"Mizukage-sama, I still have one more question."
"What question?"
"Why Kisame?"
"That was a condition raised by Sunagakure."
Rasa shook his head.
"No, no, no. That is impossible."
"Kisame is only a young ninja. He has no glorious battle record, nor has he killed any important figure. His performance on the front lines can only be described as ordinary."
"What right does someone like him have to be placed alongside Elder Genji and Akebino Jinin?"
"Elder Genji is extremely important to Kirigakure, and he once led Kirigakure's army in operations against Sunagakure's forces."
"Akebino Jinin is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Countless Sunagakure ninja have died by his hand."
"But my nephew Kisame has nothing. He is not worth mentioning."
"Sunagakure could not possibly have deliberately named him."
"Therefore, someone within Kirigakure must have put him forward as one of the conditions."
"Mizukage-sama, is there someone dissatisfied with my Hoshigaki clan?"
"Or did Kisame offend someone?"
Rasa's words were excessive, but he was not afraid of offending Yagura.
This identity of "Hoshigaki Goki" was disposable from the start. Once used, it would be gone.
If he offended Yagura, then so be it.
Rasa wanted to achieve his goal.
He had already gained quite a bit of intelligence about Kirigakure.
As for coming to the Mizukage Building to question Yagura, Rasa was actually using provocation.
He wanted to provoke Yagura into retaliating against Konoha.
If that happened, the rumor about Nohara Rin would be brought up again.
More people would discuss that rumor.
And that would bring Rasa more points.
As for raising this final question, that was for Hoshigaki Kisame.
It had been the same during the family meeting earlier.
Rasa had deliberately emphasized that a person sold out by the village no longer belonged to that village and should have the chance to choose again.
Now Yagura was saying that sacrificing comrades was not what he wanted, and that everything was for the village.
"For the village" was a very useful reason.
No matter what kind of matter it was, as long as those words were added, it seemed to no longer be wrong.
But in Hoshigaki Kisame's case, there was one huge problem.
Who exactly had suggested Hoshigaki Kisame?
Rasa naturally knew it was himself.
But the question was—would anyone else believe that?
Would the people of Kirigakure believe it?
Would the Hoshigaki clan believe it?
Would Hoshigaki Kisame himself believe it?
Most likely, they would not.
Under those circumstances, what would Hoshigaki Kisame think?
Would he continue to remain loyal to Kirigakure?
Rasa did not think so.
If he could win over Hoshigaki Kisame, the benefits to Sunagakure would be enormous.
Paired with Samehada, Kisame could reach an extremely high level of strength.
Even Might Guy had needed to open the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates to defeat Hoshigaki Kisame.
More importantly, Hoshigaki Kisame had no ambition.
He would not suddenly produce so many thoughts of "he could take his place."
Facing Rasa's questioning, Yagura's expression darkened.
Because Yagura realized that no matter how he explained it, the Hoshigaki clan would not believe him.
"I know as well, but this truly was a condition raised by Sunagakure. If you do not believe me, I can swear to it."
Rasa laughed.
"Mizukage-sama, then I roughly understand the value of your oaths now."
"Forget it. If you say so, then so be it."
"We, the Hoshigaki clan, accept it."
"Who can blame the Hoshigaki clan for being powerless?"
Rasa waved his hand and turned to leave.
The crowd began whispering among themselves.
"What Hoshigaki Goki said does make sense. Sunagakure couldn't possibly know Kisame or value him this much."
"There's a high chance Hoshigaki Kisame offended someone inside the village."
"I wonder what benefits they gave Mizukage-sama."
"Sigh. Hoshigaki Kisame is pitiful too. Unlike Elder Genji, he really is dying at the hands of his own people."
Hearing these discussions, Yagura's expression became even uglier.
"Hoshigaki Goki, well done."
"I have sacrificed so much for the village, and now with a single sentence, you deny all of it."
"You ruined my reputation. You deserve death."
Yagura returned to his chair and sat down, brows tightly furrowed.
"Rasa… was this deliberate?"
Rasa returned to the Hoshigaki clan.
Hoshigaki Kisame had already heard about what "Hoshigaki Goki" had done and came before Rasa.
"Uncle Goki, thank you."
Hoshigaki Kisame bowed deeply to Rasa.
"Thank you for speaking up for me."
"But it's fine. For the sake of the village, I can sacrifice myself. If my sacrifice can make Sunagakure stop the war and allow fewer people in the village to die, then it is worth it."
Before long, a guest came to the Hoshigaki clan.
An unexpected guest.
Elder Genji.
"Elder Genji."
Genji nodded slightly. His gaze first landed on Hoshigaki Kisame, then shifted to Hoshigaki Goki.
"Goki, you are very good. A person who keeps his clan in his heart will also keep the village in his heart."
"However, this matter truly cannot be blamed on Mizukage-sama."
"Kisame's name was indeed proposed by Sunagakure. The Mizukage and I both do not understand why, but Sunagakure made that demand, and we could only agree to their conditions."
"Myself, Akebino Jinin, and Kisame."
"I know this is cruel."
"But for the sake of the village, I believe that if my sacrifice can buy time for the village to develop, then it is worth it."
"Kisame is indeed a pity."
"But there is no other way. The Mizukage will compensate the Hoshigaki clan in other areas."
Genji paused.
"Sunagakure hates Kirigakure deeply. Once we go to Sunagakure, they will undoubtedly torture us in every possible way. So, Kisame, I can give you a suggestion."
"Hide explosive tags inside your body."
"Mizukage-sama will arrange for the exchange to happen at the very end."
"Once the Kirigakure army on the front lines has completed its retreat, and we arrive in Sunagakure's camp, we can detonate them directly."
Hoshigaki Kisame hesitated.
"Elder Genji, if we do that, wouldn't that count as Kirigakure breaking the agreement? Would Sunagakure seize this chance to launch another war against Kirigakure?"
Genji shook his head.
"It does not count. Because we have already been sold out by Kirigakure. What do our actions have to do with Kirigakure?"
"And at that point, we will already be dead."
"Besides, once the Kirigakure army has finished withdrawing, it will not be so easy for Sunagakure to wage war against Kirigakure again. The Land of Water is not an easy place to invade."
Rasa stared at Genji and cursed inwardly.
—What a venomous old bastard. He actually wants to self-destruct and harm my Sunagakure ninja.
But since Rasa already knew, Genji's plan was destined to fail.
"On that day, I will personally go."
"With one look from the Byakugan, I'll know exactly what you have arranged."
"And I will intercept part of Kirigakure's retreating forces in advance!"