Chapter 247: The Measure of the Fourth Raikage

"The village's success today is not just my own achievement."

"Jonin Jiang, that is a bit much."

Mizunuki Ryosuke said with a feigned look of displeasure, yet those familiar with him could see a hint of gratification in his eyes.

"As expected."

At this, the "trio of confidants" at the table silently sighed in their hearts.

"The reason I asked you this is to tell everyone present one thing."

"If Kirigakure wishes to advance further from where it stands today, relying solely on reform and development is no longer enough."

"The path to the summit is always carved out by one's own hands through slaughter."

"No one will share the view from the peak with those beneath their feet."

"To have the last laugh, one must always rely on their own strength!"

"If a new king wishes to ascend the throne, he must pull the old king down!"

"This is the fundamental reason for everything. And the coming war is the necessary path for Kirigakure to reach the peak!"

After these words, the table fell into a deathly silence; everyone was conquered by Mizunuki Ryosuke's aura.

His eyes were filled with ferocity, and an indomitable momentum radiated from him; his powerful presence made everyone feel a tightening in their chests.

Following closely behind was a touch of fanaticism.

At this moment, they were absolutely certain that following this man before them would surely realize the long-cherished wish of Kirigakure's rise.

"Lord Mizukage, what do you need us to do?"

To Mizunuki Ryosuke's right, Tian Tian Yuanshi, a veteran official of three Mizukage reigns, asked him.

After all, Ryosuke had already cleared the air with his core ministers, explaining his intention to eventually join the Great Ninja War, so Tian Tian Yuanshi naturally had no objections.

"No rush for now."

"Do not be in a hurry to easily agree to Kumogakure's demands."

Mizunuki Ryosuke shook his head slightly, a mysterious and unfathomable emotion appearing on his face.

"I understand."

Seeing this, a look of deep approval flashed in Tian Tian Yuanshi's eyes.

To agree to Kumogakure's request too easily would only make Kirigakure's aid seem cheap.

Whetting Kumogakure's appetite was not a bad thing.

"Department Head Hozuki, Department Head Kaki."

"There may be major movements soon; prepare yourselves."

Subsequently, Mizunuki Ryosuke gave instructions to the two main military officers of Kirigakure, the heads of the Mist Anbu Department and the White Shark Force.

"Yes, Lord Ryosuke."

The two looked at each other and nodded at Mizunuki Ryosuke, a fighting spirit simultaneously appearing on both of them.

Both men, currently in their prime, had long wanted to show their skills in the Great Ninja War.

Ryosuke's order was exactly what they had hoped for.

"Now, let me see exactly what kind of measure the future Fourth Raikage has."

A sharp glint flashed in Mizunuki Ryosuke's eyes, and he revealed a half-smiling expression.

After noon, the Kumogakure trio found Kuroshima Morita again to express their request to meet the Fourth Mizukage.

But unexpectedly, Kuroshima Morita showed a troubled expression as he spoke to the three.

"It is truly unfortunate, but today is Friday, and Lord Mizukage generally does not work on Friday afternoons."

"So, if you wish to see Lord Mizukage, the three of you will need to wait."

Kuroshima Morita said sheepishly, his demeanor like that of a kind uncle next door, showing not the slightest hint of intentional obstruction.

Clearly, Kuroshima Morita had received instructions from Mizunuki Ryosuke; this was a deliberate evasion.

"Understood."

Hearing this, Bee could only clench his fists and then slowly nod.

He knew it wouldn't be that easy to see the Fourth Mizukage.

"Let's go!"

Without further ado, Bee turned his head directly and left with a bewildered Samui and Karui.

"Ah, this..."

Watching Bee's resolute back, Kuroshima Morita wanted to say something, but before he could offer to keep them, the three had already departed decisively.

At this, Kuroshima Morita shook his head helplessly.

"Young people..."

After leaving behind a sigh of emotion, Kuroshima Morita buried his head in his work.

Ever since Kirigakure grew stronger day by day, the workload for him as the Jonin Commander had also increased, and coupled with having a "hands-off boss" like Mizunuki Ryosuke, the pressure was unavoidable.

"Is it time to consider finding a successor to start training?"

Kuroshima Morita touched his increasingly thinning hair, his eyes flickering slightly.

The next day, early in the morning, just as the sky was barely brightening, three ninjas whose attire was completely out of place with the Kirigakure crowd were already waiting in front of the Jonin Commander's office in the Mizukage Building.

Because the climates and customs of the Five Great Nations differed, their traditional clothing also varied.

The Land of Water bordered the ocean and was under high temperatures and heavy fog all year round, making the air very humid.

Therefore, both the populace and the ninjas preferred lightweight cotton clothing to avoid the awkward situation of their clothes getting soaked by water vapor.

The Land of Lightning was located in a high-altitude region with moderate temperatures, so their clothing was heavier than that of the Land of Water, and the materials leaned more toward breathable silk.

The difference in attire made the Kirigakure ninjas coming and going in the Mizukage Building recognize at a glance that these three were not from their own country.

Watching the three standing motionless like statues in front of the Jonin Commander's office, the passing Kirigakure ninjas had strange looks in their eyes, but none had the intention to step forward and strike up a conversation.

Consequently, the Kumogakure trio waiting in front of Kuroshima Morita's office did not look very happy.

Samui, who had the thinnest skin, already had a clear look of unease and slight embarrassment on her fair cheeks.

After all, no one would feel comfortable being stared at like a monkey in a zoo.

Time ticked away, and the mood of the three waiting in front of Kuroshima Morita's office grew increasingly low, especially for Bee, who had a naturally irritable personality.

He crossed his arms, and his right hand, resting on his left shoulder, kept tapping his shoulder; it was clear his mood was very bad.

After a long while, Bee finally stood up and walked along the corridor inside the Mizukage Building to a spot by the window.

Looking out, the sun was already high in the sky; it was clearly noon.

This meant that for an entire morning, Kirigakure's Jonin Commander, Kuroshima Morita, hadn't come to work!

The short-tempered Bee could finally take it no more; he believed the reason Kuroshima Morita hadn't appeared was that he was deliberately avoiding him.

Being slighted by Kirigakure's ruler, the Fourth Mizukage, was one thing; after all, he was a Kage of a nation, and having some airs was expected.

But to be "slighted" by Kuroshima Morita as well made Bee unable to hold back any longer!

"Bastard!"

Bee cursed inwardly, his eyes burning with raging flames; the new and old grudges from yesterday to today surged into his heart, and in an instant, Bee was furious.

But being in Kirigakure, Bee still had some reason left; he stopped being polite, grabbed a passing Kirigakure ninja, and questioned him with an angry tone.

"Where is Kuroshima Morita? Why hasn't he come to see me?!"

Hearing Bee's questioning, the intercepted Kirigakure ninja was somewhat panicked.

This Kirigakure ninja was just an ordinary Genin who had come to the Mizukage Building to handle affairs; he hadn't expected to be directly intercepted and questioned by a ninja from another country.