Chapter 33 : Kimura's Hope

"Let me know; I will arrive in the Land of Whirlpools in an hour!"

"Everyone, prepare your gear! Once we reach the Land of Whirlpools, the war against them officially begins!"

"Remember, as soon as the attack order is given, act swiftly and secure the Land of Whirlpools as quickly as possible! This place is close to the Land of Fire!" Third Mizukage instructed the Jonin beside him.

"Understood, Third Mizukage-sama!"

Orders were swiftly relayed to the others.

......

Meanwhile, all the elders also received a message from Kazuhiko. The main force of Mist Shinobi would arrive in the Land of Whirlpools within an hour.

"They're coming!"

On the other side, the clan's head silently watched the approaching fleet. He couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, squinting at the growing fleet.

The war was about to begin, and this time it was not the minor skirmishes of the past. It was a pity that Konoha didn't ultimately decide to join the fight.

Kiyoshi sighed, realizing that regardless of the outcome, their relationship with Konoha would never return to what it once was. In front of national interests, friendships often crumble.

No matter how strong the alliance, it could wither in the face of war and self-interest.

Kiyoshi wondered, "If Hashirama-sama were still Konoha's leader, what would he do? What would he think about the Uzumaki clan's current situation? I believe he would send aid without hesitation. He was a man willing to sacrifice his life to protect his allies. Unfortunately, Konoha's leader now is not him, but Sarutobi Hiruzen, a skilled politician. And nobody likes being allies with politicians."

With a heavy heart, Kiyoshi ceased his thoughts. "Tell everyone not to act impulsively. Follow orders and maintain your positions!"

"Yes!"

Kazuhiko gazed at the approaching fleet. Even from this distance, it was clear it was Mist Shinobi's fleet.

In the Land of Whirlpools, the sight of Mist Shinobi's fleet was more joyous than a festival for the vanguard team.

They had been enduring continuous attacks and were exhausted, but now they noticed the sudden halt in the enemy's aggression and the approaching fleet. Their spirits soared.

"It's our main force!"

"It must be! Finally, they're here!"

"They've arrived! Captain, Mizukage-sama is here! We're finally saved!"

On the shores of the Island's West side, the Mist Shinobi couldn't contain their excitement.

Even the usually stoic Kimura felt a surge of joy. Without the constant threat of the Uzumaki Ninja, they couldn't take their eyes off the ships approaching from the sea.

As the ships grew closer and closer, their hearts raced.

"They're almost here!"

"I'll get my revenge!"

"They tormented us for so long; it's time to make the Uzumaki clan pay!"

"Exactly! Revenge! Let them regret it!"

Everyone watched with eager anticipation as the large ships approached, and Mist Shinobi's main force finally reached the coastline.

As they disembarked, they surveyed the deserted shore. "Did the Uzumaki Ninja flee?" wondered one of the shinobi.

They soon heard calls from the West shoreline.

"That's our advance team! I see Kimura and the others!"

"Let's disembark there; this place seems too empty; it could be an ambush."

"That's a good idea; we'll land there and gather information from Kimura."

Kimura was quickly summoned onto the boat.

"Mizukage-sama!" Kimura, as the leader of the advance team, greeted Third Mizukage with respect.

"What's the situation in the Land of Whirlpools now, Kimura? How many casualties have we suffered?" Third Mizukage asked gently.

Kimura thought carefully before responding, "The Uzumaki clan appears prepared for war. They intend to use the forest as a boundary to confine us. However, their Jonin are lacking, and their combat capabilities are weak. As the vanguard, even though they were prepared, we only lost ten ninja."

"Good," Third Mizukage nodded in satisfaction, his expectations for the Land of Whirlpools were mostly accurate.

The low casualties among the vanguard were unexpected. It seemed that the Land of Whirlpools was indeed in a weakened state.

"But..." Kimura hesitated, looking at Third Mizukage, unsure whether to continue.

Third Mizukage furrowed his brow, sensing there might be something unexpected.

"But what, Kimura? You're the captain of the advance team; speak your mind," the elder standing beside them encouraged.

"Well, maybe I'm just being paranoid," Kimura began cautiously, "But from what I observed, there are many Shadow Clones of the Uzumaki ninjas, and they seem to have a surplus of explosive tags. It's unusual for them to carry so many."

Third Mizukage frowned, and the elder exchanged a meaningful glance with him.

"Shadow Clones are easily dispelled with a single strike, and as for the explosive tags, they are the Uzumaki clan's main source of income. It's normal for them to have a surplus. Just remind everyone to be cautious," the elder dismissed Kimura's concerns with a wave of his hand.

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