CHAPTER 345: KAZEKAGE NINJA-CHAPTER 134: THE MIST HIDDEN STORM (PART 4)

As the saying goes, "Live off the mountain if you’re near mountains, live off the sea if you’re by the sea." Kirigakure, surrounded by ocean on all sides, has marine culture deeply embedded in its cuisine. Faced with a table full of seafood delicacies, Maki dove in with great appetite, his chopsticks never stopping.

While eating, Maki’s mouth kept moving too.

"The last time I had sashimi this authentic was during the Yeming Rebellion. Funny thing—our host back then was that traitorous rebel himself. This is what you get with a maritime nation—even deep-sea fish arrive fresh. The Yuexi Peninsula calls itself the gourmet capital, but the sashimi in those food streets can’t compare to what’s here."

"Hehe, if you enjoy it, honored envoy, please have more," Yagura said with a smile.

"Don’t worry, Mizukage-sama—I never shortchange myself."

Maki picked up a piece of bluefin tuna belly, didn’t even dip it in soy sauce, and tossed it straight into his mouth for a good chew. Instantly, the ocean’s unique umami exploded in his mouth.

With a blissful expression, Maki said, "Speaking of the Yeming Rebellion—ah, it feels like yesterday. Every time I run into Minister Yamashita Tetsu in the village and we discuss it, I still get chills. I can say with certainty that was the most dangerous battle of my ninja career. Back then..."

Maki launched into a detailed recounting of the war’s events. As Yagura listened, his eyes gradually narrowed.

There’s definitely subtext here.Mizukage-sama, don’t forget—when it came to helping Kirigakure suppress the Yeming Rebellion, Konoha wasn’t the only one who contributed. Sunagakure also put in major effort. If it hadn’t been for Minister Yamashita Tetsu’s single strike severing Yeming’s right hand, who knows who would’ve won?

After Maki finished his rambling account, Elder Genshi shot Yagura a meaningful look.

Yagura understood and immediately raised his wine cup.

"In suppressing the Yeming Rebellion, Sunagakure’s help to Kirigakure is something we’ve never forgotten for a moment. Come! Lord Maki, raise your cup and accept Kirigakure’s gratitude."

What’s this? Everything settled with a drink?

Maki smiled slightly but didn’t pick up his wine cup.

"Mizukage-sama, that’s a bit one-sided of you."

Yagura’s expression stiffened, and he slowly lowered his raised cup.

"How so?"

Maki replied, "Sunagakure and Kirigakure face each other across the sea, separated only by a strip of water. We’ve never had territorial disputes, and even in these war-torn times, we’re the two villages with the fewest conflicts. If I say our villages are friendly neighbors, that’s not wrong, is it?"

"Definitely not wrong—our villages are naturally friends," Yagura said with a smile.

"Our Kazekage-sama often teaches us to be as cold as winter toward enemies, but as warm as spring toward friends."

Elder Genshi smiled. "Well said. Though Kazekage-sama is young, his words carry the wisdom of experience. That’s rare."

But Maki suddenly shifted tone. "However, while we treat Kirigakure as friends, Kirigakure doesn’t seem to treat us as friends."

"What do you mean by that..." Yagura asked.

Maki let out a cold laugh. "In quelling the Yeming Rebellion, it wasn’t just Konoha that contributed—Sunagakure also fought desperately to help. Afterward, Konoha literally extorted a tailed beast from Kirigakure. And what about Sunagakure? Besides Yamashita Tetsu as our planted agent, we took nothing. Comparatively, who was more reasonable? We could’ve made outrageous demands of Kirigakure too, but we didn’t. Why? Because we treated Kirigakure as friends. But what did our friendship get us? Abandonment, calculation, betrayal, compromise!"

"Isn’t that going too far? When have we ever betrayed Sunagakure’s friendship?" Yagura quickly explained.

"Then why is Konoha’s delegation still here?! We’re at war!" Maki’s tone grew somewhat angry.

Elder Genshi, however, remained completely unaffected, saying calmly, "It’s just normal diplomatic relations. After all, we don’t have any blood feuds with Konoha. Surely you can’t force us to declare war on Konoha."

Maki shook his head with a laugh. "Elder Genshi is truly an old hand, well-versed in diplomatic ways. Personally, I think village-to-village relations are much like person-to-person relations—heart for heart, fair exchange. I naturally can’t expect Kirigakure to send troops to intervene, but I really don’t want Sunagakure and Kirigakure to come to blows. That would truly hurt our relationship."

"We don’t want that either," Yagura replied.

Maki raised his hand. "Mizukage-sama, let’s not say such meaningless things. If the day really comes when steel meets steel, it’ll be unavoidable. Elder Genshi just mentioned diplomacy—diplomacy is just interest exchange. Let’s speak plainly."

With that, Maki pulled out a piece of paper.

"As for what deals you’ve made with Konoha, what agreements you’ve reached, I won’t ask. I have just one request—even if Kirigakure

wants to get involved in this war, could you delay it a bit?"

Maki handed over the paper.

Yagura took it and looked.

The paper read: CASH—ONE BILLION RYŌ!

So that’s it!

Yagura immediately realized Maki’s purpose in making rounds giving gifts throughout Kirigakure!

He was planting a seed in the hearts of all Kirigakure’s upper echelons.

As they say, "Eating someone’s food makes you beholden, taking someone’s gifts makes you indebted." Now Kirigakure’s mid-to-upper level forces had basically all accepted Sunagakure’s money and gifts. If the day really came for armed conflict, could you guarantee they wouldn’t have reservations?

Moreover, Sunagakure’s demands weren’t high, but the price wasn’t low either. Whether they sent troops or not, they’d earn a solid billion—the terms couldn’t be called anything but generous.

Yagura and Elder Genshi exchanged glances and both nodded slightly.

Reliable.

"How long a delay would be appropriate?" Yagura asked.

Maki held up five fingers.

"Starting today, if not a single Kirigakure soldier sets foot on the ninja continent within five months, one billion in cash, delivered with both hands."

"And after five months?" Elder Genshi asked.

Maki smiled calmly. "Steel is steel, friends are friends."

Concise and clear.

"Good! Kirigakure accepts this arrangement, but I also have one condition," Yagura said.

"Please speak," Maki replied calmly.

"During these five months, we’ll trouble Lord Maki to remain in Kirigakure," Yagura said with a slight smile.

Maki’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He had to admit Yagura’s move was quite vicious. On one hand, keeping Maki served as a hostage—otherwise, who would they collect the money from later? On the other hand, the purpose was even more far-reaching. If Kirigakure

chose to launch war against Sunagakure, the Yuexi Peninsula would undoubtedly be the best landing point. With Maki, the Yuexi Peninsula’s key figure, detained in their hands, there would definitely be benefits.

"Haha, no problem. But you’ll have to provide enough seafood for these five months."

Maki laughed as he reached for a plate of steamed lobster.

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