join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
At the same time, Hidden Mist.
The Third Mizukage and Genji, along with other high-ranking officials, unusually appeared today in the prison located on the lowest floor of the Hokage Building, watching as the jailers removed the Sealing Techniques pasted on the iron bars, gradually revealing the figure in the center.
Yagura Karatachi sat quietly on the ground, his body still as small and slender as before, only his hair had grown a bit longer, and his expression remained calm, without the slightest ripple.
It seemed that only by being confined in this prison could his mind find peace.
Since his last mission to control Sawara Kiri and re-establish the intelligence network within Konoha Village failed, he was imprisoned in the center of this jail upon his return to the Village, bound by countless Sealing Techniques, never seeing the light of day.
Despite ending up in this situation, Yagura Karatachi surprisingly had no emotional fluctuations—or rather, compared to the terrifying reality that might occur outside, being imprisoned here had become a blessing.
However, seeing everyone gradually release him from the seals, Yagura Karatachi let out a long sigh.
He knew there could only be one reason why the Mizukage and others would release him, a person guilty of such heinous crimes.
Something Sawara Kiri had once told him had come true.
And it was most likely very bad news.
"Yagura Karatachi, have you repented?"
It wasn't until all the Sealing Technique formulas around the prison were undone that the Third Mizukage stood before the prison, looking at the man before him and speaking in a calm and steady voice.
It shouldn't be that bad yet.
Upon hearing the Third Mizukage speak, Yagura Karatachi made his judgment.
However, he still straightened his body, which had become a bit stiff from sitting, and bowed, saying:
"Your subordinate has repented."
"Failing to complete the mission and betraying the Village's trust are all Yagura's fault."
"Hmm."
Seeing his respectful attitude, the Third Mizukage secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded slightly, and signaled the jailer beside him to open the prison door.
Soon, several medical personnel entered the cell and began to examine Yagura Karatachi's body.
Watching the medical Ninja busy themselves and observing Yagura Karatachi's emaciated body, the Third Mizukage was actually very glad that he hadn't sentenced Yagura to death for his momentary mistake.
Now, this man, who had once escaped from Sawara Kiri, was their only reliance.
It is difficult for modern people to imagine how isolated and self-contained a country like the Land of Water and Hidden Mist Village, cut off from the world and isolated on an island, truly is.
As long as they close the Village's gates and isolate themselves, they can detach from the entire Ninja World and be self-sufficient.
In the original timeline, Hidden Mist Village, known as the Bloody Mist, despite having Ninja performing missions outside, was able to prevent spies from all countries from discovering information about its internal high-ranking officials, to the extent that even Kakashi in the original story could only state that he did not understand this Village.
Naturally, while enjoying the benefit of being isolated from the entire world, various information within Hidden Mist Village was also quite insular compared to the outside world.
The distant sea routes meant that many of their messages arrived two or three days later than those of other major countries.
As for less important news, it was not uncommon for it to take ten days to half a month.
Just like this time, about two days later, they finally received the news that Kumogakure had surrendered and Konoha had achieved a complete victory in the Second Shinobi World War.
At this moment, even the Hokage Building, which was deeply mired in internal strife and constant conflict with the Ninja clans, began to grow restless.
Sawara Kiri's name had officially spread throughout Hidden Mist.
Even the Third Mizukage had to start considering how they, as an island nation, should position themselves if the situation on the Ninja World continent was completely controlled by Konoha.
He killed the Third Raikage and subdued Kumogakure.
What kind of prestige was that?
Consequently, Yagura Karatachi, who had merely escaped from his hands and, despite possessing the means to seal him, had not managed to defeat him, suddenly saw his status rise significantly in the hearts of the Hidden Mist people.
He could escape?
That's already good!
Look at the Third Raikage, what level of person was he? Wasn't he still suppressed and killed by Sawara Kiri?
More importantly, news had come from Konoha Village some time ago that the Sarutobi Clan, who had attempted to unite all of Konoha's Ninja clans to rebel against the Hokage Building, was forcefully suppressed in its infancy under Sawara Kiri's lone presence.
Originally, the people of the Hidden Mist faction had no clear concept of Sawara Kiri's specific strength, but now that it was explained, they immediately understood.
He was invincible.
Don't you see the various conflicts caused by the Ninja clans uniting within Hidden Mist Village, and what a mess they have become now?
After much deliberation, the Third Mizukage and Genji collaborated, temporarily conceding to the Hidden Mist Ninja clans, and then set off to release Yagura Karatachi.
After a series of examinations were completed, Yagura Karatachi slowly walked out of the cell:
"Lord Third, has anything happened in the Ninja World?"
Upon hearing this, Lord Third Mizukage nodded slightly. Yagura was still loyal to the Village, unlike Sawara Kiri, the rogue Ninja. As soon as he came out, he knew to care about the Village's situation, and he had no complaints about being imprisoned. This was a good Hidden Mist Ninja!
He patted Yagura's shoulder and calmly reassured him: "There's no rush right now. Go rest for a few days, and then we will tell you about the situation in the Ninja World."
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, Yagura's heart immediately settled.
It seemed that Hidden Mist was not in danger of being breached for the time being.
However, what Sawara Kiri had told him about his 'ability to see the future' had always been on his mind.
Besides that, there was also...
The matter of preserving the embers of Hidden Mist.
Yagura Karatachi thought this, lowered his head slightly, and his eyes gradually deepened.
Hidden Mist Village cannot be preserved.
For the Village, and for the hope of Hidden Mist, he must act early.
After another two or three days of recuperation, when he had fully recovered from his previous weakened state, a fully armed Yagura Karatachi was summoned back to the Hokage Building.
Only this time, what awaited him was not a large meeting, but a small one.
In the Mizukage's office, there were only the Third Mizukage, Genji, and a few heads of major Ninja clans.
Clearly, this was to discuss the most confidential matters.
"Yagura, I want to confirm something with you first."
Genji still looked ageless, calmly looking at him and pointing to a mission file on the table: "We have repeatedly reviewed your last mission record—do you have any other additions regarding the process of your failed assassination of Sawara Kiri?"
The meaning was clear.
If you lied in your mission record, we can give you another chance to start over.
However, Yagura Karatachi was resolute: "There were no mistakes whatsoever."
And in reality, that was indeed the case.
His entire mission process, from setting up traps, preparing seals, to the official battle, all of it truly happened—it was just in a Genjutsu.
Upon hearing this, the Third Mizukage and Genji clearly both breathed a sigh of relief.
Indeed!
Even a Ninja like Sawara Kiri could not avoid being ambushed and attacked.
He was not truly invincible.
"Then if we were to ask you to perform this mission again, do you have any confidence?"
Before the Mizukage could speak, the Kaguya clan head next to him eagerly interjected, his eyes even gleaming.
Yes.
Apart from the Third Mizukage and Genji, the person who most hoped to capture or kill Sawara Kiri—who was Kaguya Ren—was none other than this Kaguya clan head.
In this report, they saw another possibility for Kekkei Genkai development besides the Shikotsumyaku, which was those eyes.
According to all the reports currently available, they found that Sawara Kiri's eyes very likely had abilities related to Chakra control and adjustment.
This allowed him to control that special spatial Ninjutsu with such meticulous precision.
If the Kaguya Clan could also obtain relevant information about this Kekkei Genkai, then they would have a great chance of becoming the strongest Ninja clan in the entire Ninja World.
With greed overflowing, they naturally yearned for it.
However, Yagura Karatachi's answer disappointed them.
"No."
Yagura's answer stunned everyone.
Then, they heard him continue: "The reason your subordinate was able to escape from Sawara Kiri's hands last time was not because of your subordinate's strength, but entirely due to the Sealing Technique within Sawara Kiri's body."
"Now, Sawara Kiri, who is almost internally designated as the next Hokage, dares not seek help from others and finds it very difficult to undo this Sealing Technique himself, which is why he was caught off guard and controlled by your subordinate."
"This process has nothing to do with the number of people involved—in fact, increasing manpower would decrease the likelihood of Sawara Kiri entering the Sealing Technique and Chakra Absorption Barrier."
"In my humble opinion, this technique can be used for defense, but it is certainly difficult to use for offense."
At this point, Yagura Karatachi's voice paused, and he looked at the high-ranking officials who had previously ordered him to assassinate Sawara Kiri alone, stating calmly, "After all, the best opportunity has already passed."
"He is already prepared."
Hearing this, the high-ranking officials present all showed somewhat unnatural expressions.
It was they who had sent Yagura Karatachi to act alone, but it was also they who were unwilling to provide more resources, and they even later imprisoned this 'hero'.
How thick-skinned must one be to remain completely unaffected?
Only then did Lord Third continue speaking, "Then, is it completely impossible for the Village to continue embedding intelligence networks within Konoha Village?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Yagura Karatachi was silent for a moment, seemingly struggling with something internally.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "That is not the case."
"Hmm?!"
Everyone present's expressions brightened, and they all looked at him.
Yagura Karatachi then continued, "Sawara Kiri, this person, was originally one of Hidden Mist's deepest spies, and he is intimately familiar with Hidden Mist's entire spy operation system. If conventional methods were used, he would naturally see through them at a glance."
"However, precisely because of his current strength and high status, there is now a point where he can be controlled."
"If the next Hokage is rumored to be a Hidden Mist spy—there's no need for the common people to know too much, only for the current Konoha high-ranking officials to be aware—then how would their attitude towards him change?"
"You must know, Konoha's next candidate for the Hokage is still Namikaze Minato."
Hearing this, Lord Third frowned slightly.
Using a spy's identity to threaten him, they had naturally thought of it before. Being a Ninja inherently means using all means necessary, with no moral qualms.
But with Sawara Kiri's immense strength, could this public pressure truly hold him down?
As if seeing through Lord Third's doubt, Yagura Karatachi calmly said:
"There's no need to truly hold him down."
"We just need to let him know that Hidden Mist is not completely without means against him."
"If this matter were to be executed by my subordinate, then the choice would be to cooperate with him."
The Hidden Mist high-ranking officials were all stunned upon hearing this, looking at him in surprise, seemingly astonished by the boldness of this proposal:
"Cooperate?"
"Exactly."
Yagura Karatachi had clearly made his decision, and his words now flowed more smoothly and maturely: "Within Konoha Village right now, they are actually like us, with two factions: the Hokage and the Ninja Clans."
"According to what I've learned in the few days since my release, although the Sarutobi Clan, representing the Ninja Clan interest group, has been forcibly suppressed, it is undeniable that their internal interests have been seized—the so-called Village-run enterprises are merely about killing Ninja Clans to drain their blood and nourish the common people."
"At the same time, the establishment of Ninja High School also signifies the shaking of the Ninja Clans' most fundamental duties."
"Sawara Kiri can still barely sustain himself by relying on war dividends for now, but given more time, the instability of his faction's foundation will be fully exposed."
"How can he, alone, manage every single aspect?"
"This gap is our best point of entry."
Hearing this, the Elder had already understood first, slightly raising his heavy eyelids and speaking, "You mean, our Hidden Mist intelligence network, while delivering intelligence, should also send talent to help Sawara Kiri control every aspect within Konoha Village?"
"Precisely."
Yagura Karatachi's voice fell, and he quietly looked at the high-ranking officials before him, saying no more.
This was his so-called 'cooperation' method.
However, this idea was perhaps too bold.
Moreover, why would Sawara Kiri trust these people they sent over?
Wouldn't this be equivalent to handing over many of Konoha's lifelines to Hidden Mist Village for nothing, just to maintain his own status?
Furthermore, how would these people avoid the eyes and ears of Konoha Village?
As if thinking of something, Lord Third suddenly looked up at Yagura Karatachi, his brows deeply furrowed:
"According to your idea, the best candidates to send would probably only be talented children, wouldn't they?"
"Yes, Lord Third."
Yagura Karatachi's expression was calm, with no hint of evasion.
Upon hearing this, everyone present was startled.
"Impossible! Lord Third!"
"Hidden Mist Village has already produced a great traitor like Kaguya Ren; if there are a few more, wouldn't our Hidden Mist Village become the biggest joke in the Ninja World?"
"What kind of cooperation is this? It's clearly sending talent to Konoha!"
As soon as these words fell, the most significant reaction came from the heads of these Ninja Clans.
They knew it like a mirror.
If a selection were truly to be made, these Ninja Clans, who were at odds with the Mizukage's faction, would be the prime target for extracting geniuses and talents.
At that time, even if those talents didn't betray them, they would likely be firmly controlled by the Mizukage's faction.
Would they still be considered their own geniuses?
However, after noticing their expressions, Lord Third's face showed a hint of contemplation, his gaze deeply fixed on Yagura Karatachi opposite him.
The Elder sat silently beside him, seemingly having understood something.
After a long while, Lord Third finally spoke, "Yagura, as the Lords have said, how can you guarantee that these talents will truly be loyal to Hidden Mist, and not Konoha or Sawara Kiri himself?"
Yagura Karatachi's tone was calm:
"Interest."
"Whether it's the interests of their family, their personal interests, or their future prospects, all of these can firmly tie them to Hidden Mist's chariot."
"In actuality, Sawara Kiri's betrayal, was it not also our Hidden Mist people's oversight?"
"Even in his childhood, due to various reasons, he went through an extremely difficult period, and yet we in Hidden Mist ignored him, only caring about him constantly completing various missions, thus leading to his rebellious heart. This is truly understandable."
"However, if we choose people from impoverished backgrounds to go on long-term undercover missions, and at the same time help them more deeply through this period, while Konoha treats them like any other, and their family and bloodline are all in Hidden Mist, then whose side will these people's hearts truly fall on?"
"This is actually a very simple principle, Mizukage-sama."
Upon hearing this, even Lord Third couldn't help but be swayed.
The fact was, this was true.
Hidden Mist's previous policy had always been a cruel and bloody training strategy. Even Sawara Kiri had gone through layers of elimination to become one of Hidden Mist's deepest spies in Konoha.
It was conceivable that he would become estranged from Hidden Mist.
"But, the training and educational guidance of these children..." Lord Third was still somewhat hesitant.
"That will be my duty."
Yagura Karatachi bowed his head deeply, hiding all his subtle thoughts.
Everything he did was to preserve Hidden Mist's spark.
He was not a traitor to this Village, but a hero who had sacrificed everything, no matter the cost.
Hearing this, everyone present held their breath, waiting for the Mizukage to make a decision.
Finally, he gently made his decision.
"Yagura."
"I am here."
Lord Third looked at him with profound eyes: "To be honest, this kind of cooperation is too risky. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I truly wouldn't want to agree to it."
"But as things stand now, Sawara Kiri has become an unstoppable force, and this is our only strategy."
"To test its feasibility, I will carefully select three talents to be given to you as the first batch of experimental subjects."
"Do you understand how heavy this burden is?"
Upon hearing this, Yagura Karatachi immediately knelt on the ground, nodding deeply:
"I understand."
"Very good."
Lord Third's voice became even calmer.
Once a decision was made, there should be no hesitation.
This was the only truth he had learned over the years.
One month later.
Three children were brought before Yagura Karatachi.
"Hohzuki Mangetsu."
"Zabuza Momochi."
"Mei Terumī."
Yagura Karatachi called out each of their names, his tone calm: "For the next period, I will provide comprehensive training to the three of you, so that you can initially understand what kind of mission you are about to undertake."
"I hope... you can, with your own beings, ignite the Village's hope."
"Do you understand?"
The three little ones spoke in unison:
"Yes!"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr