At this moment, the Third Mizukage could no longer lie still.
He suddenly sprang up from his bed, his face turning dark as iron, and threw on the Mizukage's ceremonial robes.
"As expected, it's that old bastard! Damn it!"
"Even at that age, he still refuses to behave."
"The entire line of the Elders, every one of them deserves to die!"
Anbu Seventeen asked urgently, "Mizukage-sama, what should we do now?"
The Third Mizukage immediately ordered, "Gather the Seven Ninja Swordsmen for me. Follow me, we'll eliminate the traitors together!"
Anbu Seventeen acknowledged the order without hesitation and was about to teleport away when the Third Mizukage stopped him.
"Wait. Don't summon Hozuki Mangetsu. You'll be the one to use Hiramekarei."
Anbu Seventeen froze, slightly uncertain, "But, my lord, that's against the rules."
The Third Mizukage said coldly, "My words are the rules. From now on, you're the wielder of Hiramekarei."
After a pause, the Third Mizukage continued, "Since both the Kaguya and Yuki clans have rebelled, I can't believe that the Hozuki clan would be entirely loyal either. Mangetsu cannot be trusted."
Seeing this, Anbu Seventeen replied, "Understood, Mizukage-sama. I'll inform the other six and retrieve Hiramekarei right away."
Except during the Chunin Exams, when Hozuki Mangetsu took it out for use, Hiramekarei was normally stored in a special underground vault by the Third Mizukage himself.
The Third Mizukage had always harbored deep wariness toward members of the Hozuki clan. If not for Mangetsu's exceptional talent, he never would have been allowed to become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
The Mizukage waved his hand, "Go. You seven will meet directly at the battlefield. I'll head to the Mizukage Tower first."
Anbu Seventeen obeyed and instantly vanished. The Third Mizukage pushed open his door and strode toward the Mizukage Tower.
Before long, on the other side of the village, outside the Hozuki clan's compound, Mei Terumi arrived alone.
The clan's main gates were tightly shut. All the Hozuki had already received word and withdrawn into their homes.
Standing outside was a single man. He raised his head quietly, gazing at the moon above. Moonlight reflected off his white hair and pale eyes, casting a faint silver glow.
Seeing this, Mei Terumi suddenly realized that Hozuki Mangetsu was actually quite handsome. Unfortunately, he had a mouth full of sharp teeth.
Besides, Kakashi was still better looking.
Thinking that, a faint blush spread across her face. But she quickly remembered her mission, and the redness disappeared.
She stepped forward, coming to stand beside Mangetsu, bathed together in the moonlight. She slightly parted her lips and said, "What's this? You don't seem surprised that I came to find you."
Hozuki Mangetsu shook his head, "I'm not here waiting for you."
"Mei Terumi, I advise you to leave at once. Otherwise, once I receive the order, I'll be obliged to kill you on sight."
Mei Terumi's lips curved into a faint smile, "Oh? So you're still waiting for the Mizukage's orders."
"But tell me, does the Mizukage truly trust you?"
"Hozuki Mangetsu, how about we make a bet? Let's bet that no one will come. If someone really does come, I'll let you take my life."
Mangetsu's eyes grew slightly distant.
The rebellion had already begun. He'd been standing at the gate for quite some time now, and no one had come.
He already knew the answer in his heart.
He spoke slowly, "Mei Terumi… perhaps you've won."
Mei said, "Since you think so too, how about it, join me in opposing the Mizukage."
"Elder Genji treasures talent. Perhaps someday, you might even sit in the Mizukage's chair."
Mangetsu gave a bitter laugh, "I have no interest in being Mizukage. Isn't that your dream? What's this, are you abandoning your dream just to persuade me?"
Mei's eyes were firm, "My dream is to fill the Land of Water with hope. I've already put life and death aside, why would I care about anything else?"
Mangetsu hesitated for a long while, gathering his courage to answer. But in the end, he deflated again.
"I can't be that selfish. I still have many clan members… and besides, my parents told me recently they're thinking about having another child, a younger brother or sister for me."
Mei's eyes filled with disdain, "Do you really think, with the Hozuki clan's position in the Third Mizukage's eyes, that you'll survive by not rebelling?"
"Or do you believe your loyalty will somehow change his mind? Hozuki Mangetsu, you're too naive. If you want your brother or sister to even be born safely, there's only one path, revolution."
Mangetsu shuddered. Indeed, even now, the Mizukage refused to trust him. No matter what he did afterward, it would be nearly impossible to regain that trust.
The Mizukage still resented Hozuki Gengetsu for taking the Second Mizukage's title from him.
Perhaps, as Mei said, between the Hozuki clan and the Third Mizukage, only one could survive.
Thinking that, Mangetsu's eyes finally hardened with resolve.
Just then, from the core of Kirigakure came a series of explosions, accompanied by faint battle cries and shouting.
Mei said, "Our people have already broken through. You don't have much time to hesitate."
Mangetsu asked, "If I join you… what do you want me to do?"
Mei narrowed her eyes, "As one of Kirigakure's few top-tier fighters, of course you'll take part in surrounding and attacking the Third Mizukage."
Mangetsu froze, "Wait, Elder Genji will take the field himself? But what about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Mei smiled faintly, "Who said Elder Genji would fight personally? He's old, he may not even be a match for the Mizukage anymore."
Mangetsu frowned, "But you know the Mizukage's strength. Do you have anyone else on your side at his level?"
Mei thought for a moment. This was a serious matter, and honesty was necessary, besides, the battle was about to start anyway.
She said calmly, "A perfect Three-Tails Jinchuriki. How does that sound?"
Mangetsu suddenly looked at Mei, many thoughts flashing through his mind. Finally, he said, "So that's why Kirigakure's been unable to locate the Three-Tails, it's been in Elder Genji's hands all along?"
"Elder Genji hides things deep indeed."
Mei knew this was just a small misunderstanding, but she hoped it would remain uncorrected forever.
So she said, "You can think of it that way. So, with a Jinchuriki on our side, will you join the assault?"
Mangetsu gritted his teeth and nodded, "Since you have a Tailed Beast as your trump card, I've no reason not to gamble. After all, even if the Third Mizukage wins, the Hozuki clan won't have a good ending anyway."
Mei nodded, "Then let's go. By now, the Mizukage must have responded. The encirclement is about to begin!"