Flying Thunder God Technique…?
Could it be—the Yellow Flash's ultimate jutsu was about to resurface in the shinobi world?
Biwa Jūzō and Hoshigaki Kisame snapped out of their daze and turned their sharp gazes toward Uchiha Gen.
Gen gave a slight nod.
"That's right. It's the mark of the Flying Thunder God."
The confirmation made both men's hearts jolt. Mangekyō Sharingan paired with the Flying Thunder God Technique… his strength really is terrifying.
Gen let the thought hang for a breath, then shifted the mood with a cool tone.
"Alright. Let's get down to business."
He straightened, his eyes glinting with calm cruelty.
"The first target I want you three to kill is the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."
The three Mist shinobi stiffened slightly.
Gen's voice carried a cutting edge.
"My reasons are simple. First, he plotted against my woman, Pakura. Second, he's in my way.
As long as he remains, it's impossible for Pakura to rise in Sunagakure's hierarchy, let alone become Kazekage. Without that, I can't extend my reach into the Sand. But if she holds power there, then through her I can influence the entire village. With two villages under my sway, our chances of achieving true unification increase drastically.
Do you understand?"
"Understood!" the three replied in unison.
Gen's tone hardened further.
"The second target is a Konoha elder—the Root leader, Shimura Danzō."
A ripple of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
"That man is endlessly hostile toward the Uchiha, toward me. He opposes me at every turn, watching like a vulture for a chance to strike.
And he is one of the Third Hokage's closest hands. Weakening him means strengthening us.
For the past two years, I've been in constant conflict with Konoha's leadership. Their thinking is conservative, bound by self-interest. They put their clan's power above Konoha itself, and they drag down my every step forward.
So why wait for them to strike first? Better to remove them now.
Once Danzō is eliminated, I will force the Third Hokage to step down. He's old, yet clings to power, with no intention of naming a Fifth.
And worse, whoever he would choose to succeed him will be another with his ideology. A man like me, with a vision utterly different, could never reach the Hokage's chair through ordinary means.
But if I cannot become Hokage, then I cannot take control of Konoha. Without Konoha at the forefront, our dream will be nothing but smoke."
The weight of his words hung heavy.
The three exchanged looks, then lowered their heads and answered in a steady voice.
"Rest assured, Lord. We will carry out your command."
"Good. I'll inform you when the time comes."
Kisame's low voice rumbled after a pause.
"Lord… what if, when your order arrives, we cannot slip away? We still have duties to the village."
Gen arched a brow.
"Oh? And what are you suggesting, Kisame?"
The shark-faced ninja grinned, sharp teeth flashing.
"If it feels suffocating to stay… then I simply won't stay."
Jūzō let out a rough chuckle.
"Heh. Going rogue, huh? Not a bad idea. After so many years of bloodshed, maybe it's time to wander, see the world."
But Fuguki shook his head gravely.
"I won't go rogue. The Lord needs eyes and hands left in Kirigakure."
Gen's tone was casual, but the words cut deep.
"Going rogue is fine. The Anbu captain is already dead, slain by me. If nothing unexpected happens, Fuguki, you'll take that seat. When the others flee, your pursuit will be nothing but a show.
And truthfully, with their strength, even a genuine pursuit wouldn't stop you."
Both Jūzō and Kisame were stunned. The Anbu captain is dead? When? But they quickly dismissed the thought. The man had been no saint. Dead was dead.
Kisame bowed his head slightly.
"Then it's decided, Lord. After the war, Jūzō and I will return to settle affairs in the Mist. Then… we'll cut ties and go rogue."
Gen's gaze lingered on Kisame for a moment, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. This one really thinks for me.
Since Kisame was willing to walk such a path, Gen would reward him.
He turned to Fuguki.
"Fuguki, when Kisame leaves… give him Samehada."
The older man stiffened.
"…What?"
Without Samehada, his strength would plummet. How could he possibly agree? But a direct refusal against Gen was unthinkable. He tried to hedge.
"Lord, the Seven Swords of the Mist all choose their wielder. Samehada's will is the strongest of them all. If it doesn't accept Kisame, it could even lash out at him. A backfire at the wrong time could mean his life."
Gen's lips curled into a cold sneer.
"Hmph. It's only a blade refined from the Three-Tails. If it dares to defy, I'll crush it myself. A sword that cannot be mastered is nothing but a curse."
His Sharingan flared briefly, and he cast a sharp look at the living blade slung across Fuguki's back. Samehada trembled visibly, sensing the lethal promise in his words.
Gen's tone softened only slightly as he continued.
"With Kisame's power, I believe he can tame it. Their natures are aligned. Their chakra resonates. Samehada is wasted in your hands now, Fuguki, you'll soon be buried in Anbu work, giving orders, not swinging a sword.
If something requires force, let Jūzō and Kisame handle it. If even they cannot, I will step in myself."
The reasoning was ironclad. Fuguki swallowed his anger and forced a nod. He dared not resist further, but bitterness curled in his gut.
His resentment couldn't be aimed at Gen, so he turned it silently upon Kisame. This upstart subordinate dares rise above me… one day, I'll remind him of his place.
Kisame, though, simply bowed.
"Thank you, Lord." Then he turned with a polite nod. "And my thanks to you as well, Lord Fuguki."
His words were courteous, but there was steel beneath. He wasn't blind to Fuguki's thoughts and once he was free of the Mist's chains, strength would decide who stood above whom.
Fuguki forced a laugh.
"Don't tarnish Samehada's reputation."
"I won't," Kisame replied lightly, a shark-like smile on his lips.
Gen's gaze swept across the three.
"One more thing. When you become rogues, others will try to recruit you. Ignore them all—except for one group. The Akatsuki."
Kisame tilted his head.
"Akatsuki? Is that… a secret organization under your command, Lord?"
"No," Gen said with a faint smile. "But they are interesting. Valuable. If they reach out, accept. You'll see why once you're inside."
"Understood." Both Kisame and Jūzō nodded.
Gen clapped his hands once, decisive.
"That's all. I'll take my leave."
He turned to go but Kisame's voice stopped him.
"Lord, wait."
Gen half-turned. "Oh? Something more, Kisame?"
The tall swordsman scratched his head, a rare touch of awkwardness in his grin.
"Since we last parted in the Whirlpool Country, your name has only grown. Jūzō and I hear the stories, but rumors aren't enough. We've grown stronger too… and we'd like to experience your strength firsthand."
He bared his teeth in a smile.
"On one condition—don't use those special summons of yours. Otherwise, we'll just be beaten down by your creatures without a chance to fight back."
Jūzō muttered darkly from the side, "And no Flying Thunder God either. If you use that, we won't land a single blow."
Kisame snapped his fingers.
"Right. No Flying Thunder God either. What do you say, Lord? Are we asking too much?"
For a heartbeat, silence. Then Gen threw back his head and laughed.
So that's it. Reputation and words alone won't suffice. They want proof.
Fuguki's eyes gleamed with interest as well. He too wanted to know—just how strong was this man, stripped of his otherworldly tools?
Gen's laughter died into a razor-edged grin.
"It's… moderately excessive."
His Sharingan spun, and the air seemed to tighten.
"But it doesn't matter. I can still convince you."