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Chapter 51 — Genshi
One minute later.
The commotion in the depths of Kirigakure's cemetery gradually subsided. Only a faint "sss" of corrosion came from the center of the thick mist.
At the perimeter, Mei Terumī closed her red lips and stopped spewing acid fog. She frowned and stared at the haze's core.
That spot where Akatsuki's White Tiger had stood was now empty, only a pit-marked, corroded patch of ground remaining.
An Anbu stood behind Mei, his tone tinged with excitement.
"Lady Mizukage, no living being could survive in such corrosive fog. I heard Akatsuki members are all at Kage level, but clearly the Mizukage still has the edge. One strike and—gone to dust."
Mei nodded without comment. "Acid fog that can corrode steel — of course a normal body can't survive in it."
"But..." she shifted tone, "Akatsuki members are not ordinary people. Besides, that was not the White Tiger's true body — only a clone."
"How could that be?" the Anbu asked in surprise. "If it were a regular clone, once the fog corroded the limbs past the clone's tolerance, it should have dispersed earlier. But the clone only vanished after the entire body had been corroded — as if it had the same endurance as a true body. What kind of clone can take that much damage?"
"Perhaps it was her unique Paper Release clone..." Mei admitted. She could not be sure — but one thing was certain: the infiltrator had not died. The true body must still be hidden somewhere inside the village.
Mei's fox-like green eyes narrowed, a cold light flashing. "Seal the village gates immediately. Declare martial law. Anbu — mobilize and search the village thoroughly. We must flush out this dangerous enemy!"
"Upon discovering any trace of the enemy, signal immediately. Do not engage until I arrive!"
"Yes!" The Anbu vanished like a black thread, moving quickly.
Mei did not linger. She activated Body Flicker and leapt toward the Mizukage Hall in the village center. If the signal came through, reinforcements could arrive in time.
"Akatsuki—if you dare harm this village, I will not forgive you!" Mei's thoughts darkened as she remembered the devastation Akatsuki had wrought on Konoha. Buildings razed, enormous losses — how many lives had been lost she did not know. Konoha would not have shared full details with rival villages. Mei still suspected many Akatsuki leaders survived. She would only have full intelligence after the Five Kage Summit.
...
In the southeast corner of Kirigakure, in an old residence, Genshi sat cross-legged under the eaves sipping tea, eyes closed as he listened to the courtyard's insects and birdsong.
Ninety years old — older than the village itself. He had weathered countless storms in his long life; to survive so long in an age of short lifespans was nothing short of a miracle.
Suddenly, a black shadow appeared behind Genshi. Kneeling halfway, it reported respectfully, "Master Genshi — Akatsuki's White Tiger has infiltrated the village. Her clone engaged the Mizukage at the cemetery and vanished; the true body's whereabouts are unknown."
Genshi's cloudy, half-closed eyes snapped open, a sharp light flashing through them. "Do you know why White Tiger came?"
"We don't. But she sent a clone to the Yuki and Kaguya monuments in the cemetery. She may be here for something related to those bloodline families."
"Yuki... Kaguya..." Genshi's eyes clouded again; his ancient face showed a complex mixture of grief and regret.
The Bloody Mist era had damaged Kirigakure grievously. Two mighty kekkei genkai clans had perished in internecine strife. The former Mizukage had been secretly manipulated by genjutsu and issued many harmful orders that bled the village dry. Over the past decade-plus, the village's strength had been halved and its external deterrence weakened. Now an Akatsuki member had brazenly infiltrated the village...
Genshi sighed heavily, leaning on his snake-headed cane and struggling to stand. "Alas..."
"Master Genshi, your health has been poor lately — please do not act rashly." The shadow moved to help but was rebuffed.
"No need to support me. I can still move a bit." Genshi waved off the aid. The shadow fell silent and awkward.
This living fossil was Kirigakure's sage and elder, revered above many Mizukage in prestige. In every major crisis he had stepped forward and saved the village; his presence commanded respect and fear.
Genshi waved weakly. "Go. Help the Fifth Mizukage."
"Master, she sent us to bolster your guard, to protect you from unforeseen danger." Several dim figures gathered around the house — Anbu sent by Mei to stand watch.
Genshi struck the ground with his cane with a heavy thud. His frail voice bore a stern edge. "I told you to leave and aid the Mizukage! What, do you think I'm about to die and you'll ignore my order??"
"No!" The Anbu trembled under the weight of his authority. This old man was not only respected — when he grew angry he was terrifying. One of the Anbu remembered being spanked by Genshi when he was a child.
"Now go!" Genshi's voice sharpened. The Anbu obeyed, fearful of disobeying. They leapt from the house to the Mizukage Hall to carry out his command.
Genshi watched the departing figures leap across rooftops and murmured, "Foolish children — they don't even know they're being led."
Kirigakure's talent shortage and generational gaps weighed on him; he worried but felt powerless.
"Sigh... Kirigakure cannot afford more turmoil. We cannot sustain these losses..." Worry lined his ancient cheeks.
Supporting himself on his cane, he shuffled into the sitting room. On the table sat a small brazier and a fine purple clay teapot on it, steaming. The water had boiled.
Genshi wheezed and took from a drawer a well-aged wooden box — a treasured heirloom. He opened it; a fresh tea aroma rose — clearly the finest leaves, only a small corner remaining. "Ah... after decades, perhaps it's time to finish it."
He settled down, leaning the snake-headed cane against the table. With trembling hands he used hot water to rinse two brand-new clay cups, then emptied the remaining tea leaves evenly into both cups. Hot water hissed in, and the fragrance filled the room.
"Ninety years... Heaven's mandate..." Genshi inhaled to steady his breath and recovered from the exertion. Hosting guests required dignity, after all.
He placed one cup before himself and pushed the other across the table. His expression calm and composed, the old man said in a voice thin but resolute:
"Guests have come. If they are guests, then let them show themselves and share a cup of tea."