The battle ended quickly!
In just an hour, an entire ninja clan was wiped out.
The ANBU were all elites, with incredible combat power.
Not to mention, they were being led by the monster, Uchiha Itsuki.
He was simply too strong.
Even the usually emotionless ANBU members were looking at Itsuki with shock and fear in their eyes.
His chakra felt endless!
During the fight, he didn't care about how much chakra he used.
He could perform high-level jutsu with just one hand sign, or even a clap of his hands.
His Body Flicker Technique was executed so skillfully, it seemed like an art form.
All over the battlefield, it looked like he was everywhere, as if he were using the Shadow Clone Technique.
In fact, many ANBU members were saved by Itsuki.
Even though the ANBU were powerful, this ninja clan wasn't a small one either, with over three hundred ninjas.
Too many punches can kill even a master!
There were so many ninjas, even stray attacks caused countless casualties.
Many couldn't dodge in time.
But with Itsuki there, everything was different.
It was all about technique!
He fought while simultaneously saving people on the battlefield.
Oh, and after the fight, Itsuki even used medical ninjutsu to heal the injured ANBU members.
The ANBU were speechless:
"Where the hell did this monster come from?"
He even knew medical ninjutsu?
After the battle, Itsuki led the ANBU out of the destroyed ninja clan, swaggering as they went.
Outside.
A crowd had already gathered.
They stared angrily at Itsuki and his group.
"What is Lord Mizukage thinking?"
One of the ninjas couldn't hold it in any longer and shouted, "What did the Genji clan do to deserve total annihilation?"
The other ninjas were also murmuring amongst themselves.
This was a clan annihilation!
This wasn't a small matter!
Ah, so now everyone knows the clan's name.
Genji!
Itsuki turned his head and looked at the angry man. "We have evidence proving that the Genji clan was involved in the deaths of the Third and Fourth Mizukage. They're also connected to the recent attack on the Fifth Mizukage."
"That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"The Genji clan would never do such a thing!"
The ninja yelled out, his voice hoarse.
Itsuki looked at him and smiled coldly. "Seems like you know quite a lot. Why don't you come with us? We have some questions for you."
With that, he gestured for the ANBU to take the man away.
Everyone's faces turned pale.
Just a few words of denial, and they were going to take someone away?
Isn't this a bit too tyrannical?
No one believed Itsuki just wanted to ask a few questions.
Once someone was taken to the ANBU, it was nearly impossible to come back alive.
And returning completely unharmed? Dream on!
The ANBU, ignoring the murmurs, moved forward to apprehend the man.
Seeing this, the ninja backed away several steps, yelling even louder, "Everyone! Today they target the Genji clan and arrest me! Next time, it will be you! Are you just going to stand there and watch them act so lawlessly?"
Hearing this.
The other ninja clans and even regular ninjas started instinctively moving closer to him.
There were so many of them, and the sense of threat in their eyes was so overwhelming that even the ANBU hesitated and stopped in their tracks.
Standing still, they were unsure of what to do.
It was like being enemies with the entire world.
"You're absolutely right!" Itsuki's voice was calm. "If you're disobedient or involved in rebellion, you'll face death, and no one can save you."
"ANBU, what are you waiting for?"
The ANBU gritted their teeth and moved forward again.
The ninjas' eyes grew even more hostile.
The killing intent in the air was palpable.
The tension reached its peak.
It felt like a volcano was about to erupt any moment.
That walking-a-tightrope feeling made everyone's heart race.
Except Itsuki, who was standing calmly, observing the scene.
He was completely relaxed.
He even chuckled.
"Don't be so tense. We're just dealing with traitors."
"Why are you so nervous? Are you traitors?"
"If not, then stay quiet and alive. Isn't that nice?"
"Or do you think of yourselves as rebels?"
In the end, the ninjas didn't move.
The ANBU successfully apprehended the man and took him away.
Itsuki walked at the back, exposing his back entirely to the crowd.
"Wait!"
An elderly voice suddenly called out.
An old man, around sixty or seventy, slowly stepped forward and approached Itsuki.
"Sir ANBU…"
"No need for formalities," Itsuki replied with a grin. "You can just call me Grandpa."
What?
The old man was stunned, and anger flashed in his eyes.
The crowd erupted into whispers, many casting furious glances at Itsuki.
This was an insult to all of them!
But Itsuki still smiled.
He knew this old geezer well.
He was an elder of Kirigakure.
Useless in most aspects, his power was nothing to speak of, but he relied on his seniority to always meddle in everything.
Micromanaging is an understatement.
Constantly stirring up trouble was a better description.
Mei Terumi found him troublesome, but Itsuki? He had no patience for him.
Try to squawk in front of me? I'll slap you senseless.
I'm not afraid of you playing the victim afterward.
Try me!
Sensing the shift, the elder's expression changed, his voice low. "What is Lord Mizukage planning? Without reason, ninja clans are being wiped out. Does she plan to destroy us all?"
"I've said it before," Itsuki replied with a smile. "Disobedience or involvement in rebellion leads to death, and no one can save you."
The elder fell silent.
The first part of the statement was true; the rest was just for effect.
"Aren't you worried that such reckless actions will backfire?" the elder said, his words dripping with threat.
Itsuki smirked and asked, "Could things get any worse than they are now?"
Kirigakure was already on the brink of collapse.
Half the people followed the former Master.
A fifth followed Mei Terumi.
The rest subtly opposed her, unwilling to accept her leadership.
If that were all, it wouldn't be too bad, since the Master and Mei stood together.
But!
The true enemy, Tobi, was still out there, hiding, and no one knew who his agents were.
Uchiha Madara dominated one era, and Tobi dominated another.
There were definitely people in Kirigakure loyal to them.
And!
Itsuki was annoyed.
His woman, the Mizukage of Kirigakure, had so little influence and so few loyal followers.
Ridiculous!
Since we're talking about becoming the Mizukage, it has to be a Mizukage with real power!
So...
Itsuki needs to help Mei Terumi consolidate her authority. If that's not possible, then he'll destroy the Hidden Mist.
With the way the Mist Village is right now, Itsuki is fully confident he could wipe it out single-handedly.
The elder fell silent again.
Itsuki glanced around, then sneered, "Before you criticize the Mizukage for what she's done wrong, take a good look at yourselves. What have you done lately?"
"If you were the Mizukage, would you tolerate this?"
"You wouldn't, so why expect the Mizukage to?"
"Who do you think you are? You're nothing but trash, garbage, damn it!"
After ranting, Itsuki turned and left.
Halfway down the road, he stopped, looked around, and chuckled softly. "Don't forget, the Mizukage is the strongest ninja in the Hidden Mist. All your schemes are worthless. If you want to die, come at me."
Two hours later, news spread among the ninja.
The Kamihara clan had been wiped out.
Kamihara—of course, the clan of the ninja who had just been taken away.
In such a short time, the Anbu had mercilessly slaughtered his entire family.
Not a single survivor remained.
Unless they knelt down and begged for mercy, they would be marked with a jutsu and become the Mizukage's dogs.
Just like Konoha's Danzo and his Root agents, marked with the Curse Seal of Tongue Eradication!
Otherwise, they'd face death.
In the blink of an eye, two clans were dealt with.
One was completely annihilated.
Half of the other was wiped out, and the survivors surrendered, becoming slaves to the Mizukage. The Mizukage now had over a hundred more ninja under her command.
This sudden shift caused panic among the other clans.
Many of the smaller ninja clans started walking into the Mizukage's office, and after brief conversations, they too pledged their loyalty, allowing the Anbu to search their homes.
In a short time, Mei Terumi had over a thousand new ninja under her command.
The speed at which this happened caused Genji's eye to twitch uncontrollably.
Of course!
The main reason this worked was that Mei Terumi held the moral high ground.
She was already the Mizukage, after all.
Siding with her was the logical path!
Would anyone seriously think that opposing the village's leader was the right choice?
Who would dare to say that?
"Sigh…"
Genji let out a deep sigh and issued a clear order to his subordinates.
Immediately!
A large number of ninja flooded into the Mizukage's office.
No need to think too hard about it; they were also there to pledge their loyalty.
At over ninety years old, Genji decided to relinquish his power completely when faced with Uchiha Itsuki.
He figured he might as well enjoy his final days in peace!
Uchiha Itsuki silently appeared behind him. It looked like they were having a conversation, but it was really the most direct kind of threat.
"I'm talking to you today.
Tomorrow, I could make sure you die without a trace!"
So, even though he didn't want to, Genji had no choice but to hand over his authority.
Besides…
At his age, his desire for power had greatly diminished. Now, he just wanted to live a few more years.
Worrying too much was never good for longevity.
And after all…
Given what he knew of Uchiha Itsuki, he had no idea what might happen to him after he died.
Maybe they'd toss his body into the toilet...
Or worse…
The thought alone sent shivers down Genji's spine.
"Bastard!"
"Damn bastard!"
"That damn bastard!"
A series of angry curses rang out.
Obito face twisted in rage.
He was absolutely furious.
He was, indeed, in the Hidden Mist Village.
Uchiha Itsuki was too active and disruptive, quietly dismantling many of his covert operations.
To deal with him, Obito had to think of another way.
Especially since he'd noticed that Nagato seemed suspicious of him, almost as if he were about to make a move against him.
Obito needed reinforcements more than ever.
After studying the maps of the ninja world repeatedly, he suddenly realized that the Mist Village, which he had once abandoned, was actually of great value.
At the very least, it gave him a direct path to attack the Fire Village that Uchiha Itsuki had created.
But!
An unexpected problem arose!
He had intended to control the Mizukage with genjutsu, just like before. What could be more convenient than controlling the village leader?
But this Mizukage was strong!
Totally different from the Fourth Mizukage. Obito had underestimated her and almost got hurt in the process.
Just as he was trying to come up with another plan, Uchiha Itsuki arrived in the Hidden Mist once again.
And once again, he completely wrecked Obito's plans.
Obito was beyond furious!
"What now, Obito?"
Even Black Zetsu was feeling helpless.
Looking back, recruiting Obito had clearly been a mistake.
The guy was useless.
Black Zetsu had warned him not to go about things this way, but Obito thought he was invincible, that he could control the Mizukage directly.
Did he forget? Anyone strong enough to become a Kage was no pushover!
The only reason Obito had controlled the Fourth Mizukage was because Uchiha Madara had already left a mark on him.
Obito had simply walked the path Madara had paved.
And now he thought he was invincible?
"What now? How should I know?"
Obito snapped. "You should be telling me why Uchiha Itsuki showed up in the Mist Village at this time, and why the Mist ninja aren't attacking him but helping him instead!"
Black Zetsu replied, "It's obvious, isn't it? That jerk Uchiha Itsuki must be connected to the Fifth Mizukage. This guy seems to have women everywhere he goes."
Even Black Zetsu couldn't help but laugh bitterly!
What kind of ninja was this?!
Konoha was Itsuki's home base, and Black Zetsu had lost count of how many women he had there.
In the Sand Village, there was Fifth Kazekage Pakura, and the daughter of the Fourth Kazekage, Temari.
In Orochimaru's place, there was Guren.
In the Akatsuki, there was Konan.
Now, in the Hidden Mist, the Fifth Mizukage was also his woman.
Dear God!
If Itsuki went to the Hidden Rock or Hidden Cloud Villages, would he have women there too?
And not just any women—these were powerful women!
It could be said that Fire Village was stable thanks to these women.
Was Itsuki planning to unify the ninja world using them?
It wasn't impossible!
Those women were no pushovers!
If Black Zetsu had known, he would have waited a bit longer! Choosing Itsuki to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan would've been easier and more enjoyable!
"Another one of his women? That bastard! He needs to die!"
Obito ground his teeth so hard they made an audible crunch.
Black Zetsu could practically smell the jealousy in the air.
Oh, right!
Black Zetsu suddenly realized—this guy had spent years chasing a single woman and lost an eye over it, only to fail in the end.
What a disgrace!
Turning evil because of a woman—how laughable!
And now he was throwing a tantrum because of his incompetence!
Pfft!
Even though Black Zetsu kept a straight face, inside, he was laughing scornfully.
After so many failures, Black Zetsu was beginning to lose respect for Obito. He was already forming other plans in his mind.
Maybe…
It was time to use Obito to revive Uchiha Madara directly. Relying on Obito alone was useless.
He was just a fool who ruined everything!
Thinking this, Black Zetsu remained outwardly serious.
"Obito, you need to act fast. More and more people are swearing loyalty to Mei Terumi. Your men won't stay hidden for long. Once they're discovered, you'll be forced to leave the Mist Village."
"You don't need to tell me that!" Obito snapped, irritated. "I'm trying to figure something out. If it comes to it, I'll destroy the Mist Village. No way am I letting Uchiha Itsuki take it over!"
Black Zetsu looked at Obito like he was an idiot.
Destroy the Mist Village?
Did he really have the ability to do that?
If he did, Black Zetsu might have actually been impressed!