In Naruto, build the strongest Hidden Mist Village.

Chapter 73 The Future Hokage Struggle: A Stage Destined to Shine Brightly
"Now that everyone's here, let's begin."

Amidst the swirling white mist, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, moved his aged head, and looked at a white-haired man.

"Jiraiya, tell everyone."

Jiraiya, still covered in blood and dust, nodded, his tone slightly complicated.

"Naoki Kaguya recently led an army in the Land of Water to launch a coup, defeat the Third Mizukage, and successfully take power."

With the help of the Third Mizukage, Kaguya Naoki gained the daimyo's recognition and is now an official Mizukage.

As soon as he finished speaking, Mitomon Homura frowned deeply and asked a question.

"Wait, so he just brazenly ascended to the position of Mizukage?"

"Yes," Jiraiya replied.

As soon as he finished speaking, the room became even more somber.

Apart from Jiraiya, who had been maintaining the front line in the Land of Earth and had never directly confronted Kaguya Naoki, everyone in this room remained silent because of this name.

It was this man who led the Hidden Mist Army to defeat the combined forces of Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze in one fell swoop.

Minato is seriously injured and there is still no hope of recovery. He can only silently hope that Tsunade, who has not yet returned, can recover a little.

With their ally, the Kazekage, already on the verge of death, Sunagakure no longer has the ability to launch another attack.

This name is stained with too much bloodshed, contains too much helplessness of the people of Konoha, and makes countless people grit their teeth in hatred for him!
But now, even worse, he has become the Shadow of the Mist.

The fact that this person was leading the future of Kirigakure cast a shadow over everyone's hearts.

"I want to know why two people who were fighting to the death before would help each other rise to the top," Tsukaino Koharu said slowly, without pausing for a moment.

"Furthermore, even if Kaguya Naoki is that strong, it's impossible for him to wipe out all the forces of a Mizukage who has been in power for decades in such a short time."

"Is there something fishy going on here?"

Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly a few times, looked at the intelligence report, sighed, and explained.

"Naoki Kaguya had more supporters than the Kage, so most of the forces that supported the Mizukage were quickly eliminated."

"To think he could have more supporters than the Kage, that's really something." Koharu Utatane shook her head helplessly, while Danzo beside her seemed lost in thought.

"Moreover, the worst news doesn't stop there. The main reason why Kaguya Naoki was able to get along with the Third Mizukage was that she had a pair of Sharingan eyes that had been manipulating the Third Mizukage for more than a decade."

boom!
This news was like a sudden gust of wind blowing into your mouth, leaving everyone speechless.

Only Orochimaru suddenly stopped his tongue from moving, a hint of excitement appearing in his eyes.

Danzo, who had already received the news, remained expressionless. However, as he looked at Fugaku Uchiha's figure, he couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Damn Uchiha."

"To achieve this level, it would have to be at least a legendary kaleidoscope."

"There is no such strong person in the clan."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fugaku Uchiha, though feeling a chill run down his spine and panicked at the news, immediately offered an explanation.

"The Sharingan must be related to you. How can you shirk responsibility so lightly?"

Danzo spoke coldly, but the Third Hokage immediately interrupted him.

"Today, we're not here to hold anyone accountable."

He put down his opium pipe and solemnly addressed Fugaku.

"You must keep the Uchiha clan stable. If you have the chance, whether you are in the Uchiha clan or not, please secretly search for that powerful person."

"Chief Fugaku, the village can't withstand any more storms. You must do your utmost."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded heavily, but his mind was not without unease.

In the Uchiha clan, strength is paramount. If this news reaches the clan, how can they subdue those guys without revealing those eyes?

The conflict between the village and the clan is bound to become more intense.

However, if we can find the owner of those eyes, what's wrong with being a little more intense?

Two pairs of eyes were enough for the Uchiha to forcibly vie for the position of Hokage.

Fugaku Uchiha's heart pounded, but he dared not show the slightest change on the surface.

Because he knew that a dark eye was still watching him.

Jiraiya spoke again, breaking the somewhat strange atmosphere in the room.

"Gentlemen, there is a second piece of news."

Jiraiya said in a deep and serious voice.

"The Hidden Mist Village has proposed peace talks with us. As the defeated party, Konoha Village will provide compensation to the Hidden Mist Village. The specific agreement will be negotiated later."

"This can't be right."

Xiaochun found it hard to accept the change of dormitories, while the rest of the students remained silent.

"Since its founding, Konoha has never been defeated."

Soon, her voice grew weaker and weaker, and finally she lowered her head in despair.

"But that's the truth. We were utterly defeated on the battlefield against Kirigakure, and we were powerless to resist."

"If we continue with the war, the future will be even bleaker."

Danzo spoke coldly, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Accept all of this, Hiruzen. Accept the fact of defeat. As the Kage, acknowledge this defeat and offer compensation."

Otherwise, the village would be in even greater danger.

"I will."

Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened up, his back slightly hunched, as if he were carrying a mountain on his back.

"I've come here to tell you that I'm going to negotiate peace, and I'm entrusting the village affairs to you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mitokado Koharu turned to the bedchamber and slumped down in dejection.

If Konoha is truly defeated, who will be able to shoulder the great responsibility in the future?

Danzo clenched his fist.

Hiruzen, you lost this time. The Hokage title will be mine.

Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips.

My esteemed and noble teacher, what choice will you make this time?
Jiraiya lowered his head, avoiding Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze.

Old man, for the sake of the future of the ninja world, I can't stay in Konoha. I should go find someone else.

All of this was reflected in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, causing him to sigh involuntarily.

At the same time, the image of a white-haired figure holding a long sword became clearer and clearer in his mind.

Leaf White Fang

It's a pity you're too young. Well then, let me try my best and wait until you grow up.

He lowered his head, picked up his pipe, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

I'm about to have to acknowledge Konoha's first defeat, forcing this old man to bow his head to a young man.

This is really a headache.

The last time I felt this way was when my teacher died in battle.

I tried to calm myself down, but I became even more agitated.

If they return from the place where they negotiated peace with Kirigakure, they will probably immediately launch an attack on the Fourth Hokage's position.

Neither Danzo nor the Uchiha would ever give up this opportunity.

Although Xiaochun and Yan wouldn't harbor any ulterior motives, they would probably only waver for the sake of the power they hold until the overall situation is settled.

Moreover, Orochimaru became increasingly obsessed with those jutsu experiments, and withdrew from worldly affairs.

Since the position of Hokage is no longer possible for him, Konoha has become his last constraint.

This disciple might leave the village on his own in the future.

The battle for Hokage, the disciple's choice.

Thinking about these things, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt increasingly old.

Soon, Konoha will enter its most desolate and impoverished period. Hopefully, it can get through it smoothly.
-
A group of Konoha ninjas carrying a peace negotiation scroll rushed to the Konoha-Kirigakure front camp.

"Kisame."

Juzo Biwa solemnly handed the scroll to Kisame Hoshigaki.

"Take this scroll back to the village."

"Let the people of Kirigakure know that Konoha's first defeat was at our hands."

"This will be the first exciting event after the Fourth Hokage takes office."

In the camp, amidst the excited gazes of nearly a thousand people, Kisame accepted the scroll.

The scroll wasn't large, but it carried all of Mist Village's hopes.

It is also a key, a key to wash away decades of pent-up frustration and helplessness.

Kisame Hoshigaki was placed solemnly beside him. He took to the air and traveled day and night towards Kirigakure.
-
"Are you sure a peace agreement has been reached? And that Konoha has acknowledged their defeat?"

The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist heavily on the table, his face flushed red with rage.

"Damn Kirigakure brats, damn Konoha bastards!"

"How could we let them negotiate peace so easily?"
-
"It is time to negotiate peace, gentlemen."

Five ninjas wielding swords stood around the giant tree, none of them looking too good. Only the ninja wielding two swords spoke.

"I heard that Naoki Kaguya doesn't give the five of us a very friendly look."

"We haven't achieved any significant victories yet. If we return to the village, who knows what crime Kaguya Naoki might set up for us, throwing us into jail so he can make room for his men's ninja swords."

"Just tell me what you want to do."

"What I mean is, why don't we go deeper and see if we can find some big fish?"

"Heh, I hope so. In my opinion, Konoha doesn't have any big fish left. Now it's just a bunch of little kids who haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet."

"We have to give it a try."

(End of this chapter)