As for everything else, did it truly matter?
Perhaps it did.
But compared to the crisis looming directly ahead of them, those matters no longer seemed so important.
After coughing several times to steady his breathing, Mizuno Satoru slowly raised his head and looked toward Menma with a grave expression.
"Then can you first tell me exactly what information you possess, Fang-kun? The current situation does not appear to be anywhere near as stable as Shibuki believes."
After all, Mizuno Satoru did not truly understand the young man standing before him.
He knew little about the so-called Guardian Shinobi under the direct command of the Fire Daimyō, nor did he know how many forces Menma could mobilize. However, one thing was certain Shuiyan would not move recklessly without confidence. Mizuno Satoru estimated that, at minimum, dozens of Taki shinobi had already secretly sided with Shuiyan. If the coup succeeded, that number might even grow into the hundreds.
And then there were the Ame shinobi.
Since Menma had already mentioned Amegakure's involvement, Mizuno Satoru naturally assumed the young man had prepared countermeasures long in advance.
"Of course. There's no issue with that."
Menma nodded casually before briefly explaining everything he knew regarding Shuiyan's movements, troop deployment, and the arrangement with the Ame shinobi.
Throughout the explanation, Mizuno Satoru remained calm.
Some matters aligned with his earlier suspicions; others exceeded his expectations. Yet overall, the situation had not completely escaped the boundaries of what he had anticipated.
Shibuki, however, was entirely different.
As Menma spoke, the young leader's expression fluctuated repeatedly between pale and flushed. He had never imagined Shuiyan had prepared matters so thoroughly. If events had continued according to the original course…
Then the only endings awaiting him would have been death or exile.
Neither outcome was something Shibuki could accept.
Because of that, the gaze he directed toward Menma gradually became complicated.
Part of him felt gratitude.
After all, Menma had come here specifically to warn and aid him.
Yet another part of him could not help but feel conflicted. Menma had clearly been in contact with Shuiyan for quite some time already. Had he warned Takigakure earlier, matters would never have deteriorated to such an extent.
Still, Shibuki swallowed those thoughts.
Even without Mizuno Satoru's level of experience, he understood one thing clearly:
Right now was not the time to question motives.
No matter what Menma's intentions were, the young man standing before him was currently extending a hand to save Takigakure.
That alone mattered.
"Therefore, Elder Satoru, Shibuki-sama, there is no need to worry excessively about overall safety," Menma continued calmly. "Including Fū. Shuiyan intends to deal with her last, so for now she has merely been redirected elsewhere. As long as we can crush Shuiyan head-on, the remaining issues will resolve themselves naturally."
Menma spoke with absolute confidence, as though Shuiyan, his rebel forces, and even the Ame shinobi were nothing more than insignificant obstacles.
That confidence immediately caused suspicion to flicker across Shibuki's eyes.
After all, unlike Mizuno Satoru, he lacked both experience and judgment. He could not accurately gauge Menma's strength at all.
Sneaking into Takigakure undetected had certainly shocked him, but Shibuki merely assumed Menma specialized in infiltration techniques or concealment ninjutsu.
Such abilities were hardly uncommon in the shinobi world.
"Then it seems Fang-kun has prepared for this for quite a long time," Mizuno Satoru suddenly said, speaking before Shibuki could open his mouth. His cloudy eyes stared directly at Menma. "In that case… may I ask what exactly you wish to obtain from Takigakure?"
The question sounded ordinary enough.
Yet for some reason, Menma immediately sensed a deeper meaning hidden beneath it.
A strange feeling surfaced in his heart.
Still, he suppressed it without changing expression and merely smiled faintly.
"I believe Elder Satoru misunderstands. We only wish to gain Takigakure's friendship. Just as I explained when we first arrived in your village, there are certain matters in which we hope to receive your cooperation in the future. We simply desire greater convenience and mutual support. Nothing more."
Menma deliberately kept his answer vague.
The old man before him was completely different from Shibuki.
Shibuki could be guided with a few carefully chosen words, but Mizuno Satoru was not so easy to deceive. More importantly, Menma's sensory perception could clearly tell that the elder's life force was already fading rapidly. The man standing at death's doorstep was often the most dangerous type to negotiate with.
Say too much, and flaws would inevitably appear.
Thus, Menma chose restraint.
"Is that so?"
Mizuno Satoru gazed deeply at Menma for several seconds before finally nodding slowly.
"In that case, there is naturally no problem. On behalf of Takigakure, I can make this promise. From today onward, Fang-kun shall be considered one of Takigakure's honored allies. So long as your requests do not threaten the core interests of our village, Takigakure will do everything within its power to assist you."
Every word was spoken slowly and clearly.
Menma's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
That subtle discomfort from earlier intensified again.
The old man…
He definitely understood something.
But before Menma could continue thinking about it, Mizuno Satoru turned his head toward Shibuki.
"Shibuki."
The meaning behind that action was obvious.
Taking a deep breath, Shibuki straightened himself before nodding firmly.
"Grandpa Satoru's decision is my decision. Fang-san, from this day forward, so long as your requests do not harm Takigakure, I will fully cooperate with the Land of Fire."
And at the very instant those words were spoken
A flash of realization suddenly struck Menma's mind.
His pupils contracted sharply.
The gaze he directed toward Mizuno Satoru now contained unmistakable shock.
At the same moment, Mizuno Satoru met Menma's eyes directly.
Within those aged, clouded pupils, a faint glimmer quietly flickered.
"Shibuki," Mizuno Satoru said calmly, as though nothing unusual had happened, "follow Fang-kun's information and retrieve the Hero Water immediately. Also, strengthen the village's internal arrangements. Call Mori, Daigo, and the others to meet me personally. Do not give Shuiyan any opportunity to exploit the situation further."
"Yes! I understand, Grandpa Satoru!"
Shibuki nodded heavily without hesitation.
Time was already running short.
He immediately turned and prepared to leave, but after taking several steps, he suddenly paused and looked back toward Menma and Mizuno Satoru with visible hesitation.
"Then… Grandpa Satoru, what about your safety here?"
"There's no need to worry about me," Mizuno Satoru replied calmly. "Aoki is still nearby, and besides… I still have a few matters I wish to discuss with Fang-kun privately. Go. Focus on your responsibilities."
Hearing those words, Shibuki no longer hesitated.
Right now, every second mattered.
He immediately rushed out of the room at full speed.
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