Chapter 55

After the Anbu left, there was silence in the office.

"I don't understand why you chose to declare Yoshiro missing rather than just a renegade?" – after a long silence, Mei still couldn't resist asking Yudao, who was carefreely lying on the sofa.

"A reward for information about a missing shinobi at the price of a Rank-S renegade will attract much more attention," Yudao replied, stretching lazily and casting a serious glance at her, "tell me, which of the great villages do you think poses the greatest threat?"

A threat?!

– Of course Kumogakure! – after thinking a little, the surprised Fifth Mizukage expressed her opinion.

Yudao was not at all surprised by this answer. Now this opinion is shared not only by May, but also by the majority of at least a little knowledgeable people.

"I can't deny, Konoha and Iwa are also quite strong, but Kage makes the difference..." Mei continued without waiting for an answer. – The same Ōnoki is extremely stubborn and almost never does anything stupid, but at the same time he does not undertake anything without complete confidence. Well, Hiruzen is known for his peaceful policies. Konoha certainly wouldn't start a war on its own while he was Hokage.

Yudao raised his eyebrows slightly at what he heard. He did not expect such an accurate and thorough analysis of the situation in the Shinobi world from the Fifth Mizukage.

Feeling a surprised look on her, she involuntarily raised her chin.

– Then tell me, please, what is there in the archives of Kiri based on the results of the World Wars? Of course, each village experienced its ups and downs in one way or another. But what about Konoha? – Yudao smiled thoughtfully at the proud Mei.

"One of the lowest losses in all wars..." The Fifth Mizukage, becoming noticeably more serious, was not taken aback, but answered more quietly.

"That's exactly why I want to see if Konoha can withstand four Great Villages at once, and Yoshiro will become the fuse that I prepared..." Yudao grinned coldly in response and abruptly fell silent, without even saying that he could stop to hide if Konoha falls to the onslaught of the four Great Villages.

If she survives...

It will only get more interesting!

The other three Great Villages would become his guinea pigs to probe Konoha.

Knock! Knock!

There was a knock on the door.

- Um, is the selection over? I wonder who passed by..." Yudao grinned after exchanging glances with Mei.

- Come in! – to which she also smiled, already turning to the door.

Phew!

The door swung open and Chōjūrō walked in first, followed by Ranmaru and Ameyuri.

"Yudao-sama!"

"Mizukage-sama!"

Upon entering, the three bowed almost simultaneously to Yudao and Mei.

If the appearance of Ameyuri was quite expected, then the appearance of Ranmaru made the First Mizukage's eyebrows go up.

- Well... what is it, Ranmaru? – he could not restrain himself and became curious along with the Fifth Mizukage.

"I... it's..." Ranmaru hesitated under the inquisitive gazes of Yudao and Mei.

Then Chōjūrō, noticing the child's excessive excitement, took a step forward and briefly recounted what happened at the selection of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

After hearing what Mei, being impressed, now looked seriously at Ranmaru and turned her gaze to the man who, according to her guesses, had a direct connection with the child's strength.

– Remember those four henchmen of Orochimaru? So, this is like their transformation. Unfortunately, strength varies from person to person... - Yudao shrugged his shoulders carefree, and several flaming glances immediately stared at him, because what shinobi could resist the temptation of an instant, and probably very significant increase in strength?

– The boy Ranmaru is fine thanks to the restraining effect of the Kekkei Genkai, but in general this power has side effects, and it can also lead to changes in the wearer's body. I don't mind if that's okay with you! – Yudao spread his hands under several flaming glances.

Ameyuri and Mei instantly tempered their ardor at what they heard. They had no desire to turn into ugly monsters!

And Chōjūrō didn't show much interest either.

- Only two passed, yes... well, nothing can be done about it. Choujuro, now we need to start training Ranmaru and Ameyuri! – coughing awkwardly, Mei turned to the most experienced Swordsman of the Fog.

This is why Chōjūrō has a bitter look in his eyes.

This couple is already very strong! But seeing Mei's look, he could only nod obediently.

***

In the middle of the forest.

Out of breath, Yoshiro leaned against a tree trunk.

Having left Kiri, he continued to run to the border of the Land of Water.

After all, only Yudao, Mei and a few other people knew about his mission.

Even the Kinoshita Clan only had a general idea.

"There's still half a day to go to the border..." he whispered, breathing heavily.

Phew!

Out of nowhere, the sound of air being cut by steel was heard.

And a kunai rushed towards the panting Yoshiro at a very awkward angle!

Pooh!

But the very next moment his figure turned into a piece of wood, surrounded by clouds of white smoke.

Yoshiro himself appeared in a nearby tree.

"Crap! When did Anbu become so efficient?" – Yoshiro rushed away, spewing curses.

And as soon as he disappeared into the thick of the forest, several shinobi in Anbu masks appeared near that tree.

One of them calmly picked up his kunai and cast a silent glance in the direction where the fugitive had disappeared a few seconds earlier.

"Eagle!" - he commanded.

On command, a shinobi wearing an eagle mask came out from the group of Anbu and hesitantly made a series of seals: "Suiton: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Boom!

Then, with a roar that echoed throughout the forest, the large water dragon left a deep hole with jagged edges.

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