The rain poured heavily, accompanied by rolling thunder.
An elite squad of dozens of Mist Ninjas braved the downpour, swiftly navigating through mountains and forests ravaged by floods.
The Mizukage, concerned about the havoc caused by the tailed beasts, personally led a small team of sealing squads as the vanguard.
They were to provide support for the later-organized troops, gathering the village's elite jonin after thorough preparation.
"Keep up the pace! Move faster!" commanded the leading jonin, his expression grave as he glanced towards the serene lake not far ahead.
Instead of the fierce battle he anticipated, only an eerie silence greeted him. The unsettling calm unsettled him deeply.
No, he reassured himself. The Mizukage wouldn't be in trouble. This silence must signify the early end of the battle.
Shaking his head vigorously, the leading jonin reaffirmed his resolve and trust in the Mizukage's strength.
The entire team accelerated silently, akin to specters in the rain.
As they neared the lake's edge, signs of the battle finally came into view, shocking and horrifying them.
The terrain surrounding the lake had drastically transformed due to the intense battle. The earth had been washed away by water, revealing a rugged, rock-strewn landscape riddled with cracks and gullies like spider webs, as if plowed by an iron rake.
Moreover, the lake's water level had dropped several meters.
The nearby jungle's trees appeared as if swept by a violent hurricane—uprooted with soil or snapped in half. The battlefield lay in disarray.
Yet, perplexingly, there was no trace of any individuals.
Whether it was the tailed beast mentioned in their intelligence or the intruder Uchiha Sogetsu, or the Third Mizukage and his sealing squad—they all seemed to have vanished.
"Spread out and search!" ordered the leading jonin, his expression growing increasingly grim and despondent, waving his hand to issue commands.
Instantly, dozens of elite jonin dispersed from their positions.
The search wasn't prolonged. Soon, a terrified scream pierced the air, drawing the attention of the other jonin, who hurried towards the source.
However, when they followed the sound and found the screaming jonin, they were stunned by the scene before them. Their expressions shifted from fear to horror, then to anger.
Their pupils trembled violently, mirroring the earthquake-like turmoil within them, rendering them speechless.
"Lord Mizukage!"
Finally, someone couldn't hold back and shouted in a trembling voice.
The third generation Mizukage of the Hidden Kirigakure leaned against Iwagakurey wall, his body drenched in blood.
His head hung limply, blood still spilling from a fist-sized hole in his chest, staining the nearby ground crimson in a stark and chilling display.
The outcome was clear.
The third Mizukage of the Hidden Kirigakure had tragically fallen in battle against Uchiha Sogetsu and the tailed beast.
Silence.
Complete silence.
All present were elite shinobi, seasoned veterans of the Hidden Kirigakure. Even confronted with such a horrifying sight, they maintained their composure.
Yet, the violent death of their Mizukage ignited an intense fury within them.
Their eyes blazed with bloodlust, pupils dilated in silent fury. Amidst the hushed atmosphere, a chilling and palpable sense of vengeance loomed.
A jonin stepped forward, kneeling to examine the Mizukage's body meticulously. He gently turned the head, observing the eyes and facial expressions.
After a solemn silence, he murmured, "Cause of death: puncture of vital organs through the chest. Minimal chakra remains, indicating significant depletion before death."
Glancing around, he continued, "The surrounding destruction suggests repeated use of high-level ninjutsu."
Another added, "Remnants of the Mizukage's summoned beast were discovered in the lake. It appears a fierce battle took place."
"The Three-tailed Isobu has returned to dormancy at the lake's depths," another confirmed.
Listening attentively to the autopsy and search reports, the group didn't erupt into immediate outcries. Instead, they methodically reconstructed the scene in their minds, piecing together every detail from the tragic event.
The third Mizukage fought desperately to seal the tailed beast, but his chakra depleted, and he fell to Uchiha Sogetsu's blade.
"Should we issue a wanted order?" someone suggested. "Uchiha Sogetsu must pay for killing the Mizukage."
"No! We can't let this news spread," countered the lead jonin, voice tense. "At Least not now. With our current strength we can't guarantee that the old fox of Iwagakure won't turn back on us."
"You mean we should let this slide?" Others protested, outraged yet understanding the delicate politics.
"As the Kage, being assassinated after border skirmishes is a great shame," one argued, fearing ridicule from other villages.
"No, not to forgive," the lead jonin clarified, calming. "We must seek vengeance, but not yet."
"Don't forget, we're in a delicate alliance with the Iwagakure," he explained carefully. "If that old fox Onoki learned of the Mizukage's death, he could ally with Konoha and start a war with us."
His words sobered them. Caught between Konoha's ambition and Iwagakure's guile, Kirigakure faced peril.
"What's your plan, then?"
Everyone turned their attention to the lead jonin, the one whose reputation and strength were closest to that of the Kage.
"In this situation, there's no better option."
"Suppress news of the Mizukage's assassination. It must not leak!"
The lead jonin glared fiercely at everyone, speaking with a deep voice: "Accelerate our collaboration with Iwagakure Ninja. Konoha will pay with blood!"
"Blood debts must be repaid with blood!"
"Blood debts must be repaid with blood!"
"Blood debts must be repaid with blood!"
At that moment, everyone's anger seemed to set the cold valley ablaze.
The lead jonin's eyes burned fiercely, like a hungry wolf, emanating a chilling aura of murderous intent: "Gentlemen, the war has begun!"
No one showed fear on their faces. Instead, the word "war" ignited their minds' nerves, releasing a surge of hormones. Excitement mixed with vengeful anger, intertwining like raging beasts hungry for the slaughter and bloodshed of war!
Yet, unnoticed by all, a figure sat silently a hundred meters away.
Uchiha Sogetsu's eyes were dull, filled with loneliness as if forgotten by the entire world.
"The war has begun."
********
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