"Honest man!"
"Honest man!"
"I'll show you an 'honest man'!"
Mei Terumi was pinching Itsuki repeatedly.
A madman of an "honest man"!
She felt like she was about to die.
Is this what an honest person looks like in your house?
Itsuki chose to ignore it.
Pinch away!
Squeeze a little harder to prove you're still ready for battle.
So, stop with this weak attitude, and show some energy!
Pinch me harder!
Please!
Itsuki sincerely prayed for it.
He felt like something was missing; if she added a little more force, it would be perfect.
Understanding what Itsuki was thinking, Mei Terumi rolled her eyes hard.
"Itsuki, do you have a grudge against me?"
"How could I?"
"Then why were you trying to kill me just now?"
Mei Terumi was gritting her teeth.
"I'd kill myself before I'd harm you!"
Itsuki smiled warmly as he pulled Mei into his arms, affectionately saying, "It's just that I haven't seen you in so long. I've been missing you like crazy."
"Hmph!"
Mei snorted, got up, tidied her hair, and said seriously, "Since you know something is off in Kirigakure, why don't you think of a way to help me?"
"Me? Help you?"
Itsuki was stunned.
"What?"
Mei Terumi's beautiful eyes flashed with a fierce glint as she said, "Shouldn't you be helping me?"
"Of course!"
Seeing his woman about to explode, Itsuki quickly nodded and said, "Of course, I should help. But, you know me, if I get involved, it could create even more chaos."
Mei Terumi smirked and said, "At least you know yourself well."
"Of course, I do! I'm the first Mokage! Founder of the Hidden Fire Village!"
"Hmph!"
Mei Terumi snorted softly, a bit hesitant in her expression.
After thinking for a moment, she sent out a signal.
...
"Chojuro, why?"
Chojuro was confused and said, "Why are you stopping me? Just now, clearly..."
"There's someone in the shadows; I know!" Ao interrupted Chojuro. "I noticed too, but that person clearly knows the Mizukage. The Mizukage wants to speak with him privately, understand?"
"R-really?"
Chojuro looked a bit embarrassed.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
He did notice that person, but wait — that person did it on purpose, deliberately letting them spot him.
What kind of person does that?
Chojuro looked puzzled.
Ao turned and looked at the Mizukage's office building behind them, mumbling, "It should be him. If it is, then maybe..."
There was a hint of hope in his one good eye.
A few hours later, both of them received a signal from the Mizukage and rushed to the office.
Inside the office, a young man sat lazily in a chair.
His posture was as if he were sitting in his own living room.
Ao and Chojuro looked at him suspiciously.
He looked familiar, but they couldn't remember where they'd seen him.
Ao, however, recognized him immediately.
...It really was him!
Ao knew a little about Itsuki and Mei Terumi's relationship, though not much. But he understood enough.
If Kirigakure could get this man's help, it would be incredible.
After all!
This man had founded a ninja village!
"Mizukage-sama!"
Ao and Chojuro bowed respectfully.
"Hmm."
Mei Terumi nodded and gestured toward Itsuki. "This is Uchiha Itsuki, the first Mokage of Hidden Fire Village. You should have heard of him."
"So it's him!"
Chojuro suddenly understood.
No wonder he found this man so familiar.
They had received information from the outside world.
Another ninja village had emerged, and its leader called himself a Kage. He had even defeated Konoha several times and was recognized by other ninja villages.
Such a big event naturally brought them pictures of Uchiha Itsuki.
But still!
Why was this man in Kirigakure, and...
He seemed very familiar with the Mizukage!
"Both of you, I'm asking for your opinions now."
Mei Terumi seemed conflicted as she said, "Should we let Itsuki take action?"
Huh?
Ao and Chojuro were stunned.
What does she mean by letting him take action or not... Oh, they got it!
The two of them quickly recalled Itsuki's information and couldn't help but feel speechless.
How could they not understand!
This guy... he's a real troublemaker!
A small issue could escalate into a big problem!
A big problem could turn into an all-out war between villages!
Kirigakure's current situation was terrible, but if Itsuki got involved, who knew what would happen?
He might just trigger a full-scale civil war within Kirigakure!
Uchiha Itsuki, someone you can always count on to cause chaos!
No wonder!
No wonder even the Mizukage used the word "ask."
After a moment of silence, Ao said, "I think we should ask Mokage-sama for help. Kirigakure is already in a bad state; it can't get much worse."
"True!"
Mei Terumi muttered to herself.
In her heart, she had already made a decision.
Kirigakure needed to settle things as quickly as possible.
There could be no hesitation.
"Itsuki, you heard that!"
Mei Terumi stared at Itsuki and said, "I'm handing over the Anbu to you. I hope you can help me stabilize Kirigakure as soon as possible."
"You really dare to let me handle it?"
Itsuki looked at Mei Terumi with amusement.
Although he was Mei Terumi's man, he was also a Kage.
At this point, the more Kirigakure's strength was weakened, the better it would be for him.
"Yes!"
Mei Terumi answered firmly. She looked at Itsuki and slowly said, "Itsuki, you know how many ninja Kirigakure has had since the last Great Ninja War ended?"
Itsuki thought for a moment and said, "It's been thirteen or fourteen years since the Third Great Ninja War ended. Typically, after a war, each village pushes its ninjas to have children quickly."
"Kirigakure went through the Bloody Mist Village era and the Great Ninja War. When Hidden Fire Village was founded, we went through the Fourth Great Ninja War, but Kirigakure didn't. So, you should have a decent number. But by your expression... Could it be, ten thousand?"
"You're overestimating!"
Mei Terumi gave a bitter smile. "In Kirigakure, we have just over six thousand registered ninjas. Even counting those hidden clans, the number won't exceed eight thousand."
Itsuki gasped. "How is that possible?"
Kirigakure was one of the oldest villages.
One of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
It had enormous potential and was considered a possible rival to Konoha.
But with these numbers, it had fewer ninjas than even Sunagakure.
You spent over a decade recovering and ended up with this?
"This is the reality!"
Mei Terumi said weakly, "So, Itsuki, help me. Please, end the chaos in Kirigakure as soon as possible. Kirigakure will become your most loyal ally."
"Alright!"
Itsuki pounded his chest with a loud thud.
"Leave everything to me. I, Uchiha Itsuki, am someone you can trust!"
Mei Terumi: "..."
Ao: "..."
Chojuro: "..."
There was a growing sense of unease! Was it because they were hungry?
Mei Terumi sighed softly and said, "Itsuki, I need to tell you some secrets. This is the root of Kirigakure's turmoil."
"Is it about the Fourth Mizukage being controlled?"
"Hmm?"
Mei Terumi's eyes sharpened instantly. "How do you know that?"
"That guy also controlled the Nine-Tails back then, leading to the death of the Fourth Hokage. It's the same event you all know as the Nine-Tails' Night."
Itsuki gave a cold chuckle and said, "The Uchiha's current situation is all thanks to him!"
"He even controlled the Nine-Tails?"
Mei Terumi was once again shocked, then it dawned on her. "No wonder. The Fourth Mizukage was a Jinchuriki with the Three-Tails inside him. We were also surprised that he could be controlled. If that person can control the Nine-Tails, then it's not surprising anymore."
The Nine-Tails is undoubtedly the strongest of all the Tailed Beasts.
When Hashirama Senju distributed the Tailed Beasts, no matter how much he wanted peace in the ninja world, he certainly would have kept the strongest one for his own village.
He wasn't completely foolish!
Even if he were, Tobirama Senju definitely wasn't!
"That guy has returned to Kirigakure!"
Mei Terumi said gravely, "He has tried to make a move on me multiple times but has failed every time!"
Itsuki nodded silently.
This was not surprising.
Brother Tobi's tactics were more eerie than anything, but when it came to sheer strength, his single Sharingan might not be stronger than Mei Terumi's dual Kekkei Genkai.
As long as Mei Terumi stayed vigilant…
And it just so happened that Mei had only recently become Mizukage, so this was probably when she was at her most cautious.
Brother Tobi really hit a brick wall with that one!
"Leave it to me!"
Itsuki narrowed his eyes and said, "Mei, this is not the time for mercy. I hope you understand that."
"Of course!"
Mei Terumi sighed deeply.
How could she not know? Kirigakure had reached a critical point of survival, and there was no room for softness.
Besides, the reason she let Itsuki take over was because she had already mentally prepared herself.
"I'm glad you understand!"
"I've assigned two squads of the ANBU to you," Mei Terumi said, looking deeply at Itsuki. "Do what you must. I want this conflict ended quickly, and that mysterious man eliminated!"
"Good!"
Itsuki grinned and walked out.
"Sigh!"
Mei Terumi let out a long sigh.
Kirigakure was going to bleed again, and it would bleed a lot.
Ao hesitated, "Lady Mizukage, are you sure you want to entrust this to Uchiha Itsuki? His talent is great, but his methods are too brutal."
Mei Terumi replied helplessly, "Do we have any other choice?"
There were many things she couldn't do.
And, frankly, she wasn't capable of doing them.
She could only leave it to Uchiha Itsuki.
…
Outside the Mizukage's office.
Two ANBU squads were waiting quietly.
Itsuki walked up, grabbed a mask, and put it on. "Have you received your orders?"
"Yes!"
The two squad leaders knelt on one knee. "Sir, we await your command and will obey your every order."
There were only four ANBU squads in total.
It rarely expanded because ANBU consisted of the elite of the elite, and there weren't many who fit the criteria.
Also, ANBU members had to abandon everything and answer only to the orders of the Kage.
This prevented other factions within the village from allowing the ANBU to grow larger, maintaining it at four squads.
However!
The combat strength of these two ANBU squads was undeniably formidable.
"Good."
Itsuki nodded in satisfaction. "I hear that when you were searching for the mysterious man earlier today, someone stopped you. Is that right?"
"Yes!"
One of the ANBU squad leaders said, "It was a ninja clan from Kirigakure, called..."
"Enough, stop with the chatter. Take me there!"
Itsuki waved his hand. "Don't bother telling me the name. I don't want to remember, and there's no need."
The ANBU were startled but didn't ask further questions. They led Itsuki to the ninja clan's compound.
"Not bad."
Itsuki glanced at the compound and nodded. "Impressive. The size rivals that of the Aburame or Inuzuka clans."
"Creak!"
The gate opened, and a ninja stepped out, looking displeased at the sight of the ANBU. "What are you here for again? Didn't we already tell you, there's no one here that you're looking for."
"That's not necessarily true!"
Itsuki had only brought the two squad leaders, while the other ANBU members remained in the shadows.
"Maybe they're hiding right here in your home!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The man glared coldly at Itsuki. "Are you saying our clan is harboring criminals who disrupt Kirigakure?"
"Exactly!"
Itsuki smirked, "Your clan has betrayed Kirigakure by hiding them."
"What?"
The man was stunned, then his expression turned to horror as he realized Itsuki's intentions.
"You..."
"Kill!"
Itsuki coldly gave the order and charged toward the ninja clan.
"No, you wouldn't dare!"
The man shouted and immediately fired a signal flare.
Itsuki didn't respond, swiftly slashing his throat.
"Splurt!"
Blood sprayed everywhere, a testament to Itsuki's seriousness.
He then charged into the clan's compound.
The ANBU finally reacted, their faces filled with horror.
What was he doing? Exterminating a clan?
Was he insane? However, they asked no questions and decisively followed Itsuki.
Itsuki glanced at them without saying a word.
It was just as well. He had thought he would have to wipe out this clan on his own.
By the way, considering Kirigakure's customs, the ANBU were unquestionably the most loyal to the Mizukage.
This village treated ninjas like weapons to be trained.
It was much in line with Danzo's philosophy.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Itsuki clapped his hands, and a fierce dragon head slowly emerged, followed by another…
When the ANBU and the clan's ninjas came to their senses, they were horrified to see that Itsuki had summoned a total of nine water dragons.
Was this really the Water Dragon Jutsu? "Boom!"
The nine water dragons crashed into the clan's ninjas.
This was the signal for the full battle to begin.
The ANBU no longer hesitated. After all, the Mizukage had said to obey Itsuki.
So, they began the slaughter!
"ANBU? Mizukage, have you all lost your minds?"
The clan ninjas shouted in rage.
Itsuki said coldly, "The Mizukage discovered traces of the man disrupting Kirigakure. Your clan refused to cooperate with the ANBU, which proves you're in league with him. You must be eliminated!"
"Water Style: Heavenly Tears!"
Itsuki unleashed another Water Style jutsu.
After all, Konoha was once home to the strongest Water Kage.
Most of his jutsus were stored in the Forbidden Scroll.
That scroll, incidentally, was now in Itsuki's possession, so Itsuki had truly reached Mizukage-level strength.
When it came to purely Water Style battles, even Mei Terumi wouldn't be able to defeat him.
He was now the true strongest Mizukage!
(End of Chapter)