291-295

Chapter 291: "The Story Doesn’t Necessarily Have to Wait Until Naruto Graduates to Begin"

As Fujika, Yakumo, and Hotaru burst into Sougen’s office, our Assistant to the Hokage was in the middle of a private…well, all right, he wasn’t up to anything shady. He was simply discussing whether to raise the village’s security alert level with his assistant Kabuto Yakushi and Uchiha Ransan, the Deputy Head of the Security Department.

Even though the news of the Fifth Hokage's temporary blindness was tightly sealed, it’s hard to keep a lid on such things. As the Hokage, the village’s pillar, his absence was bound to cause issues if it persisted. Were it not for Akimichi Tafu's occasional sick leaves in recent years, the village would have been far less stable. Still, this isn’t a situation that could just be brushed under the rug indefinitely.

Until a more final decision was reached, they needed to be wary of any troublemakers attempting to exploit the situation.

"Yakumo, Fujika, Hotaru…you all…" Sougen looked questioningly at the girls who had barged in.

Come to think of it, none of them even knocked—typical Fujika. Yakumo and Hotaru would never do such a thing.

"Big brother! Someone’s following Yakumo!!" Fujika shouted excitedly before Sougen could say another word.

"What?" Sougen was taken aback.

"Huh?" Yakumo, too, was stunned by Fujika’s sudden statement. Her eyes widened as she looked at the back of Fujika’s head, mulling over whether to whack her impulsive friend.

"Yakumo, someone’s following you?" Uchiha Ransan, seated on the sofa, raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t Ironfire in charge of security around the Academy? Looks like he’s not quite up to par with Inaho. Perhaps it’s time for a personnel shake-up…”

Uchiha Ransan pondered, his mind already whirling with ideas for restructuring the Security Department. Sougen had given him complete control, aside from the title of Department Head.

"Daring to tail my student? Can’t believe someone in Konoha has such nerve!…I’d like to see which joker’s behind this."

Sougen chuckled, though his laughter sent a shiver down Kabuto’s spine as he served tea to the girls. Something about the situation felt…off. His intuition told him there was more to it than met the eye.

And soon enough, his hunch proved to be accurate.

"Um, Sensei, wait, it’s not what Fujika said…you’re misunderstanding," Yakumo said hurriedly, pulling herself out of her contemplation over whether to smack Fujika.

"I’m not being followed. It’s just that I’ve felt like I was being watched, first at the Academy and then shortly after leaving school. It was like someone was staring at me from a high vantage point…”

"Isn’t that the same thing as being followed?" Uchiha Ransan, however, grew even more puzzled after Yakumo’s explanation.

“I told you, it’s not!”

The young girl was exasperated; why couldn’t they understand?

"It might not even be Yakumo," Hotaru, who had been silent, spoke up. “Among us, Yakumo’s senses are the sharpest. Even Ino and Hinata can’t match her unless they activate their special techniques. If someone was indeed watching, it may not necessarily have been Yakumo they were targeting.”

"Exactly!" Yakumo nodded eagerly, validating Hotaru’s words.

“I felt it twice—once at the Academy and once in front of a bookstore. During those times, Fujika and Hotaru were with me, as were Hinata, Ino, and Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke were also nearby, and I couldn’t pinpoint who exactly was the target.”

"Also, it wasn’t the ANBU assigned to Naruto. I sensed…how do I put it? Malice, yes, a malicious intent, but not killing intent."

—It might not even be Yakumo!

The matter seemed to grow more complicated.

Whoever had this level of skill—sneaking into the village undetected and watching Naruto and the others without alerting ANBU—well…if it were anyone else saying this, the credibility would be questionable. But Yakumo was different. She was no longer the fragile child confined to a hospital bed or a wheelchair.

With the refined energy provided by Samehada, she had overcome her former frailty and was beginning to fully realize her remarkable potential.

Her spiritual energy was so immense that it had stunned Sougen upon their first meeting.

Yakumo now…how strong she had become was hard to say. But Sougen placed great trust in her words.

"Could it be…someone aiming for the Nine-Tails? The Hidden Cloud? The Hidden Rock? Or maybe the Hidden Sand?" Uchiha Ransan guessed the most likely target based on Yakumo’s observations. After all, there was precedent; the previous Nine-Tails jinchuriki had almost been kidnapped by the Hidden Cloud. So, another attempt wouldn’t be surprising.

“Is it that idiot Naruto?”

"Is Naruto the target?"

The girls looked over at Sougen, who sat calm and collected behind his desk, seemingly unperturbed.

"Not necessarily."

Sougen shook his head.

After realigning his thoughts, two names surfaced in his mind—Uchiha Obito and Orochimaru. Very few people in the shinobi world could move in and out of Konoha as easily as those two.

However, he quickly dismissed Orochimaru, leaving Obito as the most likely culprit.

As for whether Naruto was the target…it probably was. The Nine-Tails would be a crucial element. But then again, it could be someone else. Could it be Fujika, Yakumo, or even Hotaru? Using his sister or students to threaten him seemed unlikely…but who knows?

After all, the nature of the method matters less than whether it achieves its purpose.

Uchiha Obito had long since lost his sanity; if he deemed it necessary, he would drag the entire world into hell. In fact, wasn’t that the very goal of the Eye of the Moon plan?

“Alright, Yakumo, Fujika, Hotaru. I understand. Leave this to me, and head home for now,” Sougen said, dismissing the matter without further discussion.

“Aw, come on, Big Brother, you haven’t even…”

“Yes, Sensei.”

“Then, Sensei, we’ll be off!” Yakumo and Hotaru took Fujika by the arms and ushered her out, gently closing the door behind them.

"Sougen, about this situation…” Uchiha Ransan looked over. “What did you mean by ‘not necessarily’?"

“Just a baseless hunch. But yes…we should increase the village’s alert level. Not openly, but we need to bolster covert security, especially around the Academy. I’m counting on you, Ransan.”

“That’s doable, but as you know, my people are skilled in direct combat, not so much in shadowing. This seems better suited for the ANBU; the results might not be great without them,” Ransan replied honestly.

“Now isn’t the time to involve the ANBU.”

Sougen tapped his fingers on his desk. ANBU was the Hokage’s most important card. Akimichi Tafu was willing to delegate many responsibilities to Sougen, but he held tightly onto the ANBU.

“Will this be effective?” Kabuto asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sougen and Ransan merely glanced at him with understanding smiles. Why? Because Kabuto was Sougen’s confidant. His talent was unquestionable, a strategic mind comparable to the Nara clan’s best, plus top-notch medical skills and combat ability. With Nonou Yakushi’s support, Sougen had no concerns about Kabuto’s loyalty.

Thus, trusted subordinates as capable as Kabuto Yakushi were quite rare, which is why he had risen so quickly to such a high position, becoming a close confidant of Sougen.

“It’s probably not very useful, honestly. With Konoha's current defensive strength, we can handle most minor threats, but when it comes to top-tier shinobi... truthfully, even the highest level of vigilance might not be enough,” Sougen said casually.

“So all this is just for show?” Kabuto asked.

“Half and half, I’d say. It’s hard to predict how long Lord Hokage can hold out, and there are always greedy people in the world. But you're not wrong; this is partly just for show. Although Yakumo's senses are sharp, it’s hard to say if she'd be able to detect a top shinobi observing from the shadows…”

Kabuto furrowed his brow, sinking into thought. “Then, could it be that the enemy is deliberately leaking their presence? But if that's the case, why? To mislead us from their real target? To spread out our defensive forces in the village? Or do they have another goal entirely...?”

After thinking it over for several seconds, he sighed, saying reluctantly, “It's too difficult, Lord Sougen. The information we have is too limited to draw any conclusions, and even if we did make a guess, we wouldn’t know for sure what the enemy's intentions were. We don’t even know who they are… for now, it seems we have no choice but to wait.”

“No problem. If you’re interested, Kabuto, I’ll leave this to you—investigate and see if you can find anything useful,” Sougen replied, unconcerned. Some threats couldn’t be fully guarded against. If someone skilled in time-space jutsu intended to attack, Sougen himself wasn’t worried, but not everyone he cared about would be able to defend against such an attack.

This was why he had refrained from taking action against the Hidden Rain Village over the years.

He believed that if he acted, it would have to be decisive and final.

“Though the Rinnegan… that’s really tough to get,” he thought to himself, sighing. The Rinnegan was even more elusive than he had imagined. He had caught a glimpse of its incredible power but still couldn’t reach it. No wonder they said, "The mountain may look close, but it’s a deadly distance to run." This “sacred mountain” truly was difficult to conquer!

Still,

He hadn’t wasted the past five years; even though he hadn’t obtained the Rinnegan, that didn’t mean he was stuck at a bottleneck.

“I understand. I’ll try to see if I can uncover anything,” Kabuto agreed, intrigued.

He was never one to sit idle. That restlessness was what led him to join the police force in the first place. Though protecting his adoptive mother had been his biggest wish, people change—and once old wishes are fulfilled, it’s only natural for new ones to take their place.

“Anyway, keep alert and watch the village closely. Since someone’s set their sights on Naruto and the others, it wouldn’t be surprising if trouble comes knocking soon,” Sougen said, turning to look at the setting sun outside the window. His instincts told him that trouble might already be stirring in the darkness.

And perhaps it was about time.

There had been peace for nearly five years, but given the current circumstances, some movement was understandable. After all, the future had already changed. Yes, the future was no longer set in stone. No one said the “story” had to wait until Naruto and his classmates graduated to truly begin.

Everything—

Everything had already changed.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 292: The Second Hokage... Again?*

Deep in the Mirow Mountains, in a small room within a grand palace, Hema lay shirtless on an operating bed. Embedded in the center of his chest was a dark, pearl-like object. Its appearance was in stark contrast to the pale, corpse-like skin encircling it.

The object wasn’t all—thin, vein-like strands spread out from the “pearl” beneath his skin, snaking outward like tiny black tendrils. These dark fibers stretched into the pale area around it and even reached his healthy skin, creating a bizarre sight.

The situation was worsening.

The fragile balance was nearing its limit, slipping dangerously toward collapse.

“How’s it looking? Is there a way to fix it?”

Seeing that Hiruko, who was examining him, hadn’t said anything, Hema spoke up.

“I never thought the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden jutsu would be preserved this way—a materialized jutsu... Truly genius. And the fact that they actually succeeded is unbelievable,” Hiruko muttered in awe, his gaze transfixed on the dark “pearl,” utterly captivated.

Hema’s face twitched.

Again, he couldn’t help but wonder if he should’ve trusted that “Uchiha Madara.” Not only was he unsure if Hiruko could help, but there was also a good chance he’d end up dissected by him before the problem was solved.

“Hiruko, I’m asking if you have a solution for this ‘conflict.’”

Hema’s tone became more serious.

“Don’t rush me. This isn’t simple,” Hiruko snapped, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. “The power from the jutsu, as well as the force suppressing it, are both unknown to me. Solving their conflict will take time.”

“Time, huh? I’m not against that. But how much time? If you need three to five years, we might as well call off this partnership.”

Hema said sternly. The persistent stabbing pain in his chest was a constant reminder of the risks involved with this jutsu from the Tsuchigumo Clan.

To put it simply, he hadn’t been able to fully integrate the jutsu into himself. This jutsu was designed to be inherited through the bloodline of the Tsuchigumo Clan. Without their lineage, Hema had no chance of obtaining it on his own.

But that man, who claimed to be Uchiha Madara, intervened.

He transplanted a piece of tissue with potent regenerative abilities into Hema, forcibly acquiring the Tsuchigumo’s jutsu for him. At first, things seemed stable, like he only needed time to adjust to this new power.

However, while the dream was beautiful, the process was anything but smooth.

The jutsu was hard to assimilate. Each time Hema tried using it, the power it harbored grew stronger. At first, he barely noticed, but after continued use, a near-fatal suffocation attack hit him out of nowhere three years ago.

Fortunately, Shizuko had been there, using medical ninjutsu to pull him back from the brink.

He realized then that the jutsu had never truly submitted to him; it was only the pale tissue’s suppressive power that had held its rejection at bay. But his frequent use had disrupted that fragile balance.

The jutsu he intended to wield as a trump card had instead become a noose around his neck—one he had willingly placed there.

Since then, survival became his priority.

Hema wasn’t about to die for such a foolish reason. For two years, he explored every possible solution. The elusive Uchiha Madara also offered ideas, but even he wasn’t omnipotent and failed to solve the issue.

Then, not long ago…

In a forest in the northern Fire Country,

“Hiruko? Can’t say I’ve heard that name before,” Hema mused, furrowing his brow. He’d studied the latest intel on Konoha, but his research didn’t include rogue ninjas who disappeared years ago. He had no desire to work with the unpredictable renegades.

“This Hiruko may have a solution to your issue.”

The masked Uchiha Madara, his face concealed by a swirling orange mask, sat across from Hema.

“Oh? How so?”

“Do you know of the Guiya no Jutsu? I assume not, since you don’t know Hiruko,” Madara said.

“Never heard of it.”

“The Guiya no Jutsu is a forbidden jutsu created by the Second Hokage. Its power is fusion—combining creatures, even fusing humans with animals.”

“They say the Second Hokage developed it to enhance lesser-skilled ninjas by merging them with powerful ninja beasts. His plan was to create tireless warriors to secure victory during the Warring States Period. But his brother, the First Hokage, discovered the experiments, labeled it forbidden, and shut it down.”

“Hiruko went rogue from Konoha over this very research.”

Hema’s eye twitched as he listened.

"Why the heck is it the Second Hokage again?! How many forbidden techniques did this guy even develop? It seems like every forbidden jutsu related to Konoha traces back to him somehow. Just who is this guy?"

Putting aside these irrelevant thoughts, Hema’s mind sparked with an idea. "So, you’re saying this Ghost Bud Luo technique could fully, truly merge the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden jutsu into my body?"

“I don’t know,” Uchiha Obito shrugged.

What’s he rambling on about? Hema’s lips twitched as he barely held back from snapping at him.

“But isn’t it worth a shot?” Obito continued. “After all, Hiruko is a rogue ninja from Konoha, fitting your requirements perfectly, and there’s even a chance he might become an ally. In short, I think it's worth a try. What do you think, Hema?”

I think there are a lot of problems with this plan.

Hema’s face darkened.

Give it a try? Easy for him to say. What if something goes wrong? This was basically volunteering to be a guinea pig! Yet, after all these interactions, he knew the masked man before him wasn’t easy to deal with. Just that space-time jutsu alone was something Hema had yet to figure out how to counter.

He took a breath, feeling a constricting pressure in his chest, making him uneasy. This situation…was not pleasant. He didn’t have many options left—either find a way to survive within a year or take one final shot at Konoha, seeing if he could take it down with him.

Of course, given his current state, the chances of taking Konoha down weren’t looking good.

“So, where’s Hiruko?”

“No need to rush,” Obito said without surprise at Hema’s choice. “Just finding Hiruko isn’t enough. Hiruko isn’t a puppet I control, and even if he does have the capability, there’s no guarantee he’d help you with your problem. A shared enemy in Konoha won’t be enough to convince him.”

Hema fell silent. As unpleasant as it sounded, Obito had a point.

“That’s why I’ve prepared a gift for you, or you could call it a ‘sacrifice,’” Obito said, snapping his fingers. Under Hema’s watchful gaze, a pale, hairless, androgynous figure emerged from the ground.

Hema sensed a familiar presence from this figure.

It was similar to the flesh embedded in him that allowed him to harness the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden technique; in both aura and appearance, they were virtually identical.

“What… is this?” Hema asked.

“It’s a sacrifice.”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking. I want to know what this thing actually is. Human? Some sort of humanoid creature, or…?”

“There were certain things I hadn’t planned to reveal yet, but…it doesn’t really matter now.” Not surprisingly, Uchiha Zongxian had captured a White Zetsu five years ago, and in that time, they’d unearthed some useful information. Keeping this secret any longer was pointless; it was better to use it effectively.

“This is a ‘soldier’ created based on the First Hokage’s cells.”

“The First Hokage?!”

Hema was shocked.

Now that’s interesting. He’s suddenly brought up yet another legendary figure. Cells from the First Hokage… Could this guy really be Uchiha Madara?

“That’s right. Honestly, I had hoped you might awaken Wood Release powers. Unfortunately, it seems the amount transplanted was too little. Or perhaps the Tsuchigumo clan’s jutsu had an effect, preventing it from awakening… Anyway, that’s enough on that. You can use this being to deal with Hiruko however you see fit. I trust you’ll make the most of it.”

“I understand.”

Hema nodded.

For now, at least, they shared a common enemy in Konoha. And before taking down such a formidable foe, the stronger their allies, the better.

“This thing is a soldier and seems to be a living entity… How do I control it? Do I need to learn some method?” Hema asked, eyeing the White Zetsu in the darkness.

“No need for any of that. It has some degree of independent thought and will follow your commands unconditionally. Just give it verbal orders, and it will even die if you command it to. But be careful; these soldiers are hard to produce, so don’t waste it needlessly.”

“You’re saying I can control it with just words?”

Hema’s gaze remained doubtful. After a moment, he asked, “If that’s the case, I’d like to sign a summoning contract with it. I want it close enough to be summoned but not right by my side. Would that work?”

Summoning jutsu isn’t limited to just summoning animals.

Technically, you could summon anything, living or dead—birds, beasts, plants, insects, weapons, anything really. Humans, too, under the right conditions.

Of course, human summoning is different from summoning beasts or tools. Few people establish summoning contracts with each other since summoning a weaker person is pointless, while summoning someone stronger… is unrealistic. There are many factors to consider, enough to write a whole essay on the topic. Summoning contracts aren’t binding, but the summoned generally can’t refuse the summoner’s call.

It’s also possible to summon people without a contract, though this requires close proximity, as seen in the original Chunin exams with Iruka and the other proctors summoned by the dual scrolls.

In short, though human summoning is rare, it’s not impossible. And White Zetsu isn’t exactly human, right?

“Sure, I’ve already handed over control of it to you.”

Obito agreed readily.

And so—

The group set off for Mount Miroku, leading to Hema now lying on an operating table while Hiruko examined him. As Obito expected, Hiruko couldn’t refuse a “gift” created from the First Hokage’s cells.

It was too tempting.

As a former Konoha ninja from the same era as the Sannin, Hiruko knew well how formidable the First Hokage was. And how incredibly alluring the Wood Release was.

He immediately scrapped his original design for a five-bloodline fusion, beginning to devise a new approach centered around Wood Release. As for authenticity… Hiruko specialized in manipulating flesh and blood with his Ghost Bud Luo technique, claiming to be the best at it (or so he thought).

Hiruko had confirmed the gift’s authenticity after his tests; it wasn’t some cheap imitation.

Returning to the present—

“It won’t take long, at most a year. Just give me time to master these two powers, and I’ll guarantee your problem will be solved within a year,” Hiruko said confidently. “However, having me spend a year to solve your problem… your previous payment isn’t enough.”

“Ha!”

Hema couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

He glared at Hiruko. “You’ve got some nerve, Hiruko. Getting greedy isn’t wise. If you plan on extorting me, you’re dreaming. I’d rather die than…”

“Hold on, Hema, patience. If you want us to both go down in flames, at least let me finish.”

Hiruko didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he maintained a patient demeanor, thinking it could wait. After all, he had plenty of time now. “As I understand it, you aim to take down Konoha and make the Fire Daimyo the sole ruler of the Land of Fire, right?”

Hema stayed silent, curious to see where Hiruko was going with this.

“If you help me, once I fully master the five bloodlines, I’ll crush Konoha myself. I’ll prove that talent alone doesn’t set a shinobi’s limits. I’ll not only catch up to Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, but I’ll also surpass and crush them.”

Hiruko’s gaze was intense as he waited for Hema’s response.

“My body’s condition is as you’ve seen. Unless that’s resolved, I couldn’t help you even if I wanted to,” Hema replied ambiguously, hinting he was tempted.

“That’s easy enough. Though I can’t completely cure it immediately, suppressing the symptoms so they won’t worsen for a while is well within my abilities.” Hiruko’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin from behind his high collar.

“Show me you’re capable first,” Hema responded vaguely, avoiding a clear answer.

But that was enough for Hiruko. Soon, Hema would be a useful pawn in his plans, freeing him from the need to do everything himself so he could focus on his research.

Honestly, in terms of managing underlings, he’d never had much patience or interest, leaving him without any reliable subordinates. Most were disposable, quickly replaced but quickly used up. Whenever anything important came up, he had to handle it himself.

It wasn’t just tiring—it wasted time!

And it slowed his research progress.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 293: Hunting*

"The first target… in the Hidden Cloud Village? Are you sure you're not joking? I have a feeling that working with you may not be the best decision. My goal is to destroy the Leaf Village, and provoking the Cloud Shinobi isn’t exactly in my favor."

Sitting in a room marked "Lab" on the door, Hama grumbled, dissatisfied with Hiruko's mission request.

Although they were allies and partners, Hama felt as if Hiruko treated him more like a subordinate, which irritated him.

"Even if you avoid provoking the Cloud Shinobi now, once the Leaf Village is destroyed, the Land of Fire will still have to face the Cloud, Rock, Mist, and Sand Shinobi. They are enemies of the Land of Fire and thus yours as well. Making a move against them shouldn’t be a burden to you, should it?"

Hiruko spoke calmly.

If only he wasn’t staring obsessively at the fresh blood he had just drawn from Hama—it would have made him seem more convincing. His absent-minded expression didn't help his credibility.

Still, Hama grudgingly accepted the explanation.

He was doing all this to ensure the Land of Fire had only one supreme force. No matter how others saw it, he believed his actions were for the country's greater strength. For the sake of the Land of Fire, he was willing to take out a few Cloud Shinobi.

"Remember your promises."

Hama rolled down his sleeve to cover his arm, which still bore the mark from the blood sample Hiruko had taken just moments before, following an injection of an inhibitor he had spent four days developing.

"Time will prove my integrity," Hiruko said with a smile, placing the test tube on the rack.

"Let’s hope so."

It had been six days since their first meeting. Over several discussions, they established a partnership: Hama delivered a White Zetsu to Hiruko and agreed to help gather "materials." In return, Hiruko promised to address Hama's issue within a year and, after completing his own plans, would make a move on the Leaf Village.

Whether the terms were fair depended on perspective, but if both parties were content, that was enough.

"Heading out already?" Hiruko asked, watching Hama pack.

"Not much point in staying here any longer. Besides, I’m not keen on lingering in a place like this when I could be working. By the way, how long can your inhibitor keep me moving freely?"

"About a month. If you use that forbidden power, the effect will shorten. I had planned to monitor you for a while, but… you don’t seem too willing to cooperate!"

"No need. A month’s enough; I'll be back before it wears off."

Hama opted to reject Hiruko’s plan.

He had already wasted enough time; five years had passed since he left the Daimyo’s estate. If Hiruko could truly help resolve his issue, Hama figured he still had three or four decades left—assuming he wasn’t killed in the meantime.

But his patience wasn’t infinite.

Taking the forbidden jutsu of the Tsuchigumo Clan had brought him closer to realizing the urgency of time. Relying on a distant future seemed unwise; the longer he delayed, the more unpredictable things would become, especially since he could no longer sense any personal growth in his power.

While he stagnated, the Leaf Village was recovering from the losses it sustained during the Third Shinobi World War and the Nine-Tails’ attack. Young talents had been emerging in the Leaf, while the forces he gathered hadn’t grown as strong as he had hoped.

Since Hiruko seemed interested in challenging the Leaf, why not give him a push?

After all, the White Zetsu wasn’t his asset. Lending Hiruko a little manpower seemed like a fair deal, and from what Hiruko had displayed of his own abilities, he might just be able to trouble the Leaf Village.

Hama left Mount Miro.

Meeting up with his comrades outside the mountain, they set off toward the northeast, heading for the Land of Lightning.

---

Time passed in a blur, and spring gave way to summer.

By late June, a teahouse sat along a road leading to the Hidden Mist Village. Travelers wearing straw hats rested there, weary from months of travel. They had witnessed the towering peaks and thunderous scenes of the Land of Lightning, explored its vast, desolate mountain ranges, and even experienced its unique “rock rain.”

Now, they had journeyed to the island nation of the Land of Water.

"This fog is insufferable," Ziko complained, munching on a coarse snack from the teahouse.

Having grown used to the clear seasonal scenery of the Land of Fire, she found the perpetually misty, seasonally ambiguous Land of Water to be incredibly unpleasant.

"We’ll leave once our task here is complete; we won’t stay long," Hama said, sipping the bitter tea, his face twitching from its awful taste. But in a roadside teahouse, there wasn’t much room for high expectations.

"Hey, Tenme, has our target arrived yet?" Ziko asked, turning to her companion.

"No," Tenme replied listlessly. "I’d tell you if I saw anything. And Ziko, please stop asking every few minutes; let me rest for a bit, will you?"

"Hmph! Fine, I won’t ask," Ziko huffed.

Ignoring their bickering, Hama continued sipping the dreadful tea, contemplating the future. Once they acquired this target’s materials, according to Hiruko’s plan, it would be time to target the Leaf Village. Then, he could see how far the Leaf had truly come.

Time crept by slowly.

Though the fog concealed the sun’s position, the clock’s hands had ticked past two. According to their intel, the target should arrive soon. Tenme, who had been resting his head on the table, lifted it and whispered:

"They’re here."

"Finally!" Ziko exhaled, standing up and transforming into the teahouse’s owner—a small, white-haired old man. As for the real owner, Ziko had knocked him out, gagged him, and stashed him in the bushes some twenty meters away.

Only two other guests remained in the teahouse, who had also been tied up and stashed with the owner in the bushes.

And with that, they successfully took over the teahouse. Ziko transformed into the teahouse’s owner, while Hama and Tenme sat in a corner, still wearing their hats and cloaks, looking as suspicious as ever.

---

"Brother Mangetsu, let’s take a break here! Let’s have some tea before we keep going."

"If you’re tired, we’ll stop."

Their voices reached the ears of the three hidden shinobi.

Disguised as the old owner, Ziko smiled. Their target willingly stepping into the trap was ideal; they had planned for the possibility of an ambush, but this was much easier. It seemed luck was on their side.

A group of people lifted the curtain and entered the room. There were four of them, both men and women, all young. They wore the standard Mist Village vests and forehead protectors. The leader, a young man with white hair and purple eyes, was none other than Hozuki Mangetsu, who had recently returned home on leave.

“Welcome. Please, have a seat.”

“What would you like to order?” asked Zizi, who had disguised herself as an old man, speaking in a raspy voice.

“Just give us your best tea, and maybe a few snacks,” Mangetsu replied casually. As he glanced around, he noticed two mysterious figures in black cloaks and straw hats sitting in a corner. His brow raised slightly in curiosity, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he sat near the door.

“Brother Mangetsu, are you really leaving?” asked a young man with short brown curls who looked about seventeen or eighteen, sitting across from Mangetsu. He looked at him eagerly and added, “Couldn’t you stay in the village? We could send a few others to Konoha. It’d be great if you stayed!”

“No, Hirokane. Once I’m back in the village, I’m heading out again,” Mangetsu replied, shaking his head. He didn’t seem eager to discuss it further.

Mangetsu changed the subject. “Do you see those two over there? Something seems strange about them.”

Hirokane glanced at the two figures in the corner and shrugged. “They don’t look like regular folks, but probably just ninja from some clan. Not anyone from the village, I’d guess.” He dismissed it easily.

In the Land of Water, the Mist ninja only saw each other as competition. Other clans, rogue ninja, or smaller groups didn’t concern them; even the once-powerful Kaguya clan had fallen to the Mist. Why worry about anyone else?

“No, there’s something unusual about them,” Mangetsu insisted, sipping the tea brought to him by the owner. His brow furrowed as he looked down at the greenish-yellow liquid. “This taste… something feels off.”

“It’s pretty bad, yeah. But these little places are like that,” Hirokane agreed, grimacing as he bit into a soy sauce cracker.

Nearby, the two other Mist ninja showed no reaction to the tea, but—

“Something’s wrong with this tea,” Mangetsu said suddenly. His body quickly transformed into water, separating out a drop of dark purple liquid from the stream. Eyes widening, he glared at the disguised Zizi. “Who are you?!”

“Poisoned?” gasped Hirokane, dropping his cracker as he felt weakness spread through his limbs. His vision blurred, and before he could say a word, he slumped over the table. The other two Mist ninja had already collapsed.

“My poison didn’t work?” Zizi dropped her disguise, surprised to see Mangetsu unaffected.

“Seems the Hozuki clan’s hydration technique is as impressive as they say,” said Homma, standing up with Tenmoku and Zizi. Together, they moved to surround Mangetsu.

Homma eyed Mangetsu with interest. The hydration technique… It was a fascinating skill. He wondered if someone outside the Hozuki clan could learn it. But something told him that even if it were possible, it wouldn’t work for him. His chakra lacked the Water nature, which likely disqualified him.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Mangetsu asked sharply, trying to recall where he’d seen Zizi before. But the hazy memory eluded him, and the hats worn by Homma and Tenmoku obscured their faces, revealing nothing useful.

“It doesn’t matter who we are,” replied Homma, picking up a metal staff and tapping it against the floor. “I’ll deal with you quickly.”

At that, Zizi attacked, hurling poisoned senbon needles at Mangetsu. He casually deflected them. Thanks to his hydration technique, he had no fear of physical attacks or poisons; any weapon or toxin would pass harmlessly through his water form. But Mangetsu knew these strangers likely had more tricks.

The battle, it seemed, was just beginning.

Just then, a row of earthen spikes rose from the ground, forcing Mangetsu to react. While he himself wasn’t vulnerable, his poisoned companions couldn’t defend against the spikes. He threw Hirokane and the others to safety, away from the attack.

But then, one of the mysterious cloaked figures lunged at Hirokane and the others, scooping up the unconscious Hirokane and preparing to flee. Mangetsu froze for a split second, realizing their true target was Hirokane. He sprang forward to intercept, but a thick wall of rock rose up, blocking his path.

“Your opponent is me, prodigy of the Hozuki clan,” Homma taunted, stepping forward to confront Mangetsu.

 Chapter 294: Another Prey Falls into the Net

*Secret Technique: Water Iron Cannon Jutsu*

A single droplet unleashed a devastating power—piercing through rock, shattering steel. Even though Hema had reinforced his body with the Hardening Technique, the droplet that pierced a layer of stone wall still managed to strike his forearm painfully.

The pain felt as though it would snap his bones!

“Damn it! This is just miserable!”

Facing an opponent with such incompatible abilities was a nightmare for Hema.

In terms of strength, Hema was certainly no weakling. Even without his clan's forbidden techniques, he was an elite among high-ranking ninjas, capable of leading the more radical faction of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi. But this opponent was a terrible matchup.

Hema specialized in Earth and Wind Techniques, and logically, he should have had the advantage against a Mist ninja proficient in Water Techniques. However, the Hozuki Clan had honed their Water Techniques to such a degree that their unique Hydration Jutsu rendered Hema’s Earth and Wind Techniques ineffective.

No matter how strong his attacks were—whether a chilling stone spear or a wind blade capable of slicing steel—they lost their effectiveness against the flowing water. His attacks felt futile.

Lightning and Fire Techniques were the only two jutsu that could injure Hozuki Mangetsu, but unfortunately, Hema wasn’t skilled in either.

From the start, Hema was forced into a defensive struggle, fighting hard just to keep up.

Swish!

Another droplet shot through the air.

This move was incredibly troublesome, not only powerful but also fast, requiring no hand signs and firing instantly. Even with his guard up, Hema couldn’t dodge every time, and this time… the droplet was aimed at his head. In a quick reflex, he twisted his neck, barely avoiding it… but not completely!

Crack!

The droplet shattered his hat.

Without the hat’s cover, Hema’s unmasked face was exposed.

“You are... the former Guardian Shinobi Twelve, Hema! So it’s you rebels!” Recognizing Hema, Mangetsu glared. For years, Mangetsu had worked in the Leaf Village under the *Konoha and Kirigakure Anti-Rogue Shinobi Division*, becoming familiar with notable rogue shinobi.

While Ziko was also one of the former Twelve Guardians, she wasn’t as well-known on the rogue registry, so he hadn’t recognized her at first. But Hema’s face was more familiar.

“Recognized again... troublesome,” Hema muttered, touching his face.

Despite the close calls and stressful fight with Mangetsu, Hema didn’t appear overly tense. After all, he was still alive, and panicking would serve no purpose—better to keep his composure.

“You rebellious rats, skulking in the shadows. Instead of cowering in your holes, you come out to stir up trouble. Well, now that you’re here… stay!” Mangetsu drew his twin swords, Hiramekarei.

A surge of murderous intent flooded the air.

Attack,

like an unstoppable wave.

*Blood Mist Sword Style: Bone Extract*

With a flash, Chakra-infused spikes shot out like meteors, shattering the stone wall Hema had erected. With one strike, Mangetsu displayed the terrifying power of his blades.

Hema was forced to retreat underground.

But Ziko and Tenmoku lacked the Earth Moving Technique.

Tenmoku held a hostage, and Mangetsu refrained from attacking him directly, simply blocking his escape route. However, Ziko, without a hostage, wasn’t so fortunate.

Before she could use the Body Flicker Technique to escape, a lightning-fast spike pierced her left leg.

Blood and shattered bone sprayed from the wound.

Losing support in her left leg, Ziko barely avoided collapsing. She knelt on one knee, bracing herself.

“Ziko!” Tenmoku shouted, eyes wide.

“Hema, Tenmoku, go. I’ll hold them off!” Glancing at her leg, Ziko, a skilled medical ninja, knew she wouldn’t be leaving today. Her left leg was useless; even if she survived, it wouldn’t fully recover.

Her career as a ninja was over.

A ninja unable to run, stripped of mobility, was finished.

“Ziko?”

“Go, now!”

As she spoke, Ziko threw a series of poison gas bombs, blanketing the area in a toxic fog. She followed with poisoned needles, shuriken, kunai, and a slew of explosive tags, all hurled without hesitation. Yet, such desperate tactics proved ineffective.

As she reached for another scroll, a Chakra-infused spike tore through the fog, piercing her wrist. Her hand hung by a strip of skin, barely attached.

“Aaahhh!”

The pain forced a guttural scream from Ziko.

It was an agony that nearly broke her; her left hand trembled as she tried to thrust a kunai into her own heart, yet the overwhelming pain and blood loss made the attempt futile. All she could do was endure this torture.

“If you don’t want your comrades to die here, then drop your hostage,” Mangetsu commanded, his Hiramekarei pointed directly at Tenmoku.

Clearly,

Ziko’s attempt to cover their escape was a fool’s hope. Though all three were high-ranking ninjas, the difference in strength was clear. Mangetsu was an adversary they simply couldn’t overcome.

Tenmoku fell silent, sensing Chakra pulses from underground, even through layers of stone.

Hiding underground wasn’t entirely to avoid confrontation. Ever since he acquired the forbidden technique of the Tsuchigumo Clan, he had been contemplating ways to overcome its flaw: the inability to move freely while casting the technique. He devised various combat strategies, like using the Earth Release technique to create a space underground.

As long as he didn’t face an opponent who was also adept at Earth Release, or one capable of striking deep underground, he could avoid detection.

Being underground not only allowed him to use the forbidden technique Raging Sky securely, but also benefited from the earth and rock layers above to mask chakra fluctuations. Unless they were skilled sensory ninjas, most wouldn’t detect underground changes through the thick earth layers; otherwise, techniques like the Earth Walk wouldn’t be iconic among the Iwa ninjas.

As for the fact that the rock layers would diminish Raging Sky's destructive power to some extent—well, he could accept that.

To be honest, from Kazuma’s perspective, the destructive power of Raging Sky was almost excessive. Killing was straightforward—a kunai could kill, an explosive tag could destroy, and a Tailed Beast Bomb could obliterate; using a little extra force didn’t matter much.

“Sorry, Shiko, I’m going to end your suffering soon.”

Underground,

Kazuma looked up expressionlessly at the rocks above him, as if he could see through them to the writhing, agonized Shiko above.

In reality, he could. A shadow clone, transformed into a rat on the surface, dispelled itself and relayed the information from above back to him. With that, he immediately activated Raging Sky, unleashing a blinding, destructive white light that surged upward.

“What the—”

Mangetsu Hozuki sensed something was wrong.

He had been vigilant against Kazuma, who was hiding underground. Although his Hydrification Technique made him immune to most attacks, a few methods could still harm him. For example, if he was hit directly with explosive tags, they could injure or even kill him.

Because of this, he was constantly on guard.

Thus, when he felt the destructive surge rapidly expanding from underground, he reacted immediately, using Body Flicker to escape into the air. In the next instant, white light erupted from below, disintegrating earth and rock, withering plants, and swallowing the agonized Shiko in its devastating glow.

In the moment Shiko was engulfed by the white light, a faint smile of relief appeared on her face.

…

Three seconds later, the white light faded.

The teahouse was gone, replaced by a round crater that severed the road running north to south. At the edge of the crater, a puddle of clear water rippled in the breeze as Mangetsu Hozuki cautiously peeked out.

“You’ve got to be kidding! That kind of power... it’s terrifying. Is this the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden technique?”

Mangetsu Hozuki stared, stunned, at the abyss in front of him.

He couldn’t calm himself down. Knowing about the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden techniques was normal; as the deputy head of the Konoha-Kirigakure Rogue Ninja Search Unit, he was familiar with targets like Kazuma, who were specially marked. Besides, they had once saved the granddaughter of the Tsuchigumo Clan’s leader, Genzō, although they hadn’t managed to save Genzō himself or kill Kazuma.

In any case, he had seen Raging Sky noted in Kazuma’s file as possibly under his control. But now, he realized it was no longer just a possibility—Kazuma had indeed mastered the Tsuchigumo Clan’s purely destructive forbidden technique.

Mangetsu stood at the edge of the pit for a long while, then sighed softly, “It’s really that outrageously strong. If I hadn’t escaped quickly, I might’ve died here today. It’s thrilling, but… what are these guys doing in the Land of Water? If they want to cause trouble, shouldn’t they be harassing Konoha in the Land of Fire?”

Kazuma and Tenmoku had already fled.

Right after the destructive white light faded, he scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch any sign of Kazuma’s escape. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a sensory ninja, and without any tracks, he had no leads to follow.

“Just my luck.”

Mangetsu Hozuki rubbed his face, looking disgruntled.

In this unexpected attack, two of his comrades had died, and one was captured. To be honest, he didn’t feel much emotional attachment to the deceased comrades—they barely knew each other, and he himself was somewhat cold-hearted by nature.

But the capture of Hirofusa…

Mangetsu couldn’t help but frown at the thought.

He might not care much about those two, but Hirofusa… Hirofusa, whose full name was Hirofusa Shimizu, possessed the Boil Release Kekkei Genkai and was a rising talent from the Shimizu Clan, as well as the cousin of the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi. The Shimizu Clan, who inherited the Boil Release, were related to Mei Terumi, and Hirofusa was her close cousin. Mangetsu was accompanying him on this mission at Mei’s request.

And now—

He had completely failed to protect the Mizukage’s cousin, who had been captured.

How could he possibly report this to the Mizukage?

“Did they capture Hirofusa… for the Boil Release Kekkei Genkai? But a group of rogue ninjas… what use would they have for a Kekkei Genkai? Or… is someone else behind them?” Mangetsu pondered for a while but came up with nothing.

Were they after the Boil Release? If it had been Suna, Konoha, or Kumo, it wouldn’t have been surprising. After all, Kumo once tried to steal the Magnet Release from Sunagakure and the Byakugan from Konoha, and even Kirigakure had coveted others’ Kekkei Genkai. It was common.

But rogue ninjas, who live day-to-day, what good would a Kekkei Genkai do them?

He simply didn’t have enough information.

He had no idea why Kazuma and the others wanted Hirofusa Shimizu.

“Forget it. I’d better report this to the Mizukage.” Mangetsu circled the area, finding the unconscious teahouse owner and patrons. They were lucky, spared despite being thrown into the bushes and bitten by mosquitoes; at least they were alive.

But the teahouse owner was less fortunate; his teahouse had been obliterated, with nothing left.

Mangetsu interrogated the owner and customers one by one.

But he learned nothing useful.

Seeing he couldn’t squeeze any more information out of the situation, Mangetsu stopped wasting time and hurried back toward Kirigakure to report the incident.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 295: Reaction of the Hidden Mist Village*

The Hidden Mist Village’s seat of power—Mist Tower—stood tall in the village's center. Unlike Konoha, which radiated outward in a fan shape from the Hokage's Tower, Hidden Mist had a loosely circular layout, with Mist Tower at the center. Inside the first meeting room, colloquially known as the “small meeting room,” a tense atmosphere hung over the gathering.

Per the orders of the Fifth Mizukage, an urgent meeting was taking place to discuss the grim news brought back by Mangetsu Hozuki. After a grueling journey, Mangetsu reported that Hiro Ma from the former Fire Nation's Twelve Guardian Ninja had captured Hiroki Shimizu, an emerging talent with the Boil Release kekkei genkai, just that afternoon. Hiroki’s two teammates were dead, leaving Mangetsu as the only survivor.

This could be seen as either a minor incident or a significant crisis.

On the one hand, it was merely a death or two—no big deal for a powerhouse like Hidden Mist Village, which boasted thousands of ninja. Often, such events wouldn’t even make it to the Mizukage’s desk. However, on the other hand, it could be a serious matter concerning the security of the Boil Release kekkei genkai. Mishandling it could lead to this kekkei genkai falling into enemy hands.

Clearly, this was being treated as a major issue.

In attendance were key figures from the village.

First was the Mizukage’s aide, the bandage-wrapped “Demon” Zabuza Momochi. Then there was the head of the Anbu, the "tailless tailed beast" Kisame Hoshigaki, renowned for his immense chakra reserves. Among others were Ao, the “Byakugan Hunter,” representing the Elder Council, the head of the Shimizu clan, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Bubbles, and Mangetsu Hozuki. Of these individuals, only Ao and the Shimizu clan head were of an older age; the rest were vibrant, energetic youth.

It was clear that the Fifth Mizukage was aiming to build a younger, dynamic administration.

Even the Elders seemed supportive; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy to have Zabuza and Kisame as the Mizukage’s aide and head of the Anbu, respectively. Though Hidden Mist Village had seen its share of challenges, there were still several capable warriors at the peak of their strength, though only a handful could rival Zabuza or Kisame.

In short, the Hidden Mist Village presented a lively, vigorous front.

“The key issue now is our likelihood of rescuing Hiroki.”

Zabuza’s gravelly voice reverberated through the meeting room.

It wasn’t a profound statement, but it was one that had to be made.

“Kisame, have we sent out tracking teams?”

The Fifth Mizukage looked over at the Anbu head on her right.

“Based on Mangetsu’s intel, six tracking teams have already been dispatched, but I can’t guarantee they’ll retrieve Hiroki,” Kisame said, glancing at the Mizukage. “Mizukage-sama, should I disclose the other information?”

“You mean regarding the Cloud and Stone Ninja? Go ahead. If it weren’t for that, we might not have even called this meeting today.”

The Mizukage, Mei Terumi, nodded, giving him permission.

Upon hearing the exchange between the Mizukage and the Anbu head, there were slight shifts in expression among the attendees; some raised their eyebrows, others focused, while Bubbles, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, looked indifferent. Known for his laid-back attitude, Bubbles was infamous for his relaxed demeanor, often preferring high perches for naps.

If not for Mei Terumi’s order, he wouldn’t have bothered attending this meeting.

Leaving Bubbles aside, the others were paying close attention.

“About three days ago, Konoha sent intel stating that over a month ago, a Cloud Ninja with the Storm Release kekkei genkai had been captured. The attacker’s identity is unknown, but they left behind a massive crater caused by destructive force.”

“Then, about twenty days ago, a Stone Ninja with the Lava Release kekkei genkai was ambushed while on a mission in the Land of Earth. The attacker was revealed on-site as Hiro Ma from the former Fire Nation’s Twelve Guardian Ninja.”

At that moment, the group realized this was far from simple.

The involvement of the Cloud and Stone Villages…

“These assailants succeeded in both the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth, escaping each time. To be honest, if not for Mangetsu, they likely would’ve escaped without any losses. Even though Mangetsu forced them to sacrifice one of their own, whether the tracking teams will catch Hiro Ma and his group and, if so, manage to retrieve Hiroki Shimizu…remains uncertain.”

Kisame carefully explained why he hesitated to promise a successful rescue.

“Does that mean…Hiroki might…”

The Shimizu clan head paled.

Though Mist Ninja were known for their ruthlessness, there was still a sense of unity within a clan. Internal feuds might occur, but loyalty to the clan was paramount. The Shimizu clan head had the responsibility of protecting Hiroki, an up-and-coming talent. While he couldn’t match Mangetsu or Kisame, Hiroki was certainly a promising pillar of his family, someone who could not be sacrificed lightly.

“This may sound harsh, but Clan Head Shimizu, please brace yourself for the possibility of a failed rescue.”

Kisame’s voice was solemn.

Truthfully, after hearing Mangetsu’s report, he had little hope of success. This wasn’t due to Hiro Ma and his allies’ power or their terrifying Spider Clan jutsu but because they seemed to avoid any direct conflict. They were willing to abandon a comrade if it meant escaping with their target swiftly.

This kind of “professional kidnapper” made it difficult to catch up with them right after the incident, something Kisame had learned from his years in the Anbu.

Of course, certain things were best not stated too bluntly.

One should always hope for a slim chance of success.

“…Understood.”

Clan Head Shimizu remained composed.

However, his visible sorrow cast a dark cloud over his demeanor.

“Mizukage-sama, if we can’t retrieve him, what should we do next?” Ao inquired, glancing cautiously at the Shimizu clan head, who remained silent and unresponsive.

“What do we do? Isn’t that what we’re here to discuss?”

Only now did the meeting delve into the real issue at hand. After all, if the tracking teams had a high likelihood of success, there’d be no need for this meeting.

“The intel from Konoha doesn’t just mention the Cloud and Stone ninja incidents; both villages have sent emissaries. Cloud’s envoy is already in Konoha, lodging a formal protest and demanding an explanation. The Stone envoy is still en route but likely has a similar intent,” Mei continued.

Looking at everyone in the room, she added, “So, I’d like to hear your thoughts. As Konoha’s allies, what should our response be? Should we issue a protest like the Cloud and Stone Villages, or consider other options? Don’t hold back—share whatever you think.”

"Any suggestions?"

Everyone looked at each other in silence. The six-tailed jinchuriki, known for being lazy and avoiding trouble, simply closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, pretending to rest. Watching this, the Fifth Mizukage felt a vein throb at her temple. This guy wasn’t just too lazy to think—he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend to pay attention!

Fortunately, not everyone here was so unreliable.

"Since we’re allies, we definitely can’t handle this like the Cloud Shinobi would,” Zabuza Momochi said resolutely.

“What, are we supposed to just play deaf and dumb?”

Ao, looking grim, voiced his objection.

Every time he thought about their so-called ally, the Leaf Village, he couldn’t help but remember the loss of his Byakugan. A phantom pain lingered around his eye socket, reminding him of the humiliation of being bested. But it seemed like none of the younger shinobi around him felt the same.

“Of course not,” Zabuza replied calmly. “I just mean we can’t push all the blame onto the Leaf Village like the Cloud Shinobi might. Don’t forget, strictly speaking, this incident has nothing to do with the Leaf Village. That rogue, Kazuma, isn’t even a Leaf ninja. Demanding that they explain themselves would be both unreasonable and unfair.”

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Ao asked, his tone growing more hostile.

"Ask for help."

The words didn’t come from Zabuza.

It was Mangetsu Hozuki who spoke up.

“Ask for help?” Ao’s expression darkened further at this suggestion of "showing weakness." “You’re saying we should ask the Leaf Village for assistance? Do you realize that doing so would trample our village’s pride?”

“True, but if Kazuma and his group manage to escape, they’ll most likely flee to the Land of Fire. That’s Leaf Village territory. So, if they end up there, it only makes sense to request the Leaf’s help in capturing them, doesn’t it?”

Mangetsu looked around meaningfully. “And let’s not lose sight of the main issue here. We’re discussing how to handle Kazuma and his people. To be honest, the way they’ve been capturing shinobi with kekkei genkai makes me suspect they’re planning something sinister. If we don’t crush their plans now, things could get very troublesome later on.”

Ao frowned but stayed silent.

Suppressing his own frustration, he had to admit that Mangetsu had a point. From the intelligence gathered so far, their village, the Mist, was the third to be attacked. It was clear that Kazuma’s group was planning something serious, something big enough that they’d continue their actions even after being wanted by the Leaf and taking on the Cloud and Stone as well.

Zabuza glanced at Mangetsu, who he considered a “semi-friend,” realizing they shared the same view.

“As for the matter of pride,” Mangetsu continued with a carefree grin, “we lost that five years ago, didn’t we? Our Fourth Mizukage was reduced to a puppet, so what pride do we really have left? Besides, pride isn’t worth more than actual results. And speaking of the Fourth…this might even involve that guy calling himself Madara Uchiha. Otherwise, I can’t figure out how a rogue ninja from the Land of Fire would know our whereabouts so well.”

Well, okay. That last line was a bit of a stretch.

Mangetsu had no real evidence linking Kazuma’s group to the supposed Madara, but he also didn’t have proof that they weren’t involved. It didn’t hurt to connect the two, making it clearer to veterans like Ao just how serious this situation was.

He had seen similar tactics used in the Leaf, where his old department head—the Hokage’s advisor—had often leveraged the hunt for Madara to eliminate rivals and expand influence. This spread the advisor’s control over nearly every department in the Leaf, beyond just the Anbu. As far as Mangetsu was concerned, that “advisor” was the true Hokage, while the frequently ill Hokage himself…well, he was just a puppet.

“Mangetsu, zip it. If you have something to say, stick to the point and stop making stuff up,” Mei Terumi snapped, shooting the loose-tongued shinobi a glare.

What he said was technically true, but some things were better left unsaid! Statements like that only made it harder for her, the Fifth Mizukage, to keep her dignity intact.

“Anyway, I don’t think this is the end of it. First, it was the Cloud. Then the Stone. Now us, the Mist. Next…who knows? Maybe the Sand or the Leaf are part of the plan too.” Having finished his last statement, Mangetsu leaned back and closed his eyes, mimicking the six-tailed jinchuriki’s pose to rest.

“I agree with Mangetsu’s perspective,” Zabuza said, the first to show support.

Following him, Kisame Hoshigaki, with a nod from the Mizukage, agreed with the plan to request aid from the Leaf. Then came the clan head of the Kiyomizu clan, and even the six-tailed jinchuriki, Utakata, followed suit. Finally, Ao, despite his personal bitterness, also nodded in agreement, setting aside any intention to use his master’s name for sabotage.

He didn’t like the Leaf, but for the village’s sake, even if it meant losing his Byakugan, he wouldn’t let personal grudges cloud his judgment now.

The meeting continued smoothly from there.

In the end, the Fifth Mizukage made the decision: if the Anbu pursuit team failed to retrieve Hiroshi Kiyomizu, who had been abducted, then Mangetsu Hozuki would lead a team to the Leaf to request aid, joining forces with them to capture these troublesome “rats” on the run.

After all, Mangetsu had been planning to visit the Leaf anyway. Plus, he had spent nearly five years in the Leaf, developing quite a network of connections among its high-ranking members. They trusted him completely with this task.

(End of chapter)