REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 139: Minato: This Is Too Absurd!
The purpose of attacking Hidden Mist Village wasn't to destroy Hidden Mist Village. In Minato's view, the benefits ultimately obtained from destroying Hidden Mist Village would definitely be quite limited. What could be gained from ruins?
Moreover, destroying Hidden Mist Village wasn't a simple matter. The Mist ninja weren't fools who'd just passively take beatings while defending their village. If they truly displayed an appearance of wanting to completely destroy the Mist ninja and demonstrated power sufficient to annihilate Hidden Mist Village—
Would Hidden Mist Village choose to fight to their last soldier? Or preserve their viable forces and scatter in all directions?
Thinking from their perspective, Minato felt that if he were Mizukage, he'd definitely choose the latter method to preserve Hidden Mist Village's strength as much as possible.
If the situation developed to that point, Konoha would very likely face endless harassment from surviving Mist ninja. Unless they could kill every human in the Water Country capable of refining chakra, they couldn't confirm no Mist ninja remnants remained.
Conversely, if they didn't destroy Hidden Mist Village but instead subjected the Mist ninja to exploitation hovering on the edge of draining the pond to catch fish, they could both ensure stable gains and maintain Hidden Mist Village's power at a weakened level insufficient to threaten Konoha.
Even if someday in the future Hidden Mist Village ultimately recovered their vitality, Minato was confident that by then, Konoha under his governance would become even stronger than now—strong enough that the Mist ninja wouldn't dare harbor any ulterior motives.
Hidden Mist Village ultimately was merely mist drifting at the stage's edge, serving as backdrop.
Konoha was the shinobi world's grand stage's true and only protagonist.
When Ritsu arrived before Minato, what he saw was the Fourth Hokage brimming with spring pride and wreathed in smiles, alongside the gloomy, silent Fourth Mizukage whose skin didn't smile nor did his flesh.
Seeing the approaching Ritsu, Minato raised his hand with a smile and greeted him. "Hyuga Clan Head, you worked hard!"
Ritsu nodded slightly. "Hardly worth mentioning. I'd only just finished warming up—hadn't even gotten to exert myself yet. Then Hokage-sama, you'd already settled everything on your end. Now I'm stuck with pent-up energy and nowhere to use it."
Hearing this small complaint that simultaneously intimidated and threatened the Mist ninja, Minato's face smiled even more cheerfully. Though he didn't entirely approve of all Ritsu's behavior, he had to admit they shared unspoken tacit agreement on attitudes toward outsiders.
Of course, according to the conservation law of happiness and misfortune, when Minato smiled more happily, Yagura's expression became correspondingly uglier. This baby-faced Mizukage felt he couldn't continue staying here. He opened his mouth to invite Minato into Hidden Mist Village to find a place to sit down and discuss the three billion ryo reparations issue.
This was reality.
One second ago, they'd been mutually slaughtering each other... well, more accurately, being unilaterally beaten. Over a hundred Mist ninja including the Six-Tails jinchuriki had been killed. But the next second, Yagura this Mizukage had to endure humiliation and invite Minato and others to negotiate.
Minato readily agreed. Without the slightest fear, he followed Yagura into Hidden Mist Village. Under countless hateful gazes, the group arrived at the Mizukage building.
Upon entering Yagura's office, Minato examined this office quite comfortably, comparing it with his own office in the Hokage building. Yagura seemed to prefer cool tones while he liked warm tones. Yagura's chair was somewhat low... oh! This couldn't be mentioned. Commenting on someone's physical characteristics was poor behavior.
In any case, after looking around, Minato felt his own office was more warm and sunny. After becoming Fourth Hokage, that office belonging to the Hokage had been renovated according to his wishes at maximum speed. Of course, it could only be said the old, decayed traces had been broadly erased. Many details still needed polishing.
After everyone sat down on sofas in the reception area, Yagura ordered tea brought. Of course, no one touched the teacups. What if they contained lethal poison?
If they defeated the Mist ninja on the battlefield but ultimately were poisoned to death by Mist ninja at the tea table, that would definitely become an eternally circulating joke.
Seeing this, Yagura said nothing more. He picked up his own cup and took a sip, finally absorbing a trace of warmth in this physically cold, mentally colder harsh winter day.
He didn't beat around the bush or waste time on meaningless atmosphere-building. Looking at Minato, he said seriously, "Three billion ryo in reparations is truly too much. Even if I sold myself, this Mizukage, Hidden Mist Village couldn't produce that much money right now."
Minato glanced around at the four people beside him. His gaze swept across Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Fugaku, and Hyuga Ritsu.
Meeting the Hokage's gaze, Kushina blinked, her smile sweet. Uchiha Shisui sat upright and meticulous—he'd carry out Minato's orders to the letter with just one command. Uchiha Fugaku... well, this Uchiha Fugaku had borrowed a room during the tea-serving interval to change into dry clothes. Now he kept tugging at his collar as though his clothes didn't fit properly.
Ultimately, only Ritsu grasped his intent the instant their gazes met. He spoke up. "Hokage-sama, since Hidden Mist Village lacks sufficient cash to pay reparations, forcing them to pay in cash would indeed be unreasonable. So I believe besides cash, they could also use equivalent chakra metal, rare medicinal herbs and minerals produced in the Water Country, and other materials as substitutes."
"Additionally, if Hidden Mist Village truly lacks ready funds, they could also use Hidden Mist Village's unique ninja sword forging techniques, ninjutsu, taijutsu, and other knowledge and technology for deduction."
Minato immediately revealed a satisfied smile. He looked at Yagura. "The Hyuga Clan Head's suggestion is excellent. Of the three billion ryo in reparations, just pay one billion ryo in cash. The remaining two billion ryo can all be substituted with other materials or knowledge and technology."
Yagura's expression truly was gloomy enough to wring out water. They genuinely planned to squeeze Hidden Mist Village to the bone and suck out the marrow!
But there was no help for it. Who told Hidden Mist Village to lose—moreover, to lose twice? Once on the front lines, once at their village entrance. Losing so utterly, naturally they could only be slaughtered at will.
His attitude was extremely resolute as he shook his head. "Chakra metal, medicinal herbs, minerals—these I can all agree to. But knowledge and technology absolutely not."
Hearing this, Minato's smile disappeared. He locked eyes with Yagura for a moment before slowly speaking. "One billion ryo in cash, plus materials worth two billion ryo calculated at your Water Country market prices. I'll dispatch professionals to discuss specific details afterward. Of course, if you can't gather enough, then you must use knowledge and technology to fill the gap. We'll provide you with a qualified, professional price assessment."
Finally, without giving Yagura a chance to argue, he directly stated, "Mizukage-dono, it's settled then!"
Yagura clenched his teeth. He stared fixedly at Minato, his tender baby face full of suppressed violence. Finally, he forcibly squeezed out a "Fine!" through his teeth.
Minato's face immediately showed a smile. He stood up, looked at Yagura, nodded, and said, "Mizukage-dono, since matters are settled, we won't disturb you further. Shortly, I'll send a professional team to appraise and evaluate the physical goods your side provides. I hope your side can also prepare things quickly and not make us wait too long."
After speaking, he used Flying Thunder God to first take Kushina and Uchiha Fugaku away, then returned to bring Ritsu and Uchiha Shisui back to Konoha together.
Looking at Konoha Village's azure sky, Ritsu felt both body and mind become comfortable. Hidden Mist Village's gloomy, damp, cold environment was truly uncomfortable.
What followed had nothing to do with Ritsu. However, Sensei Hiruko as Hokage Advisor couldn't escape involvement. Minato entrusted him with organizing a professional assessment team. Minato had consulted Ritsu's opinion, asking whether he wanted to join the assessment team, but Ritsu refused.
Squeezing oil and water from the Mist ninja was indeed a lucrative job, but Ritsu had no interest. As long as the Hyuga clan's benefits weren't shortchanged, that was fine.
Moreover, compared to such material benefits, Ritsu was more interested in improving his own strength. The recent exchange with the Six-Tails jinchuriki made him realize his Wood Release bloodline limit might still have tremendous gaps compared to the First Hokage's. He hadn't grasped the key secret to restraining tailed beasts.
Thus, the next day.
"Hokage-sama, I'd like to ask—did the First Hokage leave behind any secret manuals regarding Wood Release bloodline limit, or research notes and such?"
Ritsu visited the Hokage building again. After Minato finished handling urgent matters at hand, during his tea-drinking break, Ritsu found Minato and posed this question.
Hearing the inquiry, Minato looked somewhat surprised.
He held his teacup, looking at Ritsu, asking curiously, "Hyuga Clan Head, I've seen your Wood Release usage is quite impressive and sophisticated. Do you still need what the First left behind?"
Hearing this counter-question, Ritsu immediately revealed a pleased smile. Minato saying this meant the First Hokage had indeed left things behind. He answered, "The method I used to obtain Wood Release bloodline limit was rather special. I merely replicated some of the First Hokage's techniques based on memories flowing through bloodlines. But clearly, my imitation is clumsy. Otherwise, dealing with one Six-Tails jinchuriki wouldn't have been so troublesome."
With the conversation reaching this point, Minato looked at Ritsu. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Hyuga Clan Head, before answering your initial question, I believe I must clarify where you obtained Wood Release bloodline limit and what method you used."
His gaze burned intensely as he stared at Ritsu.
He'd always wanted to ask this question but never had a good opportunity. Now Ritsu had proactively steered the topic toward this Wood Release bloodline limit that had supposedly gone extinct—not even passed down within the Senju clan.
Ritsu sat on the sofa, adjusted his posture to be more comfortable, thought briefly, and answered, "I'll state upfront—the answer to this question may sound somewhat absurd and preposterous. But I can swear I'm absolutely not lying. Everything I'm about to say is the truth."
Hearing this, Minato didn't equivocate. He directly said, "I can't guarantee I'll definitely believe the truth you speak, but I can guarantee I won't casually deny possibilities."
Ritsu nodded. After contemplating for two more seconds and organizing his thoughts, he slowly spoke. "Before explaining the source, I need to first explain the method. Sensei Hiruko, frustrated by his own insufficient talent, developed a forbidden technique—a forbidden technique that can seize others' Kekkei Genkai. Both my Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit and Wood Release bloodline limit came from using this forbidden technique. I also relied on this forbidden technique to break through the Caged Bird Seal's restrictions."
He reached up and undid his headband, revealing his forehead's smooth, unmarked, fair skin.
Minato's pupils experienced a minor earthquake. Though from the many behaviors of this master-student pair Hiruko and Ritsu he'd already speculated about the truth, actually hearing Ritsu personally speak this truth aloud still made him feel shocked.
A forbidden technique that seizes others' Kekkei Genkai... what dangerous words! He couldn't imagine what tremendous waves would be stirred if such news spread.
He seriously considered for a moment before solemnly asking, "Hyuga Clan Head, deploying this forbidden technique has no restrictions?"
"Of course it does. The reason I call it a forbidden technique is precisely because it's dangerous. So there's no need to worry what harm this forbidden technique leaking would cause. In truth, I can utilize this forbidden technique because I personally possess special characteristics difficult to replicate. And Sensei Hiruko can utilize this forbidden technique because his luck wasn't bad—I helped him catch prey possessing Wood Release bloodline limit."
Minato's eyes widened. His mouth opened. Without any image or dignity, he stared at Ritsu.
What did "prey possessing Wood Release bloodline limit" mean? Ritsu-kun, why do I somewhat not understand this sentence you just spoke?
Were there still places in the shinobi world where such peculiar prey could be caught?
He didn't even have the mind to think about how to handle this forbidden technique or how to manage relationships with the master-student pair Hiruko and Ritsu who'd mastered the forbidden technique. His brain was entirely stuffed with the absurd phrase "prey possessing Wood Release bloodline limit."
Ritsu spread both hands, looking at the dumbstruck Fourth Hokage and smiling. "Hokage-sama, see? I told you the truth was quite absurd."
Minato took a deep breath and asked seriously, "What exactly is this prey possessing Wood Release bloodline limit you mentioned?"
"When rescuing Nohara Rin, I caught two humanoid, entirely pure white, creatures without any gender characteristics. They had mobility like humans and also possessed the First Hokage's Wood Release bloodline limit. Sensei Hiruko and I obtained Wood Release bloodline limit from their bodies."
Minato was speechless, because this was just too damn absurd!
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