Kurita Kyoko finished her report under Terumi Mei and handed over the scroll.
After reading it, Mei's face darkened.
After all, who could easily accept the fact that their own Kage was being controlled by genjutsu?
"Bring in Uchiha Natsuki," Mei said, rubbing her temples. No wonder the Mizukage had stopped appearing in public these past years—especially wherever Ao was present.
Natsuki pushed open the door and entered. His trip to the Mist was originally meant to abduct a few talented individuals.
Whether the village itself ended up looking like a pig's brain or a dog's brain had nothing to do with him.
So he had Kyoko establish contact with Mei instead. After all, a few years down the line, Mei would ascend to Mizukage, and even now, her faction was already among the most powerful in Kirigakure.
"I've long admired your name, Uchiha Natsuki. With talent like yours, the Uchiha Clan is bound to shine once again," Mei greeted politely.
She had good reason—after all, Natsuki had just provided them proof that the Mizukage was colluding with enemies.
And that proof had been recovered from Konoha shinobi, which made things even more interesting.
Natsuki studied the tall, mature beauty before him. He honestly couldn't understand—were Mist men blind? How could no one pursue someone this stunning?
Still, he had no romantic thoughts toward Mei. He was here for business.
"You flatter me. But you, Lady Mei, are also remarkable. Now that this truth is confirmed, the position of the next Mizukage is surely yours."
They exchanged a few polite compliments before Mei cut to the point.
"How exactly does Natsuki-dono wish to cooperate with us?"
"If you want to secure the Mizukage's seat legitimately, you'll have to expose Yagura's manipulation publicly," Natsuki said.
"And right now, is there anyone in the village who could suppress him?"
More than just no. The Mist had already lost much of its high-level power. Most of the great bloodline clans had been massacred by Obito.
Mei was far from strong enough to fight the Fourth Mizukage one-on-one.
Yagura also possessed a secret technique: the Water Mirror Jutsu.
It could conjure a water mirror that created an identical copy of the enemy, capable of using the exact same techniques at equal power.
As a jinchūriki, this made Yagura virtually untouchable in the village.
That was why, even with her suspicions, Mei had done nothing—the simple truth was, she couldn't win.
The Mist couldn't withstand more turmoil, and sacrificing countless lives was not worth it.
Mei gave Natsuki a probing look. He smiled faintly.
"Since I could obtain this evidence, it means I have the power to suppress the Fourth Mizukage."
Mei nodded. The might of the Mangekyō Sharingan was something she acknowledged.
"So you came all this way just to help me ascend?" she asked lazily, reclining back in her chair, exuding seductive charm.
Natsuki, unfazed, waved his hand. "Just call me Natsuki. As for the Uchiha and Konoha, you know how things stand."
She nodded. Of course she knew.
The Uchiha and Konoha barely maintained appearances. Aside from completing occasional missions, the clan was essentially detached from village affairs—like outsiders borrowing the village's name.
And the reason behind it had already spread across the ninja world.
"Then what do you want, Natsuki-dono? Speak plainly," Mei said with a slight smile.
Natsuki raised two fingers. "Once this is done, I want two people. And I'll need help finding two more."
"Oh? Who are the two worth catching your attention?"
He pointed at Kyoko. "Her. And Hoshigaki Kisame."
Mei glanced at Kyoko, then gave Natsuki a meaningful look.
After a moment's thought, she said, "Kyoko and Kisame both belong to Hōzuki Mangetsu. He won't let them go so easily."
Natsuki shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Mangetsu's already a dead man walking. Why would I care about his opinion?"
Mei frowned. "What do you mean?"
Natsuki chuckled. "He just ruined Yagura's plans. What do you think will happen to him?"
"You're certain?" Mei narrowed her eyes.
Mangetsu was one of the village's old guard, commander of the Cipher Division and another assassination unit.
Since Yagura had been placed under genjutsu, Mangetsu had kept to seclusion, rarely appearing.
He was one of the last remaining pillars of the Mist.
But Mangetsu opposed Mei's rise. To her, his existence was an obstacle.
And with the village already rotting from within, Mei was prepared to tear it down and rebuild.
Old relics like Mangetsu would have to be removed.
"I am certain. All you need to do is keep an eye on Kisame. Mangetsu will die. And that will be your best chance to strike at Yagura."
Mei thought for a moment. They were only two missing-nin, after all.
"Fine. I agree."
…
"Damn you, Kisame…"
Mangetsu coughed up another mouthful of blood.
He never imagined that the subordinate he trusted most would betray him.
Another slash cut into him. Mangetsu felt his strength draining away, collapsing heavily to the ground.
Kisame crouched down, pried Samehada from Mangetsu's back, and took it as his prize.
He gave the corpse a shove with his foot before turning to leave.
But a voice called out.
"Well done, Kisame."
Kisame spun, gripping Samehada tightly.
"I knew he'd let his guard down around you. Just as I expected."
"That man colluded with our enemies. From this day forth, you are the wielder of Samehada. From this day forth—you are mine."
Seeing that it was the Mizukage, Kisame relaxed his grip. But his face did not brighten.
A false smile stretched across his lips. "In the end, you'll dispose of me too, won't you, Mizukage-sama?"
For Kisame, every mission had been the same: kill comrades, kill superiors.
Even if it was the Fourth Mizukage, he felt no sense of belonging.
"On the contrary," Yagura said coldly. "Precisely because you've carried out countless dirty tasks for the sake of the village, you are the one most worth trusting.
Because you understand… this world is steeped in lies."
Kisame's expression didn't change. "I knew that the moment I killed my first comrade.
I am a Mist shinobi, yet I slaughter Mist shinobi. Then what am I?
Enemy or ally? What is my purpose? Where do I stand?"
He stared at his hands.
"Where am I supposed to go? Where will I find peace?
All I can feel is that I am nothing but a false existence."
From behind the impassive Yagura, a dark figure emerged.
A low voice echoed. "Then allow me to release you from the pain of lies. Let me give you a place to belong."
"Who are you…?" Kisame tensed, gripping Samehada's hilt.
"From now on, you'll act not to eliminate comrades, but as my comrade. Starting with this very nation."
Kisame sensed that this person seemed to trust him deeply, which puzzled him.
"You seem to place a lot of trust in me. Yet I don't even know who you are."
In the darkness, a blood-red Sharingan opened.
Kisame's heart skipped. That eye!
It glowed in the shadows.
Realization struck him.
"So that's it. The man I thought was the Fourth Mizukage's master… is you.
It was you using those eyes to control him. Hah… truly, this world is full of lies.
But to wield such power—eyes capable of controlling even the Three-Tails' jinchūriki Mizukage—
Just who are you?"
The deep voice answered: "Uchiha Madara."
"What!?" Kisame was stunned.
"That man should have died long ago…"
But before Obito could finish his ploy, a mocking laugh rang out from behind Kisame.
"Heh… yeah. Which means he's lying to you."
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