Chapter 101: Divergence and Fracture

Konohagakure was now caught in a three-front conflict, on the verge of being forced into an unjust war.

Kirigakure was their only potential ally. If they aided Konoha, it would be a lifeline in a desperate time. Should Konoha emerge victorious, the Mist Village would undoubtedly reap the benefits.

On the other side, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure had formed an alliance. Their combined strength greatly surpassed Konoha's.

If Kirigakure were to join the coalition, it would be a four-on-one battle. The advantage would be overwhelming. How could they possibly lose?

However, unlike the other three villages, which could seize land from the Fire Country, Kirigakure stood apart, separate from the mainland.

Even if the four-village coalition won, Kirigakure would gain little from Konoha's defeat.

One choice offered a high chance of victory but minimal rewards. The other carried greater risk but promised greater spoils.

Most would choose to side with the coalition.

Even the Third Mizukage and Elder Genshi leaned toward joining Sunagakure's side. In their eyes, there was no logical reason for the Sand Village to lose this war.

However, Yagura knew the ultimate victor of the Third Great Ninja War would be Konoha—the village that had fought alone against all four.

A pyrrhic victory was still a victory.

For this reason, despite numerous discussions about the impending war, where most believed Sunagakure was guaranteed to win, Yagura had remained the lone voice of dissent. He alone expressed doubt about the Sand Village's chances and placed an inexplicable faith in Konoha.

...

"Third Mizukage."

Yagura exhaled deeply, placing his hands together on his lap as he sat upright, his expression solemn.

"I stand by my previous stance."

This topic had been debated multiple times.

His position had never wavered.

"Kirigakure should not participate in this war."

...

A heavy silence filled the room.

"You want to play the fisherman, waiting for the clam and the snipe to weaken each other," the Third Mizukage remarked, repeating words he had told Yagura before. "But do you know what happens when the clam and snipe realize the fisherman is watching? They kill him first."

In a war of this scale, neither side would tolerate an unpredictable third party.

Remember the First Great Ninja War? Why did these villages turn the Lands of Rain and Grass into their battlefields?

Because crushing the smaller villages ensured they wouldn't swoop in for post-war gains.

Kirigakure was not some minor ninja village like Ame or Kusa. It was one of the Five Great Hidden Villages!

Moreover, being separated from the mainland meant it could never be turned into a battlefield like those smaller nations.

You think you can stay out of the war just by saying so? Who would believe that?

No village would allow such an unstable factor to remain neutral. Either you pick a side now, or we'll make sure you lose the ability to stab anyone in the back.

Choose.

"Thank you for your guidance. I understand the logic," Yagura said, lifting his gaze, his expression as determined as ever as he met the Third Mizukage's eyes.

He had already thought through all of this.

But he had his own beliefs.

War would only bring suffering to Kirigakure. Even siding with Konoha, the inevitable victor, would not change that.

If forced to participate, Yagura would only support minimal involvement—never full-scale engagement.

The Third Mizukage clenched his fingers before exhaling deeply. Nothing had changed. Yagura was as stubborn as ever.

With a flick of his sleeve, the elder made his decision.

"I'm disappointed in you, Yagura. You are no longer needed in this matter."

"Genshi, draft the declaration."

The words fell like a thunderclap on Yagura's heart.

Even though the Third Mizukage had involved him in numerous decisions and acknowledged him as the Fourth Mizukage's successor, the reality remained: the old man was still in charge.

Yagura had expected this outcome. Yet, Genshi still sighed inwardly before asking, "Which side do we support?"

"Sunagakure."

The Third Mizukage's voice left no room for argument.

"Claim that Konoha used despicable tactics to assassinate the Third Kazekage."

Yagura's eyes burned with anger. "Third Mizukage—!"

"Write it and send it." The elder ignored his protest.

Yagura couldn't stand by and watch Kirigakure head down the wrong path.

He refused to inherit a village left in ruins.

For the first time, he lost his temper, glaring at the Third Mizukage.

"War, war, war! Will it make Kirigakure richer? Will it make us stronger?!"

"Yagura, from tomorrow onward, you are no longer needed here."

The elder finally acknowledged his presence, casting a cold glance his way. The abyss-like depths in his eyes sent a shudder through Yagura's body.

The force he had just gathered drained away.

His limbs felt paralyzed.

His jaw tightened as he stared at the Third Mizukage, unable to accept it.

Why? Why was this the one thing that couldn't be changed?

For months, following in the old man's footsteps, Yagura had felt invincible, as if anything he wanted was within reach.

But this was the first time he saw disappointment—and rejection—in the Third Mizukage's gaze.

"You're too naive."

With a wave of his hand, masked Anbu appeared, standing between Yagura and the elder.

Ao stepped forward, presenting a scroll marked with an S-rank mission.

Yagura's hands trembled as he took it. "What… does this mean?"

These Anbu had been positioned too perfectly.

Had this been planned all along?

...

Later, Ao reported back. "Lord Mizukage, Yagura has left Kirigakure."

"Hmph. I thought he'd make a fuss and resist for a couple of days. Well, good riddance."

The Third Mizukage turned to Ao, eyeing him curiously. "Where's your mask?"

"Uh…" Ao hesitated. "Yagura took it."

That brat even wanted a secondhand Anbu mask.

Waving the matter away, the Third Mizukage refocused on urgent military affairs. Time was running out for Kirigakure.

"Summon the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Assign these missions to them."

"Yes, sir!"

"Call in the clan leaders and the diplomatic corps. We're having a meeting."

"Yes, sir!"

...

June 5th, Year 43 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar.

Kirigakure, the last of the Five Great Villages, officially declared its stance.

They sided with Sunagakure.

With this announcement, the war's shape was clear.

Konoha was once again facing a four-on-one battle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smashed his desk in fury, mobilizing every Konoha shinobi for the highest state of war readiness.

The other Kage followed suit.

The countdown to the Third Great Ninja War had begun.

A war that would shape the future of the shinobi world.

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