The Hidden Mist Village had never been this lively.
Shigure watched as cheering shinobi surrounded him, begging to learn the Water Breathing training method. With a helpless gesture, he signaled for others to handle the crowd.
Kuji quickly stepped in with a squad of Mist shinobi.
"Everyone calm down! We will teach you the Water Breathing method in an orderly manner! Do not trouble Lord Shigure!"
"Stand back!"
Kuji, as always, was a loyal guardian. He never allowed anyone to approach Shigure without permission.
Shigure glanced back at Mei Terumī.
She smiled knowingly. From this day onward, Shigure's status in Kirigakure would only grow. As Water Breathing spread and more shinobi adopted it, the village's admiration for him would rise — and with it, the inevitability of his future position.
Shigure becoming Mizukage was no longer a question of if… only when.
Even the villagers celebrated in the streets. They did not fully understand Water Breathing, but they knew the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist — and now the legendary swordsmen had returned. Hope for Kirigakure's resurgence burned brightly.
Cheers echoed throughout the day. Laughter filled every corner of the newly revitalized village.
Night soon arrived.
After putting the completely exhausted Mei Terumī to bed, Shigure stepped outside alone, dressed only in thin nightclothes.
He was just one opportunity away from claiming the Mizukage's mantle — yet Mei was doing a respectable job as leader. Without an undeniable reason, she would never relinquish her position.
And creating such a reason… would not be easy.
Shigure frowned as a sudden disturbance rippled through his senses — a foreign chakra signature, faint but unmistakable.
"Lord Shigure!"
Two Kozuki-clan shinobi appeared instantly, positioning themselves to protect him. Shigure gazed into the distance, where the chakra flicker had already vanished.
"It seems," he said coolly, "…we have visitors."
With a soft rustle, the clothes on his body shifted into his usual battle attire, courtesy of the Devourer's transformation ability.
He advanced into the darkness. The Kozuki shinobi followed.
Far away in the forest, a lone figure sat atop a stone, eyes fixed on the lights of the village.
"…He's already on his way?" the masked man murmured.
Zetsu emerged partially from the ground.
"They detected us faster than expected. His sensory abilities are terrifying."
To become the jinchūriki of three Tailed Beasts, to possess talent beyond comprehension, and to wield such precise chakra perception — he was a monster among monsters.
The spiral-patterned mask turned toward the approaching presence.
Moments later, Shigure appeared before him.
"Akatsuki?"
Shigure paused, his eyes narrowing. Only then did he recognize the intruder: Uchiha Obito.
Why would he come here?
"So sharp. I barely arrived, yet you already found me," Obito remarked with a casual smile.
Shigure stared back, expression unreadable.
"What business does Akatsuki have in Kirigakure? Sightseeing?"
"A visit," Obito replied, almost amused. "A special visit — to you."
Before he could say more, the cold edges of two swords pressed against his neck.
Obito's eyes narrowed slightly. Two Hidden Mist shinobi had appeared silently on either side of him — undetected. Even Zetsu was startled.
"…When did they get there?" Zetsu muttered.
"Their concealment abilities are unreal. I couldn't sense even a trace."
Even Infinite Tsukuyomi's mastermind was impressed — a rare testament to their stealth. Shigure nodded with satisfaction. Though such a tactic wouldn't kill Obito, that wasn't the point. The message was clear.
Very few in this world could detect shinobi who wielded Yin Release at such mastery.
Shigure found a stone nearby and sat down casually.
"So then — why seek me out?"
Obito eyed the swords at his throat.
"If we're going to talk," he said calmly, "perhaps have them lower their blades first?"
The two Mist shinobi tightened their grips on their blades.
"Don't play games. Answer Lord Shigure's question!"
Obito raised a brow at their aggressive tone.
With a faint smirk, he stepped forward—his body passing cleanly through the swords as if they were cutting air.
Both shinobi froze.
What…?
No solid form?
How were they supposed to fight an opponent like that?
They prepared to intercept again, but Shigure lifted a hand, calmly stopping them.
Obito stopped only a few steps away, addressing Shigure directly.
"The rest of this conversation should remain between the two of us. I doubt you'd want anyone else hearing it."
Shigure gave a slight nod. "You two, withdraw."
"But, Lord Shigure—"
A cold look from Shigure silenced any further objection.
Reluctantly, they sheathed their swords and faded back into the shadows.
Obito took notice.
Shigure's authority within Kirigakure rivaled that of Mizukage Terumī Mei herself.
"Speak," Shigure said coolly. "You're here for Kisame, aren't you?"
Obito nodded. "Correct."
To pull a man as unwavering as Hoshigaki Kisame away from the Akatsuki… that alone proved Shigure's influence. And it annoyed Obito.
"You took a very valuable comrade from us," he continued. "Shouldn't you compensate us for the loss?"
"Loss?" Shigure gave a short laugh. "Kisame is a shinobi of Kirigakure. If anything, it's the village that has suffered — not your organization."
"But he defected willingly," Obito rebutted. "He chose us—"
"Because of the Fourth Mizukage," Shigure cut him off. "And who was manipulating the Fourth from the shadows? All of this began because of you."
Obito's expression darkened.
Kisame had spoken. More than he should have.
Which meant Shigure likely knew the Moon's Eye Plan in full.
That alone made him a threat too great to ignore.
"Then let's resolve this another way," Obito offered.
"Join the Akatsuki. Do that, and we'll consider Kisame's situation… forgiven."
Shigure snorted softly.
"I'm a Jinchūriki. You hunt Tailed Beasts. If I joined you, would you simply abandon your goal?"
Obito's eyes sharpened. The mask hid his face, but not the killing intent radiating from him.
"So you do know," he muttered. "In that case… I can't allow you to live."
"…Gekkō Shigure."
It had been a long time since anyone addressed him by his old Leaf name.
For a moment, nostalgia flickered through Shigure's eyes.
But Obito truly believed he could kill him alone?
How amusing.
Just as Shigure was about to respond, his vision warped — the world twisting unnaturally. A sudden spike of spiritual pressure crashed into his consciousness.
Genjutsu.
This man thought he could overpower him with an illusion?
Ridiculous.
Shigure's eyes flashed crimson—
…and…
...
TN:
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