After a private meeting with Elder Genshi, the strategy against Kumogakure was finalized.
Now, all that was left was to wait for Kumogakure to make their next move.
Yagura practically abandoned all duties at the Mizukage Building, dragging Isobu out of his slumber and diving straight into training at Water Lake.
At the same time, Yagura sent official letters to both Kumogakure and Konohagakure.
The letter to Kumogakure was primarily a diplomatic condemnation.
This announcement was also made public across the entire shinobi world, openly denouncing Kumogakure for challenging a neutral nation.
This way, Yagura secured the moral high ground, preparing for the moment when he would have no choice but to take action personally.
As expected, the Third Raikage ignored the diplomatic letter as if it had never arrived.
Or rather, Kumogakure responded with actions rather than words.
According to Kirigakure's intelligence, Kumo-nin had already built a sizable outpost on the southeastern coast of the Land of Lightning.
Their movements in the seas shared with Kirigakure and Konohagakure were growing bolder by the day.
As for Kirigakure's other diplomatic efforts, Kumogakure, being a village that preferred to settle disputes with their fists, simply ignored them.
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure, Elder Genshi and Yuki Murasaki temporarily took over Mizukage duties, organizing mission assignments for the village's shinobi.
With Kumogakure's forces growing in both numbers and strength, Kirigakure could no longer afford to send only Chunin and Genin on missions.
According to the agreement with Konohagakure, if the enemy's threat level increased, the mission's commission fees would rise from D- and C-rank to B-rank or higher.
...
Yagura also sent a personal letter to Konohagakure.
This one was addressed directly to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. In it, he made it clear—Kirigakure was currently weak, and Kumogakure was going too far. They needed assistance.
Hokage-sama, have some mercy, lend a hand.
Yagura knew he had no chance of standing against the Third Raikage alone—not even a ten percent chance of victory.
Kirigakure had no one to rely on.
But his ally, Konohagakure, did.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply came quickly. He agreed that Kumogakure was a mutual enemy and assured that Konoha would provide whatever support they could—within their capabilities.
However! Konoha currently had no available manpower to assist Kirigakure in battle. So, they would have to fight on their own.
To be honest, when Hiruzen received Yagura's plea for help, he couldn't help but mutter in confusion.
Kirigakure had received so much money from Konoha—yet now they couldn't even withstand a couple of attacks before asking for help?
Taking the money but not doing the job, huh?
But he couldn't be blamed for thinking that way.
Yagura's letter had been too vague.
Hiruzen simply assumed that Yagura was asking Konoha to send ninja to help protect their trade routes.
Without more details, he never imagined that Yagura was actually planning to personally face the Third Raikage head-on.
...
Hiruzen's response was delivered to Yagura by Zabuza, who found him still training in the lake.
Yagura leapt from the water, shaking off the chakra-infused droplets. He took the decrypted letter from Zabuza's hands and scanned it quickly.
A grin spread across his face.
"Perfect!"
What Yagura needed was precisely this statement—that Konoha would assist however they could!
He had never expected Konoha to spare any of their regular shinobi forces. That much he was well aware of.
But he didn't need ordinary ninja.
What he needed was a Kage-level ninja!
Zabuza, already anticipating his next move, had brought a scroll and a brush. Without a word, he handed them over.
"Thanks."
Yagura took them and moved behind Zabuza. "Bend down a little."
Using Zabuza's solid, muscular back as a writing surface, Yagura quickly drafted his request.
Though, with Zabuza's sculpted muscles, it was a bit difficult to write smoothly.
Feeling the brush's movements and the faint ticklish sensation, Zabuza mentally translated Yagura's words as he wrote them.
He bent over slightly, spreading the scroll as he copied the message into a coded format.
Having been by the Mizukage's side every day, he was already well aware of the escalating conflict between Kirigakure and Kumogakure.
He also knew about Yagura's plan to seek aid from Konoha.
As for the Mizukage's diplomatic moves, Zabuza had no opinion.
But he despised his own weakness—his inability to help Yagura in any meaningful way beyond these trivial tasks.
"Dear Hokage… We do not require an army… We only request one person… I have long admired the Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha… Orochimaru…"
The one Yagura wanted to borrow from Konoha was none other than Orochimaru.
At this time, Konoha's Kage-level shinobi included Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Three Sannin, Danzo, and Namikaze Minato.
Hiruzen and Danzo were out of the question.
Minato was stationed at the Iwagakure front and couldn't be moved.
Among the Sannin, Jiraiya was who-knows-where, and Tsunade was drowning in gambling debts.
Only Orochimaru remained.
As far as Yagura knew, Orochimaru had yet to defect from Konoha at this point.
And there was no information about him being active on any battlefield.
That meant he was still in Konoha.
With the letters completed, Yagura rolled up his scroll and destroyed it using Lightning Release chakra.
The only version that remained was the encoded one Zabuza held.
Expressionless, Zabuza stored the scroll away. "I won't disturb you any longer. I'll deliver this to the elders."
Knowing Yagura needed to continue his training, Zabuza didn't want to waste his time.
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Yagura called out, sensing something was off. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
Zabuza tugged at the corner of his mouth, attempting a smile—but failed.
"Just got dumped by my girlfriend. Not in a good mood."
"…" Please, at least come up with a more believable excuse.
"Tch."
Now he understood how Mangetsu had felt back then.
But unlike Mangetsu, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
After all, he had been the one to scold Mangetsu for it.
Taking a deep breath, Zabuza, always strong-willed, muttered,
"Sorry, I can't help you more. And now I've even made you waste time worrying."
So that was it.
Understanding dawned on Yagura. He smiled knowingly. "I appreciate the thought."
"…I'm off."
With that, Zabuza turned and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Yagura sank back into the lake.
Sigh… If only five years from now, you all would be my strongest arms.
For now, I'll bear this burden alone.
...
Far from the lake, Zabuza stopped.
Scanning his surroundings, he confirmed no one was near.
Then, he drew the Executioner's Blade.
Without hesitation, he slashed his own arm!
Blood sprayed into the air!
With a sharp sound, a gleaming iron blade burst from the open wound!
The pain made Zabuza wince.
But as he gazed at the metallic weapon protruding from his flesh, his eyes gleamed with bloodlust and determination.
It worked!
"Hahaha… HAHAHAHAHA!"
The Executioner's Blade could absorb blood to reform itself.
Yet all past wielders had used this power only to repair a broken sword.
Zabuza clenched his blade, slicing off the iron extension protruding from his arm.
Pain?
No pain could compare to the agony of helplessness.
Wiping the blood from his face, Zabuza silently walked away.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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