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

End of Chapter 54

With the death of Takumi Uzumaki and the dissipation of the Five-Tails, the Uzumaki clan won the battle, officially thwarting the Raito Alliance's plan to seal the Uzumaki clan's Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.

"Is everything alright with Shingetsu?" Yukina looked at her group of ninjas cleaning up the battlefield, then glanced at the Uzumaki clan members who were still immersed in grief, and suddenly thought of Hozuki Shingetsu.

Despite feeling regretful that her daughter had failed to defeat Hozuki Shingetsu, as the hope of the Hozuki-Yuki alliance, Hozuki Shingetsu absolutely could not be allowed to die.

"Although I know that kid was prepared, he is still Moodybi after all! He is the adopted brother of the current Raikage, and he is not so easy to defeat, is he?" After thinking it over, Yukina was still a little worried.

He wasn't worried about not being able to catch up; his main concern was that the young players might get too cocky, start celebrating in the first half, think they had the game in the bag, and then try to outmaneuver their opponents, only to give Mudiby an opportunity at the last moment, allowing him to pull off a last-minute comeback.

"Don't worry!" Hozuki Renge said without the slightest panic.

"Regardless of how slick that brat is, he would never do something so out of character. Besides, have you forgotten about Dongyan?"

"I knew it, why didn't that guy show up during the fight... then there's really nothing wrong with him."

Yukina woke up with a start, only then realizing that he had overlooked the existence of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

"Yes! So, the next step is to prepare for welcoming that brat, and then discuss how to deal with our Mizukage!"

Hozuki Zangetsu glanced at Kushina Uzumaki, whose eyes were red, and grew to like the girl more and more, thinking that his son truly had good taste.

With this marriage alliance, the Uzumaki clan had no choice but to oppose Ren, even if they didn't want to. However, since the Uzumaki clan joined Kirigakure, Ren had no reason to object, whether from the perspective of increasing combat power or controlling the tailed beasts.

Even if he and the Kaguya clan opposed it, they were no match for the alliance led by Genji, Hozuki, and Yuki. Unless he wanted to completely escalate the conflict, he would have to swallow this bitter pill. His only leverage was that the Hozuki and Yuki clans had mobilized their forces without permission. However, with Genji's intervention, it was likely that the matter would be minimized, and he would at most relinquish some of his gains.

And since the Uzumaki clan joined Kirigakure, the meat they spat out could just be given to the Uzumaki clan! Anyway, the meat would just rot in the pot.

Besides, they can get all that stuff back sooner or later.

As for what to do if the benefits gained by the Uzumaki clan don't match their status? It's simple, just use that as an excuse to force Ren to open the village's blockade!

The Uzumaki clan has been backed by the Land of Whirlpools for so many years, and has occupied the maritime trade hub in the east of the continent for many years. Wouldn't it be perfect to let them take charge of their original business of foreign trade?

The Uzumaki clan traveled thousands of miles, leaving their homeland to come to your Kirigakure, and even helped your Kirigakure solve such a big problem as sealing the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts. In the end, they didn't even receive the treatment that matched their status and position. Are you even qualified to be the Mizukage?

Didn't you know that Hozuki is in charge of all propaganda affairs for Kirigakure?

"Phew...finally took this thing down."

Hozuki Shingetsu took a breath and exchanged a glance with Yukinagi and Yagura, who were equally exhausted beside her, still feeling lingering fear.

To be fair, Modibi truly deserves the title of the modern-day "AB combination." Despite being repeatedly outmaneuvered by Hozuki Shingetsu, having exhausted most of his physical strength and mentally drained, the three of them still managed to defeat him by using every trick in the book when they attacked together.

Hozuki Shingetsu sighed as he glanced at Moody, who lay unconscious on the ground, his body covered in broken ice shards and riddled with holes from the Water Gun Technique.

"Our current strength definitely needs improvement!"

Although compared to others, Hozuki Shingetsu's strength at the age of twelve was already enough to make him a leader among his peers, he was still not strong enough to face a top-tier Jonin like Modibi.

In the recent battle, most of the wounds on Modibi's body were caused by his Water Gun Technique. His Spirit Slash couldn't hit Modibi at all—he simply couldn't keep up with Modibi's movement speed, even after activating that half-finished Water Release Chakra Mode.

Fortunately, there was a Moody clone created by Yagura's Crystal Technique, Mirage's mirage distracting him, and Yukinagi's Ice Release slowing him down. As time passed, Hozuki Shingetsu finally seized the opportunity and used his Spirit Circle Slash to slash Moody's stomach, which was also the most serious wound on his body.

clap clap!

Just then, applause came from the cave exit behind them, along with a shout of praise.

"New Moon, your strength is much greater than mine was back then. You've probably caught up with Lord Phantom Moon's strength at the same age."

A young Mist Ninja carrying a giant sword shaped like a door panel on his back walked over. Seeing the barely breathing Modibi and the three panting men, as well as the battle traces in the cave covered with ice shards and puddles, he couldn't help but sigh.

Tachibana Higashihiko, an elite Jonin, was one of the first Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist formed under the personal orders of the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, and is the user of the twin swords Hiramekarei.

In addition to this, he also has another identity: he is the only ninja among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who stands on the side of the Hozuki clan.

Although the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were formed under the orders of Hozuki Gengetsu, and all seven members were personally selected by Hozuki Gengetsu, Hozuki Gengetsu's goal in forming the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was very clear: to be a special team directly under the Mizukage, dedicated to completing high-difficulty missions for the Mizukage.

In other words, in terms of their identities, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are staunch supporters of the Mizukage. They do not pledge allegiance to any particular figure, but are only responsible to the current Mizukage.

This is why the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist did not side with the Hozuki clan. However, besides this, Tachibana Touhiko has another special identity—he was an orphan who gained his current status through the patronage of Hozuki Gengetsu.

That's why he's standing here.

"In that case, you should have come out earlier, instead of just standing around watching the show." Hozuki Shingetsu was not at all surprised by Tachibana Touhiko's arrival.

If he didn't have a foolproof guarantee, why would he have led two people on such a long and arduous journey to chase after Moody?

Do you really think Moody's is something to be trifled with?

"If I come out, how will you guys have the opportunity to train?" Tachibana Touhiko said with a squinty eye, completely unconcerned about Hozuki Shingetsu's tone.

He came here to protect Hozuki Shingetsu, and he wouldn't appear until Hozuki Shingetsu was in mortal danger.

After catching up briefly with Tachibana Touhiko, Hozuki Shingetsu turned his attention back to Moody.

"Now, there's hope for a completed Water Release Chakra Mode."

(End of this chapter)