May 3rd
While Konoha mobilized its hidden reserves and prepared to break the stalemate on the Kusa and Yugakure fronts, Onoki of Iwagakure continued his diplomatic campaign. Sunagakure had not been his final destination. His next stop was Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.
The journey had been short despite the secrecy of its travel.
Onoki arrived under the cover of thick fog, escorted by Kiri shinobi through the winding corridors of the Mizukage's compound. The air was damp, heavy with salt and silence. The walls were slick with condensation, and the scent of brine clung to every breath.
At the center of the hall stood Hozuki Gengetsu, the Second Mizukage – the elegant, enigmatic, and sometimes erratic leader of Kirigakure. His robes shimmered faintly with moisture, and his eyes gleamed with amusement as Onoki approached.
"You've come far, Tsuchikage's heir," Gengetsu said, voice smooth and unhurried. "I assume this isn't a courtesy visit."
Onoki didn't waste time. He stepped forward and handed over a sealed scroll.
"A message from Tsuchikage-sama," he said. "We want to know why Kirigakure hasn't contributed to the siege on Konoha. Why you remain silent while the rest of us bleed."
Gengetsu opened the scroll, scanned its contents, then set it aside with a flick of his wrist.
"You're direct. I respect that," he said. "But war is not just about blood and courage – it's about ryo, ships, and timing."
Onoki's eyes narrowed. Cleary angered as he stepped forward while repeatedly pointing his index finger downward. "You're stalling. The Uzumaki have already reinforced Konoha. Their seal masters are crippling our advance. You were supposed to strike Uzushiogakure and hold them back. That was the plan."
Gengetsu smiled faintly, as his tone turned playful and shrugged his shoulders and hands. "Plans change."
He took a quick glance at Onoki's expressionless face, but his eyes told him everything he needed to know. He leaned forward as he paced back and forth behind his desk, his left-hand placed behind his back while his right hand reaching for the air waving dramatically as he explained.
"To send an invasion force to Uzu, we need a fleet – hundreds of transport ships. And that requires funds, logistics, and guarantees. The Mist does not move without certainty or guaranteed benefits."
Onoki's voice sharpened. "You had certainty when five thousand Uzumaki left Uzushio to reinforce Konoha."
Gengetsu's smirk deepened and closed his eyes as he remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "I had promises. From Iwa. From Kumo. And From Suna. But promises don't build ships."
The mist thickened and curled around the pillars of the Mizukage's hall silently. Onoki stood across from Hozuki Gengetsu, who lounged with ease of a man who never rushed into war – only waited for it to come to him.
"Haaah…"
Onoki let out a frustrated sigh. He had intended to save his cards until the last, but Iwagakure's position was urgent. Not desperate yet– but urgent.
He unrolled a second scroll and laid it on the table between them. it was a detailed analysis of Konoha's battlefield tactics, compiled by Mu and Iwa's intelligence corps.
"These are the formations used by the Uzumaki seal masters," Onoki said. "Their sensory grids, chakra suppression fields, and layered fuinjutsu arrays we've collected and analyzed. They've turned the forest into traps. Their coordination with Konoha's squads is the most advanced shinobi warfare we've ever seen."
Gengetsu leaned forward, scanning the diagrams. His expression remained unreadable.
"They've weaponized the terrain," Onoki continued. "They're not just defending – they're reshaping the battlefield. If we wait any longer, they'll fortify the entire eastern front."
Gengetsu tapped the scroll lightly.
'Fuinjutsu traps and sensory formations…. A defensive trench warfare, advantageous to defenders, but exponentially costly for the attacker. Every inch of territory will cost tremendous casualty.'
Gengetsu feigned ignorance and turned to Onoki.
"Impressive. But information alone doesn't win wars. Do you think we didn't know about Uzumaki's capabilities and prowess in sealing arts and formations?"
He stood, walking slowly to the window where the fog pressed against the glass like living thing. His silhouette blurred against the mist.
"If Kirigakure is to commit," he said, "then Iwagakure must complete three tasks."
Onoki's eyes narrowed. "Three?"
Gengetsu turned, his voice calm but cold.
"First – provide funds. A full invasion of Uzushiogakure requires hundreds of transport ships. We don't move without gold.
Second – draw Sunagakure into open war. Break their neutral diplomacy. Make them commit. Force them if you need to.
Third – draw Tobirama Senju to the front. Either Kusa or Yugakure. And when he arrives – neutralize him."
Onoki's breath caught. The first two demands were ridiculous enough, but the third was outrageous.
"MIZuk–"
"Ah, ah, ah," Gengetsu interrupted, raising a finger. "Watch it. Onoki. I am Mizukage and this is Kirigakure. Choose your words carefully."
Onoki's mouth slowly closed down. The weight of the request hung heavy on his shoulders.
Gengetsu walked back to the table, his tone now casual.
"You want Kiri to move? Then move the pieces. We don't gamble, especially not on the whims of Iwa's demands."
Onoki stared at the scrolls, then at Gengetsu.
"I'll take your terms to Tsuchikage-sama," he said finally. "Wait for Iwa's answer."
Gengetsu smiled faintly. "We'll be watching."
Onoki bowed his head slightly and turned to leave. The mist parted for him, but continued to veil Kirigakure.
Just as he reached the exit, Gengetsu called out.
"Oh! By the way!"
Onoki paused. "What?"
Gengetsu's voice was light, almost amused.
"Konoha just conscripted about 8,000 more shinobis from their village."
"…What?"
Onoki's eyes widened in shock. Konoha already deployed twenty-four thousand shinobis on two fronts and with Uzumaki's aid they reached near thirty thousand troops. But another eight thousand?
"I heard that they're all at least at chunin-level," Gengetsu added, almost casually. "Impressive isn't it?"
Onoki's legs trembled. His eyes locked with Gengetsu's own.
"It's like the fertile lands of Konoha pops out shinobi season after seasons."
Gengetsu's words echoed in Onoki's mind over and over again.
Onoki gritted his teeth.
Konoha was accelerating. Their reserves were deeper than expected.
He needed to hurry.
***
As Onoki departed Kirigakure, the fog still thickened around him. Kiri had not committed – but it had drawn its line and made its demands clear.
Back in the Mizukage's hall, Gengetsu stood alone, watching the horizon through the window.
'Konoha is strong. But strength breed arrogance. Let the others clash. Let the tides shift. And when the moment is right… the Mist will rise.'
A soft rustle echoed behind him.
"Kohai." (Junior)
From the shadows, a figure emerged and knelt silently. Long black hair fell over his shoulders, his posture respectful yet composed. It was Yuki Shuto, the strongest Ice Release shinobis of Kirigakure – and second only to Gengetsu himself.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama," Shuto replied.
Gengetsu didin't turn. "How's the preparation?"
Shuto bowed his head. "It's ninety-nine percent ready."
Gengetsu's gaze flicked sideways. "Ninety-nine?"
"You haven't set the date yet. But all of our troops and supplies are ready. The fleet is docked. The seal teams are assembled. We await your command."
Gengetsu let out a quiet chuckle. "Then we set sail a month from now. On June 3rd."
Shuto nodded. "Yes Mizukage-sama…. But – are we not going to wait for Iwa's response?"
Gengetsu finally turned, his expression unreadable.
"Kohai. Regardless of Iwa's decision, we need to weaken Konoha as much as we can. But there's just no need for us to bleed the most."
Gengetsu walked slowly away from the window, revealing Kirigakure no longer veiled under fog but left bare to view. And at the port and dockyards were plethora of ships enough to house at least 4~500 men each. Gengetsu hinted that Kiri was not prepared when Onoki asked, but reality told otherwise.
Gengetsu continued to the central war map, his fingers trailing across the carved relief of the continent. His eyes gleamed in cold light.
"Kiri was the last of the five great village to be founded. We were born in blood and mist. Let the top three – Konoha, Iwa, and Kumo – waste their strength. Let them indulge in their arrogance. Let them believe they are shaping the world."
He tapped the map where the Land of Fire met the sea.
"And when they're fractured… we strike."
Shuto remained kneeling, his voice low. "You believe Shamon sees it the same way?"
Gengetsu smiled faintly. "Of course he does. The desert teaches patience. Suna will not move until the cost is lowest and the gain is the highest. He's watching the same storm we are."
He turned back to the window, the mist began to stir again pressing against the glass like a tide waiting to break.
"Let Iwa waste resources chasing alliances. Let Kumo burn its elite. Let Konoha stretch itself thin. And when the moment arrives.. the Mist will rise."
Shuto bowed once more. "Understood."
Gengetsu smile blossomed as he whispered.
"Prepare the fleet. Quietly. Let the world forget we exist… and then give them a pleasant surprise."