Naruto: I'm Not a Pokémon

Chapter 55 Disposal

Facing the scrutinizing gaze of the Third Mizukage.

Both Yagura and Yuki Hiro didn't know how to start the conversation, so they just lowered their heads and said nothing.

Seeing this, the Third Mizukage shook his head slightly, looked away, looked at the information on the table, and spoke.

"Jōnin Yagura, you arranged the person, why don't you tell us first?"

Karatachi Yagura quickly raised his head and answered after careful consideration.

"Mizukage-sama, according to my investigation, the Yuki Clan has been secretly smuggling weapons with the Takumi Village and kidnapping civilians from the Land of Water to secretly increase their power. I believe that this is undermining the interests of the village and seriously damaging the relationship between the village and the Daimyo."

As he spoke, he could already feel beads of cold sweat on his back.

It was not until then that he began to regret that this private investigation was a bit too hasty.

After receiving the letter from Team Ao and combining it with his subordinates' recent investigation, Yagura immediately locked onto the Yuki Clan. He had intended to keep the information for future use.

Unexpectedly, before Team Ao returned to the Kirigakure Village, the Third Mizukage had already called him and Yuki Hiro over.

The Third Mizukage had clearly told him that the war was approaching and there was a shortage of manpower, so the investigation of this matter should be abandoned for the time being.

"Oh, so the village should thank Jonin Yagura for his dedicated investigation into this matter?"

The Third Mizukage looked at Karatachi Yagura with a smile.

"I dare not. I disobeyed the Mizukage's order and investigated my colleagues privately. I am willing to accept the punishment."

At this point, Yagura no longer thought about how his secret investigation had been exposed, and just waited obediently for the Third Mizukage's decision.

However, the Third Mizukage ignored Yagura and turned to look at Hiro who had been silent.

"Chief Hiro, is what Yagura said true?"

As a senior jonin and the head of the clan, Hiro obviously has a deeper understanding of the current situation of the Third Mizukage and the Kirigakure Village.

The smuggling of ninja tools and the kidnapping of civilians both harm the interests of the Land of Water. The interests of the Mizukage and the Daimyo are not completely consistent. If it is not too extreme, or if it happens to break out on the eve of the war like it is now, the Third Mizukage will not make it too difficult for himself.

But the matter of training death squads could be a big deal or a small one, and he was a little unsure of the Third Mizukage's thoughts at this time.

"Mizukage-sama, I have already learned about this matter within the clan before coming here, and it is true. This matter was done by the clan's jōnin Yuki Yama, who has now been captured by the clan and can be handed over to the village for disposal at any time."

Seeing that the Third Mizukage was still calm and had no intention of speaking, Hiro continued to add.

"In addition, the ninjas trained by Yuki Yama and the funds she obtained from smuggling will also be handed over to the village for disposal."

The Third Mizukage waved his hand when he heard this.

"What does the village need them for? Just follow the next batch of troops heading to the front. Well, the Yuki Clan will still be in charge of leading them."

When Hiro heard the Third Mizukage say this, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Third Mizukage did not mention the issue of funding, the clan does not mind paying more money if the matter can be resolved through these efforts.

But what the Third Mizukage said next made Hiro's hair stand on end.

"I heard that this death squad has 83 ninjas. That's a lot, right? When you send them to the front, remember to make sure there are enough people."

A chill ran through Hiro's heart, not only because the Third Mizukage had revealed the number and names of the death squad, but also because this squad did have 83 people, but that was the number two days ago.

But at this time Hiro didn't dare to say anything more.

Looking at the majestic old man in front of him who had been in charge of the Kirigakure Village for decades, he silently accepted the number.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama! I will go back and take care of this matter right away."

Hiro responded while suppressing his heartache, then left the Mizukage's office without looking back.

The Third Mizukage did not mind his rudeness and turned back to look at Yagura again.

"Yakura, go get busy too. Are you still waiting for me to reward you?"

Yagura stared at the Third Mizukage in a daze for two seconds, then turned around and left respectfully.

This old man, who had brought the Kirigakure Village from a period of transition to its current strength step by step, seemed to have never clearly understood his thoughts.

After Yagura left, the Third Mizukage looked at the elder Genji who was still smiling beside him, and couldn't help but shake his head and laughed.

"These young people's thoughts are still too obvious."

In fact, the Third Mizukage never cared about factional struggles.

He could cruelly let civilian ninjas fight each other, select the strong ones like raising insects, and let these selected strong ones climb to high positions. He also didn't mind the clan ninjas doing small tricks to expand their power in private, as long as they were willing to be used by the village.

All he cared about was whether the Kirigakure Village could win.

Elder Genji was still smiling and did not respond. Instead, he talked about another matter.

"The kids from Team Ao are pretty good too. They seem to have brought back some useful information this time, as well as some inheritance from the Takumi Village."

The Third Mizukage was stunned for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.

"That's right. Let's reward those three brats with some ninjutsu. As for Ao, the position of Vice Captain of the Perception Unit is still vacant, and he is barely suitable."

------

On the other side, Hiro returned to the Yuki Clan's territory, walked into the study with a gloomy face, and said to a clan member who was guarding nearby.

"Go! Call Yama over to me!"

"Patriarch-sama." Yuki Yama, who had hurried over, knelt on one knee, waiting for instructions from her clan leader.

"How many people are there in the death squad now?"

"57 people." Yama answered carefully.

"Hmm? Where are the others? Didn't I only ask you to take a few Chunins to test Ao?"

Hiro's voice suddenly rose, his palm pressed hard on the table, and he glared at Yama.

Yama, somewhat frightened by the sudden tone, replied hastily.

"Yes, Patriarch-sama. The first time I went, I only took four Chūnins with me to intercept Team Ao. Later, I thought that even if I used my bloodline limit, I would not be able to kill him, so I withdrew directly."

"First?!"

After hearing this, Hiro pressed the table with even greater force.

Seeing the clan leader's behavior, Yama didn't dare to hide anything and continued speaking with gritted teeth.

"After the first assassination attempt failed, the Great Elder said that you would eventually hand these assassins over to the Mizukage for disposal anyway. It would be better to continue to send people to assassinate Team Ao. Even if they can only kill one of their Genin in the end, it can be regarded as regaining some face for the clan."

"Crack—"

Hiro slammed the table in front of him with an angry palm, breaking it into pieces.

"These old guys! Face? Face! Now the Mizukage asked the Yuki Clan to send 83 more people to the battlefield! All the people in the death squad have died, will their grandsons replace them? Or will they go to the front line themselves?!"

"Patriarch-sama, this..." Yama looked at the Patriarch of her own clan at a loss.

Hiro sat back in his chair somewhat dejectedly. He was in no mood to explain anything to Yama at this moment. He just waved his hand weakly, signaling her to leave first.

But before Yama could leave the study, Hiro spoke again.

"By the way, the Third Mizukage specifically requested that you lead the additional personnel. Let the elders decide on the specific candidates."

Yama, who had already walked to the door, paused for a moment and then walked out of the study again.

Only when the door slowly closed did a sound come out.

"Yes, Patriarch-sama."