Since he had encountered Uzumaki Chizawa, Senju Mori was in no hurry to return to the Hokage Building.
The two walked leisurely along the brightly lit street in the center of the village, and before long, they turned into an elegant, high-end restaurant called "Yemisen."
This establishment was known for its seasonal ingredients and tranquil private rooms.
Being the eve of the New Year, the decor within the restaurant was meticulously crafted, with elegant ornaments made from short bamboo and pine branches adorning the entrance and corridors, making it an ideal spot for private conversations.
The two were led by a waiter into a private room overlooking a courtyard.
After the dishes were served and the waiter bowed and retreated, Uzumaki Chizawa's relaxed smile gradually faded. He put down his teacup, leaned slightly forward, and said in a lowered voice:
"Mori, your earlier warning was very timely."
"After I received the secret letter from Momo, I immediately had my father activate the barrier and dispatched a reconnaissance team. Although we didn't see anyone from Kumogakure, we did catch a few small rats from the east."
Senju Mori's hand, holding his chopsticks, paused slightly: "Hidden Mist spies?"
"Mm."
Uzumaki Chizawa nodded.
"Their methods were very covert, skilled at using water vapor and sea breeze to conceal their tracks, but they couldn't hide from my clan's sensory barrier."
"The enemy was very cunning. Besides the few who were caught at the very beginning, most of them immediately fled upon exposure, with no intention of fighting."
"What happened next?"
Senju Mori pressed.
"That's where it gets strange."
Uzumaki Chizawa frowned slightly, "We've been on high alert, but so far, there have been no subsequent probes or retaliatory actions."
"The other side of the ocean has been unusually quiet recently."
Hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared on Senju Mori's lips.
"There's no need to worry too much."
"Hidden Mist has coveted the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu for a long time, but now, they probably have the will but not the power."
"Oh?" Uzumaki Chizawa showed a curious expression.
"I just received confirmed intelligence."
Senju Mori's voice was low and steady, "The Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, and the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, had a major battle not long ago, and both perished in that fight."
Senju Mori took a sip of tea and then slowly added:
"Hidden Mist and Iwagakure are desperately trying to conceal this matter, but the scope of destruction from the two Kage's battle was too vast, and the battle traces too obvious, so it was inevitably discovered."
Uzumaki Chizawa was utterly astonished.
"Hidden Mist and Iwagakure... Didn't the Ninja World War already end?"
"Haha..."
Senju Mori couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Perhaps these two had some personal grudges. Otherwise, how could the Land of Earth in the west and the Land of Water in the east, separated by the Land of Fire and several small countries, fight across an entire continent?"
Uzumaki Chizawa's shock was palpable; the demise of two Kage was enough to change the entire power dynamic of the Ninja World.
Senju Mori continued to analyze:
"Compared to Iwagakure, where the Second Tsuchikage Mu left a stable situation for Ōnoki, Hidden Mist will likely fall into chaos very soon."
He paused, then continued:
"The Third Mizukage will probably be succeeded by Aoba. He was originally the designated Second Mizukage, and during the first Five Kage Summit, he served as the guard for the First Mizukage, Byakuren."
"However, after Byakuren's death, Hōzuki Gengetsu, in alliance with various Bloodline Limit clans, forcibly seized the position of Mizukage from him."
"Now, with Hōzuki Gengetsu's sudden death, Aoba will most likely seize power, but his foundation within the village is not stable."
"Although the Hozuki Clan has lost its Kage, it still possesses immense power and is closely related to other Bloodline Limit clans. The Kaguya Clan and the Yuki Clan are both powerful clans that cannot be overlooked."
"None of these powerful Bloodline Limit clans are ones he can easily control."
"His primary task now is to clean up internal affairs and consolidate power. He no longer has the energy for external matters, let alone crossing the ocean to challenge the Uzumaki Clan, known for its barriers and Sealing Jutsu."
Uzumaki Chizawa let out a long breath, a smile returning to his face:
"I see."
"Internal strife is always more troublesome than external threats. It seems we can at least have a period of peace."
Senju Mori, however, laughed at this point, a laugh full of deeper meaning.
"Chizawa, do you remember what I told you during our operation back then?"
"The sudden death of the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, leaving the Hozuki Clan as the largest clan within Hidden Mist, will inevitably lead to the new Third Mizukage's apprehension and suppression..."
"Chizawa, don't you think this incident in Hidden Mist is very similar to what happened in Konoha not long ago?"
Uzumaki Chizawa's expression suddenly changed, only to hear Senju Mori say faintly:
"If Clan Head Tobirama had been assassinated, and the Senju Clan, as the foremost Ninja Clans within Konoha, failed to successfully inherit the position of Third Hokage..."
"Let's see how this Third Mizukage deals with the Hozuki Clan, and what kind of treatment the Kaguya and other great Ninja Clans, who were friendly with the Hozuki, will receive within Hidden Mist."
"If we had failed back then, that would have been the fate of the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan..."