As the Kirigakure Anbu members all left, the entire Mizukage Office fell back into silence.
After quite some time, Mei Terumī couldn't help but look curiously at Yūto, who was lounging on the sofa.
"Yūto-sama, why not directly issue a bounty for Kinoshita Yoshiro as a rogue Ninja, and instead choose to announce him as missing?"
"A bounty at the price of an S-rank rogue Ninja would surely attract a lot of attention."
Yūto stretched, smiled lightly, and looked at Mei Terumī, saying calmly:
"Among the other Four Great Shinobi Villages, which Ninja Village do you think poses the highest threat?"
Threat?!
Mei Terumī was startled, fell silent for a moment, then said, "Cloud Ninja Village!"
Hearing Mei Terumī's answer, Yūto's face showed no surprise. This was not just Mei Terumī's perception, but likely the perception of most people in the entire Ninja World.
Seeing that Yūto didn't speak, Mei Terumī continued, "Although the Hidden Stone Village and Konoha Village are also not weak in strength, there are some differences because of the Villages' Kage."
"Ōnoki of the Hidden Stone Village has a stubborn personality. Such a person basically won't make mistakes, but similarly, he will have concerns about doing anything. He absolutely won't make a move unless he is completely certain."
"As for Hiruzen Sarutobi of Konoha Village, he is a well-known moderate throughout the Ninja World. Among all the Ninja Villages, Konoha Village is probably the one least willing to start a war."
A look of surprise appeared on Yūto's face as he glanced at Mei Terumī. He hadn't expected Mei Terumī to be able to analyze things so thoroughly.
Seeming to sense Yūto's surprised gaze, Mei Terumī proudly raised her eyebrow.
Yūto chuckled softly and looked at the smug Mei Terumī, striking back:
"I imagine the Village's archives must contain records about the causes and outcomes of each Ninja World War. Although each Ninja Village had its wins and losses, have you seen Konoha Village's casualties?"
Mei Terumī couldn't help but be startled, and her expression immediately turned serious as she softly said:
"No matter which Ninja World War it was, Konoha Village always had the lowest casualties among the five Ninja Villages."
Seeing Mei Terumī's expression, a sharp glint flashed in Yūto's eyes as he calmly said:
"Therefore, I really want to see if Konoha Village can withstand the attacks of the four Ninja Villages, and Kinoshita Yoshiro is the fuse I've placed."
Speaking up to this point, Yūto stopped. There was one thing Yūto didn't say.
If Konoha Village were destroyed under the attacks of the four Ninja Villages, then Yūto naturally wouldn't need to hide anymore.
But if Konoha Village still wasn't destroyed when facing the attacks of the four Ninja Villages, then this matter would become rather intriguing.
And the other three Ninja Villages are the guinea pigs Yūto is using to test Konoha Village.
Thump! Thump!
Light knocking sounds echoed from outside the office.
Yūto and Mei Terumī exchanged glances and chuckled lightly:
"It seems the selection for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist is over. I wonder who made it?"
Mei Terumī also smiled and spoke towards the door:
"Come in."
Creak!
As the office door was opened, Chōjūrō slowly walked in, accompanied by Ameyuri Ringo and Ranmaru.
"Yūto-sama!"
"Mizukage!"
The three figures spoke to Yūto and Mei Terumī simultaneously.
Seeing Ameyuri Ringo, Yūto wasn't particularly surprised, but when he saw Ranmaru, a look of astonishment appeared on Yūto's face.
"This... what's with Ranmaru?"
Yūto couldn't help but ask curiously, while Mei Terumī beside him also had a face full of curiosity.
Feeling the gazes of Yūto and Mei Terumī, Ranmaru immediately became nervous: "Th-that..."
Seeing the somewhat stammering Ranmaru, Chōjūrō quickly spoke up, giving a general account of what had happened.
A hint of realization flashed in Mei Terumī's eyes. She seriously examined the little person in front of her, then turned her head to look at Yūto.
If she wasn't mistaken, the power within Ranmaru's body should be related to Yūto-sama.
"Remember Orochimaru's four subordinates? This power is similar to that, but how much stronger it can make someone varies from person to person."
Yūto shrugged and said softly.
As Yūto's words fell, several intense gazes looked over.
Most Ninja probably couldn't refuse this kind of Curse Mark that can directly enhance one's strength.
"This power has side effects. The reason Ranmaru is fine is because his own Kekkei Genkai has a certain suppressive effect."
"Furthermore, this power can mutate and change a person's body and shape. If you have no concerns, I don't mind."
Facing the intense gazes, Yūto spread his hands and said.
Hearing about the mutation of the body and shape, Mei Terumī and Ameyuri Ringo instantly withdrew their gazes. They certainly didn't want to become hideous monsters.
As for Chōjūrō, he didn't seem very interested.
"Cough, although only two people were selected for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, this is all we can do for now. Chōjūrō, you will be responsible for training Ameyuri Ringo and Ranmaru with their Ninja swords during this period."
Mei Terumī lightly coughed and said to Chōjūrō.
Chōjūrō's face fell. These two guys are not weak in strength, but seeing Mei Terumī's look, Chōjūrō could only nod helplessly.
...
In a dense forest.
Kinoshita Yoshiro was leaning against a large tree, constantly panting heavily.
After escaping from the Mist Ninja Village, Kinoshita Yoshiro hadn't rested at all, constantly fleeing towards the outskirts of the Land of Water.
Kinoshita Yoshiro knew that apart from Mizukage Mei Terumī and Yūto-sama, and a few others within the Mist Ninja Village, no one else knew about what he was doing.
Even that Elder of the Kinoshita Clan only had a vague understanding at best.
"Another half a day's journey before I can leave the Land of Water's territory..."
Kinoshita Yoshiro took a few heavy breaths and muttered quietly.
Whoosh!
A sound of something cutting through the air came from one side in the distance. A kunai was shot at Kinoshita Yoshiro at an extremely tricky angle.
Poof!
Accompanied by a puff of white smoke, Kinoshita Yoshiro turned into a block of wood.
Meanwhile, Kinoshita Yoshiro's figure appeared on another large tree.
"Damn it! Why are the Kirigakure Anbu so fast? They're usually not this efficient."
Kinoshita Yoshiro couldn't help but curse under his breath, got up, and fled into the distance.
Not long after Kinoshita Yoshiro left the spot, several figures wearing masks, Kirigakure Anbu, appeared where Kinoshita Yoshiro had just been.
One Anbu member picked up the kunai that had just been shot from the log and silently watched the direction Kinoshita Yoshiro had fled.
"Hawk!"
The Anbu member standing at the front said calmly.
A man wearing a hawk-shaped mask walked out from the back. Although he was confused, his hands still quickly formed hand signs: "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Boom!
A roaring sound echoed throughout the dense forest, and the ground was even smashed into a large pit by the water dragon.