Chapter 16: A Scheme Begins to Take Shape

In the original story, Zabuza’s reason for defecting was his attempt to assassinate the Mizukage in order to reform Kirigakure.

But unfortunately, he failed—forcing him to flee as a rogue ninja.

Even so, he continued taking on mercenary jobs, amassing wealth in hopes of recruiting allies. His goal? To strike Kirigakure again and force change upon the village.

Yet, in the end, he never succeeded. His journey came to a tragic halt in the Land of Waves, where he met his demise.

"But it’s precisely that kind of spirit that keeps Kirigakure—and many other factions—alive, isn’t it?"

Mei Terumī’s voice came from behind Yoru as she softly added, "Momochi Zabuza… He would’ve made a fine ally."

Yoru nodded in agreement. Zabuza was a man worthy of respect.

"So, who’s your next target for recruitment?" Mei asked, studying Yoru closely. The more she watched him, the harder he became to read.

Yoru drew his sword and wrote his answer in the dirt—Hoshigaki Kisame!

Mei couldn’t hide her surprise. "Him? Why?"

If she remembered correctly, Kisame was just a subordinate of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s leader, Hoshigaki Kisame, working in a secondary division like the Anbu’s encryption team.

What about him had caught Yoru’s interest?

"Is he reliable? Are you sure about this?" she pressed.

Yoru smirked. "Reliable? Yes. Certain? Not yet. That’s why we’ll need to… erase a few memories as insurance."

Kisame wasn’t just incredibly strong—he was also fiercely loyal. But he despised the current state of Kirigakure, where betrayal was routine and comradeship meant nothing. A village built on lies.

All Yoru had to do was paint a vision of a better Kirigakure, and Kisame might just take the bait. After all, in the original story, hadn’t Tobi (Obito Uchiha) lured him into the Akatsuki the same way?

"Then go for it," Mei said. Memory alteration? Child’s play for someone like her.

A Few Hours Later – The Mizukage’s Office

"An unscheduled visit to Mei Terumī, Zabuza? Planning a coup?"

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, glared down at the kneeling rogue ninja, his voice icy. "Unauthorized meetings between high-ranking shinobi are strictly forbidden. You know this. Explain yourself."

"My apologies, Lord Mizukage," Zabuza replied calmly, his expression unreadable. "I wasn’t meeting Mei. I was consulting Yoru on the Hidden Mist Technique. His mastery far surpasses mine—I learned a great deal from him."

Yagura scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? Asking a fresh genin for advice on the Hidden Mist Technique? That’s the weakest excuse I’ve ever heard."

But Zabuza remained firm. "With all due respect, Lord Mizukage, you may not be aware of Yoru’s skill. His expertise in the Hidden Mist Technique is among the top three in the village—well beyond mine. If you doubt me, verify it yourself."

Yagura’s frown deepened. "You’d better hope you’re telling the truth. Lying to the Mizukage carries severe consequences. Dismissed."

Zabuza bowed and withdrew—but no one saw the tension in his jaw, the quiet fury in his heart.

"Lord Mizukage… You no longer deserve that title. The Kirigakure I knew would never stand for this."

After Zabuza left, Yagura ordered an investigation into Yoru’s abilities. The report confirmed it: "Many shinobi acknowledge Yoru’s skill in the Hidden Mist Technique. Zabuza’s claim may hold truth."

Surprised, Yagura then cross-checked the details of Zabuza’s visit. Finding no evidence of treasonous discussion, he dropped the matter—too buried in paperwork to care.

With the extermination of the Kaguya clan, Kirigakure now faced the tedious tasks of asset redistribution, land allocation, and jutsu recovery.

But what Yagura didn’t know was this: the second report he received had been falsified.

As the former Anbu commander, Mei had no trouble manipulating intelligence—even from the Mizukage himself.

Three Days Later

[Ding! Special Jonin-level attributes—Agility and Stamina—successfully enhanced. Cost: 40,000 enhancement points.]

[Ding! Chunin-level swordsmanship upgraded to Special Jonin level. Acquired skill: Multi-Strike Eagle Flash. Cost: 20,000 enhancement points.]

With his first Anbu mission approaching, Yoru spent his last 60,000 points on final upgrades. (Enhancing a single attribute costs 20,000 points.)

Status:

• Name: Yoru

• Age: 12

• Skills:

• Special Jonin Swordsmanship: Multi-Strike Eagle Flash

• Ninjutsu: Hidden Mist Technique, Water Clone, Water Wall, Water Gun

• Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique

• Weapon: Refined Katana

• Rank: Special Jonin (Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, Elite Jonin, Kage, High Kage, Six Paths)

• Enhancement Points: 1,000

The only remaining stat left unenhanced was raw strength.

Why? Because Yoru had prioritized stamina—chakra reserves were the true decider in battle. Skill could compensate for power, but without chakra, even the sharpest mind was useless.

And unlike other villages, Kirigakure had no soldier pills to replenish energy mid-fight.

Anbu Headquarters

When Yoru arrived, Tenzō (Tenzō) was already waiting. A brief nod exchanged, they stood in silence.

Two minutes later, their teammates arrived:

• Harunami Yoya – Codename: Hawk

• Natsuhana Rin – Codename: White Wolf

Finally, Tenzō spoke. "Mission briefing: Hunt and eliminate A-rank rogue ninja Yukuchi Mitsuta, along with B-rank fugitives Asakura I and Shin’yu Suke. Extreme risk of death—prepare yourselves."

"But then again," he added, a cold edge in his voice, "any true Kirigakure shinobi knows: survival is earned in blood. This village has no use for cowards or the weak."

Such was the way of the Village Hidden in the Mist.