"Lastly, I remind you all, no private fights are allowed that could delay the grand offensive plan scheduled for next March. Otherwise, your candidacy for the position of the Kazekage will be immediately revoked."
Chiyo sternly finished speaking and left the meeting room with her brother Ebizo.
Compared to who ultimately secures the position of the Fourth Kazekage, Chiyo was more focused on how to weaken Konoha for the overall benefit of the Hidden Sand.
Hence, any private fights among the candidates vying for the Kazekage position would be strictly prohibited. Anyone caught doing so would face severe punishment and have their candidacy revoked.
◎
Hidden Mist Village.
In the village shrouded by thick fog, the aura of bloodshed lingered persistently.
In the Mizukage's office, Yagura was reporting his work progress for the past month.
A total of thirty-two ninjas suspected of being part of the reform faction were executed, while seventeen others were undergoing harsh interrogations in the pursuit unit.
"Yagura, you've been getting more irritable lately."
The Third Mizukage said this to Yagura.
Despite that calm and unaffected boyish face, which gave off a naive and untrustworthy aura, those familiar with him knew he was a ruthless executioner.
The most terrifying blade in the Third Mizukage's hand.
More wicked than the Seven-swords Ninja.
He was the prime target for assassinations from the reform faction.
Some even suspected that this seemingly harmless boy-faced man—Karatachi Yagura was the one who guided the Blood Mist Policy, brutally slaughtering comrades within the village to eliminate opposition and ascend to the position of the Fourth Mizukage himself.
However, compared to the Seven-swords Ninja, who were pulling alliances everywhere and developing their power, Yagura had always served as the Third Mizukage's deputy. Although very renowned, the ninja power gathered under his command was far from the strength amassed by the Seven-swords Ninja.
Not even the Hidden Mist pursuit unit was under his direct control.
This showed that even the Third Mizukage likely had reservations about him.
Thus, many held a wait-and-see attitude regarding Yagura's smooth ascension to the Fourth Mizukage position.
If he could take a step back and not remain so close to the Third Mizukage, he might have more room to develop his power.
The closer he was to the Third Mizukage, the more attention and caution he would attract from the Mizukage himself.
"I'm sorry, Mizukage-sama, but this is all because the reform faction is too chaotic. Only by quickly suppressing them can we stabilize the village's internal situation."
Yagura replied with a steady attitude.
He also knew that he had become increasingly irritable lately.
Of course, it wasn't due to the struggles between the reform faction and the Blood Mist faction but because of another matter that was troubling him.
For the first time in his life, he was threatened by mere renegade ninjas.
Though there was an urge to scoff, thinking carefully, that bastard was undoubtedly underestimating his existence.
If one dwelled seriously on this, it would be difficult not to feel angry.
"How are Suikazan and the others doing recently?"
The Third Mizukage asked.
Yagura pondered for a moment and quickly responded to this inquiry: "Since Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi died in battle, their influences have been fully absorbed by Suikazan Fuguki and those led by him. Although they also obey Mizukage-sama, I think it's necessary to be vigilant."
"I will handle this personally. Has anyone been chosen for the Thunder Blade's wielder?"
"Currently, no suitable candidate has been found. Our Hidden Mist Village has very few ninjas proficient in Lightning Style. Additionally, being able to perfectly synchronize with the Thunder Blade's power, in recent years, only Ringo Ameyuri matches this criteria."
After hearing Yagura's report, the Third Mizukage expressed regret.
Among the seven ninja blades, the Lightning Blades Fangs has one of the strongest attack powers. Combined with its swift casting and wide-range characteristics, anyone holding the Thunder Blade could easily defeat over a hundred Chunin.
"As for the Long Blade·Sewing Needle and the Blastsword: Shibuki, I've also been working with the underground black market to quickly contact Hyuga Ayane, a Konoha Renegade Ninja. However, progress has been somewhat slow."
"Whether by forcing the enemy into submission or buying them back with money, bringing the two ninja blades back to the village as soon as possible is a priority."
"Yes."
Assuring that the two ninja blades would be brought back to the village quickly, Yagura estimated that the Mizukage himself also knew it was impossible in a short time, thus did not set a deadline for Yagura.
Yagura left the Mizukage's office and headed to a long-abandoned water tower.
At the bottom of the water tower, there was a huge and complex sewer, and occasionally, Yagura would meet his subordinates here.
"Yagura-sama, this is the intelligence relayed from the Land of Demons."
Someone emerged from the wall, utilizing an Advanced Concealment Ninjutsu, so not even Perception Ninjutsu could easily sense his presence.
He served as a liaison between Yagura and others.
Yagura took the scroll, and the man merged into the wall again and disappeared.
Yagura stowed away the scroll and had just walked out of the water tower's door when he was confronted by two people.
Yagura maintained a blank expression as if he knew long ago that he was being followed.
"Yagura, you're still so fond of sneaking around. You can deceive the Third Mizukage, but you can't escape my eyes. Don't compete with me for the Fourth Mizukage position, or you'll die miserably."
One of them outright threatened Yagura, his teeth bared, and a bloody aura rushed toward him.
His physique was very strong, with long orange hair trailing down to his waist, and he carried a huge ninja blade wrapped in bandages on his back.
That was the Great Sword Shark Skin among the seven ninja blades.