Capítulo 125: Art of War and Diplomacy: Hikari's Dual Approach
After their conversation, Hikari and Mei quickly went to where the Hyuga clan was still in a tough fight with Kirigakure shinobi outside the village under the urging of Hikari himself.
The fight was intense there, with the Hyuga side obviously suffering heavier casualties due to their numerical disadvantage. This made Hikari very angry at first, but after they eventually arrived, the tide also turned greatly with his arrival.
His tactical prowess and renewed vigor, bolstered by his successful confrontation with the Third Mizukage, infused new energy into the fray, and he joined the fight right after.
He joined forces with Takumi, Hiashi, Shibi Aburame, Tsume Inuzuka, Isamu Sumi, and Ryosuke Gekko and helped them fight against the remaining five Mist Swordsmen and Kisame.
He helped orchestrate a series of attacks that systematically dismantled their opponents, turning the previous stalemate between them into a massacre of these enemy Kiri elites.
However, in the chaos, Kisame Hoshigaki seized a moment of opportunity. Witnessing the death of Fuguki, one of the Mist Swordsmen, Kisame quickly claimed the legendary sword, Samehada, from the fallen shinobi covertly.
With the powerful blade, Kisame made a daring escape, diving into the sea. His unique physique was born for swimming and underwater combat, and Samehada's power allowed him to disappear into the depths, evading capture somehow.
Witnessing the escape, Hikari felt a mix of amusement and resignation. He also felt a little strange about the entire situation. He felt like this was almost akin to a concept of "fate."
He knew Kisame could somewhat pose a threat in the future, but at that moment, the larger battle for Kirigakure's future took precedence.
With the Mist Swordsmen dealt with, Hikari led his elite group towards the village center. Their objective was clear: to secure the heart of Kirigakure and cement their control following the Mizukage's downfall.
The remaining Hyuga clansmen and other allies, less mobile but fiercely determined, held their positions against the larger numbers of Kirigakure shinobi.
The enemy's morale was visibly crumbling, shaken by the loss of their Mizukage and the swift, unrelenting assaults by Hikari and his team.
Meanwhile, As Hikari, Mei, and these Konoha elites swiftly moved toward the center of Kirigakure, Mei Terumi's presence drew curious glances from the rest of the small group, but Hikari remained silent.
It was an unusual sight—a young girl, a native of Kirigakure, now moving in step with those who had technically come to "invade" her home, seemingly under the acceptance of Hikari.
For Mei, the experience was also very surreal. Just hours before, these same individuals were adversaries, part of an invasion force her higher-ups had been tasked with defeating.
Aligning herself with them now, even temporarily, was disorienting yet compelling for her. She was stepping into a new role that felt both alien and inevitable.
Among the Konoha team, only Hiashi and Takumi were fully aware of Hikari's intentions regarding Mei's potential leadership.
Due to her background, they already saw her as one of the strongest candidates to lead Kirigakure after the dust settled.
As they moved forward, Hiashi nodded at Hikari, silently praising him for how quickly he had managed to get Mei on their side.
This nod showed he understood how important it was to have her join them when they did.
Hikari glanced back quickly, hinting that while they had planned to recruit Mei, the way it happened—Hikari saving her during the Mizukage's attack—was lucky.
Sensing the silent communications about her, Mei understood the weight of the expectations placed upon her. She felt a mix of pressure and empowerment.
This was her chance not only to redefine her identity away from the manipulations of the previous Mizukage but also to guide Kirigakure toward a new, much more hopeful direction.
Hikari then assessed the group, their energy visibly depleted from the relentless combat, yet aware that they remained the most capable force within Kirigakure at this crucial juncture. He quickly formulated a plan, his voice carrying a quiet authority as he addressed the team.
"Even though we're all pretty drained from our battles, we're technically still the highest-level elites left inside Kirigakure. Let's split up for now. Everyone else, go and help eliminate the remaining die-hard commanders of the Mizukage faction. Hizashi-kun and Takumi-sensei, let's use your Byakugan to locate them...", He instructed, ensuring everyone knew their role.
He then turned to Hiashi and Mei, setting the course for a more diplomatic approach as well, "Terumi-san, Hiashi, and I will head toward the Mizukage's building. We need to pressure the village's civilian and more neutral leaders to come forward and discuss a compromise."
Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of these tasks. The group quickly split, with Hizashi and Takumi heading off to pinpoint the key hostile figures while Hikari, Hiashi, and Mei made their way toward the center of power in Kirigakure. This strategic split was designed to ensure that while the remaining military threats were being addressed, a foundation for negotiation and power transition was also set in place.
This dual approach—combining tactical force with strategic diplomacy—was critical to stabilizing Kirigakure and steering it away from further chaos into a period of negotiation.
Hikari, Hiashi, and Mei quickly approached the Mizukage's building, their movements swift and silent, thanks to Hikari's newfound ability to manipulate natural energy around them.
Now, he could conceal his presence and enhance his speed and that of others near him.
Both Mei and Hiashi were taken aback by this and felt strange, especially Hiashi, who experienced something like this for the first time in person from Hikari and knew that this wasn't in any way, shape, or form an official teaching of their Hyuga clan.
During the entire short-term levitating motion, he couldn't discern the origin and concept of the mysterious energy powering that move, and it all felt mysterious and otherworldly.
He realized that Hikari was still getting farther and farther from him, both in mind and in strength. This made him contemplate for a bit before he realized that now wasn't the time to be thinking about matters like these.
Meanwhile, the Mizukage's building stood imposingly at the heart of Kirigakure, its architecture a symbol of the village's power and authority.
The structure was traditional in design, with sturdy grey stone that spoke to its defensive purpose. It was designed to be the safest building in the entire village.
Towering walls surrounded it, topped with sharp, angled roof tiles typical of shinobi village aesthetics, designed to repel and intimidate.
As they neared, the grandeur of the building cast a solemn shadow over them, its silence a stark contrast to the chaos that had gripped other parts of the village.
It stood almost untouched, a relic of the order that the Third Mizukage had maintained before the day's upheavals.
Upon reaching the building's vicinity, Hikari, Hiashi, and Mei paused, surveying their final approach.
Hikari's use of natural energy expedited their arrival and ensured they remained undetected by any guards or surveillance jutsu that might still be active.
This element of surprise was crucial for their next steps, which involved engaging with the remaining civilian and neutral leadership of Kirigakure.
Utilizing Hikari's mastery of natural energy, they quickly and covertly leaped onto the roof of the Mizukage's building.
This stealthy ascent allowed them to reach a strategic vantage point, positioning them directly above the central command areas.
From this height, they surveyed the area to ensure it was secure before they moved again.
However, before they managed to enter the building, the quiet tension was suddenly broken by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing from the corridors below.
A group of individuals clad in Kirigakure shinobi uniforms, some in Anbu masks and others in standard attire, approached rapidly.
Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed distinctly in a brown kimono. His shoulders were draped with a yellow scarf, marking him as someone of importance.
"Elder, Genji...", Mei whispered, recognition flickering in her eyes as she identified the man as they fully emerged. Her voice carried a mix of surprise and caution, hinting at her familiarity with him but also the uncertainty of the moment.
Sensing the potential for conflict, Hiashi shifted into a defensive stance. His eyes narrowed, prepared for any sign of aggression. He still wasn't sure but was hopeful that a diplomatic solution might still be possible.
Hikari, on the other hand, maintained his composure, but his expression was unreadable. Using his Byakugan, he carefully observed Elder Genji's micro-expressions and body language, seeking clues about his intentions and state of mind.
He also immediately realized who this was, as it wasn't just any village higher-up who could basically barrack himself safely into the most important and secure building in the whole village during times like these; he had to be one of the most, if not the most important, individuals after the Mizukage.
A tense silence filled the air, each party evaluating the other, weighing their next words carefully. The moment was fraught with the potential for both peace and conflict, and the decisions made in the next few minutes would significantly impact the fate of Kirigakure.
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