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Bonus Chapter
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The masked man already knew he had been exposed as the one controlling the Fourth Mizukage through illusions. He would definitely take action soon.
Uchiha Haru and Mei Terumi had to prepare quickly.
"In Kirigakure, besides the Fourth Mizukage, are there any other important figures who could influence the situation in the village?" Haru asked.
Mei Terumi was the spokesperson he had chosen, but she was still young and her words carried little weight. Even if she spoke the truth, few would believe her.
They needed a real heavyweight to step forward and expose this deception.
After thinking for a moment, Mei Terumi said, "There are two."
"One is the patriarch of the Kaguya clan. The Kaguya clan is the largest and most powerful clan in Kirigakure. Their patriarch holds significant influence."
"Although the Kaguya clan's power has waned over the years due to the Fourth Mizukage's oppressive policies, it remains the most prominent family in Kirigakure."
"If we can get the clan leader's support, it would be a great help."
"But the people in this clan have strange personalities, and their leader, Genji, is unpredictable... It won't be easy to gain their help."
"Yes," Haru nodded.
He had already made preliminary moves with the Kaguya clan.
"And the other?" he pressed.
"There's also the Elder Genji," Mei Terumi revealed another name.
Elder Genji?
Haru's mind stirred. He had some impression of the name.
In the Naruto world, when the Fourth Mizukage was found to be controlled by illusions, it wasn't Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, who stepped up immediately to manage the crisis.
Instead, it was the Elder Genji of Kirigakure who took on the Mizukage's duties. Though he never officially became Mizukage, he exercised its authority for many years until he grew too old to continue and passed the mantle to Mei Terumi.
However, the Elder Genji rarely appeared in public, so Haru wasn't sure what kind of person he was.
"The Elder Genji has been a highly respected figure in Kirigakure since before the Second Mizukage's era," Mei explained slowly.
"Many even regard him as more prestigious than the Fourth Mizukage."
"In the early days of the Fourth Mizukage's rule, whenever a major event occurred, he consulted Elder Genji."
"If we can secure the Elder's help, we will be halfway to exposing that the Fourth Mizukage is being controlled by illusions."
"Alright, let's go find Elder Genji now," Haru decided promptly.
"Yes," Mei nodded, then hesitated. "Now? Isn't it a little inappropriate? It's late at night. This isn't the best time to petition."
Haru shook his head. "Now is exactly the time."
"This must be dealt with quickly. The masked man already knows someone suspects his control over the Fourth Mizukage. With his intelligence, he might suspect me too."
"Perhaps he's already taken action. We must expose his control over the Fourth Mizukage and, by extension, Kirigakure as soon as possible."
This time, Mei Terumi didn't object.
She had seen the masked man with her own eyes. Though they hadn't fought, it was enough to know how terrifying he was.
Against such an enemy, swift planning was vital.
The two rushed to the residence of Elder Genji.
When they arrived, Haru suddenly vanished.
"You... aren't coming with me?" Mei Terumi asked.
Though she had doubts about Haru and didn't fully trust him, having such a formidable ally at her side gave her comfort.
"Do you want Elder Genji to know that an Uchiha controls everything behind the scenes?" Haru asked.
He didn't know the Elder's character, but he understood one thing clearly: the less exposure, the better.
After all, Haru was an outsider in Kirigakure, and suspicion was inevitable.
Mei Terumi was stunned but then understood.
If they wanted Elder Genji to expose the Fourth Mizukage's control, having an Uchiha appear during this process would complicate matters.
It might make the Elder more suspicious.
So Mei Terumi entered Elder Genji's residence alone.
Of course, this wasn't a formal visit through the front door, but a quiet, stealthy approach.
At this late hour, the Elder was likely asleep. How could she see him otherwise? Servants would stop her and tell her to return tomorrow.
Moreover, Elder Genji's high status meant he wasn't easily accessible, even during the day.
The Elder's mansion was not luxurious; it was somewhat worn down.
This matched the Elder's simple lifestyle and was part of why he had earned so much respect.
Mei Terumi had visited the Elder's residence several times for missions and knew the layout well.
There was no need to hesitate, and soon she reached the Elder's bedroom.
"Elder Genji, Elder Genji," she whispered, knocking gently.
Mei Terumi called softly in front of the door.
Not long after, an old man's voice came from inside the house, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Mei Terumi! I have something important to report to you, Elder."
"Alright, come in," Elder Genji said slowly, his voice steady and calm.
Just as Mei Terumi was about to push the door open and enter, Uchiha Haru suddenly appeared beside her.
Though he had stayed in the shadows upon arriving at Elder Genji's residence, it was clear he had no intention of letting Mei Terumi proceed alone. He had been silently following close behind, ready to respond to any sudden threat.
Mei Terumi was puzzled by Haru's sudden appearance. Everything seemed to be going smoothly—why now?
Haru made a quick "hush" gesture, signaling Mei Terumi not to reveal his presence.
Of course, he wouldn't show himself without reason. And since he had appeared, it meant something unexpected had happened.
That unexpected event was unfolding right inside Elder Genji's room.
Inside, besides Elder Genji, there was someone else.
Noticing Haru's caution, Mei Terumi immediately became alert. Something was definitely wrong—otherwise, why would Haru suddenly appear?
"Come in, why don't you come in?" Elder Genji's voice called again from inside.
Mei Terumi glanced at Haru, feeling torn. She knew something was amiss, but with Elder Genji inside, she trusted his voice and wondered if she should go in after all.
Just then, a sudden row of wooden stakes materialized between Mei Terumi and the door.
A rapid "dengdengdeng" followed—the unmistakable sound of kunai and shuriken piercing into wood.
Mei Terumi's face paled. How could she not realize that several kunai and shuriken had just been launched at her? If not for Uchiha Haru's timely protection, she would have been seriously injured.
"Huh," the person inside the room murmured, clearly surprised at the quick counterattack.
But since he had been exposed, there was no point in hiding anymore.
He burst out of the room with a swift motion.
It was a ninja dressed in a black robe embroidered with red clouds—an Akatsuki member. He appeared relatively young and wore a scratched Konoha forehead protector, a notorious mark branding him as a rogue shinobi.
Most striking were his eyes—blood-red, the three magatama connected in a sickle shape: the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Uchiha Haru immediately recognized him.
Uchiha Itachi.
Itachi's sharp eyes fell on the elder Genji, held hostage in one hand, before locking onto Haru standing beside Mei Terumi. His expression darkened instantly.
From a young age, Itachi had been hailed as a prodigy, a genius ninja with few equals—especially in the Uchiha clan. Very few could rival him, let alone suppress him.
Until the day he faced the true strength of Uchiha Haru.
The blow was severe, the loss bitter. It had wounded Itachi's pride and stoked a deep, reluctant jealousy that he never expected to feel.
"It's you," Haru said quietly.
He had not expected to encounter Itachi again so soon after the massacre of the Uchiha clan.
Mei Terumi's eyes widened in surprise.
They knew each other? Again?
Three pairs of Sharingan—three different Uchiha.
Despite her shock, she still trusted Haru and refrained from overreacting.
Itachi narrowed his eyes and stared at Haru without a word.
His mission was clear: hold Elder Genji hostage, kill whoever came to deliver the message, and deliver all information to the Uchiha clan.
But now...
Besides Mei Terumi, there was another Uchiha—Haru.
How could he kill him?
This complicated everything.
Elder Genji, held captive by Itachi, looked equally bewildered. What was going on? Why were Uchiha fighting Uchiha?
"This... what is this madness?" he thought.
"Let him go, and I will let you leave," Haru said to Itachi calmly, but with unwavering confidence.
"Otherwise, I guarantee you won't leave here alive today."
His voice was steady, yet carried an absolute authority—as if mere words from him could decide Itachi's fate.
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This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones
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