In Kiri.
Inside a secluded residence.
Approximately a hundred Kiri ninja gathered in a basement.
The basement was dimly lit, and each ninja wore a mask to conceal their identity.
They were ninja who had voluntarily followed Lady Mei, reformists determined to oppose Yagura Karatachi.
Each week, they gathered here to discuss plans for overthrowing Yagura Karatachi's rule.
A one-eyed ninja wearing an eyepatch stepped into the center. "I will preside over today's meeting."
One of the ninja immediately asked, "Ao-sama, why isn't Lady Mei here?"
Ao replied calmly, "Lady Mei has gone to seek assistance."
"You should all clearly understand that our strength alone is absolutely insufficient to overthrow Yagura Karatachi's rule."
"Seek assistance?" The other Mist ninja were confused. "From where?"
Ao said solemnly, "From Konoha."
"As long as Uchiha Mirai from Konoha gets involved, we will definitely be able to overthrow Yagura Karatachi!"
As his words fell, the basement plunged into silence.
After a while, the crowd erupted into chaos. "Seeking help from Konoha? Are you joking? Do you really want those guys from Konoha interfering in our Kiri affairs?"
"That ambitious Mirai Uchiha—why would he help us without charge? He must have some ulterior motive."
"Yeah, Lady Mei is being too impulsive. Doesn't she realize we might end up like Sunagakure and Kumogakure?"
Hearing the murmurs of discussion, Ao coldly interrupted, "Enough!"
"This is the only way we can save Kiri now. Do you truly want to see our village gradually fall into ruin?"
"It's not the time to stubbornly stick to principles anymore. Among the entire ninja world, only Mirai Uchiha has the capability to help us."
"Moreover... recently I've also investigated matters regarding Suna and Kumo. After those two villages pledged allegiance to Mirai Uchiha, they gained many benefits!"
Upon hearing Ao's words, everyone fell silent.
Though reluctant, they knew Ao spoke the truth.
In recent years, Yagura Karatachi's personality had changed drastically.
He not only implemented the Bloody Mist Policy within the village, but also exterminated many ninja clans possessing Kekkei Genkai.
Kiri's power continued to decline; trust among comrades vanished, replaced by suspicion and hostility.
Especially after attending the Three Kage Summit Meeting, Yagura became even more ruthless, killing many ninja from the village.
If they didn't come up with a solution soon, Kiri might truly be doomed...
Seeing everyone's silence, Ao broke it. "Alright, today's meeting ends here."
"Everything can wait until Mei returns."
As soon as Ao finished speaking, a cold voice suddenly came from outside, "You won't have the chance to see Mei again. Tonight, all of you will die here!"
"Oh no! It's The Fourth!"
Upon hearing Yagura Karatachi's voice, panic immediately appeared on the faces of the ninjas inside the basement.
Immediately afterward, led by Ao, nearly a hundred Kiri ninja rushed out of the basement as quickly as possible.
However, once they reached outside, they were stunned.
Surrounding the house at this moment were Anbu ninja holding weapons, forming a tight encirclement around them.
Yagura Karatachi's face remained expressionless, yet a clear aura of killing intent radiated from him.
"Ao, we need orders—what do we do?"
Faced with frantic questions from his subordinates, Ao was momentarily at a loss.
Confronting Yagura and his group of Anbu, they clearly had no ability to resist.
Yet at times like this, he couldn't afford to show any hesitation either.
Otherwise, they might be slaughtered in an instant.
Thinking of this, Ao coldly said, "We've always aimed to end his rule—why not do it right here, right now?"
After hearing Ao's words, determination gradually transformed the expressions of his men into fierce grimaces.
The ninja who grew up under the Bloody Mist Policy were hardened by brutality—each carrying a ruthless streak deep within.
No matter what situation arose, they absolutely would never surrender quietly.
After boosting his men's morale, Ao took a deep breath, the muscles around his right eye bulging beneath the black eyepatch.
In the next second, terror filled Ao's eyes.
His right eye was an implanted Byakugan from the Main House of the Hyūga Clan, allowing him to see the veins and chakra flow inside the human body.
From his perspective, Yagura's internal chakra movement was abnormal, clearly indicating that he had already fallen victim to Genjutsu.
"No wonder The Fourth Mizukage rarely interacts with any ninja. No wonder his personality changed completely. No wonder he implemented such a brutal Bloody Mist Policy..."
Ao understood instantly.
Yagura had somehow already been controlled by someone else!
Realizing this, Ao couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Who could possibly possess such tremendous power—able to secretly control The Fourth Mizukage using Genjutsu for such a long time without detection.
But now wasn't the time to think about these questions. Right now, the most important thing was exposing Yagura's current condition to the public.
With this thought in mind, Ao prepared to loudly speak out.
However, Yagura Karatachi was faster. He immediately formed hand seals with both hands and launched an attack: [Water Gun: Quick Shot!]
Countless high-pressure water jets surged toward Ao, who could only use the Shifting Body Technique to dodge.
At the same time, Ao's hands rapidly formed seals: [Water Release: Hiding in Drizzle Technique!]
Thick mist gradually spread out, covering everything from sight.
Yagura Karatachi frowned slightly: [Wind Release: Typhoon Passes Through!]
The hurricane blew away all the thick mist, but Ao had already created distance between himself and Yagura Karatachi.
He glanced at everyone present and shouted loudly: "Listen up! The Fourth has been—"
Before his sentence could finish, Ao's neck twisted unnaturally.
Right after that, his head rolled onto the ground.
Witnessing this scene, everyone present stood shocked with wide open mouths.
Ao was an experienced jonin with strong sensing abilities and the enhancement of the Byakugan...
Could it be he was actually dead?
What exactly just happened?!
————
In the distant shadows.
Obito Uchiha sat on a wall with one leg dangling freely while the other was bent, propping his chin on his arm resting on the bent knee.
At this moment, he slowly retracted his gaze, letting out a soft snort through his mouth: "Just a tiny ant daring to ruin my plans."
"With me here, any resistance is doomed to fail."
"Tonight, I shall become the king!"
As soon as he finished speaking, White Zetsu, who had remained silent, suddenly said: "Obito, Mirai Uchiha is about to arrive. We need to leave quickly."
Obito flinched, the calmness and confidence on his face vanishing instantly.
Looking at White Zetsu, he couldn't help exclaiming anxiously: "Why would a Hokage from Konoha come to Kirigakure?"
Without waiting for White Zetsu's response, he immediately activated Kamui and disappeared on the spot.
White Zetsu and Black Zetsu couldn't help twitching their lips at the same time.
Just moments ago boasting about becoming king, yet now upon hearing a single name, he fled immediately...
Just how deep a psychological scar did Mirai Uchiha leave on you?
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