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

Chapter 5 Jonin Meeting

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not actually have a minister; in fact, it has never had a minister since the ministry was established.

As a subordinate department of the Mizukage's office, the Foreign Affairs Department has always been the least noticeable department. Other departments like the Jonin Team, Intelligence Department, Internal Affairs Department, and Security Force all have some presence in the village, but the Foreign Affairs Department?

Excuse me, what is that thing?

Since the establishment of major ninja villages by various countries emulating the Land of Fire and Konoha Village thirty years ago, the diplomatic relations between these countries can hardly be described as close as intimate; rather, they can be described as wanting to devour each other alive.

In this environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an organization specifically established for the first Five Kage Summit, was largely forgotten by the people of Kirigakure for decades afterward, except for its presence during the First Shinobi World War in declaring war and making ceasefires.

If it weren't for Hozuki Shingetsu's reminder, even Hozuki Kangetsu probably wouldn't have remembered this department.

"The daimyo's envoy is already in the village. It just so happens that I'm currently seeking a Jonin position. Coupled with some hints from my subordinates and the conflict with the daimyo, that guy Ren should remember this department."

Hozuki Zangetsu, recalling the current conflict between Kirigakure and the Daimyo, quite agreed with his son's assessment.

The position of Foreign Affairs Officer is high enough in rank to be suitable for Hozuki Shingetsu, since it was an organization specifically established for the first Five Kage Summit. It has the rank and benefits, and no one else can really say anything about it.

Secondly, the arrival of the daimyo's envoy at that moment was indeed a disgusting position. Speaking of which, we must mention the conflict between the daimyo of the Land of Water and Kirigakure.

Back in the day, during the first Five Kage Summit, the guards of each village's Kage were the successors of their respective villages. This was actually recognized by the Daimyo of each country. Before that, the First Mizukage, Byakuren, even took his apprentice, Ren, to the capital of the Land of Water.

However, to everyone's surprise, after Byakuren's death, Hozuki Gengetsu broke the rules and, in collusion with allies, launched a coup, forcibly seizing the position of Mizukage from Byakuren, the heir.

Without the help of the ninja clan, how could Ren, all alone, be a match for Hozuki Gengetsu? Moreover, at that time, not only in terms of strength, Hozuki Gengetsu's sunny personality also gained more support. In addition, Hozuki Gengetsu promised to let the matter rest and not to hold Ren accountable later, which led Ren to accept the situation himself.

But the daimyo of the Land of Water was unhappy!

You, Hozuki Gengetsu, launched a coup without authorization. Did you pay any respects beforehand? Do you know that Ren's position as Mizukage is one I have approved of?

However, even Lian, the person involved, backed down. Furthermore, if the matter continued to stalemate, it would expose the daimyo's lax management of his subordinates, which would only make him more embarrassed. So, the matter was dropped. The daimyo could only reluctantly acknowledge Hozuki Gengetsu's status as the Second Mizukage, but he also gradually reduced his financial support to Kirigakure. This can be seen as laying the groundwork for Kirigakure's invasion of the Land of Earth during the First Shinobi World War.

There was no other way. The boss wouldn't pay him, he was still in a precarious position, and he had a bunch of brothers under his command to support. He couldn't reduce his pay either, so he had no choice but to go and rob someone himself!

Then he and the Second Tsuchikage Mu died together, and the position of Mizukage returned to Ren's hands.

However, even after Ren became the Mizukage, the Daimyo still held a grudge against him for backing down in front of Hozuki Gengetsu, and didn't treat him well, nor did he increase financial support. Ren, in turn, resented the Daimyo for not supporting him to the end, so the two were now in a state of mutual dislike. In the past, the Daimyo's envoys had always been handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is why Hozuki Zangetsu thought Hozuki Shingetsu's guess made a lot of sense.

Solving two problems at once—wouldn't that be wonderful for Lian?

"Father, if we want to fight for the right to speak, we need to let others see the efforts we've made. Whether it's impeccable hard achievements or soft propaganda that's a mix of truth and falsehood, we need others to see them. And in this process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a department that has always existed but has been overlooked, is, in my opinion, a very clever piece."

After all, as a time traveler, the combination of island nation, conflicts between nations, and diplomacy makes this problem incredibly easy to solve.

"Moreover, by using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a springboard, we can also distinguish which people are true centrists, which are our allies, and which are our enemies."

"Alright, since you're so decisive, I won't say anything more." Hozuki Zangetsu looked at his son, whose figure was upright under the lamplight, his tone revealing hope.

"Following this trend, the Fourth Mizukage twenty years from now will undoubtedly be you, Shingetsu. At that time, I will have lived up to the responsibility entrusted to me by Uncle Gengetsu!"

Hozuki Shingetsu smiled slightly but did not reply.

Twenty years? That's too long!

Moreover, obtaining the position of Mizukage is only a small part of his life plan, so how could he be satisfied with just that?

……

Time flew by, and three days later, at 10 a.m., all the Jonin from Kirigakure gathered at the Mizukage Building to attend the Jonin Conference.

As the weakest of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kirigakure was even considered a disgrace to the Five Great Ninja Villages after the "Bloody Mist Incident". Although its strength has not declined to that extent, in terms of strength, it can probably only compete with Sunagakure, let alone Konoha.

Currently, the elite Jonin of the ninja village number only about two hundred, barely enough to fill the entire conference room. Most of them are from bloodline ninja clans, with a smaller number from various minor ninja clans; there isn't a single Jonin who is truly from a commoner background.

After all, the Ninja Academy has only been established for one or two decades, and it has not yet cultivated enough fertile ground for ordinary geniuses to flourish.

The Jonin Conference, as the highest-level political meeting openly held by each village, generally has only one purpose: to elect the Kage of each village. However, it is clear that this was not the topic of the Jonin Conference held in Kirigakure this time.

"Tanaka, what do you think is the reason the Mizukage suddenly convened a Jonin meeting? It can't be that the Mizukage is voluntarily stepping down so we can elect the next Mizukage, can it?"

A Jonin from a minor ninja clan gossiped to his friend.

"How could that be! Something big must have happened! But for us, it's just a formality. As long as it doesn't involve us, we'll just say whatever everyone else says. Anyway, even if the sky falls, it's not our place to hold it up."

Similar remarks emerged one after another. At this time, it was not far from the Warring States period. Generally, the larger ninja clans had elders in charge who were well aware of the principle of self-preservation.

Soon, with the arrival of Shuiyinglian, the noisy meeting room finally quieted down.

However, what puzzled many of the Jonin present was that the person sitting next to the Mizukage seemed to be the Daimyo's envoy.

(End of this chapter)