Outside Kirigakure. Reiji, disguised as Fuguki Suikazan, sat cross-legged on the ground with Hōzuki Gengetsu, discussing something. "Second
Outside Kirigakure.
Reiji, disguised as Fuguki Suikazan, sat cross-legged on the ground with Hōzuki Gengetsu, discussing something.
"Second Lord, here's the situation. I came across this technique called Impure World Reincarnation after unintentionally killing a Konoha ANBU.
They say it was invented by Konoha's Second... Danzō Shimura."
At that, Hōzuki Gengetsu nodded and gave a neutral comment.
"Manipulating the souls of the dead... it's a despicable jutsu. But if used in war, it could be quite effective."
"Anyway, the reason I summoned you from the Pure Land is—"
Reiji paused, his eyes flickering with a deep, solemn look as he stared at Gengetsu's distinct, twitching little mustache.
"Second Lord, the current Mizukage, Lord Third, has implemented a strict isolationist policy. Only assassination squads are allowed to leave the village openly."
Gengetsu nodded slightly, his expression thoughtful, eyes shifting.
It looked like the Third had misunderstood his intentions—he'd meant secrecy, not complete isolation.
But he was already dead, and it wasn't like it mattered anymore. Besides, the Third's appointment had been decided when the First was still around, so there was no reason to comment further.
Unaware of Gengetsu's inner thoughts, Reiji continued.
"Lately, though, Lord Third has been acting suspiciously. I mentioned my concerns to my closest friend, Biwa Jūzō, and to my surprise, he noticed something odd too.
After that..."
"Wait!" Hōzuki Gengetsu suddenly raised his hand to interrupt.
"Which blade did that brat Biwa Jūzō end up with?"
"The broken blade," Reiji answered.
Gengetsu rolled his eyes, covered his forehead, and muttered under his breath.
"This is a mess—total chaos! That punk should've taken Samehada, you were meant to wield Kabutowari, and the Executioner's Blade should've gone to Jinin Akebino!
Well, whatever. I'm dead now. Keep going."
Reiji gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Anyway, we both felt something was wrong with Lord Third. So I..."
"Speak!"
Gengetsu barked impatiently.
"I followed Lord Third for a while and noticed that he often visits the basement of the Mizukage building—alone. He doesn't allow anyone to accompany him.
I didn't dare trespass, so I thought of this jutsu. That's why I needed to trouble you."
After hearing this, Hōzuki Gengetsu's face immediately darkened.
"That's it?"
"That's it," Reiji confirmed with a nod.
Seeing the anxiety on Fuguki's face, Gengetsu shook his head helplessly and stood up, pressing one hand to his knee.
"Alright, let's go take a look."
He quickly formed a hand seal.
"Summoning Jutsu!
Come forth—giant clam!"
Boom!
A thick white mist exploded outward, sweeping the area with a burst of wind pressure. A moment later, a giant clam appeared before Reiji.
The clam skillfully extended a fleshy tube and began releasing the legendary mirage mist.
Watching this, Reiji frowned slightly in surprise.
Seriously?
We're still a long way from Kirigakure, and it's already releasing the mist?
Beside him, the Second Mizukage stared at the familiar giant clam, a shadow flickering in the depths of his eyes.
The moment he saw Reiji, he had already realized the truth.
That chubby kid from back then—Fuguki Suikazan—was long dead.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had all been talented children selected from various clans by Gengetsu himself.
Unfortunately, he hadn't lived long enough to train them—he'd perished ten years ago in a battle with the Second Tsuchikage.
But he still remembered their traits clearly.
And if anyone were to risk capture by using the Impure World Reincarnation to summon him, it definitely wouldn't be Fuguki Suikazan.
It would be Biwa Jūzō.
The biggest clue? Whoever had inherited Samehada would never let it go hungry.
Unless Samehada itself refused to absorb that person's chakra.
Still, the Second Mizukage said nothing.
One reason was that he felt Reiji's goal might not be to harm Kirigakure, but rather to help it.
After all, the guy hadn't forced him to do anything and had remained respectful throughout.
Of course, that could just be wishful thinking.
But the most important thing was this: someone who used a forbidden jutsu like that to summon him was bound to have a countermeasure up his sleeve.
Right now, he still had control over his own body, though only about sixty percent of his strength had come through from when he was alive. So the smartest move was to cooperate for the time being.
If the Third really was up to something shady, he could step in and straighten things out.
If the village turned out to be just fine, he'd find a chance to expose that this guy wasn't Fuguki Suikazan.
And if this kid had any scheme to harm the village, he'd just risk it all and fight him head-on.
Worst-case scenario? It was like a quick tour back to the living world. Tasty~
Maybe the kid gains something, but there's no way he loses.
Reiji had no idea what was going through Hōzuki Gengetsu's head.
But even if he did, he wouldn't care.
Gengetsu was completely under his control anyway, and it only took a few hand seals to cancel the Impure World Reincarnation.
More importantly, Reiji had a strong feeling—Hōzuki Gengetsu might turn out to be a very useful ally.
...
With the mirage mist for cover, Reiji and Gengetsu quickly returned to the village.
They walked right through the main gate, completely undetected by the guards.
Reiji closed his eyes and focused his senses.
In the basement of the Mizukage building, the chakra of Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu was still there!
It seemed those two were waiting for the raid on Uzushiogakure to begin.
Opening his eyes, Reiji was met with Hōzuki Gengetsu's playful gaze.
"Little fat boy, something wrong with your eyes?"
Reiji nodded innocently.
"The mist your big clam released kind of stings. Did it eat garlic?"
Hōzuki Gengetsu blinked in surprise, then rolled his eyes hard.
No way—my little fat boy would never crack jokes like that! You're not some Yuki Clan impostor, are you?
Clicking his tongue in disbelief, Gengetsu took the lead and headed for the Mizukage building.
That basement? He built it himself.
Back then, it was just meant to store random junk—like forbidden jutsu scrolls or the great sword Samehada.
So he didn't really buy the story about the Third sneaking around down there.
Still, whatever. If something was going on, they'd find out soon enough.
Before long, Gengetsu arrived at the Mizukage building.
Reiji, tailing behind, watched the man strut up with total swagger and couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up.
No doubt about it—Hōzuki Gengetsu, chatterbox or not, had skills.
That clam's mirage mist actually covered this much ground.