This is also why the Hidden Mist Village has been "closing itself off" these past few years, secretly seeking allies.
With covert support from the Land of Demons, the Hidden Mist Village has cultivated a group of merchants who, under the protection of the Shion Flower Merchants Association, are thriving in the business world, allowing the Hidden Mist Village to gradually become independent. The reason they still put on a show of relying on the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Water is purely for appearances.
"So then, with the Hidden Sand Village convening this Five Kage Summit, will you be attending, Lord Mizukage?"
Terumi Mei asked.
Yagura gave Terumi Mei a look and said, "It doesn't really matter either way. If this time the Land of Demons chose to target the Hidden Cloud, it might lead to another large-scale war. But if it's the Hidden Sand… odds are, things won't escalate into a full-blown fight. Otherwise the Hidden Sand wouldn't be convening a Five Kage Summit to ask the other Kage for help."
If the Hidden Sand truly intended to continue clashing with the Land of Demons, they wouldn't call a Five Kage Summit; they would immediately mobilize troops and wage an all‑out war.
But this kind of move where you wound the enemy eight hundred while harming yourself a thousand—so long as the upper echelons of the Hidden Sand Village haven't had their brains kicked in, they won't choose such a course.
That's why they need to seek help on the international stage, hoping to suppress the Land of Demons' arrogance through diplomacy.
However… will the other countries really, sincerely help the Land of Wind?
In this war, the other countries and Ninja Villages haven't suffered any direct losses.
On the contrary, in order to keep the Hidden Cloud neutral, the Land of Demons has sent quite a few gifts, letting the Hidden Cloud reap many benefits for free. Even if the Land of Demons rises, the first to be affected will definitely not be the Land of Lightning, but the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
As for Konoha… on the front lines, the most feared Uchiha Clan now has only one surviving child. Sannin Jiraiya has been captured, the Minister of the Anbu and the Deputy Minister have died, leaving only one Medical Ninja from the Sannin, Tsunade.
If they were to wage war against the Land of Demons, not only would it be a long campaign, but facing the Land of Demons' fierce firepower, just how many ninja would need to be deployed to secure victory?
What's more, after something like this, the very first thing Konoha must do is not clash with the Land of Demons on the battlefield, but hunt down and expose the traitors hidden inside the village.
The Hidden Rock… knows all about self‑preservation. Unless the Hidden Sand pays a huge price, Tsuchikage Onoki will simply sit back and watch the tigers fight, waiting for a chance to secure benefits for the Land of Earth.
"The Five Kage Summit will be held in the Neutral Country, the Land of Iron. I'll personally make the trip. As for guards, let Hozuki Mangetsu and Ao take that role, and we'll also redeploy one squad from the Anbu—sixteen Jonin elites."
Eighteen Jonin guards in total, more than enough to serve as the Mizukage's escort.
The reason for mobilizing so many guards is also to be prepared for anything.
Unlike the other Kage, he is the Three-tailed Jinchuriki and will be targeted by the Akatsuki lurking in the shadows.
Although Akatsuki's operations haven't officially begun, that doesn't mean they won't take action ahead of schedule.
"You don't need me to go?"
Terumi Mei asked.
Yagura has three Jonin acting as his personal bodyguards.
One is her, one is Ao, who possesses the Byakugan, and the third is Hoshigaki Kisame.
However, after Hoshigaki Kisame defected, the third spot was taken over by the Hozuki Clan's prodigy, Hozuki Mangetsu.
A monster who can effortlessly wield all seven Ninja Blades.
"You'll stay here and handle affairs for me. Since you've already passed Yuan‑shi's evaluation, you can familiarize yourself with the Mizukage's duties ahead of time. Once you become Mizukage, I'll focus my attention on Akatsuki."
"With Kisame keeping watch on that side, there shouldn't be any major problems."
As Yagura's right‑hand woman, she not only knows all about the cooperation with the Land of Demons, but is also perfectly clear on Kisame's identity as an undercover agent within Akatsuki.
"I would have thought the same way in the past, but someone who can easily keep so many S‑class Renegade Ninja in line… even I can hardly imagine how strong Akatsuki's Leader must be. Besides, Isobu has told me quite a lot about the Rinnegan."
Yagura's lips curved into a smile.
The Ten-tailed, Infinite Tsukuyomi… an eternal dream of death.
Just thinking about it is enough to make one's blood run cold.
This Ninja Realm still has many interesting things waiting to be explored.