Whether they were shinobi of the Genji faction or shinobi of the Mizukage faction, the places where the two sides fought deliberately avoided the very central area, that place was precisely where they were besieging the Third Mizukage.
When people of the Kage level clash, the force and commotion they produce are enormous; unless you have reached a certain level, you don't even have the qualification to intervene.
Otherwise, you could easily be affected by the aftershock of an unexpected Tailed Beast Bomb and end up dying for nothing.
Mei Terumi had at some point already come to stand in front of Tobi; there was even a trace of expectation in her voice, "You'll act too, right?"
After seeing the strength of the Akatsuki people, Mei Terumi was very clear in her heart that if this group were willing to help, even the Mizukage would face only death, the turmoil in the Land of Water would immediately calm.
But Tobi spread his hands, "No. We're just here to watch the show; we won't intervene. Saving you and Kakashi earlier, and dealing with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, was already doing you a big favor."
Mei Terumi continued, "Since you've already done a favor, why not finish helping? In an event this big, I shouldn't be that important a figure, right? Why would you be willing to fight the Seven Ninja Swordsmen for me?"
"Even if it is nothing much for you."
Tobi glanced at Mei Terumi, then at Kakashi, who had appeared by Mei Terumi's side without anyone noticing.
Mei Terumi was extremely important, so important that even she didn't know how important she was.
Giving the future ANBU commander of Konoha a warm, happy family so he wouldn't live a lonely life, and not have to spend his old age watching sappy romance channels alone, that was Tobi's top priority.
He said slowly, "Young lady, your talent is very good; you have the potential to become a Kage in the future. I'm someone who values long-term investments, so don't underestimate yourself."
"Besides, actually, without our help, this battle would be almost over already."
After saying that, Tobi ignored Mei Terumi further, or rather, he left as much idle time as possible for Mei Terumi to spend alone with Kakashi.
He himself continued to lead the Akatsuki people toward the battlefield of highest intensity, toward the no-man's-land.
Not many people, under the cover of Tobi's group genjutsu, they arrived here without anyone noticing.
At this moment, on the Mizukage side, only the Mizukage himself was still standing. Around him lay countless fallen black-clothed men, these people wore the same garments as the Shadow One and Shadow Twelve and were likely the Shadow Guard.
On the other side, Yagura had already entered Three-Tails chakra mode; compared to the previous life, the fusion was more complete, the most perfect jinchuriki form.
Beside Yagura, the only one still standing was Hozuki Mangetsu; many of the others lay on the ground.
Tobi even saw some people from the Genji faction who, in the original timeline, had not died.
For example, one of Mei Terumi's guards during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Byakugan holder Ao.
Tobi couldn't help but shake his head, you could say that every person who died on the scene, anywhere, could independently hold a command.
However, in this kind of scene, they were only slightly higher-grade cannon fodder.
The quality of the strongmen buried tonight far exceeded that hellish night in the previous life.
Of course, quality is quality; no matter how many die tonight, he would only sigh, not suffer.
At this point on the scene, Yagura looked at the somewhat bedraggled Third Mizukage and raised his huge staff-like weapon, which was rather at odds with his childlike face.
A sneer appeared on his baby face, "Mizukage-sama, did you enjoy that Tailed Beast Bomb just now?"
The Third Mizukage squinted, but his expression wasn't the usual fake smile; instead he looked very serious.
He said lightly, "Yagura, so you had already obtained the Three-Tails jinchuriki, no wonder my men searched for a long time and found nothing."
"You and the Genji, such ambition!"
Yagura's face turned cold, "Ambition? Do you think we gave so much just to sit in your seat and take the power in your hands?"
"Third, have you forgotten the countless wails under your rule in Kirigakure? I'm only seeking the justice they deserve!"
The Third Mizukage looked at Hozuki Mangetsu by Yagura's side, whose body was covered with wounds, "And you, the famous genius of the Hozuki clan, are you also seeking justice for those people?"
Hozuki Mangetsu said, "Isn't it possible?"
The Third Mizukage leaned back and laughed loudly; Hozuki Mangetsu had never seen the Third display such a mad laugh.
The Third accused, "You lofty noble houses, how could you truly understand the feelings of the lower-class people?"
"You merely maintain your own decency while releasing a hypocritical, masked, detestable benevolence."
"This kind of benevolence is really nauseating, just like our beloved Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu."
Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes narrowed; the sealing scroll in his hand opened again, summoning the phantom images of the seven ninja swords to hover beside him.
"Third Mizukage-sama, I did give you chances. If you truly believed me, these seven swords would fight for you. But I waited for you a long time and received Genji's people instead."
"Perhaps from that moment the outcome was already decided, it was your arrogance that led you down this path. Yagura is right; I should also ask for an explanation for those who were tricked to die in the Blood Mist by you."
However, the Third Mizukage raved, "Explanation? Hahaha! You really don't know?"
"They all misunderstand me. In fact, I stand with the lower class. I am the one helping them!"
Yagura couldn't believe the Mizukage could be so shameless; he sneered, "Helping them means sending them to their deaths, letting them kill each other? Mizukage, touch your conscience, doesn't it hurt?"
The Third Mizukage suddenly regained calm, "Yes, I am helping them. Haven't you realized a problem?"
"Before me in Kirigakure, all the channels for advancement were controlled by great houses like the Hozuki clan, ordinary people could never see opportunities for promotion. Even the Mizukage, in a situation where aristocratic houses have Kage-level power, could become dogs of the great families."
"My arrival gave the lower-class people of Kirigakure the possibility to become strong and seize power."
"Even if the methods were bloodier, at least now any academy student can imagine infinite possibilities for their future. From a certain perspective, isn't that the fairness the lower class needs?"
The Third Mizukage squinted; his smile grew increasingly chilling, "At least in my view, compared to a life with no foreseeable future, this is the fairest thing, regardless of gender or age, regardless of noble or poor, they should honestly cut a path through the blood mist!"