"With so many dead, is it still worth continuing this fight!"
The counterattack organized by the Mist Ninja Clans didn't achieve the expected results.
Although they had regained control over several districts of the Mist's Hidden Village, the ninja clans suffered heavy casualties among their combatants during the battle. This left the clans too weakened to keep pushing forward, leaving them no choice but to play defense.
As a result, contradictions among the various ninja clans began to surface, and even the three major noble clans couldn't suppress their voices.
"We can't just abandon the village and become ronin without a future!"
While some advocated for surrender, naturally others urged persistence: "Are we the only ones suffering losses? Even though they're on defense, their losses are twice what ours were! As long as we keep fighting, everything will turn around!"
"If our clan members get wiped out in this meat grinder, can we still even call ourselves a ninja clan?"
But the opposing clan ninja also had their own reasoning: "Rather than continuing this stalemate, we should focus on advancing southward and taking control of the southern islands!"
"You actually want us to abandon the territories we've paid for with blood! Traitor! Disgrace to the clans!"
Soon enough, both sides with differing opinions descended into the tedious cycle of personal attacks.
"Sigh!"
Even though the Suiton Clan Head wanted to intervene, after hesitating for a moment, he eventually decided to let things take their course for now without declaring his position.
After all, even the Suiton Clan couldn't withstand such massive consumption any longer.
During last night's counterattack alone, seventeen clan members from the Suiton Clan were directly killed in action, with the number of injured being multiples of that; while the Third Mizukage's Bloodline faction also sustained heavy losses, their ninja under command seemed endless, using sheer numbers to literally block the Kaguya Clan's fierce assault with flesh and blood.
Once the Kaguya Clan, leading the charge, could no longer push forward, the other mist ninja clan warriors who participated in the battle soon found themselves in dire straits, naturally causing casualty numbers to rise accordingly.
Plus, this was an unusual sign.
In previous small-scale counterattacks, as long as the allied clan forces deployed Kaguya ninja to lead the charge, the Bloodline faction's positions usually collapsed instantly, making the conquests relatively easy. But this time, there was a complete reversal of fortune, leaving the clan ninja temporarily struggling to accept it.
After all, ninja clans were tightly-knit family groups bound by blood ties, where the prime-aged clan members—those young and strong ninja—were most crucial. If too many of these key forces were lost, not only would the clan's status decline, but even if they eventually defeated the Bloodline faction and reclaimed control of the village, they'd never get their fair share when the spoils got handed out.
Therefore, the stance of those clans advocating retreat was understandable.
"Withdrawing to the south isn't necessarily a bad idea,"
The Hozuki elder suddenly spoke.
The quarreling clan representatives fell silent at once, waiting for the Hozuki elder's judgment.
The Suiton Clan Head's face immediately darkened.
"But!"
"The moment the Hozuki elder changed the subject, Suiton's expression immediately brightened. 'Without outside help, we won't stand a chance in this war of attrition!'
'Especially since the court nobles are sure to team up with those bloodthirsty pups from the Bloodline faction. Once that happens, the Bloodline provides manpower while the nobles supply funding. Even if our clan members are courageous and skilled, they probably won't survive endless waves of attacks and depletion!'
'So, if we can eliminate the threats behind us, giving up this tug-of-war over the village might not be such a bad idea.'"
After finishing his summary, the Hozuki elder paused, tapping his staff on the ground to indicate others should speak, then closed his eyes as if dozing off.
"Oh, and don't forget—the village still controls two tailed beasts!"
Suiton Clan Head clenched his teeth. "Right now we're fighting within the village, so even those shark pups still have some restraint and haven't rushed into using the tailed beasts yet. But if we relocate overseas to carve out territory on remote islands? That's when things could get unpredictable."
The gathered Mist ninja clan representatives remained speechless.
These were all painful truths—truths that hurt the most.
Between them, those two basically shut down any chance of retreat for the relocation supporters. Even those firmly backing relocation started wavering in their convictions.
Soon, everyone's gazes gradually turned toward Tsunashige Kaguya, the Kaguya Clan leader, who had remained silent throughout.
As the only Kaguya capable of communicating smoothly with outsiders, Tsunashige noticed everyone watching him but gave no reaction, continuing to chew on his dried meat.
During the counterattack operation—as vanguard—he himself sustained serious injuries. Though nearly recovered after treatment by medical ninja, he still needed to eat regularly to replenish nutrients and promote bone healing.
But the others saw his silence as arrogance. They exchanged glances, one by one frowning deeply.
They held back only because they recognized the Kaguya's indispensable combat strength.
"Clan Head Tsunashige, what's your suggestion?" Suiton asked directly.
"Request help," Tsunashige mumbled around his jerky. "Request support—from our allies!"
"You mean the Hyuga Clan?"
Suiton hesitated slightly. "But they aren't—"
"They may not act willingly, but that doesn't mean we can't call on them for backup."
Tsunashige straightened his neck, swallowed the last bite, then shouted hoarsely, "Pooling all our strength for this counterattack barely got us control of a few city blocks—and who knows, maybe they'll be retaken by nightfall! Is there any point in continuing this costly stalemate?"
This time, everyone looked truly stunned.
In their minds, the Kaguya were famous for being reckless and impulsive—except Tsunashige, a rare thinker in a clan known for charging headfirst into battle. Compared to them, the Kaguya usually couldn't keep up where schemes and tactics were concerned.
Yet now here they were—this clan originally designated as frontline cannon fodder just pulled a move nobody expected. What were the rest of them supposed to do now?
We can't just send our own clansmen to fill the frontlines, can we?
"Commander SOUSHU probably won't be willing to do us this favor."
The Suiton Clan Head struggled to think of an excuse.
"We should at least try! How will we know unless we try?"
Tsunashige Kaguya grinned widely, then stood up and looked at the assembled ninja clan representatives, who were all frowning anxiously. "If you're unwilling to fight desperately and unwilling to retreat strategically, surely you won't just stand here waiting for Bloodline faction's little sharks to counterattack and die together with us!"
Having said that, Tsunashige Kaguya simply turned around and left.
"I'll write for reinforcements."
After a moment of silence, the Suiton Clan Head finally gritted out these words: "However, until we receive a reply, I must request each clan to do its utmost and demonstrate the Hyuga Clan's bravery!"
"If our performance is too poor, even if the Hyuga Clan wants to help, they probably won't rashly send assistance!"
The Hozuki Elder quickly added.
All the ninja clan representatives in attendance initially hesitated but eventually nodded reluctantly after careful consideration.
As for whether company reinforcements could truly arrive, this had already become a strategic rather than tactical issue.
The secret message from Hidden Mist Village arrived at Hyuga Soushu's headquarters the next day.
After reading the secret message's contents, Hyuga Soushu sat in silence, deep in thought.
The butterfly effect he brought was simply too great; therefore, countless chain reactions had unknowingly altered historical trajectories from his past-life memories. These chain reactions ended up weakening Hyuga Soushu's foresight.
"The Hidden Mist Civil War."
Hyuga Soushu put down the secret message, first massaging his temples before closing his eyes to rest.
Although Hyuga Soushu had mobilized previously and informed various ninja clans about the arrangements regarding the Standing Ninja Army, whether to formally enter battle remained a difficult and significant decision.
Certainly, it wasn't only concerns about Madara Uchiha potentially lurking in the shadows manipulating the Third Mizukage, but also numerous other forces including Konoha Village.
Moreover, one could be certain that if the Standing Ninja Army of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation suffered a devastating defeat in Land of Water, it would inevitably shake the Hyuga Clan's lofty status and embolden rival powers' ambitions.
This was the most fatal consequence.
Therefore, even though Hyuga Soushu had decided to intervene in the Hidden Mist civil war, troop participation numbers must remain strictly controlled within a reasonable range, taking care not to suffer major losses that could threaten the foundation of both the Hyuga Clan and the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation.
"Creak"
Carrying a bowl of miso soup, Mahiru Uchiha entered through the door, placed the soup bowl in front of Hyuga Soushu, then walked behind him to begin giving a shoulder massage.
Feeling the warmth and softness coming from behind, Hyuga Soushu immediately felt his entire body relax.
Neither spoke much, both maintaining their current state quietly.
Ten minutes later, Mahiru Uchiha gently suggested, "The soup's temperature is just right; perhaps you should drink it now?"
"All right."
Hyuga Soushu readily agreed, picked up the miso soup, and began drinking.
At the same time, he casually handed over an urgent appeal for help from the Mist Ninja Clan to Mahiru Uchiha.
"You're troubled by this matter?"
Mahiru Uchiha briefly glanced at it and couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Didn't Hidden Mist plan to use them as tools anyway?"
Publicly speaking, her statement made perfect sense.
After all, Hyuga Soushu's explanation to those around him had always been to treat Mist's Three Great Clans as tools for entering the Land of Water's market. Even now, with the Land of Water plunged into unprecedented civil strife, thanks to the opportunity presented by the Hidden Mist Civil War, the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation still raked in massive profits exporting military supplies. All things considered, it turned out to be a huge win.
Although Hyuga Soushu's plans failed to succeed completely, judging purely by profit, no one could call it a failed move.
"Mist is different."
Hyuga Soushu didn't know how to explain it clearly.
How could he directly say that Madara Uchiha hadn't completely perished yet and was currently hiding in the Hidden Mist Village, stirring up trouble behind the scenes?
After all, until now, Hyuga Soushu had no evidence to prove Madara Uchiha's existence—everything was just reasonable speculation based on memories from his past life. If he spoke it out loud, others would only think it was absurd fantasy.
"You don't intend to deploy the Ninja Force directly, right?"
Mahiru guessed her lover's thoughts.
"That's right."
Hyuga Soushu didn't hide his thoughts at all.
Although the Directly Commanded Units had already been mobilized, when push came to shove, he still needed to be cautious and couldn't recklessly throw away the Ninja Force on foreign battlefields.
"Then block off the Land of Water," Mahiru Uchiha said. "Weren't Rain ninjas previously allowed to take missions from the nobles of the Land of Water? Now simply cut off their access—it would relieve some pressure on the Mist Ninja Clan."
"But only slightly," Soushu suddenly had an idea. "Or perhaps we don't necessarily have to send Ninja Force units directly to provide support?"
"What do you mean?"
This time, Mahiru was genuinely confused.
Without further explanation, Hyuga Soushu immediately fetched paper and brush and began drafting an order.
Peering over his shoulder, Mahiru read the bold title written across the top: Provisional Administrative Measures for Issuing the Land of Water's Unlimited Letters of Marque.
"So you're basically turning them into privateers?"
Although these words together sounded quite different from the usual style of Ninja World, Mahiru still roughly understood the meaning thanks to her deep comprehension of her lover.
"More or less. Besides, Kumo and Mist hold deep grudges against each other. If given support, they probably wouldn't mind lending a hand!"
Without stopping his writing, Soushu answered Mahiru-chan. "Furthermore, Iwagakure's Second Tsuchikage perished alongside Mist's Second Mizukage, and although they currently don't have much trade, they might still jump at the chance to poke at Mist's wounds."
"And what about the village too!"
Mahiru Uchiha's mind immediately sparked with ideas: "If we can motivate those civilian ninja in the village to take action, it effectively weakens the power held by those old men. No matter the outcome, our core strength won't suffer heavy losses!"
"And the ships and funds required for raiding voyages can be directly obtained through corporate loans!"
Hyuga Soushu grew increasingly inspired as he wrote: "Although our number of warships is limited, swift transport vessels are everywhere. Additionally, we can quickly construct more ships at shipyards across various locations and then sell them. With this setup, the loans we issue can be used by them to order ship-mounted ninja tools!"
"Perhaps we could also include the recovery of stolen loot!"
Uchiha Mahiru, similarly ignited by the bloodthirsty instinct hidden deep within her bones, enthusiastically gestured broadly: "Furthermore, we could place bounties on the Crimson Mist faction ninja of the Mist Clan, forcing them away from reckless plundering and towards battling those shark-headed creatures instead!"
"This is a great idea."
Hyuga Soushu completely embraced his lover's suggestion: "Moreover, we should issue these bounties in the form of our company's Golden Certificates. If things go smoothly, we might even expand the use of these Golden Certificates!"
"If possible, let's also urge the Mist Ninja Clan to withdraw from Hidden Leaf Village and move southward to establish their own territory—to prevent unnecessary collateral damage."
Uchiha Mahiru became even more excited: "Perhaps we can also establish a series of ship repair yards, weapon shops, and recycling auction houses within the territories controlled by the Mist Ninja Clan, harvesting the fruits of their looting firsthand!"
"This makes absolute sense!"
Hyuga Soushu thought this business model—digging for gold while selling shovels—was pure genius!
The two worked like a pack of wolves, quickly drafting a permit proposal soaked in blood.
"Now then, the last problem remains—how do we make the Mist Ninja Clan accept reality and incite the entire Ninja World continent to launch privateering attacks against the islands of the Land of Water!"
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