Land of Hot Water, southern coastal area.
"So, you're saying Raiga Kurosuki and Mangetsu Hōzuki are both dead?"
"The mission to assassinate the daimyo failed, and the Lightning Blades was also taken."
"Hehehe, Jūzō Biwa, tell me—how do you still have the courage to come back?"
On a boulder, a black-haired middle-aged man sat with his eyes closed, a faint trace of displeasure at the corner of his lips. In front of him stood numerous Kirigakure ninja, led by several figures—specifically, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
No, to be exact, now they were the Five.
After all, Raiga Kurosuki was dead, and Mangetsu Hōzuki had been captured.
"Third-sama, the plan ran into an accident. Konoha sent an elite jōnin to guard the daimyo's mansion, and this person's strength was terrifying."
"Oh? How terrifying?"
It was almost unimaginable—in the middle of a war, the supreme leader of Kirigakure, the Third Mizukage, was appearing outside the village.
"He is a disciple of Konoha's Sannin, Orochimaru. His Summoning Jutsu can call forth multiple giant serpents to assist in battle, and he is also proficient in space-time ninjutsu."
"Raiga and Mangetsu both fell to his hands. I withdrew in order to preserve our strength and retrieve the ninja sword."
Jūzō Biwa kept his head bowed low, not daring to meet the eyes of the Third Mizukage.
Kirigakure had once been prosperous, but since the Third Mizukage took office, he had ruthlessly suppressed bloodline limit ninja and, in order to enhance individual combat ability, had turned the village into the Blood Mist.
"What Sannin of Konoha? That's just a title for losers."
"But being able to summon giant serpents… that's indeed a little interesting."
"Unfortunately, that's still not a reason for your failure."
His voice grew colder and colder, and cold sweat began to form on Jūzō Biwa's face.
But then, the Third Mizukage suddenly shifted his tone and even let out a light chuckle.
"Hehehehe, don't worry. I won't punish you—for now. After all, we're still at war with Konoha."
"Go to the front lines. Let me hear some good news. If my mood improves, you'll be fine."
"But…"
Before he could finish, Jūzō Biwa quickly cut in.
"No 'but.' I will definitely break through Konoha's defenses on the main battlefield!"
The Third Mizukage was quite satisfied with his attitude.
"You all heard him. Everyone head to the main battlefield. Let the weaklings of Konoha understand what a true strong one is."
"In my Blood Mist Village, every person is a strong one. Go."
Soon, the Kirigakure ninja present all rushed to the battlefield, including the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Only the Third Mizukage remained seated on the rock.
Slowly, his eyes opened, revealing a pair filled with killing intent and brutality.
"Just a mere Konoha jōnin… Hmph. Orochimaru, was it?"
"Even Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't dare act so arrogant in front of me."
"Return to the Land of Water. Deliver my order—have the Taketori clan join the battle."
From behind the Third Mizukage, a surge of water suddenly appeared, slowly taking the shape of a person wearing a mask—clearly a member of the Kirigakure ANBU.
"Third-sama, are you really going to release that clan?"
"They're all madmen."
Hearing the ANBU's words, the Third Mizukage chuckled again, though his smile was slightly twisted.
"Madmen? So what? The battlefield is exactly where madmen belong."
"Go. If they love battle, then let them have it."
Seeing the Mizukage's resolve, the ANBU said no more. After all, although the Taketori clan was indeed mad, their combat power was not weak.
Their standing in Kirigakure had always been low—partly because they possessed that kind of bloodline limit, and partly because of their extreme love of battle, which meant they could never be fully trusted.
Even in this war, they had not been considered for deployment.
But now, the situation was far from optimistic. Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had begun to suffer casualties—two at once.
No wonder the Mizukage was ready to use such an unstable clan.
With that thought, the ANBU stopped hesitating. Nodding, he vanished, leaving the Third Mizukage alone.
"Everyone's gone. Are you still not coming out?"
"Or do you want me to invite you out?"
Suddenly, the Third Mizukage's voice turned cold, his entire body radiating an eerie aura.
"Still not coming out? Fine! I'll force you out!"
"Water Release: Grand Water Collision Wave!"
The Third Mizukage leapt high into the air, his hands forming hand seals so fast they left afterimages. In an instant, terrifying torrents of water began to surge.
In moments, the coastal area had become an ocean.
"Water Release: Dark Tides!"
The waters began to churn, forming waves that crashed outward in all directions.
"Hehehehe… Even a brat from back then dares to make a move on me now?"
"Foolish."
"Kirigakure—wouldn't it be better to quietly serve as my pawn?"
An old, sinister voice echoed. Seeing a figure appear beneath the water, the Third Mizukage's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
His voice even trembled.
"Impossible… You… you're dead…"
"How…?"
"No!"
With a sharp, piercing scream, the water and waves slowly subsided.
Only the body of the Third Mizukage remained, slumped to the ground. His eyes were empty and lifeless. The next second, he slowly stood, turned toward Konoha's direction, and rushed away.
...
In an unknown location.
An aged body swayed slightly, and the person beside him quickly moved to support him.
"Making a move so recklessly—aren't you afraid of dying?"
"All for a mere pawn?"
At those words, the old man burst out laughing.
"Things have just gotten interesting, Gekko Chizan…"
"What a pity he's not of the Uchiha clan. So, we'll still have to see him dead, or he'll interfere with my plans."
"Zetsu, keep a close watch on those two. Once the time is right, I want you to bring one of them to me."
The one called Zetsu nodded.
"Ah, leaving already?"
"I haven't had enough fun yet."
The half-black, half-white body spoke with two different voices.
Black Zetsu said irritably, "You think we're here for your amusement?"
"Madara, keep your body in check. The roots and branches behind you must not have problems, or you know the consequences."
Madara—Uchiha Madara, once the man who made all shinobi tremble.
But now, he was like a withered leaf in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.
"Don't worry. I know my own condition. With the Gedo Statue sustaining me, I can still hold on."
"Come, let's go back."
The dark currents swelled—truly, the undercurrents were moving.
Gekko Chizan would never have thought that he was already on someone's kill list, someone willing to personally use the Sharingan's Genjutsu to hypnotize a Kage into acting against him.
He had always believed he was hiding well, but he had overlooked the one who had always existed underground.
At this very moment, he was sitting in the Hokage's office, hugging the Sword of the Thunder God and grinning like a fool—just short of kissing it.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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