Part Time Employee in Konoha

Chapter 77: Hiruzen's dilemma

"Welcome, Lord Mizukage, to the Land of Fire as our guest."

Sarutobi Hiruzen warmly greeted the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen went to meet the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, the security measures were not light, with a group of Anbu dispersed around, alert for enemies, even forbidding the Root ninjas from getting close.

In the history of the ninja world, there were instances where leaders of two villages were caught in a trap during a meeting. Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally experienced one such incident.

During the First Great Ninja War, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the Second Raikage were caught in a trap by the rogue Kin-Gin brothers of Cloud Village.

"The Hokage is too kind," Yagura, with a somewhat subdued demeanor, shook his head and sighed, "I come here as a captive of Konoha, not in a position to make many demands. I only hope that our two villages will no longer be at war."

"Please rest assured, Konoha does not dare to neglect its guests," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his expression turning solemn, "Peace between Konoha and Mist Village is our mutual wish."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes sparkled as he continued, "If Lord Mizukage does not trust Konoha's sincerity, you may stay in Konoha for a time to oversee. We can establish a communication channel with Mist Village, allowing the Land of Water and the Land of Fire to share resources, and even announce to other ninja countries the formation of an alliance treaty between our two villages..."

"That would be most ideal," Yagura's face slightly brightened.

The Third Hokage, an old man with a gentle demeanor, spoke with the peace of Mist Village and Konoha in mind, taking into account Yagura's dignity, slightly lifting the spirits of the Mizukage who considered himself a captive.

The best way to avoid conflict between Mist Village and Konoha, of course, would be to form an alliance, which would be highly beneficial for Mist Village.

Mist Village, having implemented a policy of isolation within the Land of Water for many years, prohibiting any communication with the ninja continent, caused resource scarcity in both the Land of Water and within Mist Village, leading to conflicts between civilians and nobles, and between ordinary ninjas and those with Kekkei Genkai.

The Land of Water re-establishing communication channels with the bustling Land of Fire could improve the lives of civilians and ordinary ninjas through increased trade and mercantile escort missions, easing internal conflicts, opening up Mist Village, and gradually catching up with the other major ninja villages.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile grew richer.

The Hokage had not expected that the isolated Fourth Mizukage would so readily agree to his proposal.

It seems the situation in Mist Village was worse than he had imagined, but this did not hinder Sarutobi Hiruzen's desire to continue the alliance with Mist Village.

Who would like an ally too strong and always capable of betrayal?

For Konoha, a weakened village like Mist Village was just right. They needed to depend on Konoha, which could slowly gain benefits from the Land of Water. Just reopening a trade and mercantile escort route to other major countries could be quite profitable.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, smiled like a benevolent old neighbor: "Let's first establish a foundation of peace. In the future, whether it's about setting up a joint Chunin promotion system between our villages or collaborating on ninja missions, we can discuss these matters gradually."

"Okay."

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, felt his somewhat gloomy mood lighten considerably.

However...

The two had discussed pleasant matters.

Naturally, they couldn't avoid discussing some unpleasant issues.

"I've heard..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but bring up a topic that even he found somewhat headache-inducing, and as he spoke, he began smoking his old pipe: "Your Excellency the Mizukage, are you a Jinchuriki?"

"That's correct."

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, slowly nodded, not refuting the question. He even volunteered, "I am the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, but I can control the Three-Tails inside me from rampaging. Konoha doesn't need to worry about this issue."

"Hehe..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and nodded slowly.

Although Yagura claimed to be able to control the Three-Tails, who knew if this Mizukage might suddenly let the Three-Tails inside him go berserk? The Konoha had once experienced the Nine-Tails' Rampage, and they absolutely couldn't afford a second outbreak of a Tailed Beast!

But...

How should this matter be broached?

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered slowly, thinking about how to make the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, understand his intentions. He couldn't just bluntly say he didn't trust him and insist on sealing the Tailed Beast inside him, forbidding the use of its chakra, right?

If Danzo were here, he would definitely assert that Konoha didn't trust him, forcing the Fourth Mizukage to seal all the chakra inside him to prevent any potential Tailed Beast rampage in Konoha...

At that time, he would symbolically reprimand Danzo, giving the Fourth Mizukage some face, then half-persuade, half-compel the Mizukage to accept the sealing of his chakra...

Now...

Sarutobi Hiruzen really couldn't bring himself to confront the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, forcibly, as it would render the harmonious and friendly exchanges they had just had futile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but lament that sometimes Danzo's stern approach was indeed useful. That man sometimes did wrong, but more often than not, allowed him to accomplish some unspeakable tasks under the cover of Danzo's darkness.

"Kagura."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned towards Akihara Kagura, pinning his hopes on this child who exhibited an extremely extreme personality, tempting the child to say something unpleasant: "I heard that when you encountered the Mizukage, you had a bit of a conflict with the Mizukage..."

"..."

Standing beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, Akihara Kagura noticed his superior's worried expression and roughly understood the Hokage's thoughts based on the situation in Konoha.

"Yes."

"The Mizukage is very strong."

"The Three-Tails inside the Mizukage is also very strong."

Akihara Kagura immediately followed his superior's lead and responded opportunely, "So, when I was coming back, I realized that I knew too few ninjutsu techniques and thought about whether there was an opportunity to learn more techniques, so that in the future when facing tough enemies like the Mizukage..."

"..."

Yagura looked somewhat puzzledly at Akihara Kagura.

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was a bit strange.

He didn't want this kid to think about dealing with enemies in the future! Couldn't this kid think from the perspective of Konoha for once?

Akihara Kagura, oblivious to Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, slowly continued, "Apart from learning new techniques, I also need to find time to properly train. I'm even unqualified in basic swordsmanship, and my shuriken throwing skills are not very good either..."

As Akihara Kagura spoke, he suddenly brought up Shimura Danzo: "I hope the Third Hokage will let me go back to Lord Danzo for a while to learn..."

"Danzo doesn't know Wood Release techniques..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, still with a smile on his face: "For the time being, I'll give you a holiday. You can study with your team leader..."

"That guy is even worse than me!"

Akihara Kagura showed considerable disrespect towards his direct squad leader, Tenzo.

"Don't aim too high..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to take this opportunity to teach him, but remembering this kid's personality, who was impatient with such educational talk, he changed his approach: "I can also teach you some Wood Release techniques, and try to arrange a Jounin teacher for you, so you can learn more knowledge..."

"I have reasons I must go back to Lord Danzo..."

Akihara Kagura slowly lowered his head, then suddenly looked towards the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, who had been inactive: "The Three-Tails inside the Mizukage is very dangerous and must be sealed. Lord Danzo is skilled in techniques like Cursed Seals, so the Mizukage can be entrusted to Lord Danzo!"