125. Art of War and Diplomacy: Hikari’s Dual Approach

125. Art of War and Diplomacy: Hikari’s Dual Approach

After their conversation, Hikari and Mei quickly went to where the Hyuga clan was still in a tough fight with Kirigakure shinobi outside the village under the urging of Hikari himself.

The fight was intense there, with the Hyuga ordinary clansmen side obviously suffering heavier casualties, due to their numerical disengage, which made Hikari very angry at first, after they eventually arrived, however, the tide also turned with his arrival greatly as well.

His tactical prowess and renewed vigor, bolstered by his successful confrontation with the Third Mizukage, infused new energy into the fray and he joined in the fight right after.

He joined forces with Takumi, Hiashi, Shibi Aburame, Tsume Inuzuka, Isamu Sumi, and Ryosuke Gekko, helping them fight against the remaining 5 Mist Swordsmen and Kisame.

He helped orchestrate a series of attacks that systematically dismantled their opponents turning the previous stalemate between them into a massacre of these enemy Kiri elites.

However, in the chaos, Kisame Hoshigaki seized a moment of opportunity. Witnessing the death of Suzuki, one of the Mist Swordsmen, Kisame quickly claimed the legendary sword, Samehada, from the fallen shinobi covertly.

With the powerful blade, Kisame made a daring escape, diving into the sea. His unique physique was born for swimming and underwater combat and Samehada's power allowed him to disappear into the depths, evading capture somehow.

Hikari, witnessing the escape, felt a mix of amusement and resignation, also feeling a little strange at the entire situation, he felt like it was almost this was akin to a concept of "fate".

He knew Kisame could somewhat pose a threat in the future, but at that moment, the larger battle for Kirigakure's future took precedence.

With the Mist Swordsmen dealt with, Hikari led his elite group towards the village center. Their objective was clear: to secure the heart of Kirigakure and cement their control following the Mizukage's downfall.

The remaining Hyuga clansmen and other allies, less mobile but fiercely determined, held their positions against the larger numbers of Kirigakure shinobi.

The enemy's morale was visibly crumbling, shaken by the loss of their Mizukage and the swift, unrelenting assaults by Hikari and his team.

Meanwhile, As Hikari, Mei, and these Konoha elites swiftly moved toward the center of Kirigakure, the presence of Mei Terumi among them drew curious glances from the rest of the small group, but Hikari remained silent.

It was an unusual sight—a young girl, a native of Kirigakure, now moving in step with those who had technically come to "invade" her home, seemingly under the acceptance of Hikari.

For Mei, the experience was also very surreal. Just hours before, these same individuals were adversaries, part of an invasion force her higher-ups had been tasked with defeating.

Aligning herself with them now, even temporarily was disorienting yet compelling for her. She was stepping into a new role that felt both alien and inevitable.

Among the Konoha team, only Hiashi and Takumi were fully aware of Hikari's intentions regarding Mei's potential leadership.

Towering walls surrounded it, topped with sharp, angled roof tiles that were typical of shinobi village aesthetics, whilst designed to repel and intimidate.

As they neared, the grandeur of the building cast a solemn shadow over them, its silence a stark contrast to the chaos that had gripped other parts of the village.

It stood almost untouched, a relic of the order that the Third Mizukage had maintained before the day's upheavals.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the building, Hikari, Hiashi, and Mei paused, taking a moment to survey their final approach.

Hikari's use of natural energy not only expedited their arrival but also ensured they remained undetected by any guards or surveillance jutsu that might still be active.

This element of surprise was crucial for their next steps—engaging with the remaining civilian and neutral leadership of Kirigakure.

Utilizing Hikari's mastery of natural energy, they quickly leaped onto the roof of the Mizukage's building covertly.

This stealthy ascent allowed them to reach a strategic vantage point, positioning them directly above the central command areas.

From this height, they surveyed the area to ensure it was secure before they moved again.

However, before they managed to enter the building, the quiet tension was suddenly broken by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing from the corridors below.

A group of individuals clad in Kirigakure shinobi uniforms, some in Anbu masks and others in standard attire, approached rapidly.

Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed distinctly in a brown kimono, his shoulders draped with a yellow scarf, marking him as someone of importance.

"Elder, Genji...", Mei whispered, recognition flickering in her eyes as she identified the man as they fully emerged. Her voice carried a mix of surprise and caution, hinting at her familiarity with him but also the uncertainty of the moment.

Hiashi, sensing the potential for conflict, shifted into a defensive stance. His eyes narrowed, prepared for any sign of aggression, as he still wasn't sure but was hopeful that a diplomatic solution might still be possible.

Hikari, on the other hand, maintained his composure, his expression unreadable. Using his Byakugan, he carefully observed Elder Genji's micro-expressions and body language, seeking clues about his intentions and state of mind.

He also immediately realized who this was, as it wasn't just any village's higher-up that could basically barracked himself safely into the most important and secure building in the whole village during times like these, he had to be one of the most, if not the most important individual after the Mizukage.

A tense silence filled the air, each party evaluating the other, weighing their next words carefully. The moment was fraught with the potential for both peace and conflict, and the decisions made in the next few minutes would significantly impact the fate of Kirigakure.