[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-water-shadow-is-strong-but-excessively-caut":3,"chapter-this-water-shadow-is-strong-but-excessively-caut-this-mizukage-is-strong-but-excessively-cautious-chapter-188":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Mizukage Is Strong, but Far Too Cautious",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2194499,3774,"Chapter 188","this-mizukage-is-strong-but-excessively-cautious-chapter-188",188,"\u003Cp>\"We only need to sit back and watch the changes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitokado Homura explained, the sunlight refracting off his glasses, making his eyes impossible to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Danzo, you're at that age, yet you're always so impulsive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly laughed, a kind smile on his face, as if he were just joking with an old friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the implication was a direct rejection of Danzo's delusional idea to lead the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unanimous rejection by the three made Danzo's expression look exceptionally ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened, and he flicked his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have other matters to attend to; I'll take my leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Danzo forcibly suppressed the anger in his eyes, then stood up, pushed open the door, and left the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Danzo leave, the three did not stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the four's conversation just now, the direction of this matter had almost been established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Danzo was resentful on the surface, he chose to tacitly accept the three's decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew clearly that the chance of leading the army to battle was slim, but he still wanted to try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't even have to speak; Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had already rejected his request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Danzo stopped asking for trouble and turned to leave, as he knew the subsequent matters had nothing to do with him, and staying would only leave him feeling unhappy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why Danzo was so determined to be the commander and fight on the front lines?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that Shimura Danzo was filled with heroic spirit, wanting to bleed and sacrifice for the Leaf, willing to contribute?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did this only because he still harbored a thieving heart for the position of Hokage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To succeed as Hokage, one must have immense prestige as support; Sarutobi Hiruzen had relied on the dying wish of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for Danzo to challenge Sarutobi Hiruzen's status, he had to gain great prestige, and military merit was undoubtedly the best means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shimura Danzo knew in his heart that Sarutobi Hiruzen was currently at the height of his power, and to become Hokage, he still needed to endure and wait, so he did not continue to insist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you old geezer, just you wait; sooner or later, I will become Hokage!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the famous \"Darkness of the Ninja World\" swore to himself, establishing the unrealistic wish of wanting to \"wash himself clean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding these little thoughts of his, the three of Sarutobi Hiruzen were naturally well aware, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was even more dismissive of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't even need to take action himself; Mitokado Homura and the other had already completely blocked Shimura Danzo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere Danzo, who took the blame and did the dirty work, wanted to wash himself clean and stand in the light?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen could only laugh at Danzo's naivety.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After Danzo left, the three maintained their usual expressions, not caring about him in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the three were well aware of Danzo's ambition, but they all chose to \"not see\" it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was actually very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen needed to use Danzo's ambition to help him take the blame and do the dirty work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu choosing to turn a blind eye to Danzo's ambition was not for the sake of some \"fellow disciple friendship,\" but for their own interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, at this moment, the interests of the four were tied together, occupying a dominant position within the faction-ridden Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because of this, to maintain their existing interests, the two had to ensure the stability of this four-person group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Danzo was always dreaming of subversion, the two naturally could not agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sarutobi Hiruzen fell, they would inevitably suffer as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, compared to Danzo, who looked sinister, Sarutobi Hiruzen's image was much gentler and more positive, so the two were naturally more inclined toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, no one wants to work under someone who looks like they are full of bad intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the eyes of the two, the reason Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to \"turn a blind eye\" to Danzo's ambition was truly because of \"cherishing old feelings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This further cultivated Sarutobi Hiruzen's positive image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combining all these factors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would always stand on Sarutobi Hiruzen's side regarding the position of Hokage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This battle will have to be fought sooner or later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Danzo is right; regardless of whether the Rain Nin can get past the Sand and the Rock—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Leaf's face cannot be lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiruzen, who do you want to lead the army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitokado Homura asked Sarutobi Hiruzen with burning eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Danzo left, the three finally discussed the matter of who would lead the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the three had just deliberately rejected Danzo's delusional request to go to war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen took another puff from his pipe, a look of profound thought radiating from his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mere Rain Nin are not worth me taking the field myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think the three of them, Jiraiya and the others, can fully shoulder this burden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone remained calm, and his kind expression did not change in the slightest, but once these words were spoken, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they capable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitokado Homura asked with some concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the opponent was Hanzo of the Salamander, who held the title of \"Demigod of the Ninja World.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, upon hearing Mitokado Homura's words, a sharp glint erupted in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, and he shook his head lightly, seemingly trusting his three disciples immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, we agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen so confident, the two looked at each other and agreed to his request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what if a second battlefield is opened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hyuga and Uchiha cannot be trusted, and the others lack the seniority and strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to take the field yourself, or are you really going to let Danzo go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two asked again, a look of doubt appearing in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing, only shifting his gaze to the fox-masked Mist Anbu who had been standing behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu suddenly realized, revealing relieved smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the previous conversations of the four had not avoided this Mist Anbu, which was enough to show that this person was Sarutobi Hiruzen's absolute confidant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Almost forgot about the Mist Anbu Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utatane Koharu said with a smile, her gaze toward the fox-masked Mist Anbu filled with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fox-masked Mist Anbu was none other than the current Mist Anbu Commander of the Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Leaf's Mist Anbu Commander was different from the Mist's; the power was not just a little bit shrunken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Anbu Commander of the Mist, who held a top-three status, probably wouldn't even rank in the top ten in the Leaf; at best, they were equivalent to the Hokage's personal guard captain and assistant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the fox-masked Mist Anbu remained silent, but from his slightly trembling body, one could tell his excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sakumo, work hard; I have high hopes for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the matter had been brought out into the open, Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer hid it and spoke candidly to Hatake Sakumo behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, this person was the \"White Fang of the Leaf,\" who would later become famous in the ninja world, Hatake Sakumo, currently the Leaf's Mist Anbu Commander and also a trusted minister of Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, thank you, Lord Hokage!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hatake Sakumo replied in an excited, trembling voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those lacking ability, being a commander on the battlefield might lead to danger and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for those with strength, what they lacked was an opportunity to fight on the battlefield and become famous throughout the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Hatake Sakumo clearly belonged to the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the three old foxes looked at each other and then smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending everyone away, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked out of the Hokage office and came to the Hokage Rock, overlooking the magnificent Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, a hint of burning intensity appeared in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who have never experienced power cannot imagine how wonderful this feeling of holding great power is.\u003C\u002Fp>",1391,"2026-06-17T05:01:41.164Z","2026-06-17T05:05:37.377Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","95491b186ee934076c0a826d89e26f1a563027a8dad6f148b41312586447ad84","this-mizukage-is-strong-but-excessively-cautious-chapter-189","this-mizukage-is-strong-but-excessively-cautious-chapter-187",533,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-mizukage-is-strong-but-excessively-cautious-cover.jpg"]