeing Kenzei's determined expression, the Yuki clan could only reluctantly agree. The Hōzuki clan was still in power, and their influence was still substantial. The Yuki clan shouldn't act rashly. As for taking action...
The Yuki clan head looked at the Kaguya clan head and sighed inwardly. Let's leave it to him!!
However, the high-ranking officials of Kirigakure Village didn't know that Gengetsu Hōzuki was going insane at the moment...
(End of Chapter)
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