Otherwise, his New Year's money and pocket money might all be tricked away by Ichihime.
"Dad, let's go build a snowman outside."
Asuka said again at this time.
She jumped down from Hakushi's arms and pulled on Hakushi's hand.
Hakushi thought for a moment and agreed.
Not much time has passed since the New Year, and the weather is still quite cold.
The sky is not completely clear, but with a milky white sky, the fine snow falling makes it seem relatively bright.
The courtyard was filled with thick snow. Raidenmaru lazily lay in the pet house, poking its head out occasionally, shaking the snow off its head and horn.
There are warming stoves inside the pet house and outside, so Raidenmaru doesn't feel cold in this weather.
While lazily licking the paw of its forelimb, moving as lively as a little black dog, it watched Hakushi in the courtyard accompanying Asuka with building a snowman.
"What a peaceful scene."
Just a thoughtful sighing remark, compared to fighting, Raidenmaru preferred to lie still in one spot basking in the sun, watching the scenery and the changing of seasons.
But it knew too, these peaceful days wouldn't last forever.
Therefore, it cherishes these peaceful times particularly much.
Because soon, it might have to go outside and create quite a commotion.
"Is that so?"
A childlike yet cool voice sounded by the ear, making Raidenmaru instinctively shudder.
It turned its head and saw a girl about the same age as Asuka.
She had two pigtails on her head, wore warm clothes, and was hugging a thick book.
The book's title was "On How to Quickly Rise and Acquire Your First Bucket of Gold."
"Young, young lady, what brings you here?"
Raidenmaru knew Ichihime couldn't be understood with common sense.
Born with Chakra levels close to a Tailed Beast, and possessing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, she could only be described as a "monster."
Although due to her young age, she couldn't control the power within her and was sealed by Hakushi with Sealing Techniques, Raidenmaru still regarded Ichihime as a dangerous entity.
Not just on the power level, but in other aspects, she was quite frightening too.
"I'm out of snacks, you have some here, don't you?"
"..."
To Raidenmaru, Ichihime ignoring its wishes and her malicious acts of snatching its snacks and space were more dangerous than her inherent power.
Just like its evil master.
Definitely father and daughter.
Next time, the pet house should be built smaller.
But if the pet house is made smaller, it wouldn't be able to store plenty of yummy snacks inside, nor roll around freely.
"First of all, I don't have much here either. Really, why do they come to my place, one after another, to scavenge for food?"
Raidenmaru started to grumble, actively making room for Asuka to lie down for reading and snacking.
◎
In the Mizukage Building, Hidden Mist Village.
Yagura pushed open the door and saw the Third Mizukage busy with work in the office.
Though sitting there properly working, the wrinkles and fatigue between the brows couldn't be concealed.
The signs of aging, Yagura could clearly feel.
The Third's willpower and strength were weakening.
Many things were beyond reach, allowing the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water to take advantage, and letting the Blood Mist Faction in the village grow progressively stronger. Now, it wasn't about whether to remove them but having the resolve to cut off ties decisively, to completely eradicate those people from the village.
A wrong decision at a wrong time, coupled with the developmental funds of Hidden Mist being controlled by the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water, the situation isn't something caused overnight, but a premeditated plan by the Daimyo and nobles.
"Is that Yagura?"
Without raising his head, the Third Mizukage asked.
"It's me."
"What's happened again?"
"The Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Namikaze Minato, has sent a letter, hoping to establish good diplomatic relations with our Hidden Mist."
Yagura walked towards the Third Mizukage and took out a formal letter sent from Konoha from his chest, putting it in front of the Third Mizukage.
"Let's set this matter aside for now."
The Third Mizukage didn't even glance at the letter.
The newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, needed political achievements to gain influence in Konoha, but Hidden Mist was already too busy itself; it had no time to establish any diplomatic relations with Konoha.
Besides, the internal situation of Hidden Mist must remain unknown to other villages.
Hidden Mist's high level discord was serious, but the surface should be kept in harmony, without letting outsiders see the flaws.
Now establishing good diplomatic relations with Konoha was in no way beneficial to Hidden Mist.
"Indeed. But still, Third, you must write a reply, lest Konoha picks up on any flaws."
"Of course, I'm aware of that."
How to reply to Konoha without showing flaws, the Third Mizukage had already drafted in his mind, without needing Yagura's interference.
"Besides, regarding the selection for the Fourth Mizukage, the calls within the village are getting louder. Please be prepared in this regard."
Yagura lowered his head, speaking calmly.
The pen of the Third Mizukage paused, sighed once, and nodded helplessly.
No matter how much pressure is exerted with Mizukage's authority, he's of an age where it indeed is time to cede the position.
"Let's delay as much as possible; I need some more time."
"Yes."
Yagura finished saying these things and withdrew from the office.