Chapter 45: Completely Hooked

The moment the Jinchuriki replacement ceremony at the Lake of Mist began ahead of schedule, Mizunuki Ryosuke had already received notification.

According to the plan, Mizunuki Ryosuke initiated the next step of the action.

That’s right, starting the Jinchuriki replacement ahead of schedule was also a suggestion Mizunuki Ryosuke gave to the Third Mizukage.

According to the Third Mizukage’s original idea, he was going to wait for the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, Okubo, to die naturally before starting the Jinchuriki replacement ceremony.

On one hand, it was out of respect for Okubo, and on the other, it was the Third Mizukage’s own personal feelings.

Regarding the Third’s idea, Mizunuki Ryosuke rejected it without mercy.

Playing by the book would only lead to falling into the situation carefully laid out by Karatachi Yagura.

Only by being unexpected and keeping the rhythm in one’s own hands could one seize the initiative.

Although this seemed somewhat unfair to the hardworking Three-Tails Jinchuriki, there was no other way.

To achieve great things, one must make sacrifices.

Looking at it from another angle, wasn't this a relief for Mr. Okubo?

Such a miserable existence was, for a normal person, a torture in itself.

At this moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke directly used the Transformation Technique to turn into the appearance of the dead Jonin beside the Rock ninja, Kari.

He hid under a black robe and walked silently toward the Hidden Mist Mist Anbu building.

The old rule: risky things are, of course, done by water clones.

Inside the Mist Anbu building, Karatachi Yagura, who had just played Shogi with Tian Tian Yuanshi for four hours, was somewhat furious.

Apparently, he had also received the news that the Mizukage had started the Jinchuriki replacement ahead of schedule.

"Bastard!" ===== CHAPTER 89 =====

"How could the Mizukage, that old fellow, suddenly start the Jinchuriki replacement ahead of schedule?"

"Given his relationship with Okubo, how could he terminate Okubo’s life early?"

"Could that old fellow have discovered something?"

There was no time to think; Karatachi Yagura had to make a decision quickly.

"What is the situation with the Rock ninjas? Have you contacted them?"

Karatachi Yagura suddenly thought of a crucial question and asked the Mist Anbu responsible for liaising with the Rock ninjas beside him.

"Still no response."

Hearing the Mist Anbu ninja’s reply, Karatachi Yagura felt a sudden surge of vigilance.

These Rock ninjas were not only a matter of combat power, but they also played a key role in Karatachi Yagura’s plan.

If these Rock ninjas dropped the ball at a critical moment, Karatachi Yagura would have to consider whether this plan was still worth continuing.

Just then, another Mist Anbu ninja came to report.

"Chief, a suspicious ninja just arrived in front of the Mist Anbu building."

"After leaving a letter, he used Earth Release to leave quickly."

As he spoke, the Mist Anbu ninja handed a letter to Karatachi Yagura.

Karatachi Yagura opened the letter, and after seeing the content, his pupils shrank slightly, his eyes filled with an uncertain expression.

The letter was signed by Kari of the Rock ninjas.

The letter stated: They had already gone to the location requested by Karatachi Yagura according to the previous agreement, telling him to rest assured that they would keep their promise and act on time.

And the reason they hadn't replied to Karatachi Yagura’s previous contact was that their previous communication method had encountered problems, so they could only adopt this clumsy method of physical delivery.

Karatachi Yagura was not stupid; on the contrary, he was extremely intelligent to have reached this position.

He naturally knew very well that the current behavior of these Rock ninjas was extremely suspicious.

But for one thing, he and the Rock ninjas were in a relationship of mutual utilization; it was normal for these Rock ninjas not to trust him with their whereabouts.

For another, Karatachi Yagura knew the strength of these Rock ninjas very well; even if the Mizukage himself went to deal with them, it would take some effort.

According to Karatachi Yagura’s intelligence, the forces under the Third Mizukage, and even the Mizukage himself, had not made any moves recently.

So it was impossible for the Third to have killed these Rock ninjas.

Therefore, Karatachi Yagura judged that it was these Rock ninjas "themselves" who had problems—that is, these Rock ninjas probably didn't trust him, rather than it being due to some external factor.

I'm afraid that even if Karatachi Yagura racked his brains, he would never imagine that an unknown Special Jonin had effortlessly dealt with a team of elite Rock ninjas led by Kari.

"Fine, as long as these Rock ninjas can arrive at the location and appear on time, everything else doesn't matter."

"I never intended to let these Rock ninjas go back alive anyway."

A flash of cold light crossed Karatachi Yagura’s eyes; how could he possibly leave such a big "flaw" unattended?

Wouldn't it be even better to "destroy the evidence" when the time came?

As for these Rock ninjas dreaming of obtaining the "reward" discussed earlier, that was even more ridiculous.

Thinking of this, a ferocious look appeared on Karatachi Yagura’s baby face again.

Time waits for no one; since the Mizukage’s side had already started, Karatachi Yagura could only follow through and move his plan forward.

Opportunity knocks but once; act now.

"Pass my order: everyone head to the Lake of Mist!"

"And have the vanguard prepare; the personnel ambushed in the village should also start preparing to act."

Karatachi Yagura said coldly, his eyes filled with a greedy excitement.

After all, in his view, the Mizukage’s position would soon be his.

Outside the Mist Anbu building, Mizunuki Ryosuke, having completed the "delivery" mission, hid in the shadows and observed nervously.

It was only when he saw the ninjas inside mobilizing on a large scale that he felt relieved.

It looked like his plan had perfectly deceived Karatachi Yagura.

He first had Tian Tian Yuanshi stall for time, and then specifically delivered the letter at the critical moment when the incident broke out.

This was precisely to confuse Karatachi Yagura, leaving him no time to think carefully, thereby creating pressure on the other party.

As a result, the other party really didn't see through the anomaly.

In this way, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s plan had perfectly formed a closed loop.

Karatachi Yagura, this big fish, was completely hooked.

Afterward, Mizunuki Ryosuke did not rush to the Lake of Mist, but waited quietly beside the Mist Anbu building.

(Seeking flowers, tickets, and support! Thank you all!) ===== CHAPTER 90 =====