They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 127 The Second Prince, Hozuki, has the eyes of an eagle and the gaze of a wolf; he is loyal in name only but treacherous in reality... He is a water official in name only but a water pirate in reality!

Since Hozuki Shingetsu returned to Kirigakure, his series of actions have never stopped.

Internally, things were alright. Besides continuing to focus on the construction of the ninja academy, consolidating its own foundation, and cultivating vanguards who could carry out its will, it was also preparing for the industrial revolution that followed.

All of the above actions were carried out within Kirigakure, and all the changes occurred underwater, so not many people paid attention to these things. Everyone was working diligently to restore Kirigakure's strength.

However, compared to these, his various external publicity campaigns are far more significant.

Using Wood Release and Mangekyou Sharingan as a pretext, they tried their best to instigate internal conflicts among the four major countries, used various propaganda methods to strengthen their positive image, amplified war anxiety, and used the unique geographical conditions of Kirigakure to sell war security, attracting (×) and seducing () those wealthy merchants and impoverished nobles to Kirigakure.

Although the World's Number One Series of events has not yet been officially promoted due to the lack of a prize pool and organizational plan, and professionals from all walks of life have not yet set off for Kirigakure in the Land of Water, these actions alone have already attracted a large number of people to leave their homelands and come to Kirigakure.

As the places of origin, the departures were not particularly noticeable because not many people left each place.

However, as a destination, the large number of people from all over the ninja world, including wealthy and powerful individuals and lower-ranking nobles who control certain resources, arriving in the Land of Water in such a short period of time inevitably attracted the attention of the Land of Water's officials.

After all, even the most backward countries must still have basic population control measures in place, and such abnormal entry during wartime would certainly elicit a reaction.

Not to mention that some low-ranking nobles who were related by blood did not go to Kirigakure immediately upon arriving in the Land of Water. Instead, they went to their relatives in the Land of Water to learn about Kirigakure. This made the court of the Land of Water even more suspicious.

That night, in the capital of the Land of Water, at the residence of Mizutofu, the second son of the daimyo Mizukita.

"Your Highness, according to reliable intelligence, a large number of foreigners have recently been heading to Kirigakure. They are mainly wealthy merchants and low-ranking nobles from various countries, and their specific purpose is unknown."

"Wealthy merchants and nobles? Heading to Kirigakure?"

Shui Dufu frowned unconsciously as he listened to his subordinates' report.

Ever since Hozuki Shingetsu came to the Daimyo's mansion as a special envoy of Kirigakure, and won the Daimyo's favor with all sorts of sweet words and tacky gifts, successfully gaining the status of an adopted son, a grudge has been formed between him and Hozuki Shingetsu.

In his view, the fact that a ninja, with such a lowly status, could become the adopted son of a daimyo, and in a sense even be on equal footing with him, was a blatant insult to him.

What level is Hozuki Shingetsu that he's worthy of being on the same level as me?

However, Hozuki Shingetsu must have been bewitched by the daimyo. Hozuki Shingetsu had caused trouble for him several times before, but Sui Keita hadn't taken it seriously. In addition, the despicable Kusaka Masato had also interfered, so those incidents all came to nothing.

"You treacherous scoundrel who flatters and fawns on his superiors, don't fall into my hands!"

Although he is the same age as Hozuki Shingetsu, he has already surpassed Hozuki Shingetsu and opened the door to a new world because he did not need to undergo ninja training and was spoiled since childhood.

Well, all I can say is that he's no wonder he's the son of Shui Jingtai!

Therefore, the Water Country eats dates and pills.

"Are you sure those wealthy merchants and nobles are heading to Kirigakure and not the capital?"

He really couldn't understand why these two groups of people went to Kirigakure. Whether from an economic or political point of view, wouldn't coming to the country be a better choice for them?

What are we going to do in a village of ninjas?

"...But it doesn't matter, anyway, these people are just right to deal with that bastard Hozuki Shingetsu."

Shui Dufu looked at his subordinate kneeling before him, unable to understand why he had simply stopped thinking about it.

These guys definitely didn't go to Kirigakure for no reason. The fact that so many people went to Kirigakure with such a clear purpose must be the work of Hozuki Shingetsu.

So no matter what their purpose is, as long as they keep this point in mind, they can definitely make that guy suffer a great loss!

After all, it is an undeniable fact that Hozuki Shingetsu recruited these people from all over the ninja world without approval, and it is simply unacceptable no matter how you look at it.

You say you are the de facto ruler of Kirigakure, controlling the only violent institution in the Land of Water, yet your connection with the Land of Water is limited to military funds allocated by the daimyo and your loyalty to the daimyo.

But now you're racking your brains to recruit wealthy merchants and nobles from all over the country, what do you think you want to do?

Controlling politics, military, and finance all at once?

Ok?

Kirigakure provides military force, wealthy merchants provide funds, and nobles provide administrative talent. Tell me, Kirigakure, are you plotting a rebellion? A rebellion, or a rebellion?

Of course, even Shui Dufu himself knew that the above speculation was impossible. Although he was narrow-minded, he was definitely not stupid. True elite education may produce ambitious but incompetent fools, but it will never produce ignorant and incompetent scoundrels.

As the heir to the Land of Water, he knew that with the strength of Kirigakure, if Hozuki Shingetsu really wanted to rebel, he wouldn't need these people; he could just lead his men to storm the castle tower.

These wealthy merchants and lower-ranking nobles, though considered members of the elite class by outsiders, were nothing more than a bunch of worthless scoundrels in front of the beloved second prince of the Water Kingdom's daimyo.

But that doesn't stop him from using this excuse to criticize Hozuki Shingetsu!

As the son of Mizuki Keita, he knows his father all too well.

He ruled the Water Kingdom for decades, indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs. He valued his reputation above all else.

It was precisely because of this that Hozuki Gengetsu's unauthorized usurpation of the title of Second Mizukage enraged him, and for the next ten years he ignored Kirigakure and continued to cut military spending.

But it was precisely because of this that the feud was resolved a few years ago when Hozuki Shingetsu came to the castle tower and presented a film that praised and rebranded Mizu Keita.

In this situation, now that Hozuki Shingetsu is causing such a big commotion across the ninja world without reporting it to him, wouldn't Mizuki Keita feel a pang of resentment?

"Hmph, this time I'll make sure you're badly hurt, so you know that not just anyone is qualified to be my father's child... A tool should act like a tool. How can such a hierarchy be so easily overridden?"

Shui Dufu's eyes flashed with a sinister light as he gripped Meiji's private parts tightly in his arms.

"Mizuya Masahiko, Hozuki Shingetsu, Kusaka Masato... Hmph! One day, I'll show all of you who disrespect me and rebel against me what happens when you oppose me!"

Shui Dufu, completely disregarding the presence of outsiders, muttered to himself, imagining the scene of punishing them one by one when he held great power in the future.

"Hmm? Wait a minute, why does Kusaka Masato always protect Hozuki Shingetsu? Hozuki Shingetsu and Kusaka Masato, one is in the inner circle and the other is in the outer circle, one is a scholar and the other a warrior..."

Shui Dufu muttered to himself, then suddenly remembered something, and his face flushed red, and he became extremely excited.

Although we don't know if there's anything fishy going on between them, just having that inclination is enough!

Shui Jingtai was, in any case, a qualified monarch. As a monarch, he was inherently suspicious and could not tolerate such collusion between the inside and outside, and the alliance between the civil and military officials.

Moreover, this is entirely based on subjective judgment and doesn't require any evidence. As long as he believes you have done this, then you have done this.

"Ha, Hozuki Shingetsu is openly recruiting foreign elites while Kusaka Masato is providing cover in Daimyo Prefecture... I'd like to see if you two survive this time!"

Upon realizing this, Mizuto Fumi, believing he had found Hozuki Shingetsu's weakness, burst into laughter. Overwhelmed with excitement, he disregarded the presence of others and immediately and excitedly ripped open the clothes of Mihime in his arms, then began to ride off on horseback.

-

The next day, Mizuto Tomio got up very early and went to the castle tower with great excitement. He couldn't wait to see Kusaka Masato and Hozuki Shingetsu suffer their misfortunes.

"Yes, this is it..."

Before even entering, he could hear lewd sounds coming from inside the hall. Shui Dufu, without changing his expression, pushed open the door and entered to pay his respects to Shui Jingtai.

"You're all rich... Come, sit down."

Shui Jingtai glanced back at his son, then continued eating his breakfast without a care in the world.

It's more accurate to say they're enjoying breakfast than eating it, because this isn't just a regular meal; it's—Nyotaimori (female body sushi).

He wasn't the only one present; Kusaka Masato and several ministers who were favored by Mizuki Taira were also dining with him.

"Father, I have come today with important news to report..."

Shui Dufu glanced greedily at the girl being used as a plate, and was about to make a move when he remembered the purpose of his visit. He then reluctantly withdrew his gaze and reported his discovery to Shui Jingtai.

"...That's the situation. Hozuki Shingetsu is a wolf in sheep's clothing, recruiting wealthy foreign merchants and nobles without permission. What exactly does Hozuki Shingetsu, a mere ninja, want to do?!"

Mizuto emphasized the word "ninja" in his accent, clearly indicating that he did not want to acknowledge his identity as the grandson.

After listening to Shui Dufu's words, Shui Jingtai slowly put down his chopsticks, his face calm and revealing no emotion.

But before he could say anything, a voice rang out.

"As the adopted son of the daimyo, Hozuki Shingetsu's loyalty to the daimyo is evident to all. The Second Prince's worries are far too unfounded."

"And in the end, they are just wealthy merchants and impoverished nobles. In this era of war and turmoil, these people have traveled thousands of miles to come to my Land of Water. Isn't that a form of recognition of my Land of Water? I suppose the reason they stayed in Kirigakure was simply because they were used to living in fear and subconsciously went to the ninja village to seek psychological peace."

"Our nation, a land of water, is a vast and prosperous country. Wouldn't it make our nation appear intolerant to turn these people away?"

Upon hearing Mizuto's accusations against Hozuki Shingetsu, Kusaka Masato, who was also present, gently wiped his mouth and spoke up to defend him.

There was no other way; after all, they were the allies he had chosen. If something really happened to Hozuki Shingetsu, who would he turn to for revenge when Sui Keita was bedridden and Sui Tofu and Sui Masahiko were vying for the throne?

So even though he hated Hozuki Shingetsu terribly at this moment, hated that he had been negligent in his work and that Mizuto Tomioka had been able to use his weakness against him, which put him in a dangerous situation, he still had to protect Hozuki Shingetsu no matter what.

Just as Mizuto Tomio was very familiar with Mizu Keita's temperament, Kusaka Masato, who knew Mizu Keita inside and out, was equally well aware of the daimyo's temperament.

As a daimyo and a lover of saving face, Mizukita detested nothing more than unauthorized actions without asking permission or reporting.

So he quickly used his familiarity with Mizuki Keita to first point out Hozuki Shingetsu's status as an adopted son and emphasize his loyalty to the daimyo.

Then they deliberately blurred the line between Kirigakure and the Land of Water, making it seem as if these people's arrival in Kirigakure was actually for the Land of Water, and they were just temporarily staying in Kirigakure.

Finally, citing the pretext of being a great nation of water, they stood on the moral high ground and relentlessly criticized Shuidufu in order to demonstrate their great power status.

As expected, after listening to Masato Kusaka's explanation, Keita Mizuki's expression softened considerably, clearly moved by the explanation.

"That's right, Zhengren is right. Xinyue is, after all, my child. His true nature can be seen from his previous behavior and the movies, so it shouldn't be like this."

Seeing this, Shui Dufu in the audience couldn't help but smile.

This was exactly what he had been waiting for—for Kusaka Masato to step in and smooth things over, and for Mizu Keita to believe that Hozuki Shingetsu was truly loyal to him!

Only in this way can we ignite Shui Jingtai's anger when the reversal occurs!

"I wonder what connection Lord Masahito has with this Hozuki Shingetsu?"

"What does it matter? Nothing at all! If there is any connection, it can only be described as mutual respect between loyal subjects!"

Faced with Mizuto's blatant attempt to trap him, Kusaka Masato cleverly answered the question, but despite this, Mizuto still managed to find a way to use it against him.

"Oh? Loyalty? I wonder how loyalty is defined, and by whom? In other words, does that mean anyone you, Lord Zhengren, don't appreciate is a loyal subject?"

Mizutomi's sinister voice rang out, "Or rather... only those who gain your approval, Lord Kusaka Masahiro, are truly loyal subjects?"

"Speaking of which, there have been several times before where you spoke up for Hozuki Shingetsu. I didn't think much of it then, but now... you two, one inside and one outside, one scholarly and one martial, actually work together quite well!"

At this point, Mizuto Tomioka, ignoring the drastically changed expression on Kusaka Masato's face, turned and bowed to Mizu Keita, whose face was ashen:

"Hozuki Crescent possesses the piercing gaze of an eagle and the menacing look of a wolf, harboring a heart of great loyalty disguised as treachery. He enjoys the Emperor's favor but colludes with those within the palace. He is nominally a water official, but in reality a water pirate, destined to bring disaster! Please boil him alive to appease the world!"

(End of this chapter)