Chapter 962: , Seeing a Good Deed Through to the End

Hearing Mizunuki Ryosuke's words, the Waterfall Ninja elders and Shibuki were, for a moment, unable to refute him.

Although these words sounded somewhat like sophistry at the moment, it was undeniable that there was indeed some truth to them.

The Seven-Tails was like a hot potato to the Waterfall Ninja right now. Even though the power of a Tailed Beast was covetous and enviable, the Waterfall Ninja had already lost the capital to keep this power in their hands.

Even without Mizunuki Ryosuke "kindly" helping them "safekeep" it.

In the dog-eat-dog Ninja World, the Waterfall Ninja, who had luckily sent away the Rock Ninja, would inevitably face the next, even more cruel aggressor.

Seeing the Waterfall Ninja group silent, Mizunuki Ryosuke did not pause and continued speaking.

"I killed this person not for any other reason, but simply to save the Waterfall Ninja from peril."

"With such short-sighted people, wouldn't keeping them just hinder the Waterfall Ninja?"

Mizunuki Ryosuke's face was now filled with a look of sighing, as if to say, "I am doing this all for the good of the Waterfall Ninja." This made Shibuki and the Waterfall Ninja elders' brows twitch repeatedly.

"Am I right, Leader Shibuki?"

After speaking, Mizunuki Ryosuke actually did not stop, continuing to press Shibuki further, his eyes carrying a deep, chilling look that made one's heart run cold.

Shibuki's expression changed drastically; he forced a smile onto his face and responded reluctantly.

"Lord Mizukage overstates it; he truly deserved to die."

"You are correct; an existence like a Tailed Beast has always belonged to those capable of holding it."

"Now that the Waterfall Ninja are in trouble, we are indeed unable to protect the Seven-Tails, and we are willing to temporarily entrust the Seven-Tails to the Mist for safekeeping."

Shibuki knew clearly that in the current situation, regardless of the optics or the logic, the Seven-Tails could definitely not be taken back.

No matter how guilty he felt toward that Waterfall Ninja elder who had spoken out at the risk of his life, he could only follow Mizunuki Ryosuke's words and offer the criticism that he "deserved to die."

Rather than continuing to entangle himself and offending Mizunuki Ryosuke over a Seven-Tails, it was better to do a favor and end it all once and for all. Perhaps he could even retreat to advance, preventing Mizunuki Ryosuke from proposing more conditions.

The other Waterfall Ninja elders, hearing Shibuki's words, also exchanged glances after their initial surprise, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

After all, the Mizukage was powerful right now; what else could they do?

Clearly, everyone understood that the loss of the Seven-Tails was inevitable, and they knew that Shibuki doing this was also unavoidable.

"Sigh."

"Fine, I will reluctantly see this good deed through to the end and help the Waterfall Ninja once more."

As he spoke, Mizunuki Ryosuke wore a troubled expression; looking at his face, one would think he had just solved a massive problem for the Waterfall Ninja.

Regarding Mizunuki Ryosuke's behavior of taking advantage while still acting aggrieved, the Waterfall Ninja group still dared to be angry but dared not speak.

At this moment, they finally understood why the Fourth Tsuchikage of the Rock, upon seeing this fellow Fourth Mizukage, would show an expression like he had "seen a ghost."

There was no other reason: this man's deep schemes and ruthless methods were simply impossible to measure by common sense.

It was originally the Waterfall Ninja who were being wronged and he who was taking advantage, yet the other party could still act so nonchalantly, as if the Waterfall Ninja were the ones gaining a huge advantage. Such ruthlessness was simply outrageous.

Mizunuki Ryosuke saw that the Waterfall Ninja leader Shibuki and the elders were all so frightened by his power that they dared to be angry but not speak, and he knew the "stick" had been applied enough.

Now, it was time to appropriately offer some "sweet dates."

Immediately, Mizunuki Ryosuke's face once again wore a gentle smile that felt like a spring breeze. Those familiar with this guy knew he was about to start scamming people again.

"Everyone's faces look so ugly; could it be that you are still immersed in the barbaric invasion of the Rock Ninja and cannot extricate yourselves?"

Mizunuki Ryosuke feigned confusion, asking the people in front of him a question he already knew the answer to.

Hearing this, the smile Shibuki had barely squeezed onto his face stiffened again. He glanced nonchalantly at the Waterfall Ninja elder on the ground whose head had a hole in it, his body not yet cold, his eyes extremely complex.

Why their faces looked so ugly—if others didn't know, didn't you know?

But even so, since Mizunuki Ryosuke had already asked, they naturally had no courage to accuse Mizunuki Ryosuke to his face, and for a moment, Shibuki could only lower his head and agree.

The reaction of the Waterfall Ninja leader Shibuki did not exceed Ryosuke's expectations; he just smiled nonchalantly and took the opportunity to continue speaking.

"Leader Shibuki, do not worry."

"I will take full responsibility for this matter."

Hearing Mizunuki Ryosuke say this, Shibuki's heart sank, and he became even more worried.

"All the 'sources' in the Ninja World are one family; this is not empty talk."

"As the Mizukage, I naturally have the responsibility to protect the Waterfall Ninja from harm."

"I have a method that can ensure the Waterfall Ninja eternal peace."

Mizunuki Ryosuke said with a sincere expression, but the more he did so, the more uneasy Shibuki felt in his heart.

During the previous battle, Mizunuki Ryosuke's words—that the Mizukage should dominate everything and everyone related to "water"—were still ringing in his ears.

Right now, Mizunuki Ryosuke's words seemed like good words, but the fact that he brought this up again didn't look like he had good intentions at all.

Especially after several contacts, this Mizukage's ruthlessness had left a deep impression on him, and he had absolutely no hope for this person's "moral standards."

Therefore, no matter how he looked at it, the other party's sudden kindness seemed more like "ill intent."

And the so-called "eternal peace" looked more like a hollow promise.

When Senju Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts, he also promised the Waterfall Ninja "eternal peace," but was there really peace?

So-called peace, in the current war-torn Ninja World, was more like a joke that wasn't funny.

"Lord Mizukage, why do you say that?"

Thus, Shibuki did not dare to directly accept Mizunuki Ryosuke's words, but instead guardedly probed Ryosuke.

To this, Ryosuke had long expected it and did not take Shibuki's guarded attitude to heart. Next, he would reveal a grand plan he had been meticulously plotting since the outbreak of the Ninja World War.

"Leader Shibuki, in your opinion, how can the Waterfall Ninja remain peaceful forever?"

Mizunuki Ryosuke did not explain, but instead asked Shibuki again.

Hearing this, Shibuki hesitated, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

"It should be strength!"

"Strength is the fundamental guarantee of peace!"

Finally, Shibuki, in a vague manner, gave an answer that most people agreed with.

But who knew, after hearing Shibuki's answer, Ryosuke just shook his head faintly.

"You are right, and also wrong."

Regarding Mizunuki Ryosuke's rejection, Shibuki became even more confused; he did not know what medicine Mizunuki Ryosuke was selling in his gourd.

"Then let me ask you again, do you know why the Rock Ninja wanted to wage war against the Waterfall Ninja?"

Ryosuke asked again; Shibuki intended to answer immediately, but the words stuck in his throat, and he was unable to speak for a long time, finally falling into silence. ===== CHAPTER 964 =====