Chapter 993: ...solely for two things

A moment later, Mizunuki Ryosuke sat down lightly in the main seat, his face still wearing his signature gentle smile, radiating an air of approachability.

The bodyguard he had carefully selected naturally stood prettily behind him.

After a calm and collected comparison, the Third Raikage and the Third Kazekage ultimately fixed their gazes on the person behind Mizunuki Ryosuke.

The first impression this bodyguard, handpicked by the Mizukage, gave people was very striking: two words—young.

Her youth did not actually exceed the expectations of the two Third Kage, but what surprised them was that the girl was perhaps a bit *too* young.

Thanks to Mizunuki Ryosuke's active performance in this Ninja World War, not only had he become famous throughout the ninja world, but several of his capable generals had also made names for themselves.

The two had assumed that Mizunuki Ryosuke's bodyguard this time would be one of the other subordinates who had recently gained fame on the Raikage's battlefield.

But they never expected it to be such an unfamiliar and young face.

She wore a well-fitted blue dress, her chestnut-colored hair draped casually behind her, and her fair, lovely face held a quiet, gentle beauty.

Her carefully styled bangs cleverly covered the girl's right eye, lending her a hint of mystery.

Even though she was still young, set against the blue dress, the girl's figure did not appear bloated at all; rather, it was exquisite and well-proportioned.

Combining this with the girl's age, it was not hard to judge that she would inevitably have a "great omen of ferocity" in the future.

From every angle, this girl was a rare beauty.

The Third Raikage withdrew his gaze, recalling a "certain rumor" about a certain Mizukage, and a strange flavor gradually emerged in his eyes.

Could it be that Mizunuki Ryosuke passed over other talents and chose this unknown girl as his bodyguard because there was some "deep-seated" reason?

Behind the Third Raikage, Bee, who was standing guard in battle-readiness, suddenly felt a flash of complexity and emotion in his eyes. For some reason, Bee suddenly thought of Samui, who was still far away in Kirigakure.

"I thought Samui could at least be a mistress in Kirigakure, but now it seems she might not even be the third, but the fourth."

If anyone could hear Bee's inner thoughts, they would certainly be shocked.

Clearly, Bee was feeling indignant for his former friend, Samui.

Meanwhile, in the shopping street of Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

Samui, who was holding Mizunuki Ren's arm and pestering the merchant who kept smiling apologetically, suddenly froze.

"Achoo!!!"

Then, she sneezed violently.

"What's wrong, Samui? You didn't catch a cold, did you?"

Mizunuki Ren immediately asked Samui with concern.

To this, Samui just rubbed her delicate nose and immediately waved her hand.

"I'm fine, Ren, it was just a sneeze."

As Samui spoke, she secretly felt strange in her heart. She wondered what was wrong with her lately; why did she keep sneezing for no reason?

"As long as you're okay."

Seeing Samui was fine, Ren smiled again.

Then, she grabbed her good friend's hand and continued to torment the merchants of the Kirigakure shopping street.

"..."

Mizunuki Ryosuke was naturally completely unaware of the thoughts of the Third Raikage and Bee.

After sitting down, he did not rush to speak, but scanned the room.

Within his view, the six major forces participating in the talks and their representatives were:

Takigakure representative, leader Shibuki.

Amegakure representative, leader Hanzo of the Salamander.

Land of Iron samurai representative, General Mifune and the armored samurai behind him.

Land of Wind Sunagakure representative, Third Kazekage Sandaime, and his bodyguards Rasa and Pakura.

Land of Lightning Kumogakure representative, Third Raikage Ai, and his bodyguard Bee.

Finally, naturally, the Land of Water Kirigakure representative, Fourth Mizukage Mizunuki Ryosuke and his bodyguard, Terumi Mei.

Among them, Amegakure's Hanzo and Takigakure's Shibuki did not bring bodyguards, while the Third Kazekage brought two, totaling eleven people gathered for these talks that would decide the fate of the ninja world.

When Mizunuki Ryosuke's gaze swept over everyone, their expressions were all different.

Shibuki's panic and nervousness, Hanzo's stiffness, Mifune's seriousness, the Third Kazekage's eagerness, and the Third Raikage's composure.

And when Mizunuki Ryosuke's gaze passed over the face of Pakura behind the Kazekage, a hint of shyness flashed across her lovely face.

To this, Ryosuke could only return an awkward but polite smile.

·· ····Seeking flowers··· ····

After a brief exchange of glances, Mizunuki Ryosuke finally spoke.

"Everyone, it is an honor to invite you all to gather in the Land of Iron."

"I have gathered everyone in the Land of Iron for only one thing."

"The topic is very simple, just two words—peace."

Mizunuki Ryosuke said unhurriedly; his speaking speed was not fast, but every word was full of force.

Once these words were spoken, the expressions on everyone's faces did not change in the slightest.

After all, no matter what, gathering so many prominent forces of the ninja world in one place required at least a plausible excuse.

Peace, an enduring topic in the ninja world.

Whether it was Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara, or everyone sitting here, they had all stated that peace was their pursuit.

It was just that no one had ever been able to bring true peace.

Now that Mizunuki Ryosuke had brought up the banner of peace, whether it was "true peace" or "fake peace," as long as he acted under the banner of peace, he would at least have a legitimate reason.

"From the First Hokage Senju Hashirama to everyone present, everyone wants to strive for peace for their own country and village."

"Because peace is equivalent to profit."

"But although countless people pursue peace, the current situation in the ninja world is still one of constant war."

"Everyone present is a victim of war."

Mizunuki Ryosuke continued, but as soon as this sentence was spoken, many smart people in the room heard the subtext.

That is, if everyone present is a victim of war, then what about those who are not present? Are they the beneficiaries and perpetrators of war?

And apart from the small fry, the only major forces in the ninja world not present were Konoha and Iwagakure. So, is there any need to say who Mizunuki Ryosuke is truly targeting?

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the Third Kazekage and the Third Raikage simultaneously; they naturally understood the deep meaning in Mizunuki Ryosuke's words.

Of course, they had anticipated this, because this was one of the reasons they came here in the first place.

"So today, I have only two goals."

"First, to heal the wounds caused by war for everyone."

"Second, to bring peace to the ninja world."

As he spoke, Mizunuki Ryosuke's tone remained flat, but his words carried a hint of arrogance. ===== CHAPTER 995 =====