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Standing at the bow of the ship, Kitagawa Gen faced the misty sea, where the ocean fog gently stirred around them. The salty wind swept through his short hair, brushing lightly against his face, and the sensation brought an unexplainable joy to his heart.
But seated behind him, bound tightly with ropes, Zabuza's expression was far less pleasant.
"Damn it…"
Watching as the distant silhouette of Kirigakure loomed closer, a bitter curse slipped from between his clenched teeth. Yet no matter how much resentment simmered inside him, there was nothing he could do.
The memory of that recent battle resurfaced once more, stirring a deep sense of helplessness in his chest.
Faced with the combined might of Kakashi and Jiraiya, even within the concealment of the Hidden Mist Technique, he had found himself completely outmatched. Worse still, escape was not even an option.
It wasn't that he couldn't bear to leave Haku behind—he simply knew, with cold certainty, that he stood no chance of fleeing from those two.
What gnawed at him even more was the fact that he had once believed Haku capable of handling that brat. And yet, reality had proven otherwise. That boy's strength was utterly terrifying. Haku had been defeated almost instantly, shattered like fragile ice under a hammer.
"We're almost there…"
Zabuza's composure was beginning to unravel. Meanwhile, Jiraiya stood at the front of the boat, casually surveying the shoreline ahead. After a moment, he turned toward Gen with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Kid, I'll remind you one more time. This isn't like before. Are you absolutely sure your Flying Thunder God Technique is ready?"
"Indeed, this mission isn't something we can afford to get wrong," Kakashi added. For once, the book in his hands was closed. He had spent most of the journey pestering Jiraya for updates, but now even he had turned serious, though his tone remained light.
"Even with Zabuza's 'help,' your Flying Thunder God is still the key to everything. All of us are counting on you."
"Don't worry. I've never done anything I wasn't sure about. Once we make landfall, I'll set the marks—it'll make retreat much easier."
Gen gave a calm nod. Though he hadn't yet mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, and its transmission range still needed improvement, he had full confidence that he could safely teleport his companions to their intended destinations. After all, his chakra reserves were nothing to scoff at.
"Besides, I've made some new discoveries."
His battle with Haku might not have been dramatic, but it had not been without reward. Haku was strong, of that there was no doubt.
But for someone like him—perhaps not quite at the pinnacle, yet more than capable of devastating those beneath it—the fight had been little more than a controlled experiment.
More importantly, that confrontation had allowed him to gain a rough understanding of Ice Release.
Ice Release, or perhaps more accurately, all Kekkei Genkai, were far from simple techniques.
While his bloodline did grant him an instinctive mastery over chakra manipulation, it lacked a concrete point of reference. Without a defined structure, chakra fusion remained incomplete—it would never evolve into a true Kekkei Genkai.
"It's more like the 'combination techniques' used by Hiruzen Sarutobi or Kakuzu."
True Kekkei fusion required a precise ratio between two chakra natures, fusing them together while maintaining a unified circulation path and carefully controlling their final formation. Each step had to be executed with flawless precision. There was no room for error.
"No wonder there are so many shinobi in the world, yet so few possess Kekkei Genkai…"
Gen couldn't help but sigh quietly at that realization. But then, another idea came to him. If such a chakra fusion could alter the bloodline and be passed down through generations…
Did this not suggest that successful fusion was, in essence, a form of bloodline evolution?
"If that's true… it could be a tremendous advantage for me."
He murmured softly to himself. The collection, study, and mastery of Kekkei Genkai had long been part of his overarching plan.
Now, with such a promising start, how could he not feel excited? He believed that with enough time and training, he would surely be able to grasp Ice Release.
"And this time… my eyes—they seem to be approaching a critical threshold."
As the coastline drew nearer, he rubbed his eyes gently.
The absorption of chakra into his eyes had begun to slow. In its place, a strange and powerful force was starting to leak outward.
Outwardly, his eyes still appeared unchanged. Yet deep within his gaze, he could sense it—the silvery-white radiance was becoming more pronounced, more distinct.
"Am I… becoming the 'Hyūga Gen'?"
He couldn't stop himself from making that internal joke. But even if he really did become another Hyūga, it didn't scare him.
The Tailed Beasts, the Tenseigan that rested upon the moon—he had no intention of letting his vision remain confined to mere Byakugan.
What truly troubled him, however, was the unnerving possibility… what if a horn sprouted from his forehead?
As night fell, a cold wind swept across the darkened sea.
Thick mist coiled around the entire village of Kirigakure, veiling it beneath a blanket of shadow and fog. Within that stillness, the village seemed almost peaceful—almost.
Deep underground, within a hidden base, Elder Genji cast his gaze over the loyal shinobi standing silently before him.
As the second most powerful figure in Kirigakure, standing just beneath the Mizukage himself, he had gathered a sizable force of followers—especially now, with the Mizukage growing increasingly unpopular among the people.
Tonight, he had summoned them all for a purpose of great importance!
"Ao. One last time. Are you absolutely sure of what you saw?"
Genji's expression was grim, his voice low and weighted with seriousness as he locked eyes with the kneeling shinobi before him.
"You understand the severity of this matter. We cannot afford the slightest mistake."
"Elder, I'm certain. I saw it clearly."
Kneeling on one knee, Ao's tone was grave, leaving no doubt as to his sincerity.
"The Byakugan does not lie. The chakra within the Mizukage's body is in complete disarray. That kind of chaos is a hallmark of illusionary manipulation. He has, without question, been placed under someone's control."
That the Mizukage could fall under such influence was something scarcely imaginable—yet the impossible had happened, right here within the walls of Kirigakure.
"Everyone, you heard him clearly, didn't you?"
Elder Genji gave a small nod, his expression growing even more severe, his eyes dark with quiet fury.
"For something like this to occur within our village is nothing less than a disgrace. No matter the cost, it must be stopped. Everyone, are you all prepared?"
In an instant, every shinobi dropped to one knee as one, their voices echoing in unison, resolute and unwavering.
"We await your command."
At the sight, Genji gave a faint nod of approval. He had never harbored any ambition for the seat of Mizukage. If he had, then with the unchecked tyranny of the current leader and the authority Genji himself wielded, he could have risen long ago with a single rallying cry.
But just because he had no ambition in this regard did not mean he would stand by and allow Kirigakure to be humiliated in such a manner.
This must end. Tonight, everything must come to a close!
"It is time to settle this."
Beneath the shifting moonlight, Hoshigaki Kisame walked silently toward the hidden headquarters of the ANBU.
Ever since he had once again been forced to kill a comrade—this time, a gentle girl who had shown him rare kindness—he had been consumed by a single question.
What was the meaning of his existence? What exactly was this village he claimed to protect?
He had no answers. And that uncertainty gnawed at him. But there was one thing he knew he could do.
"Samehada..."
He murmured the name under his breath, his eyes darkening as he stepped through the mist toward the hidden entrance.
Unbeknownst to him, a figure watched silently from the shadows behind.
"So, it's going smoothly after all. Looks like this guy is finally about to make his move."
Uchiha Obito's voice was low, almost casual, though it carried a hint of cold amusement behind his mask. At his side, Zetsu nodded slightly, his strange form swaying faintly.
"Yes. Once he carries out this task, all you'll need to do is step forward and guide him. He'll follow you without question from that point on. But Obito, I fear Kirigakure will not be peaceful tonight."
"No matter. Haven't we already stirred the forces loyal to the Mizukage into action?"
Obito waved a hand dismissively, unconcerned, his gaze still fixed intently on Kisame.
"Once Kisame fulfills his role, we'll have Yagura make a brief appearance to pacify the unrest. The more of them that die, the better it serves our interests."
You might as well admit this is all just vengeance for Nohara Rin. Why bother pretending otherwise?
Black Zetsu cursed silently in his heart but chose not to voice the thought. Instead, he simply nodded again.
"Well, everything is ready, we are just waiting for them to take action."
"That's good."
Obito lifted his head, his eyes reflecting the full moon, now veiled behind thick mist. For a long while, he stood in silence before speaking in a slow, almost wistful voice.
"Tonight will bring the result we've been waiting for."
"At last... we're here."
Beneath the moonlight, Kitagawa Gen and his companions had finally reached the outskirts of Kirigakure. They had been guided here—however begrudgingly—by Zabuza himself.
To be fair, things had gone relatively smoothly, thanks to Zabuza's presence.
Though clearly reluctant to be captured by Kirigakure's forces, Zabuza hadn't tried to betray them, despite constantly seeking a way to escape.
From where he stood, gazing at the village half-shrouded in mist, Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Gen, if that clever little theory of yours is right, then what comes next is going to be the real problem."
"Indeed. The Mizukage isn't someone whose whereabouts are easy to uncover. And Kirigakure's defenses won't be lax."
Kakashi nodded solemnly beside him. His demeanor had already shifted into the calm precision of a man ready for combat.
"Even with Zabuza's help, getting inside will be anything but simple."
Zabuza let out a cold snort at that remark. He was more alert than ever, his instincts screaming that danger was near.
"Lord Jiraiya, Kakashi-sensei, there's something strange I just noticed."
At that moment, Kitagawa Gen suddenly spoke up, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"What is it?"
Jiraiya and Kakashi both turned toward him, brows furrowed in confusion. Gen narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice lowering as he explained.
"It's a bit faint, but I can sense a Flying Thunder God seal somewhere inside the village."
"And from the feel of it, it seems to belong to the Fourth Hokage..."
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[Chapter End's]
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