"Could Zabuza's target be the Mizukage?"
The question lingered in Ao's mind.
Years of Jonin experience told Ao that with so much newspaper publicity, Zabuza's ambition was likely great, and his goal had a high probability of being the seat of the Mizukage.
But the problem was...
Zabuza was a ruthless individual who had once tried to assassinate the Mizukage, defected from the village, and had the horrific past of killing all the ninja in his graduating class.
With such a history, Ao didn't think Zabuza had any chance of competing for the Mizukage position.
Absolutely no chance at all!
Yet.
Looking at the newspaper again and recalling the attitude of that young ninja just now, Ao began to doubt his judgment.
Could Zabuza truly have a chance?
With his thoughts in turmoil, Ao couldn't help but look up at the sun in the sky.
Because of the pervasive mist in Kirigakure, the sun was only a blurred, hazy outline.
Ao's mind flashed back to the young ninja's attitude when discussing Zabuza, and something just felt wrong.
While becoming the Mizukage required public reputation and the village's trust, the final decision still required the votes of the Jonin and even the great clans.
What was the purpose of Zabuza's publicity campaign?
Ao couldn't figure it out, but he felt he should report to Genshi quickly.
Thump-thump-thump~~
Ao turned and headed straight for the high tower, his steps quick.
Genshi was a Kirigakure Elder, a particularly powerful figure, a veteran of three administrations, possessing power and status equal to the Mizukage, and managing all of Kirigakure's affairs.
Although he was old, he was still quite energetic.
When Ao found Genshi, the Elder was still reading a document.
"Lord Genshi!" Ao respectfully greeted him.
The ancient Genshi looked up, his almost invisible squinty eyes recognizing the visitor. He put down the document, and his old voice sounded, "Ah, Ao, come in. Is it about that girl, Mei Terumi?"
"No."
Ao slowly shook his head and voiced his concerns. "It's about Momochi Zabuza. I saw people discussing him on the road just now—"
Genshi sat motionless in his large chair, seemingly listening intently, but Ao clearly saw that after hearing the narrative, the wrinkles on Genshi's face deepened.
"It is this matter, after all."
Genshi spoke slowly in a dry, trembling voice. "I didn't expect the situation to have become this serious."
"Serious?"
Hearing this word, Ao's face suddenly grew heavy.
From Lord Genshi's response, it seemed... Zabuza's appearance and those news reports were not a good thing?
"That's right, serious!"
Genshi, who had been reading the document, turned to look at Ao.
"Ao!"
The aged eyes, which had been almost permanently squinted, suddenly opened. A strict light flashed in the cloudy eyes, staring intently at Ao, "You wouldn't be harboring any sympathy for Zabuza, would you?"
Sympathy?
He seemed to have a tiny bit earlier.
But now, with Lord Genshi's sudden questioning, Ao decisively denied it.
"That's good."
Genshi immediately relaxed.
The problem Ao had just discovered was one he had already noticed.
Starting over a month ago, whether it was the ninja squad always attending to him or others he overheard, there was great sympathy, even 'worship,' for Zabuza's past!
This deeply worried Genshi.
Fortunately, his own prestige was still sufficient, and fortunately, there were one or two people who hadn't believed the nonsense in the newspapers.
Nonsense?
Yes! Nonsense!
This was the truth Genshi had uncovered after ordering an investigation into Zabuza's past in Kirigakure.
The Land of Water Observer had completely become a mouthpiece for Zabuza's publicity. The content, especially the parts about Zabuza, was not just outright lies, but a series of decontextualizations, exaggerations, distortions, slander, and bias.
These methods might confuse the common people of the Land of Water, baffle most of the ninja in Kirigakure, and might momentarily stump Ao, but they had no effect on the seasoned Genshi.
Therefore, a month ago, Genshi had ordered an investigation into everything concerning Zabuza.
This investigation was conducted both inside and outside Kirigakure, and all of Zabuza's past had been clarified.
"Here, see for yourself."
Genshi handed Ao a document. Ao took it and his expression changed dramatically.
"This... this..."
Ao was stunned speechless. The content on the document was not just dramatically different from the newspapers' descriptions; it was completely contradictory!
One incident, one person, yet they could be explained in two opposite ways?
Was this the power of the newspaper? The power of the news media?
Ao was silently dumbfounded.
He wasn't questioning life itself, merely astonished.
"Just as this investigation states,"
Genshi's hoarse, aged voice continued to narrate.
He was short of breath, so his sentences were particularly short and slow, "During Zabuza's years in Kirigakure, was he devoted to the village, as the newspapers describe? Perhaps! But it was mostly for Zabuza's own personal ambition!"
What a pity!
Genshi was immensely disappointed when he spoke of this.
A few months ago, when he first saw the news of Zabuza becoming a hero of the Land of Waves, he was gratified that the village had such a patriot.
Yet.
Who would have thought that behind that news was a deeply hidden, dark hand?
Now, this dark hand had reached directly into Kirigakure, aiming for the Mizukage's throne!
His ancient voice sighed, and he continued to narrate, "Since his defection, Zabuza has lived a life of exile, taking on various missions to earn a living and accumulate funds.
A complete change in the records occurred after the Gato incident in the Land of Waves. Since then, Zabuza seems to have found a powerful 'partner' and has been using that partner's influence for his own publicity."
"So that's how it is."
Ao murmured, quickly cross-referencing this with the information in his memory.
"Ao." Genshi suddenly called out, his aged voice full of power, "What do you think is the goal of Momochi Zabuza and the dark hand behind him?"
What?
Ao quickly looked up, instantly thinking of that supreme position.
"The Mizukage?"
As he spoke, he thought of another person: that 'big girl' with two bloodline limits, Mei Terumi.
"Exactly! Cough, cough, cough..."
Genshi coughed violently twice. Seeing Ao step forward, he waved him off, refusing his help: "I'm fine!"
"Momochi Zabuza is deeply secretive, and those people behind him harbor even darker intentions!"
The Land of Water Observer, the Land of Waves Times... even the Ninja World Daily—thinking of the powers represented behind these newspapers, Genshi felt a chill in his heart.
He didn't know who the people behind all this were, but Genshi knew they had set their sights on Kirigakure and the Land of Water!
Generating momentum for Zabuza? Boosting public favor? And then using this to make Zabuza the Mizukage?
Impossible! The village will absolutely not allow it!
I will certainly not allow it!
Genshi roared inwardly!
He truly hadn't expected such a thing to happen—that an external force would dare to manipulate a person from Kirigakure to covet the Mizukage's throne!
It was utterly wishful thinking!
Hooo-hoo~~
Thinking of this, even Genshi, who had thought he could face anything without agitation, couldn't help but inwardly fume!
He just couldn't help it!
What did they think Kirigakure was?
To actually think they could manipulate the selection of the Mizukage?
Did they think Kirigakure was one of those small countries, some unknown ninja village, some random cat or dog?
Genshi grew angrier the more he thought about it!
Even though he was old, his temper hadn't faded.
"Lord Genshi... please don't be angry."
Ao stepped up and patted his back, slightly afraid that Genshi would faint right there.
"Kirigakure, alas! It has indeed declined, to be coveted by certain cats and dogs!" Genshi lamented.
Ao found this hard to answer right away.
After all, the previous Mizukage of Kirigakure was manipulated from behind by that 'Obito Uchiha,' wasn't he?
Perhaps...
Others thought Kirigakure was easy to bully because of that, which is why they set their sights on the village?
Though he thought this, Ao definitely dared not say it aloud.
His current feeling was actually similar to Genshi's. As a Kirigakure ninja, as part of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, he had his own pride.
Therefore, he was utterly enraged by the shadow behind Zabuza!
"Ao."
Genshi had calmed down by now, but his small eyes were wide open, and a sharp light flashed in his cloudy, aged eyes. "I can only entrust this mission to you. You must see this mission through!"
He paused, his voice chillingly cold, "Any entity that dares to infringe upon the dignity of Kirigakure must be eliminated without fail."
"Yes!" Ao nodded sharply!
Suddenly remembering something, he hesitated for a moment and asked, "How should Zabuza be handled?"
"What? Do you have some personal feelings, wishing to spare this person?"
Although Genshi had become a seemingly kind and benevolent old man in his later years, he had lived through a time of war when he was young and was a ruthlessly decisive man.
In this situation, Genshi absolutely would not permit any more chaos while Kirigakure was trying to recover!
Stunned by the light flashing from Genshi's eyes, Ao quickly lowered his head, "Yes! Lord Genshi!"
Ao accepted the order and immediately turned to leave.
He went to the ANBU to find a few reliable helpers.
This time, Ao did not immediately issue the mission.
Because the newspapers' omnipresent publicity was constantly influencing Kirigakure's ninjas, Ao was unsure of his subordinates' attitudes towards Zabuza.
Though he wanted to ban the newspapers, Chakara Pills were tied to the newspaper, which made it a difficult decision for the higher-ups.
However.
Recalling Lord Genshi's look, Ao felt that the banning of the newspaper was only a few days away!
Therefore, if he issued the mission without knowing his subordinates' attitudes towards Zabuza, Ao even suspected that his most trusted subordinates would refuse to carry out his orders.
Ao subtly chatted with a few subordinates to gauge their general attitudes towards Zabuza.
Fortunately, apart from the young Chojuro who expressed some admiration for Zabuza, the others were not overly swayed by the news.
Ao subtly arranged for Chojuro to be assigned elsewhere.
Afterward, Ao issued the mission to the remaining three squads!
Mission Codename: Kill the Bird!
The Land of Hot Water was famous throughout the Ninja World for its hot springs and tourism, a renowned resort destination.
In the famous capital of the Land of Hot Water, the bustling streets were crowded with people, loud and shoulder-to-shoulder—extremely lively.
And in the dense forest not far from the city center, the headquarters of the News Group was located.
Swoosh~~~
Accompanied by a rush of wind, four swift figures landed on the trees not far from the gigantic wooden building.
"Is this the place?" one person turned to ask the guide beside them.
The Kirigakure ninja who had previously participated in the investigation of the News Group replied, "Yes."
"Good!"
The leader of the ninjas nodded slightly and signaled to the group: "Our target this time is the President of this News Company. Capture him and interrogate him for the information behind this.
Our intelligence indicates that the interior of this News Group is merely well-hidden, with no other ninja guards, but our primary target is the President of the News Group, Kitsune—"
"Captain."
The ANBU member called Kitsune, wearing a fox-patterned mask, nodded.
"You're the most agile. Go capture a tongue for us."
"Yes!"
Kitsune nodded and vanished with a swoosh.
In the group's view, Kitsune quietly flashed onto the roof, observed for a moment, and then entered the building's interior.
They couldn't see what was happening inside, but after barely a minute, Kitsune emerged, carrying a long-haired person.
"Captain, I'm back."
"Hiss~~~~~"
After Kitsune put down the person he was carrying, the other three simultaneously sucked in a cold breath.
No reason other than this person was too beautiful!
He had a face of exquisite beauty, his features flawless and delicate. To call him drop-dead gorgeous would not be an exaggeration!
The slender, willow-leaf eyebrows, the mesmerizing phoenix eyes, and that captivating face... Tsk, tsk, tsk.
In one word: Exquisite!
Especially the porcelain-like skin faintly visible beneath the silk dress made one's imagination run wild!
Gulp~~~
Even as Kirigakure ANBU who had undergone rigorous training, their heartbeats started racing thump-thump—betraying them.
A T-Rex was rampaging in their little hearts!!!
Such a beautiful person!!!
However, when this absolutely beautiful person opened his mouth, everyone's world collapsed!
"Why did you capture me?"
That voice... that voice was actually a pure man?!
Who could handle that?
All four people felt their hearts shatter into a million pieces—smashed to smithereens by the T-Rex!
How could someone so beautiful be a man?
Why was he a man?
A man?
Wait a minute.
If he's this beautiful, perhaps... it's not so bad after all.
Instantly, two of the four people were thinking exactly this.
Fortunately, Sagi, the team leader, calmed down after a moment of disappointment.
He... no, he is a captive!
After silently reminding himself twice, Sagi looked at that breathtaking face, hardened his resolve, and asked directly, "What is your name? What is your position in this newspaper agency? How much do you know about your President?"
This string of questions made Suigetsu Hōzuki realize that these people were looking for him.
He had initially just wanted some fun when they captured him, thinking they were some kind of bandits, but he hadn't expected...
He glanced at the group.
No mistake, this attire definitely belonged to Kirigakure ANBU.
It seemed he had been targeted!
"Oh~ I see."
Tetchou elongated his voice, full of playful sarcasm, "So you've come to catch a tongue."
"Answer truthfully if you know!" Sagi stared at the face, unable to stop looking.
If the person in front of me doesn't resist...
He won't make it difficult for him.
Yes, that's right.
However, in the very next second, noticing the change in the person before him, he looked as if he had seen something terrifying, and his face instantly changed color.
"You! You! You!"
He pointed blankly at the person, unable to speak a word.
"Since you're here, don't leave!"
In the eye sockets of Suigetsu Hōzuki's exquisite face, a pair of purple, concentric eyes flashed.
At this moment, a strange light flickered within those Rinnegan!
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