Kirigakure, the Mizukage Building.
If the Hokage Building in Konoha was full of vitality, and the Kazekage Building of Sunagakure radiated a chilling, murderous aura…
Then the Mizukage Building was undoubtedly a muddy swamp—stepping into it made your whole body feel uncomfortable, that damp, gloomy sensation growing even heavier.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder this is Kirigakure."
"This environment is… something."
It wasn't that Gekko Chizan had never seen the world before, but ever since he arrived in Kirigakure, everything here had truly shocked his eyes.
Walking into the Mizukage Building, he suddenly thought of a certain place.
It was the darkest room within a castle in a magical world—the cellar.
"Hehehehe, Ghost of Konoha, welcome to Kirigakure."
A crisp and powerful voice suddenly echoed. Hearing that voice, Gekko Chizan subconsciously narrowed his eyes.
Here it comes.
Yagura Karatachi, the newly appointed Mizukage of Kirigakure.
He looked young—actually, he was young—but that baby face… tsk. Seeing him walk out, Gekko Chizan immediately thought of the Third Mizukage he had slain.
The one controlled by Uchiha Madara to assassinate him.
It was because of that man's death that Yagura Karatachi became the Fourth Mizukage.
"Chōmei, can you tell if he's under Genjutsu?"
"Huh? Are you messing with me? How could I tell? I'm not good at Genjutsu myself."
The moment Gekko Chizan saw this boy, Genjutsu came to mind. After all, this poor Mizukage would sooner or later be controlled by Madara's successor.
But the moment he stared a bit too long—of course—the Mizukage immediately became unhappy.
"Hey, staring at me like that is rude, you know?"
"I just look a little young, okay? Do you really need to react like this?"
Yagura Karatachi frowned, displeasure showing on his face.
He was born with a baby face—so what! He was still the Mizukage!
Gekko Chizan laughed and quickly explained, "My mistake, pure accident."
"Mizukage-sama, this is the treaty submitted by Konoha."
"I hope you can sign it soon so we can return."
As he spoke, Jūzō Biwa stepped up next to the Mizukage, positioning himself at his side.
Yagura Karatachi looked confused for a moment, but soon understood what Jūzō was doing.
Because Jūzō Biwa was sending him a silent Anbu-style message.
The content was:
This guy is insane. Like, extremely insane. Mizukage-sama, I strongly recommend letting them leave as soon as possible.
Although confused, Yagura Karatachi still trusted Jūzō Biwa—after all, he was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his strength and judgment completely reliable.
Receiving the signal, Yagura Karatachi gave Gekko Chizan a deep look.
At this moment, Gekko Chizan was smiling. Though… the longer one stared, the more disturbing that smile felt.
"Hehehehe, a cease-fire agreement."
"Alright, understood. Jūzō, take them to rest. Once I sign the treaty, I'll hand it over to you."
Holding the treaty, Yagura Karatachi returned to his office.
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes instantly turned empty—clearly the effect of Genjutsu.
Three figures appeared before him simultaneously.
"Tch, it really is a cease-fire agreement. But I didn't expect that bastard Gekko Chizan to be the one delivering it."
"Zetsu, want me to take him out?"
Uchiha Makito took the scroll from Yagura Karatachi's hand, opened it, tossed it to the desk with disgust, then turned with a glint of killing intent.
Nagato, hearing Gekko Chizan's name, also flashed killing intent.
Back then, he already felt Gekko Chizan was suspicious. Later, when they encountered him, everyone was scattered.
Akaashi even died in front of him. That Konoha ninja was a walking calamity—he must die!
"Enough. Don't alert him."
"Getting them out of Kirigakure quickly is what matters."
"Right, Nagato—how's the Kaguya clan?"
Black Zetsu cared far less about killing Gekko Chizan and far more about the progress of their plans.
The Kaguya clan, was a race born for battle—violent combat power, insane temperament, and terrifying bloodline abilities.
During the Third Shinobi War, the Kaguya clan also took the battlefield, putting great pressure on Konoha.
But because they were impossible to control, they were eventually forced back—literally dragged home by force.
"Hmph, they're just a bunch of brainless beasts."
"Nagato, explain."
Uchiha Makito clearly had no good impression of the clan, mostly because of their terrible, unbearable temper.
"Not good. They can't be reasoned with at all."
"I think your plan needs to change. A clan that can't be controlled is better off destroyed."
Nagato's opinion was direct—if they couldn't be used, wipe them out. Better that than letting them become enemies.
And ever since awakening the Rinnegan, he had complete confidence in his own strength.
"We'll discuss this later."
"Their combat power is still valuable. If we could use them, it would benefit us greatly."
Black Zetsu was now completely acting as the strategist—Uchiha Makito only knew how to fight, fight, fight. And Nagato, well… he was too dark and too obsessed with killing.
Sigh. Being stuck with teammates like this gave Black Zetsu a perpetual headache.
The three continued planning, while Yagura Karatachi stood like a wooden puppet.
...
Meanwhile, Gekko Chizan and his group were being led by Kirigakure shinobi into a small compound.
This would be their lodging.
"Tsk tsk, Kirigakure really is gloomy."
"Just walking here, I could feel how many people were watching us."
"Pakura, we'd better not go outside."
Gekko Chizan closed the door, the smile fading from his face, replaced with seriousness.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them."
"If you want to move around, go ahead. But be careful."
"Give me your technique kunai."
Hearing that, Gekko Chizan froze for a moment, but soon switched to a face that practically said as expected of my wife.
"Hehehe, don't worry—I'll be careful."
"Since we're already here in Kirigakure, I might as well dig up some mysteries."
After all, he didn't plan to stay only a few days and leave.
And Kirigakure truly had certain things he wanted to uncover.