Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 185 A Superficial, Fake Alliance

The Third Raikage, Ai, narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Mitsuki, trying to discern even the slightest hint of pretense beneath his gentle smile.

But he failed.

Seeing the moon's smile, it was so sincere that there wasn't a single flaw.

"Since Lord Raikage has such confidence in your subordinates and is willing to entrust them with such a great responsibility, Kirigakure naturally has no reason not to cooperate."

Jian Yue smiled, as if she were talking about something perfectly normal.

"After all, we share the same goal."

"It's all for the sealing technique of the Land of Whirlpools."

These words were perfectly worded, even whitewashing Raikage's arrogance as a responsible commitment to his actions.

A complex expression flashed across Yuan Shi's aged face, and his gaze toward Shui Ying deepened.

Tsuchishiro was somewhat surprised. He had prepared a set of arguments to deal with the possible backlash from the Mizukage, but he did not expect the other party to be so straightforward.

"but……"

Just when Raikage thought he had completely seized the initiative, Mitsuki changed the subject.

He extended a long, slender finger and tapped it lightly on the table.

"Lord Raikage, as you know, the core of the Land of Whirlpools' defense system lies in their perceptual and sealing barriers that cover the entire island."

"These things cannot be broken by force alone."

His gaze calmly swept over Lei Ying, then over Zuo Yue behind him, whose entire being exuded recklessness.

"A direct assault would only alert them immediately, and they might even choose to fight to the death, destroying what we want most."

Jian Yue's voice remained gentle, yet it carried an undeniable logical force.

"Therefore, I agree with you in half."

"but."

His tone became more forceful, and his eyes deepened.

"Before we infiltrate the Land of Whirlpools and dismantle their various barriers from within, temporary command of this vanguard force must be handed over to my men."

His finger gently pointed to the man beside him, who had remained as icy as an iceberg from beginning to end.

"Ghost Lantern Haiyue."

"He knows how our spies inside the Whirlpool Kingdom communicate, and he also knows how to paralyze their defense system most efficiently without alerting anyone."

"He is the key for us to open that door."

Seeing the light, Lei Ying's smile softened again.

"I wonder if Lord Raikage would agree to this small, reasonable request?"

The meeting room fell silent once again.

The Third Raikage's expression shifted between light and dark.

He instantly understood Jian Yue's intention.

This is an example of using tactical necessity to gain strategic initiative.

Command authority, even if it is temporary, is still command authority.

"Ha, you cunning tricksters!"

Zuo Yue, standing behind Lei Ying, couldn't help but speak up and mock.

The Third Raikage's brain was working at breakneck speed.

Just then, Tsuchishiro, who had been silent all along, stepped forward, leaned close to the Raikage's ear, and spoke in a very low voice.

"Lord Raikage, his request is very reasonable."

"We do need their key to open that door."

"As for what happens after the door opens..."

Tsuchishiro glanced at the gentle-looking Mizukage opposite him and lowered his voice even further.

"Who's in charge in this room? It all comes down to who has the stronger fist."

"This is harmless."

Tsuchishiro's words were like a sudden awakening.

The Third Raikage Aina's tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed.

His gaze toward Shuiying Jianyue carried a hint of amusement.

Yes.

I was just borrowing their keys.

Once the door opened, the Land of Whirlpools became like an unlocked room.

When the time comes, whoever gets to steal the treasure in the house will get it.

As for this fragile alliance... ha.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

A burst of wild laughter once again echoed throughout the cabin.

The Third Raikage slammed his hand on the table, the force of which made the teacups on the table bounce.

"good!"

"That's what we'll do!"

He grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, and stared at Jian Yue, his eyes filled with undisguised ambition.

"Mitsuki, I'm growing to admire you more and more!"

"However, I hope your key is sturdy enough that it won't malfunction when you try to unlock it!"

"Your Excellency Raikage can rest assured about that."

The Third Mizukage smiled and raised his teacup.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

Raikage also picked up the cup of tea in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.

A pact rife with scheming and murderous intent was finalized amidst this false laughter.

……

Night fell, enveloping the entire sea.

Two massive fleets, like giant beasts lurking in the darkness, lay silently anchored on the outer sea of ​​the Land of Whirlpools, all their lights turned off.

The night breeze was cool and carried a salty, fishy smell.

Two raiding ships, much smaller than the main warships but faster, were slowly lowered into the water.

A vanguard force composed of the most elite ninjas from the two villages is assembling on the deck.

On one side were the Cloud Village ninjas led by Gourai Sagetsu.

They were all burly and powerfully built, with a ferocious aura and eyes filled with a thirst for battle.

On the other side were the Hidden Mist ninjas, led by Hozuki Kaigetsu.

They were reserved and indifferent, like venomous snakes in the dark, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

This team, which was inherently full of contradictions and conflicts, was forcibly brought together like this.

"Bro, this atmosphere is awful!"

Hozuki Shio moved closer to Hozuki Kaigetsu and whispered something to him.

"Look at that dark-skinned guy over there, his eyes are practically popping out of their sockets."

"Quiet."

Hozuki Kaigetsu coldly uttered two words.

"cut."

Hozuki Shio pouted, but seeing her brother's cold gaze, she obediently shut her mouth.

Zuo Yue's gaze remained fixed on Hozuki Kaigetsu from beginning to end, the provocation undisguised.

Hozuki Kaigetsu completely ignored him, calmly gazing at the sea swallowed by the night.

"Set off."

Hozuki Kaigetsu's cold voice rang out, and he leaped first, his figure landing lightly on one of the raiding ships.

The Hidden Mist ninjas followed silently.

"Hmph! Let's go too!"

Zuo Yue snorted coldly, waved his hand, and led the Cloud Village ninjas onto another raiding boat.

The two ships, so clearly separated, carrying this time bomb-like fleet, slowly sailed away from the massive fleet, disappearing into the vast night like two arrows released from a bow.

The bow of the flagship.

Seeing Yue and Elder Yuan Shi stand side by side, quietly watching the two small boats sail away.

The sea breeze rustled Mizuki's sacred robes.

Until the outlines of the two ships completely merged into the darkness.

The gentle smile on the Third Mizukage's face vanished like the receding tide, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

He turned his head to look at Master Yuan beside him, his voice low.

"Master Yuan."

"Yes, Lord Mizukage."

"Tell Yukinojo and Soranosuke to have their men prepare."

The sound of seeing the moon seemed particularly somber in the night wind.

"Once the Hozuki siblings obtain the sealing technique..."

He paused, a cruel smile curving his lips, and let out a cold laugh.

"Oh……"

"The usefulness of Kumogakure ends here."