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

Chapter 29 Mizukage's Target

As the core of the ninja world, Konoha Village's every move is watched by ninja villages from all over the world. The Uchiha incident that occurred in Konoha Village did not even need to be pushed by anyone; within three days, it naturally spread throughout the entire ninja world.

During this process of dissemination, the various grudges and entanglements between the Uchiha clan and Konoha were thoroughly investigated by the general public.

Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without the help of some unknown, kind-hearted people from a distant water country.

From the time before Konoha was established, the Uchiha and Senju clans had a thousand-year feud, to the love-hate relationship between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, especially with the involvement of Mito Uzumaki as a third party, and finally to the Uchiha clan struggling under the oppression of the village, the various dramas in between have kept the audience entertained.

After all, in his previous life as an ordinary person, Hozuki Shingetsu knew best what they liked to see. All the gossip about famous people, especially sex scandals, would spread at lightning speed, and the more it was forbidden, the more it spread.

Hozuki Shingetsu was actually quite surprised by the Uchiha clan's reaction.

However, he was surprised that the Uchiha clan couldn't withstand the pressure of public opinion so early. He originally thought that the Uchiha clan would not explode until the "Uchiha International Arbitration Case" was launched. He didn't expect this!

Tsk tsk, the Uchiha are still a bit too sensitive after all.

But this is good too; one bite at a time, one card at a time.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Of course, after being beaten so many times this time, Konoha has finally learned how to use public opinion to protect its rights. It issued several statements saying that the village and the Uchiha clan have a good relationship now, that the rumors in the ninja world are just rumors, and that Konoha strongly condemns such irresponsible behavior.

Notably, Hozuki Shingetsu is specifically named here, described as the "source of chaos" in the ninja world, and the Hidden Mist Village's apparent isolation is merely a cover for its clandestine activities.

Some even followed suit and published a so-called "Hozuki Clan Human Rights Report" in response.

However, the general public is asking: Who is the Hozuki clan? Are there any famous Uchiha clan members? Are there any scandalous stories involving three generations of people?

What? No?

What does that mean!

Furthermore, given the Land of Water's closed-door policy, rumors simply couldn't enter the Land of Water. In other words, only rumors permitted by Hozuki Shingetsu could enter. Thus, under this unequal rule, Konoha's meticulously planned move completely missed its mark, having no effect whatsoever on Hozuki Shingetsu.

No, it still has an impact.

At least the Third Mizukage, Ren, realized at this point that he couldn't let Hozuki Shingetsu continue like this. He wasn't surprised at all that if Hozuki Shingetsu continued to stir up trouble, the kid would keep giving him all sorts of "surprises."

Objectively speaking, Hozuki Shingetsu has done a very competent job as the foreign affairs officer, perfectly executing his proposed "Continental Balance Plan." Currently, while the situation in the ninja world is in complete chaos, everyone is starting to target Konoha Village.

If this situation continues to develop, and a second Shinobi World War breaks out, Konoha will be attacked by at least two villages.

However, what benefits Kirigakure may not necessarily benefit him, the Mizukage. The more outstanding Hozuki Shingetsu is, and the deeper his prestige in the village, the greater the resistance he will face in his next move.

Therefore, Ren decided to set obstacles for Hozuki Shingetsu in advance and find a way to make him lose the support of the villagers.

Prestige is something that is built up through success after success. Once that momentum is interrupted or something is done poorly, it is very difficult to rebuild it.

Especially if this matter is very important and involves everyone's vital interests, then this person will not be able to recover for at least several years.

For example... the issue of military spending.

"Let Hozuki Shingetsu come to see me," Ren said with a smile to the ANBU beside him. "It's time to meet our unparalleled foreign affairs officer in private."

-

As soon as Hozuki Shingetsu entered, he saw Ren with his back to him, gazing out the window at the entire Hidden Mist Village.

"I am not yet strong; when I am strong, things will change!"

Hozuki Shingetsu gazed enviously at the wide, flowing robes of the Mizukage, silently reminding himself that the time was not yet ripe. Before possessing the strength to deal with the White Zetsu, Hozuki Shingetsu would never reveal his intentions.

"Lord Mizukage, is there anything I need you to do down there?"

"Haha, our Hidden Mist Village's genius has arrived! You've achieved remarkable results in the past few months since you took office as Foreign Affairs Officer! Who in the ninja world doesn't know you, Hozuki Shingetsu? The current situation in the ninja world is so good for our Hidden Mist Village, and you deserve the most credit!" Ren turned around and greeted Hozuki Shingetsu warmly.

Seeing his expression, Hozuki Shingetsu knew that nothing good was coming today. Sure enough, after a few perfunctory words, Ren got straight to the point.

"You want me to represent Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) to deliver New Year's greetings to the daimyo in the capital?"

"Indeed, this is your duty as a foreign affairs officer! Especially with your recent outstanding achievements, this is a good opportunity to report on the progress of Kirigakure to the Daimyo!"

Hozuki Shingetsu remained calm, showing no surprise whatsoever.

From the day he became Foreign Minister, he knew this would happen.

Given the previously strained relationship between the Daimyo of the Land of Water and Kirigakure, the Ministry of the Interior would randomly assign this task to some unlucky person. Now that he has officially taken office as the Foreign Affairs Officer, this task has naturally fallen to him.

Lian probably sent him to annoy him. After all, the previous envoys were all verbally abused by the daimyo for dissatisfaction with their gifts. It's only because the daimyo lacked power that they could have pulled off such a thing as "confiscating gold and stripping titles."

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. There are rumors that the Daimyo is planning to drastically cut military spending next year. You must find a way to stop this when you offer your New Year's greetings," Ren added. He finally saw the troubled look on Hozuki Shingetsu's face, and in a good mood, he deliberately emphasized his words.

"This matter concerns the interests of the entire village, and I expect you to take it seriously. This trip must, no matter what, win back the daimyo's heart. If you fail to do so, and it leads to a significant reduction in the village's military budget next year, then the cuts will begin with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs! Not only that, I will hold you accountable! Even if others speak up for you, I will not forgive you!"

Military spending has always been a very sensitive issue, regardless of time or place. Moreover, people have inherent flaws. No matter how much this guy has contributed or how much trouble he has caused in the ninja world, as long as everyone's interests are harmed because of him or he is involved, the enraged collective will definitely use him as an outlet for their anger, and Hozuki Shingetsu's reputation will inevitably undergo a complete reversal.

However, he never expected that the troubled look on Hozuki Shingetsu's face was completely a pretense.

He had long known that Lian hadn't made any moves lately, and that she was definitely up to no good. Although he hadn't expected it to be about military spending cuts, this matter and the previous mission to the capital were essentially the same thing.

That is, the daimyo had no goodwill towards Kirigakure.

Coincidentally, Hozuki Shingetsu had already devised a plan, a plan to win the favor of the daimyo.

He had been preparing for this since he took office as Foreign Minister, and the film industry professionals who had previously been controlled by the Kaguya clan were a key part of this plan.

The movie "30 Years a Slave," which was filmed some time ago to sow discord between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, has started to set a trend for movies in the ninja world. Nowadays, most people with a little money will choose to go see the movie and appreciate this new art form.

Well, due to the terrible filming techniques and methods in the ninja world, the most popular film right now is still "30 Years a Slave". It is said that Konoha once asked all the major cinemas to remove this movie, but even the cinemas in the Land of Fire simply ignored the news. After all, in this era, those who can afford to open cinemas basically have noble connections.

You're just a ninja; you should be grateful if the noble lords don't bother with you. You actually want to interfere with them?

You've gone too far!

Therefore, Konoha had no choice but to change the song "Kill That Uchiha" to "The Unkillable Uchiha" as a consolation and to show their resistance to such rumors.

So now that the atmosphere of the movie has been built up to this point, as long as Hozuki Shingetsu presents that biographical film during the New Year's celebrations, it will definitely be able to reverse the Daimyo's opinion of Kirigakure... no, it's about himself.

(End of this chapter)