Chapter 480: Ambition

Looks like these Mist Ninja are very sensible!

Within the Water Country, on a wide river.

Standing at the bow, Dong Shilang sighed with some regret.

How come these Mist Ninja don't put up a bit more resistance? They just made a token effort and then gave up and retreated.

"Hokage… you overestimated those Mist Ninja!"

Hearing this, the Leaf Village senior officials standing behind Dong Shilang all had their mouths twitch uncontrollably.

It's not that these Mist Ninja don't want to put up a bit more fight; it's clear you scared them!

When the fleet had just approached the Water Country's coastline, the Mist Ninja organized a surprise attack, with numbers reaching 2000.

Then, without a word, you unleashed a Super Great Exploding Water Shockwave that sent the opposing Mist Ninja flying helter-skelter, and then you directly charged ahead, leading with that Susanoo.

After just a few rounds, you had scattered these Mist Ninja.

Afterwards, as they traveled along the inner rivers of the Water Country straight to the Hidden Mist Village, they organized several more interceptions in succession.

But they were all crushed by Dong Shilang, who unleashed his mighty divine power and led his Leaf ninja to inflict a crushing defeat on them.

These Mist Ninja aren't stupid; after a few such encounters, they just became obedient.

"Hokage, we've reached the pier ahead; we're less than 100 kilometers from the Mist Ninja."

After checking the map, Nara Shikaku tentatively asked Dong Shilang, who was standing at the bow:

"Shall we land?"

He didn't quite understand why the Hokage would assign him as the army's commander; could it be… they want to drive a wedge between those families gathered around the Third Hokage?

He furtively glanced at the Third Hokage's expression; seeing no change, his heart felt somewhat heavy.

There was no change at all on the Third Hokage's face, which is the real trouble; if they had directly objected, I could have gone along with refusing.

But this expressionless face, neither approving nor objecting, is what's truly troublesome.

"Landing? Not in a hurry…"

He didn't take Nara Shikaku's little move to heart.

This time, by directly bringing these people to the vicinity of the Hidden Mist Village, he somewhat intended to intimidate his own subordinates, especially those clan heads who follow Sarutobi Hiruzen's side.

Appropriately displaying his own strength would also make the opponent know when to yield and not keep pulling petty tricks behind his back.

As for letting Nara Shikaku take charge of this operation's command, Mei Cun Yejuan, he placed her in the reserve force to oversee the overall situation.

He had no better candidates on hand at the moment, so he simply had Nara Shikaku handle these troublesome matters.

"Those Mist Ninja, did you release them?"

He wasn't in a hurry about landing, anyway; it's not far from the Hidden Mist Village, so he just stopped here to watch the Mist Ninja's movements.

"Seeing how quiet the Mist Ninja have been these two days, they must have received our message; let's wait a bit!"

Having received an affirmative reply, Dong Shilang then said:

"We should still stay in the Hidden Mist Village for a few days, arrange everyone's guard, and see if the logistical supplies are still sufficient, right?"

He wasn't here to destroy the Hidden Mist Village; there's no need to directly attack their village; it's better to have a proper talk.

To that end, he released a dozen or so Mist Ninja captives beforehand, thinking they had already conveyed his demands to the Mist Ninja high-ups.

It's just unknown whether they've managed to thrash out a result.

……

"I disagree; Leaf has already come to our doorstep—how can we still negotiate with them?"

A Mist Ninja elder angrily slammed the table, roaring wildly at the surrounding Mist Ninja high-ups who were discussing noisily.

"What's the difference between this and surrender?"

In his view, if the enemy reaches the outskirts of the Hidden Mist Village and we sign a peace agreement with them here, that is a surrender treaty.

"Elder Bai Shuang, the Fourth Mizukage has been captured; we simply cannot organize any effective resistance—you know how the fighting has gone these days, we have no choice!"

Seeing someone oppose peace talks with Leaf, among the seated Mist Ninja high-ups, an elder relatively older in age immediately jumped out to oppose.

Laying out the facts, explaining the reasoning, trying to convince this stubborn Bai Shuang.

"So what? Are we Mist Ninja really afraid of Leaf?" Regarding his companion's words, Bai Shuang obviously dismissed them, his attitude still unsoftened.

"I heard that the ones coming this time are the new Fifth Hokage of Leaf, and their numbers are only a thousand; could it be that our Mist Ninja can't even beat a thousand-strong Leaf ninja force?"

His subordinates aren't lacking talent either; just by looking at the size of Leaf's ships, it's easy to judge Leaf's numbers.

"As long as our Mist Ninja unite as one, work together, we can defeat those Leaf ninja and even capture Leaf's Fifth Hokage."

"Only then can our Mist Ninja seize the initiative; then we can negotiate with Leaf, and that way we won't be at too great a loss!"

Elder Bai Shuang, although a war hawk and also thinking of Mist Ninja's benefit, if we just sign a city-under-the-siege treaty with Leaf like this, it would be too passive for them.

"But… Elder Bai Shuang, the Fifth Hokage's strength… is too strong; we simply…"

Hearing Elder Bai Shuang still fantasizing about defeating Leaf and even capturing the Fifth Hokage alive, Zhao Mei Ming rolled her eyes in a lovely manner.

"That pervert—if he were that easy to beat, he wouldn't have been allowed to march straight through Water Country."

"They're all excuses, just the front-line trash exaggerating things."

Before Zhao Mei Ming could finish speaking, Elder Bai Shuang interrupted her.

"I know these front-line ninja; after suffering a defeat, they just keep exaggerating the enemy's strength—they're outright trash."

"With so many people, they can't even stop a mere thousand-strong force—what's the difference between them and useless rotten fish and shrimp?"

Looking at Zhao Mei Ming as she stood up to speak, Elder Bai Shuang showed no courtesy, his words inside and out directed at her.

"You…"

Being pointed at the nose and called trash, rotten fish and shrimp, Zhao Mei Ming couldn't take this anger and slammed the table on the spot.

Pointing at Elder Bai Shuang, who was spouting nonsense,

his chest began to rise and fall rapidly.

If the setting here were appropriate, she would definitely make that guy over there pay for his words and actions.

Alright… Ming, calm down a bit!

Just as Zhaomei Ming was about to lose control of her temper, an old voice rang out, letting her regain her composure.

Yuanshi, this old man who could barely walk, stopped Zhaomei Ming's outburst at this critical moment.

Baishuang, if you think you can do it, then bring your supporters and defeat the Fifth Hokage, so we can see your resolve!

As an old man with one foot in the grave, Yuanshi merely heard Baishuang's words and knew what scheme she had in mind.

His eyes showed no ripple as he steadily gazed at the impassioned Baishuang.

... Yes, thank you for your support, Elder Yuanshi!

She slightly turned her head to avoid Yuanshi's gaze that seemed able to see through people's hearts, and her tone revealed a hint of glee, surprise, and the excitement of having her wish fulfilled.

Alright… everyone, go prepare!

After glancing at the surrounding Mist Ninja high-ranking members, Yuanshi narrowed his eyes and began to issue the expulsion order.

After everyone had left, the originally overly fatigued Yuanshi, who had been resting with closed eyes, suddenly opened his eyes, looking at the gradually departing Mist Ninja high-ranking members, and couldn't help but sigh:

Truly… each generation is worse than the last!

Elder, why did you agree to Elder Baishuang's proposal?

Looking at Master Yuan, the only one left, Zhaomei Ming, was somewhat puzzled.

Isn't this just wasting the Mist Ninja's already scarce vitality?

That Yuzhibo Dongshilang, his strength is something ordinary ninjas cannot match; although Elder White Frost is in his prime, facing the Fifth Hokage, he hardly has any strength to fight back.

Zhaomei Ming, although somewhat unwilling, also knows she is no match for Dong Shilang now, especially after he unleashes that technique called Susanoo.

Her bloodline limit is useless against him.

Ming… you're still… too immature!

Looking at Zhaomei Ming, Master Yuan sighed; among these younger Mist Ninja, aside from her, none is capable of great responsibility.

That guy Gu Deng Man Yue is too much like the Second Mizukage; maybe one day he'll die together with his opponent.

Gan Shi Gui Jie is too rigid; he will be a sharp ninja blade, but cannot bear the weight of a village.

Tao Di Zai Bu Zhan is also too much of a loner, basically having no connections, and is unsuitable.

Only Zhaomei Ming, whether in ability, responsibility, or her own strength, meets the requirements, but she is still young and needs to be tempered further.

What does the elder mean?

Regarding the immaturity mentioned by Master Yuan, the elder, she still doesn't quite understand; if it weren't for the Mist Ninja's recent instability, she would have been preparing to find a suitable partner.

White Frost's goal is definitely not to go against the Fifth Hokage...

Ah?

Upon Master Yuan's words, Zhaomei Ming couldn't react at once, opening her small mouth, and for a long time she still couldn't react.

You mean… he… is… aiming to become Mizukage?

Straining her brain, Zhaomei Ming's beautiful eyes widened wide, almost unable to believe the answer she had come up with.

Smiling and nodding, seeing Zhaomei Ming react so quickly, Master Yuan's eyes revealed a look of satisfaction and hope.

Ming, although a woman, has reactions no slower than a man's, and her own strength also meets the standard.

Perhaps, after the Fourth Mizukage, the Mist Ninja welcoming a female Mizukage would be a good choice.

At least, she won't be as warlike as the Second Mizukage, nor as cold-blooded as the Fourth Mizukage.

Moreover, women should be better able to bridge the rift between commoners and clans.

That guy probably wants to seize this opportunity to gamble… if he wins, he will be the Fifth Mizukage from now on.

This is also a fact: as long as he can lead the Mist Ninja to defeat the invading Leaf Village ninja, relying on this achievement, his becoming the Fifth Mizukage is a certainty.

PS: Today 6000 characters…