Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

Hearing these blatant words, clearly indicating that those with nothing to lose are fearless, and that if you dare to challenge me, I'll continue my plan to move on, caused Minato Namikaze's blood to surge, his veins to bulge, and his blood pressure to rise several degrees.

After a long silence, the Little Sun of Konoha finally suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Since we can sit here and negotiate, there's no need for these threatening words anymore."

"It wasn't a negotiation. It's clearly written in that scroll that your Third Hokage wanted to negotiate with us, and that's why you came to make the invitation. In other words, it's Konoha that doesn't want to fight anymore, not Kirigakure."

Night calmly looked at Minato Namikaze: "So, if you can't produce what we want, Konoha can just wait to hold an ice sculpture exhibition!"

"You guy..."

Minato Namikaze clenched his fists. He had thought this guy was just an evil person with a mind full of killing and manipulating souls, but he never expected him to be so troublesome.

However, they could not continue fighting Kirigakure like this, not only because of the current situation of Konoha's battle with Iwagakure, but also because of the information he had obtained from the Great Toad Sage.

Minazuki Yoru, that monster who can devour souls... we absolutely cannot let him continue to wreak havoc on the battlefield!

"This is a very important matter. I am just a Jonin and I cannot make a decision at all."

Minato Namikaze remained silent for a long time before finally standing up: "I need to consult with the Third Hokage."

"Whatever. As long as Konoha admits defeat, surrenders to Kirigakure, and makes reparations, then we have a basis for peace talks."

Ye said calmly, "But please hurry. I hope the idea of ​​using peace talks to buy time doesn't even cross your mind. After all, you've seen Kirigakure's current situation. We're very poor. If you can't come up with satisfactory terms, Kirigakure might become a bounty ninja village tomorrow."

This is not one of the Five Great Ninja Villages! This is not the Mizukage! This is clearly a bandit, a tyrant!

Minato Namikaze clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, but he was helpless.

"I will give you a satisfactory answer within a week!"

“That’s too long. At your speed, a day is enough for the round trip and replenishment of chakra.” Night shook his head. “However, considering that brain-dead high-ranking officials in Konoha who could drive even someone as strong as Konoha’s White Fang to his death, I can give you one more day.”

"Two days. I'll give you two days at most. If Konoha can't give me a satisfactory answer after two days, then let's meet on the battlefield."

"you!"

Minato Namikaze was trembling all over, feeling his anger rising, but in the end he could only suppress it and was sent away from Kirigakure by the Kirigakure Anbu.

"Hmm, looks like I'm in luck. I didn't do anything and someone returned the ninja sword."

Watching Minato Namikaze's departing figure, Yoru took out a scroll containing three ninja swords: "Are there any suitable candidates for the ninja swords?"

"You should distribute the ninja swords yourself."

The Third Mizukage shook his head.

The Seven Ninja Swords hold a special place in Kirigakure; they are not only powerful weapons but also symbols of honor and status.

Although he still holds the position of 'Shadow', this clear power distribution should be handed over to the next generation.

"Alright, but it is indeed a bit troublesome..."

Yoru wasn't particularly happy about gaining control over the distribution of power, mainly because Kirigakure's current fighting strength was pitifully small, and there were very few people capable of wielding the Seven Ninja Swords.

We can't just pick a few ninjas who know how to wield swords and send them these ninja swords over. If they go out on a mission, wouldn't that be embarrassing Kirigakure and giving away ninja swords to an enemy to enhance their reputation?

"Oh right, how could I forget about that!"

Seemingly remembering something, Ye waved his hand, and an ANBU member appeared instantly.

“When the full moon arrives, Yuri will be called over.”

"Yes, Lord Ye!"

The Hidden Mist ANBU members left respectfully, while the Third Mizukage showed a curious expression.

"If I remember correctly, Yuri and Mangetsu already have ninja swords... They seem to be the only two people in the entire village who possess ninja swords. Are you going to take back all seven ninja swords?"

"Of course I wouldn't do something like cutting off my own arm."

Night shook his head: "It's quite troublesome to maximize the effectiveness of the ninja sword at this stage; there are simply not many suitable candidates..."

The third-generation elder blushed, silently shut his mouth, and sat down to the side.

Soon after, Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri arrived.

"Sandaime-sama!"

"Master Ye!"

The two of Night's most capable lieutenants spoke respectfully, their gazes toward Night filled with extreme fervor, bordering on devotion.

"Bring out your ninja swords."

"Yes, Lord Ye."

Without the slightest hesitation, the two immediately took out their long sword, the Sewing Needle, and their twin swords, the Flounder.

Seeing the two ninja swords, Night took out a scroll from his pocket, and together with the scroll given to him by Minato Namikaze earlier, the seven ninja swords gathered together again amidst the billowing white smoke!

"This is... Raiga?!"

"And Samehada and the Executioner's Blade? How could this be?!"

When Yuri and Hozuki Mangetsu saw this scene, their eyes widened in astonishment, followed by overwhelming joy.

According to intelligence, the three ninja swords Samehada, Kubikiri, and Raiga fell into the hands of Konoha after the deaths of Suigetsu Hozuki and others in the battle of Kumamoto Prefecture.

It was thought that Kirigakure would lose these three ninja swords permanently, but unexpectedly, Lord Yoru brought them back!

"I remember Yuri originally wanted Raiga, right? As for Mangetsu... you seem to be able to use any kind of sword?"

Looking at the seven ninja swords in front of him, Yoru smiled and said, "The redistribution of the ninja swords will be implemented soon. However, in order to prevent the ninja swords from being lost again, I have decided to leave special spatial marks on each of the seven ninja swords and create corresponding summoning scrolls to make them into summoning ninja tools."

"So before that, you'll have to put up with this."

"Yes, Lord Ye!"

"I'll do as Lord Ye says!"

Full Moon and Yuri naturally wouldn't refuse; they were staunch supporters of Night, and besides, these two ninja swords were given to them by Night in the first place.

Moreover, Yoru's decision is indeed more conducive to Kirigakure's control over the ninja swords. With the summoning scroll, if a ninja sword is ever lost in battle, the ninja sword that symbolizes the 'ninja sword' will no longer be lost.

Even the Third Mizukage couldn't help but nod in approval of this decision.

Why didn't he think of this when he was assigning the ninja swords...? Hmm! It must be because he was controlled by the Sharingan back then!

Damn evil Uchiha!

……

As darkness fell, thick fog obscured the moon.

Minato Namikaze also met up with Shisui Uchiha on a small island outside Kirigakure.

Looking at the flickering campfire, Uchiha Shisui, with traces of blood on his body, noticed Namikaze Minato's grim expression and asked softly, "What's wrong? How's the situation in Kirigakure? Is it not going well?"

Minato Namikaze shook his head: "The situation in Kirigakure is very special. I suspect they just went through an internal struggle. The entire village is covered in frost, and even the Mizukage building was destroyed. Moreover, Yoru Minazuki has already gained actual control of the village, and I'm afraid it won't be long before he succeeds as the Fourth Mizukage!"

"But strangely, the people of Kirigakure did not seem to show any negative emotions in the face of this situation. On the contrary, they were quite happy to see this happen... Perhaps, that guy is indeed the hope of Kirigakure."

"What?! The Fourth Mizukage?! Minazuki Yoru?!"

Uchiha Shisui stared wide-eyed at Namikaze Minato with disbelief: "He should be less than fifteen years old, right? Are you kidding me? Has Kirigakure gone mad, appointing such a boy as the village's kage!"

"Kirigakure has a tradition of the strongest being the ruler. Although Minazuki Yoru is young, his combat strength is undeniable. Moreover, his behavior doesn't seem like that of someone who is only fourteen years old..."

Thinking of his conversation with Mizuki Yoru, who seemed so composed and confident, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. He slammed his fist on the ground and said, "And that guy is too greedy. He not only wants Konoha to declare its defeat and surrender to Kirigakure to the ninja world, but he also wants us to pay war reparations. Otherwise, he'll let Kirigakure continue to fight."

"what?!"

Uchiha Shisui's face stiffened upon hearing this: "No, we can't agree to that. We are the victors of this war. Why should we surrender to them and demand war reparations? He's dreaming!"

"He's taking advantage of the fact that we're currently at war with Iwagakure and can't spare the time to continue fighting him!"

"You opportunistic scoundrel, you bastard!"

Uchiha Shisui cursed twice, even unleashing his Three-Tomoe technique, which swirled in his eyes.

With the village facing a formidable enemy in Iwagakure, and Kirigakure taking advantage of their misfortune, Uchiha Shisui even entertained the idea of ​​storming into Kirigakure.

With the power he awakened, and the fact that Kirigakure was severely injured and may have just experienced a coup... No, no, this power cannot be exposed yet!

Shisui shook his head violently.

Because of Obito's actions on Mount Higashimatsu, the Mangekyou Sharingan and Wood Release have returned to the attention of Konoha's higher-ups.

Even during wartime, the Hokage's side had begun to grow increasingly resistant to the Uchiha clan, and everyone was speculating about the identity of the masked man with the Mangekyou Sharingan and Wood Release.

Shisui wasn't a brainless idiot. He knew very well that if he revealed the power he had gained at this moment, the suspicion between the village and the clan would probably reach its peak in an instant!

"How's the situation on your end?"

"It's alright. Not many people from Iwagakure came; this is part of their alliance plan."

Shisui took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in his heart, and took out a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Minato: "Unfortunately, there is a special information spell on it. Ordinary methods cannot open it. We have to take it back to analyze it."

"It's good that we intercepted it."

Upon seeing the scroll, Minato Namikaze breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Iwagakure's intention to cooperate was not sent to Kirigakure, otherwise the peace talks would probably have become increasingly troublesome.

"Let's go, we need to get the intelligence back as soon as possible!"

"Ok!"

The two rushed towards the Land of Fire without stopping. Minato Namikaze recovered the chakra of the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Shisui Uchiha carried him on the rush.

Once his chakra had mostly recovered, Minato Namikaze once again used the Flying Thunder God Technique, and with Shisui Uchiha by his side, they finally returned to Konoha before dawn, placing the intelligence report on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk...

……

And another thing, everyone, don't rush~

Chapter 91 Let's prepare for the Fourth Hokage's succession celebration, everyone!

"The Fourth Mizukage?!"

An incredulous exclamation escaped Shimura Danzo's lips, and he nearly threw his cane away.

He had been asked to rest by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but was woken up by the Anbu while still asleep and brought to the Hokage Building. He thought his old comrade had changed his mind and was going to let him take on some important position, but he never expected to hear the news that Mizuki Yoru was about to succeed as the Fourth Mizukage.

That boy, who was only fourteen years old and not even fifteen, had actually become the future Fourth Hokage of Kirigakure and had already seized real power in Kirigakure.

No, why!

I'm almost fifty years old, and the fourth generation is still nowhere in sight!

Minato Namikaze gave Danzo Shimura a strange look. Compared to Yoru Minazuki's status as the Fourth Mizukage, it was more noteworthy that Danzo had asked Konoha to surrender and pay war reparations!

"Did he say that? That Konoha should surrender to Kirigakure and pay war reparations..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice.

“Yes, he said it was just the most basic thing, and if he couldn't even do this much, there was no point in negotiating.” Minato Namikaze said in a deep voice, “I tried to threaten him, but he was completely unafraid, and even showed an attitude of wanting to exchange us for one…”

"Our Land of Water has plenty of islands; you can bomb them all you want. Of course, I also hope that Konoha's climate can be as hot as the Land of Wind's, otherwise, being frozen solid, it probably won't melt easily."

Recalling Minamizuki Yoru's attitude, even Minato Namikaze, with his personality, couldn't help but feel furious. Shisui, standing to the side, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and his face was filled with rage.

"Lord Third Generation, we absolutely cannot agree to their demands!"

Uchiha Shisui shouted, "Those guys are just using their power to bully us. We're the victors, yet they want us to surrender and pay reparations. This will not only greatly diminish Konoha's prestige, but Kirigakure will also think they've got us under their thumb. If they make exorbitant demands, are we supposed to agree to them?!"

"Shisui is right!"

Danzo, who was deeply shocked, also came to his senses and looked at the Third Hokage, speaking in a deep voice.

He has always been a pro-war figure in Konoha, and Hiruzen's summoning of him from his 'rest' was clearly an attempt to gauge his stance.

"In my opinion, not only has Kirigakure suffered heavy losses and is short of troops, but there has also been a change of power at its top. At this point, it is impossible and absolutely impossible for them to launch another war. This time it must be just a bluff."

"Once we agree to surrender and pay reparations, not to mention whether Kirigakure will take advantage of our misfortune, the other ninja villages will definitely think that Konoha has reached its limit and is weak and easy to bully."

"At that time, all the major ninja villages will be eager to make their move, and this war will likely escalate further!"

"Do you also think we should refuse?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo and took a deep breath: "Alright, since that's the case, Minato, I'll trouble you to go to Kirigakure again. I accept Konoha's terms of surrendering to Kirigakure, but the specific terms of war reparations still need to be discussed in detail. If possible, it would be best if both sides sat down and talked it over."

"what?!"

The three people present stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in astonishment, with Danzo completely bewildered before feeling a surge of anger.

What do you mean by saying I also thought I should refuse, and then you immediately agreed? What do you mean by that, Sarutobi?

Is my opinion really so worthy of your opposition?!