"Welcome, Mizukage, to the Land of Fire as a guest."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled warmly at the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen came to greet the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, security was quite tight. A group from the Dark Department scattered vigilantly, even prohibiting Root Ninjas from approaching.
In the history of the Ninja World, there are examples where two village leaders met and were captured together. Sarutobi Hiruzen has personally experienced this before.
During the First Ninja World War, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, met with the Second Raikage, resulting in both being captured by the Cloud Village's rebellious Gold and Silver Brothers Unit.
"You're too kind, Hokage."
The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, looked a bit weary, shaking his head and sighing: "I came here as a captive of Konoha. I don't have the right to make demands; I just hope that our two villages will no longer go to war."
"Rest assured, Konoha will not neglect its guests."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his expression becoming solemn: "Peace between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village is our shared aspiration."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flashed as he continued: "If Mizukage doesn't trust Konoha's sincerity, you can stay in Konoha for a period to supervise. We can establish communication channels with The Hidden Mist Village, allow the Land of Water and the Land of Fire to exchange resources, and even announce to other countries in the Ninja World to form an alliance treaty between the two villages..."
"That would be wonderful."
The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura's face looked a bit better.
The attitude of the Third Hokage, this old man, was extremely gentle. He spoke with consideration for the peace between The Hidden Mist Village and Konoha, and respected the face of the Fourth Mizukage, inevitably improving the mood of this Fourth Mizukage who considered himself a hostage.
To avoid conflicts between The Hidden Mist Village and Konoha, the best method undoubtedly is to form an alliance, which is also quite beneficial for The Hidden Mist Village.
The Hidden Mist Village has enforced a blockade policy for years within the Land of Water, prohibiting any communication with the Ninja World Continent, which has led to a shortage of resources within the Land of Water and The Hidden Mist Village. It has caused severe conflicts between civilians and nobles, ordinary ninjas and Bloodline Ninjas.
The ability to re-establish communication channels with the prosperous Land of Fire could improve the lives of civilians and ordinary ninjas through increased trade and escort missions, alleviating internal conflicts and allowing The Hidden Mist Village to open up and gradually catch up with other great countries' ninja villages.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile grew more intense.
This Hokage probably never anticipated that the Fourth Mizukage, who had always isolated communication, would so easily allow him to achieve his goals.
It seems the situation in The Hidden Mist Village is worse than he imagined, but that doesn't hinder Sarutobi Hiruzen's desire to continue forming an alliance with The Hidden Mist Village.
Who would want an ally that's excessively powerful and could turn hostile at any moment?
A village as weak as The Hidden Mist is just right for Konoha; they need to rely on Konoha, which can gradually help Konoha secure the interests of the Land of Water. Simply reopening a trade escort mission to other great countries could earn a lot of money.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, smiled like a kind old neighbor: "Let's first establish the groundwork for peace. In the future, whether it's building a joint Chunin promotion mechanism between the two villages, or cooperating on ninja employment tasks, it can all be discussed slowly."
"Good."
The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, felt considerably better, his mood lifting.
However...
After discussing happy matters...
They naturally had to discuss some unpleasant ones.
"I heard..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had to raise a somewhat troublesome issue, biting on his old pipe as he spoke: "Mizukage is a Jinchuriki?"
"Correct."
The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, slowly nodded, not disputing the question, and even took the initiative to say: "I am the Three-Tailed Jinchuriki, but I can control the Three-Tails within me to prevent it from rampaging, so Konoha need not worry about this issue."
"Hehe..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and nodded slowly.
Although Karatachi Yagura claimed to be able to control the Three-Tails, who knows if this Mizukage might suddenly allow the Three-Tails to go berserk within him? Konoha Village has experienced the chaos of the Nine-Tails once before; it cannot withstand a second Tailed Beast rampage!
But...
How should one address this?
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered slowly, thinking about how to convey his meaning to the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura. One can't directly say "I don't trust you; therefore, I must seal the Tailed Beast within you, and certainly can't allow you to use your Tailed Beast Chakra," can they?
If Shimura Danzo were here, he would certainly propose that Konoha doesn't trust you, forcing the Fourth Mizukage to seal all the Chakra within him to prevent any possible Tailed Beast rampage in Konoha...
Then, I would symbolically reprimand Danzo to save face for the Fourth Mizukage, and half-persuade and half-coerce this Mizukage into accepting the Chakra sealing...
Now...
Sarutobi Hiruzen found it challenging to forcibly confront the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, lest the harmonious and friendly exchange just now be rendered null and void.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh; sometimes Shimura Danzo's stern demeanor is indeed very useful. Although he occasionally creates trouble, he often helps accomplish some matters that cannot be openly discussed.
"Kagura."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Akihara Kagura, hoping this child, whose character was quite extreme, would say something unpleasant: "I heard that when you encountered Mizukage, there was a bit of conflict..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura stood beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing his supervisor's worried brow, and based on Konoha's situation, he roughly understood the Hokage's thoughts.
"Yes."
"The Mizukage is strong."
"The Three-Tails within Mizukage is also strong."
Akihara Kagura promptly followed his supervisor's intention and answered smoothly: "So, when I returned, I realized I knew too little ninjutsu and pondered whether there might be an opportunity to learn more jutsu to better handle enemies like the Mizukage in the future..."
"..."
Karatachi Yagura glanced skeptically at Akihara Kagura.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was a bit odd.
I'm not asking this kid to focus on personal future encounnter issues! Can't he think from Konoha's perspective?
Akihara Kagura remained indifferent to Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, continuing slowly: "Besides learning new jutsu, I need to find time to practice better. My basic kenjutsu is below par, and even the Shuriken Throwing Jutsu isn't quite right..."
After reaching this point, Akihara Kagura suddenly brought up Shimura Danzo: "I hope the Third Hokage will let me return to Danzo-sama to study for a while..."
"Danzo doesn't know Wood Release jutsu..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, with a smile still on his face: "During this period, I'll give you a break; you can learn well with your team captain..."
"That guy is worse than me!"
Akihara Kagura showed disregard for his direct captain, Tianzang.
"Don't aim too high..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to seize the opportunity for guidance but remembered this kid's personality wasn't patient with such educational talk, so he switched to: "I can teach you some Wood Release jutsu, and perhaps arrange for a Jonin instructor to help you learn more..."
"I have to return to Danzo-sama for reasons..."
Akihara Kagura slowly lowered his head, suddenly looking at the inactive Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura: "The Three-Tails within Mizukage is dangerous and must be sealed. Danzo-sama is skilled with jutsu like Curse Seal; Mizukage should be entrusted to Danzo-sama!"