"Let's go! Back to the village!"
Shigure called out to Haku, lifting Chōjūrō onto the Flying Nimbus.
The three of them soared through the sky, heading straight for the Hidden Mist Village.
Watching them leave, Kakashi paused, his single visible eye narrowing slightly.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that? Don't tell me that kid Shigure's developed another one…"
To be able to create even a flying ninjutsu—such talent was rare.
It was a shame Konoha had let such a genius slip away.
Kakashi sighed quietly, the wind brushing against his silver hair.
Thanks to the incredible speed of the Flying Nimbus, and considering Chōjūrō's serious injuries that needed immediate treatment, Shigure didn't hold back. He flew at full speed toward the village.
Upon arrival, he rushed Chōjūrō straight to the Hidden Mist Hospital, leaving Haku to watch over him while he went to report the mission details to Mei Terumī.
After listening to his summary, Mei chuckled softly.
"Konoha really is something. They just keep sending away one excellent ninja after another. If my Hidden Mist had talents like that, I'd never let them go."
Her teasing tone drew a faint smile from Shigure.
"Are there not enough geniuses in Hidden Mist?"
Mei shrugged lightly.
"Compared to Konoha, maybe not. But in terms of sheer strength, our shinobi aren't lacking."
Shigure leaned back on the sofa, his eyes sharp.
"True… though the number of missing-nin from Hidden Mist might be the highest."
He smirked faintly.
"And many of them are monsters in their own right—Zabuza Momochi, Kisame Hoshigaki… both immensely strong, yet forced to leave the village. If shinobi like them had stayed, who knows which village would be called the strongest today?"
Mei fell silent, her expression dimming for a moment. Those were scars left behind by the Blood Mist era—remnants of the Fourth Mizukage's reign.
She exhaled softly.
"Alright, enough about that. You should rest. You've been on missions nonstop."
But Shigure only shook his head.
"No… the timing's just about right."
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Right? For what?"
"For the next step—the Three-Tails' capture."
He rose slowly, his tone calm yet firm.
"It shouldn't be long before we get news."
Mei's expression tightened.
"We've already dispatched squads to locate the Three-Tails, but there's been no sign so far."
Shigure gave a small chuckle.
"Don't worry about that. I already have a rough idea of where it's hiding. We're just waiting on confirmation."
"Waiting?" Mei pouted slightly. "And how long are we supposed to wait?"
Just then, a knock sounded on the office door.
Shigure's lips curved upward.
"Perhaps… not long at all."
Mei blinked in surprise, then called out, "Enter."
A Hidden Mist shinobi stepped inside, bowing respectfully before glancing between Mei and Shigure.
"Lord Mizukage, someone used the Anbu transmission network to send a coded message. It's addressed to Shigure."
The shinobi extended a sealed letter.
Shigure reached out. "I'll take it."
The messenger hesitated briefly, then handed it over after a nod from Mei.
Shigure opened the letter, scanned its contents, and smiled faintly.
"Found it."
Mei immediately stepped beside him, peering at the parchment.
Inside was a set of coordinates—an isolated lake deep within the Land of Water.
A massive, remote body of water surrounded by jagged terrain—famous, but rarely visited.
"The Three-Tails… it's there?" Mei asked quietly.
Shigure nodded.
"Yes."
He folded the letter neatly and stood up, his expression resolute.
"I'm heading out. It's time to capture it."
"You're going alone?" Mei asked, concern flickering in her eyes.
"Isn't one person enough?" he replied with a half-smile.
Seeing her hesitation, Shigure sighed.
"What's this? You're still worried about me leaving the village?"
He gave a wry chuckle.
"After all, I am the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki now. My bond with Hidden Mist isn't something that can be cut so easily."
Shigure sighed helplessly.
"What will it take for you to be at ease?"
Mei Terumī crossed her arms, her voice firm.
"Since it's within the Land of Water, I'm coming with you."
It was, after all, a Tailed Beast. Even though Shigure already bore the Six-Tails within him, the Three-Tails was no easy opponent. Its defenses were infamous—nearly impenetrable among the bijū.
Shigure gave a small nod.
"Alright."
With that settled, he summoned the Flying Nimbus, its golden form swirling beneath them. Both of them jumped on, the cloud lifting gracefully into the misty sky.
As the wind brushed against her hair, Mei's eyes sparkled with wonder.
"I've wanted to try this thing for ages… I didn't expect it to be so magical. It really feels like riding a cloud!"
Shigure couldn't help but chuckle. Mei looked more like a curious child than the formidable Mizukage of the Hidden Mist.
Without warning, the Flying Nimbus surged forward. The sudden burst of speed caught Mei off guard—she wobbled and nearly slipped off.
Fortunately, Shigure, already used to the Nimbus's unpredictable acceleration, reacted instantly. He caught her by the waist and pulled her back.
"Yeah," he said, smiling faintly.
"Everyone's first time on the Nimbus is like that."
Mei shot him a teasing look, her tone sultry.
"Little brat, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Shigure blinked, feigning innocence.
"On purpose? You were the one losing balance. I was just helping you."
"Helping me, huh?" Mei arched an eyebrow.
"Then perhaps you can take your hand off my waist now?"
Shigure froze for half a second before quickly letting go, his expression turning calm as he faced forward. Whether it was truly an accident or not—only he knew. He certainly wasn't going to admit it.
Mei rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. Hmph. At least my charm hasn't faded.
The Nimbus glided smoothly through the mist, finally descending over a massive lake that shimmered beneath the pale morning light.
Shigure pointed down.
"Lord Mizukage, you'll be meeting a special person here."
"A special person?" Mei tilted her head. "Someone of yours, perhaps?"
"Sort of," he replied cryptically.
The Flying Nimbus sank gently through the mist and came to a stop at the edge of a dense forest bordering the lake. As the two stepped off, Shigure immediately spotted a familiar figure waiting for them.
A tall man stood by the water's edge, bandaged face half-hidden beneath his headband. A massive kubikiribōchō rested across his back.
Zabuza Momochi.
The former Hidden Mist assassin turned slowly, eyes narrowing as he recognized Shigure—and then Mei beside him.
"So this is… the current Mizukage of the Hidden Mist?"
Mei's expression froze for a heartbeat. Seeing Zabuza—the infamous "Demon of the Hidden Mist"—standing there alive and cooperating with Shigure left her speechless.
"Zabuza… You're the one helping locate the Three-Tails?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"Helping the village rediscover the Three-Tails should count as a significant contribution, right? Enough to revoke his Missing-nin status. And if that's not enough, we'll add his help in capturing the Three-Tails to the list."
Mei frowned slightly, her brows knitting together.
"Whether his Missing-nin title can be revoked isn't something decided by words alone."
Shigure's eyes narrowed. So even the Mizukage doesn't have the final say…
He glanced at Mei, realization dawning. The influence of the village's elders was still deeply rooted—even stronger than he'd expected.
'It seems the Mizukage's power here isn't absolute. Not yet.'
He exhaled softly, his gaze turning resolute.
'If I ever take that seat myself… that's the first thing I'll change.'
...
TN:
🔟 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (Support me! 😊)