Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 211: Meeting as Planned

The proverb "when the Snipe and Calm fight, the fisherman benefits" was well understood by the higher-ups of the Land of Wind. But why did the daimyo believe that he could play the role of the fisherman? Just because there were ninja troops stationed near the daimyo's mansion?

To force the two armies to clash, he even ordered the withdrawal of defensive troops from the cities. Was he so eager to hasten his own demise?

Some individuals secretly shook their heads, exchanging glances with one another as they began forming their own plans.

Even the daimyo had clearly gone mad with despair. The sinking ship of the Land of Wind was no longer a place to stay aboard. They needed to find another path before the two enemy armies reached the daimyo's mansion.

Meanwhile, some gazes subtly measured the daimyo's neck, then flicked toward Uchiya Shinji, their eyes shadowed with dark intentions.

If the daimyo's mansion fell, the daimyo likely wouldn't survive—but they could.

As these thoughts stirred within them, Uchiya Shinji stepped forward without expression and bowed to the daimyo. "Your Excellency is wise."

With someone leading the way, the gathered nobles and ninjas, no matter their hidden motives, also bowed one after another. "Your Excellency is wise."

The daimyo of the Land of Wind sat high on his throne, looking down at the people below, then suddenly burst into laughter.

Everyone else might live—but not him.

Even if he surrendered, no one would believe that a daimyo who had tried to consolidate military and political power would remain content forever. Unless… he died.

---

Upon reaching Wind's Edge City, Kakashi gazed at the city wall 600 meters ahead, his eyes dark with thought.

Aside from some minor trouble caused by the special orders Uchiya Shinji had issued in various cities, their march had gone very smoothly. Any resistance they encountered was easily crushed, and attacks from Sunagakure's forces were becoming fewer and fewer. This gave Kakashi a vague sense of unease.

Just then, a ninja arrived to report. "Lord Kakashi, there's a ninja unit approaching from the northwest. Approximately 1,000 ninjas are within our sensory range. The leader is… the Second Mizukage!"

Is this the source of my unease? Kakashi furrowed his brows. "Gather our forces and prepare for battle."

A few minutes later, a cloud of sand and dust rose in the distance. Faint figures emerged within the swirling particles, finally halting 600 meters away.

Under the tense gaze of the Sunagakure defenders on the city wall, the two armies faced each other at last.

Standing at the forefront of his formation, Kakashi's expression revealed no hint of panic, despite the unease lingering in his heart.

The ninjas behind him were arranged in orderly rows, weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight, their battle preparations complete.

'In terms of numbers, we hold the advantage.'

Scanning the enemy's formation, Kakashi's expression grew grave.

But numbers were the only advantage they had.

Even with his standards lowered, Hyuga Fuji had only resurrected those he deemed worthy.

From Kakashi's observation, the opposing force included at least 50 jonin—roughly a quarter of a ninja village's elite.

If not for the fact that he was a jinchuriki, capable of causing considerable destruction in large-scale battles, Kakashi would have already considered retreating.

"Well, you're Kakashi, aren't you?"

The Second Mizukage stood at the forefront of his army as well, his sharp gaze appraising Kakashi as if evaluating him. "The son of the White Fang… not bad."

Noticing the pitch-black sclera of Hozuki Gengetsu's eyes, Kakashi's thoughts churned. "Second Mizukage, as a Kage of your village, are you truly content being controlled by Hyuga Fuji?"

Though it seemed unlikely, since this was Edo Tensei, there was a chance Hozuki Gengetsu was being manipulated and wasn't acting of his own will.

"I don't see the issue—it's no different from back then."

Hozuki Gengetsu read Kakashi's thoughts without hesitation and spoke openly. "The First Hokage dominated his era with sheer strength, keeping other villages in check. I lived through that time myself. If it's happening again, so be it."

Kakashi's heart sank. "It seems we have no choice but to fight."

The foundation of Sunagakure's strength was concentrated in the daimyo's mansion. Only by capturing it could they acquire Sunagakure's ninja techniques and puppet knowledge—something Kakashi couldn't afford to give up.

Hozuki Gengetsu smiled faintly. "You must know my strength. On a large battlefield, my presence is no less threatening than that of a jinchuriki. The disparity between us is obvious. I don't wish to bully a junior like you, so how about surrendering? With Sakumo Hatake's reputation, you'd still find a place here."

"Apologies, but I'm unfamiliar with your capabilities. If you're willing to enlighten me, I'd be grateful."

Seeing that Hozuki Gengetsu had no intention of defecting and was continually bringing up his father, Kakashi's tone turned colder, his patience waning.

"I'll take whatever information you provide and send you back where you belong!"

"…"

Hozuki Gengetsu's face filled with disbelief as he shouted, "What did you say?!"

He wasn't offended by Kakashi's tone but rather fixated on something else Kakashi had implied.

The boy didn't even know about his strength?

Did people of this era not study history? Or had his legend faded too much?

He was the Second Mizukage, second only to the First Mizukage in all of Kirigakure's history—a legendary figure who had even seized the position of the Third Mizukage!

"Compared to you, among the Second Kage, I'm more familiar with the Second Tsuchikage. After all, his Bloodline Limit, Dust Release, is renowned across the ninja world. Not to mention the Third Tsuchikage was his student."

Kakashi's words stabbed directly into Hozuki Gengetsu's pride.

'Kirigakure's secrecy must be too effective. That's the only explanation! There's no way I'm inferior to Mu!'

Hozuki Gengetsu glared fiercely at Kakashi. "I was considering holding back for Sakumo Hatake's sake. But since you don't need that courtesy, enjoy the battle to your heart's content!"

"?"

As Kakashi's unease grew, Hozuki Gengetsu swiftly formed hand seals. "Summoning Jutsu!"

With a burst of white smoke, a massive clam named "Shin" appeared on the battlefield. Before Kakashi could react, the creature extended four enormous limbs, spewing a dense fog that blanketed the entire area.

The fog dissipated quickly, yet the battlefield seemed unchanged.

What happened?

Kakashi's eyes darted to Hozuki Gengetsu, finally noticing something unusual—a plump, strange clone had appeared beside him.

So the clam's purpose was to conceal the creation of this clone?

"You'll understand soon enough. Take your time to experience my strength. I'm far stronger than Mu!"

With a sly smile, the Second Mizukage signaled the start of the attack.

"Kill!"

Amid deafening war cries, the plump clone led the charge toward Kakashi.

---

In the distant desert, Obito and Zetsu were watching the battle unfold. Zetsu remarked with some emotion, "How brutal."

It was a one-sided slaughter. The relatively young Kakashi was being completely suppressed.

On the battlefield below, the Konoha forces were also falling into a disadvantage.

"The Second Mizukage… do you have intel on him?"

Obito's expression grew grim.

In his eyes, Hozuki Gengetsu's body appeared as if it had undergone a form of intangibility, with every attack passing through him harmlessly. Meanwhile, Gengetsu continued to launch water-based attacks.

The clone he'd created seemed to be composed of oil and water, possessing notable speed and power. After intense movement, it would swell and explode, leaving Kakashi in a miserable state.

Truly, as a Kage active during the Warring States period, the Second Mizukage's strength was undeniable.

(Chapter End)