Another day passed, and the Ninja of the Kirigakure Camp finally welcomed their Mizukage.
"The Mizukage-sama has finally arrived!"
"Yes! He's finally here. Once Mizukage-sama finishes negotiating with Konoha, we can go back, right?"
"I truly miss the salty air of Hidden Mist Village. The sea in the Land of Waves only has a faint saltiness; staying here too long wears down my will!"
The Ninja of Hidden Mist eagerly awaited their Mizukage-sama in front of the camp.
Amidst the anticipation, figures finally appeared in the distance. Yagura, accompanied by his Shadow Guard, came into everyone's view.
At a position further back in the crowd.
"Byakugan, activate!"
Ao heard the commotion ahead and knew it was finally time to verify.
Ever since Mei Terumī told him the intelligence she received from Yuuki two days ago, Ao had become worried about the true situation of Mizukage-sama.
Recalling that day.
After that god-like man from Uchiha completely shattered the fighting will of the Kirigakure Ninja.
Then, Commander Masai Taichi disappeared, and Mei Terumī had a private conversation with that Konoha Ninja.
After all the Konoha Ninja left, Mei Terumī led him to a secluded corner.
"Ao, have you seen Mizukage-sama since he took office?"
Mei Terumī asked Ao in a very serious tone.
Ao thought back for a moment.
"I've been summoned by Mizukage-sama five or six times over the years. Is there a problem?"
Mei Terumī then told Ao the intelligence she had received from Yuuki.
Ao immediately recalled, then was suddenly startled.
"Mei Terumī, what was it like when you were summoned by the Mizukage?"
"It was a normal summons. I was led to the Mizukage's office by the Shadow Guard."
"It seems the situation is very bad. Every time I've been summoned by Mizukage-sama, I've never actually seen Mizukage-sama. All conversations were relayed through the Shadow Guard!"
Mei Terumī and Ao immediately thought of all the unreasonable things from the past, and their faces turned ashen.
Due to the hasty deployment, the Kirigakure Camp had completely lost order after the commander went missing.
Mei Terumī, by virtue of her status as a family heir and the strength she usually displayed, always had a portion of Kirigakure Ninja following her.
Mei Terumī and Ao had already decided to return to Hidden Mist Village immediately. After packing up, just as they were about to depart.
News spread that Mizukage-sama would arrive at the front line the day after tomorrow.
Mei Terumī could only calm her subordinates with Ao and wait for the Mizukage's arrival.
Soon after Yagura's figure appeared, Ao immediately activated his Byakugan.
With just one glance, Ao saw an external Chakra within Yagura's body, constantly intertwined with the Mizukage's own Chakra.
Ao immediately deactivated his Byakugan.
"Mizukage-sama has been controlled by Genjutsu this entire time, even now!"
Ao's words naturally caused strong shock among the few people nearby.
"How is that possible!? Mizukage-sama is clearly a perfect Jinchuriki, how could he be controlled by Genjutsu?!"
"Yes, what Genjutsu could have such a strong effect?"
"Do you think it's possible that Mizukage-sama isn't a true perfect Jinchuriki?"
"Nonsense! Yagura-sama is clearly a perfect Jinchuriki."
These people were all staunch supporters of Mei Terumī, but they were still uncontrollably shocked to hear that the Mizukage was controlled by Genjutsu.
Mei Terumī, on the other hand, looked at Ao, as if to confirm.
Ao nodded heavily, indicating that he could not be mistaken.
At this moment, Mei Terumī's eyes were filled with tears. She hadn't cried when her comrades died, nor when her relatives died, but now her tears could not be stopped.
Everything Hidden Mist Village had experienced, the endless slaughter, suppression and counter-suppression, the series of costly internal conflicts between various families and the Mizukage.
Perhaps in the eyes of the person behind the scenes, it was just a game. Hidden Mist's resistance for so many years was meaningless, because they had even found the wrong target for their resistance.
Mei Terumī thought of Zabuza, of Hohzuki Mangetsu, and of all the struggling Kirigakure Ninja.
What exactly are we, the Ninja of Hidden Mist, in your eyes?!
Mei Terumī made up her mind at this moment: whoever was behind this, they must pay the price!
Yagura, who was before her, could not be allowed to continue harming Hidden Mist from the Mizukage's position.
"Let's act."
As Mei Terumī's words fell, a portion of the Kirigakure Ninja began to gather in one place, quickly exceeding one-third.
The gathering of these people clearly attracted the attention of those around them.
Mei Terumī no longer hid at this point and directly stepped forward.
"Fellow Hidden Mist compatriots, I am Kirigakure Jonin Mei Terumī. Today, we have discovered a cruel truth!!!"
Mei Terumī still had some fame in Hidden Mist; almost everyone had heard her name.
After a slight pause, Mei Terumī continued.
"That truth is! Our Mizukage-sama, the Fourth Hokage Yagura, has been controlled by Genjutsu for a long time! Even now, he still is!!!"
'Bang!'
Like a large stone thrown into calm water, Mei Terumī's words instantly ignited the hearts of the Hidden Mist Ninja.
"What! Is this true!"
"Is Mei Terumī trying to betray Mizukage-sama?"
"Is the Mizukage really controlled by Genjutsu?"
The Kirigakure Ninja continuously looked at Yagura and Mei Terumī.
At this moment, Obito, disguised as a Shadow Guard, found that controlling Yagura suddenly became more difficult.
Yagura, as a perfect Jinchuriki, could be controlled by Obito. The only reason was that Obito controlled both the Three-Tails and Yagura separately.
Controlling the Three-Tails was precisely the special Sharingan Genjutsu obtained from Uchiha Madara.
Both Madara and Obito had used this Genjutsu to control the Nine-Tailed.
And the control over the Nine-Tailed was only broken by the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze using the Contract Seal.
So, ever since the Three-Tails was controlled, although Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan did not amplify Genjutsu.
Yet, with only ordinary Genjutsu, he had controlled Yagura for a long time. This was also the reason Obito had always stayed by Yagura's side.
Although Yagura had been controlled, he had not become blind or deaf. He had seen everything that had happened over the years.
However, Yagura was unable to resist Obito's control, and over time, Yagura had long given up hope, as he had tried to resist countless times but never succeeded.
Now, finally seeing someone uncover the truth, Yagura's long-dormant heart once again saw hope, and so he began to resist desperately.
Attempting to contend with Obito for control of his body, Yagura's expression also changed rapidly.
One moment he was indifferent, the next his face was filled with self-reproach, constantly shifting on Yagura's face.
But after years of being controlled and self-abandonment, Yagura had long lost his former will.
Yagura used all his strength and finally regained control of his body.
At this moment, Yagura's face was filled with self-reproach and regret.
"I'm sorry..."
But immediately after, Yagura once again became indifferent.
"Mei Terumī-sama, it's that Shadow Guard Ninja over there! He was the one who just used Genjutsu to control Mizukage-sama!"
Ao shouted loudly to Mei Terumī, his words also reaching everyone's ears.
"Huh! Why is that Shadow Guard Ninja wearing a mask?"
"Yes, the Shadow Guard isn't Anbu. This person is suspicious!!"
The Ninja of Hidden Mist were not fools either.
Mei Terumī launched an attack the moment she heard Ao's words.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.