"Lord Shūichi, it seems that woman has no intention of relying on your strength," White Zetsu (Tobi) said as he emerged from the ground beside Shūichi.
Shūichi chuckled lightly. "She won't cry until she sees the coffin."
"Nagato wasn't wrong about one thing: without experiencing pain, one cannot truly understand or appreciate it."
"And without enduring despair, people won't value the hope they've worked so hard to attain."
White Zetsu grinned. "So, Lord Shūichi, are you planning to wait until Nagato makes his move before stepping in, appearing as a savior?"
"Besides, this is a classic 'hero saving the beauty' scenario. Who knows? That Mei Terumī might just fall for you completely."
Shūichi responded calmly, "That depends entirely on how they perform."
With that, his figure disappeared.
---
Meanwhile, as Mei Terumī and Zabuza approached Kirigakure, Zabuza asked, "What's your plan now?"
Mei replied, "I'm going to gather allies and break the genjutsu on Lord Fourth Mizukage."
Zabuza raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
Mei's tone turned icy. "Then we'll unite all our forces and drive the enemy out!"
Zabuza sneered. "Your enemy wields the Rinnegan and the Mangekyō Sharingan. Mei Terumī, even though you possess two Kekkei Genkai, there's no way you can stand against them."
"Unless you've reached Lord Shūichi's level of power."
"Have you forgotten the battle where Lord Third Mizukage was gravely injured? We're not on the same plane as opponents like this."
Mei countered calmly, "If the enemy chose to control Lord Fourth Mizukage, it means they're intentionally concealing their presence and have other motives."
"As long as we break the genjutsu on Lord Fourth, they likely won't engage us in an all-out battle."
Zabuza snorted. "You're gambling, aren't you?"
Mei didn't respond, though inwardly, she mused: The Rinnegan wielder is likely hiding because of that man, Shūichi.
The enemy's goal was the Tailed Beasts. Given the village's current state, the Rinnegan wielder could have easily captured the Three-Tails and Six-Tails by now but hadn't. There must be more to this.
Moreover, if Shūichi wanted to absorb Kirigakure into his plans, he wouldn't allow the Rinnegan wielder to destroy the village. Even the Three-Tails and Six-Tails wouldn't fall into their hands.
In simple terms, Mei Terumī planned to freeload off Shūichi's efforts to protect Kirigakure.
Seeing Mei's silence, Zabuza remarked, "Lord Shūichi favored you to become the Fifth Mizukage. It seems he might have been mistaken after all."
---
Night fell. Mei Terumī and Zabuza slipped into Kirigakure and first sought out Jonin Ao.
"What? Lord Fourth Mizukage is under genjutsu?"
Hearing Mei's explanation, Ao was stunned but quickly chose to believe her. "Since this information came from the God of Shinobi, it must be accurate."
"Besides, Lord Fourth's sudden policy shift to revive the Blood Mist of Lord Third's era was suspicious to begin with."
"But based on the intel you provided, we stand no chance against an enemy like that."
Mei said firmly, "Ao, go find the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki. Have him join us."
"He has already mastered the power of the Six-Tails, something no one else knows."
Both Ao and Zabuza were taken aback.
"If that's the case, we do stand a better chance," Ao said with a smile. "I'll go immediately."
"If we can break the genjutsu on Lord Fourth, the two Jinchūriki and the rest of us might just stand a chance." With that, Ao vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Zabuza turned to Mei. "I have to admit, Lord Shūichi's eye for talent is impressive."
Mei ignored Zabuza and sat down, silently eating a military ration pill.
Zabuza, however, continued, "You still believe Lord Shūichi, despite coveting Kirigakure, won't allow the village to be destroyed, don't you?"
"After all, a destroyed Kirigakure wouldn't be worth absorbing."
Mei glanced at Zabuza and finally said, "That thought did cross my mind."
"But no matter what, we can't always rely on others."
Zabuza sighed. "You do realize this decision will cost the lives of many villagers, don't you?"
Mei remained silent before nodding firmly. "The previous Mizukage and our ancestors made countless sacrifices to build this village."
"As their successors, we have no right to hand over their hard-won achievements so easily."
Zabuza exhaled deeply. "I may not agree with you, but I respect you."
"You truly deserve to be the Fifth Mizukage."
"This battle… I'll give it my all. If I die… well, if I survive, we may end up as enemies one day, Mei Terumī."
Mei gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing.
---
Shortly after, Ao returned with the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki, Utakata.
Zabuza scanned the group. "No need for anyone else?"
Mei responded, "Once we break the genjutsu on Lord Fourth, we can rally the entire village."
"Ao, at dawn, request an audience with Lord Fourth. The three of us will use Transformation Jutsu to disguise ourselves as tools and have you bring us into the Mizukage's office."
Ao nodded. "Understood!"
---
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Ao meticulously prepared himself, as usual. Mei, Zabuza, and Utakata transformed into kunai and were placed in Ao's tool pouch.
On a rooftop nearby, Shūichi, transformed into a bird, observed as Ao entered the Mizukage building.
He overheard the villagers greeting Ao with respect. "Good morning, Lord Ao!"
After less than half an hour, a masked Kirigakure ninja approached Ao. "Lord Ao, the Mizukage summons you."
Ao immediately stood and nodded before heading into the Mizukage's office.
At this moment, Yagura sat as usual behind his desk. From Ao's perspective, there were no visible flaws in his demeanor.
If only I still had that Byakugan...
Ao sighed inwardly and then took a deep breath.
Fourth Mizukage Yagura spoke first, "Ao, is there something you need?"
Ao, however, raised one hand and formed a seal. "Release!"
Yagura realized something was wrong the instant Ao raised his hand, but it was too late to stop him.
The genjutsu was dispelled. Yagura's body froze momentarily, his gaze turning blank before quickly recovering, now filled with fury. "Sharingan!"
BOOM!
The Three-Tails' chakra erupted, and the Mizukage's office exploded.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Figures darted in from every direction.
"Lord Mizukage!"
"What's going on?"
"Ao, what are you doing?"
Shouts of confusion echoed as Mei Terumī, Zabuza Momochi, and Utakata appeared together.
"Zabuza!"
"Mei Terumī? And the Six-Tails... Are you all trying to assassinate the Mizukage too?"
The arriving Mist-nin were stunned.
But Yagura quickly regained his composure. "It's not them!"
Being manipulated through genjutsu was a humiliation beyond words.
"Ao, Terumī, thank you!"
As Yagura stood to issue orders to counter the Akatsuki, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared in the office. "How careless... to let the genjutsu be dispelled like this!"
It was Uchiha Obito, clad in ceremonial robes and wearing his signature mask.
Swish!
Mei, Zabuza, Utakata, and Ao immediately encircled Yagura to protect him.
Yagura glared at Obito. "Sharingan from the Uchiha clan... you bastard! Unforgivable!"
"Take him down!"
Three masked Mist-nin rushed at Obito with blades drawn, their weapons piercing his body—only to freeze in confusion. There was no sensation of cutting through flesh.
Obito walked forward effortlessly, passing through the blades and Mist-nin attacking him. Then he retaliated: wooden spikes extended from his palm, impaling two of the Mist-nin, while the third was sent flying with a single kick.
Forming seals quickly, Obito's impaled victims screamed as wooden growths sprouted from their bodies, piercing them from within.
"That... that's Wood Release!"
Mei Terumī's pupils contracted sharply.
How could an Uchiha use Wood Release?
At that moment, Zabuza finished forming seals and shouted, "Scatter!"
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A surge of water formed into a dragon and roared toward Obito, crashing through the ruined building.
But Obito emerged unscathed, walking straight through the torrent.
"Be careful! This guy's ability seems to allow him to make his body intangible. Neither physical attacks nor ninjutsu can harm him," Ao shouted.
"But when he attacks, he must materialize!"
"Looks like there's someone clever here," Obito chuckled, unfazed by his ability being exposed.
With Ao's warning, several Mist-nin launched another coordinated assault, timing their attacks perfectly for when Obito would become tangible.
But just as their weapons were about to strike him, the attackers froze mid-motion, their eyes blank.
"Sharingan!"
Zabuza formed seals again, and thick mist began to fill the room.
"Argh!"
Screams echoed through the dense fog.
Hidden within, Zabuza launched a silent killing strike, only for his attack to pass harmlessly through Obito's body.
"Using the Hidden Mist Technique to disrupt my visual prowess? Clever, but..."
Obito ended his intangibility and grabbed Zabuza with one hand.
"You've fallen into my trap!"
Zabuza's voice came from behind him, and his blade was already swinging down toward Obito's neck.
"Water Clone!"
Beneath his mask, Obito's expression shifted. The Zabuza he was holding dissolved into water with a splash.
Just as Zabuza thought he had him, his blade suddenly stopped mid-swing.
"What is this...?"
His eyes widened as he saw a translucent, sky-blue skeletal structure blocking his sword.
In the next moment, Obito's Susanoo lashed out with a fist, sending Zabuza flying.
BOOM!
Zabuza crashed through a wall and embedded himself in another, coughing up blood. His body was immobile. "Damn it... bones are broken!"
Realizing the danger, Mei shouted, "This place is about to collapse! Get outside!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The group leaped through the openings in the wreckage, landing outside the Mizukage building.
Zabuza was severely injured, and the jutsu controlling the thick mist dissipated instantly.
The Mist-nin all turned their gazes toward the towering figure standing atop the Mizukage building, their eyes wide in shock.
"What is that?"
"Such... such powerful chakra!"
"Gulp..."
...
Yagura stepped past Terumī and Ao, his eyes fixed on the sky-blue Susanoo. "Mangekyō Sharingan... Susanoo!"
"Ao, take people to evacuate the villagers!"
"Terumī, Utakata, you will assist me in taking him down!"
"Be cautious of his genjutsu!"
Ao immediately nodded and led a group away.
Mei directed the surrounding Mist-nin, shouting, "Everyone, use Water Release!"
"Yes!"
The Mist-nin responded in unison, forming seals together.
Water Release: Water Whip!
Water Release: Wild Water Wave!
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Dozens of Mist-nin unleashed their Water Release jutsu simultaneously, targeting the fully-formed but unarmored Susano'o.
"Petty tricks!"
Uchiha Obito sneered, casually swiping his hand to destroy the incoming water dragons. The surging water streams couldn't budge him in the slightest.
Using the distraction of the Mist-nin's attacks, Mei leapt into the air and opened her mouth.
Lava Release: Lava Monster Jutsu!
A torrent of viscous liquid poured down from above, coating the Susanoo like a white shroud.
Sizzle!
The liquid hissed and smoked as it landed on Susanoo, rapidly eroding its defenses.
Standing at the center of Susanoo's brow, Obito raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Lava Release, just like the Six-Tails? Now this is more interesting."
At that moment, Mei shouted, "Everyone, fall back!"
As her words fell, her second jutsu was ready.
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!
A cloud of superheated acidic mist engulfed the Susanoo, accelerating its disintegration.
However, Obito formed seals with both hands, and Susanoo began to change. A demonic tengu-like armor materialized, drastically increasing Susanoo's defense. Its size grew as well.
The corrosive lava and boiling mist, which had previously been eroding the Susanoo, now proved ineffective against the reinforced defense.
"This guy..."
Mei was stunned.
Meanwhile, Yagura and Utakata, clad in their Tailed Beast Chakra Cloaks, had prepared their attack. Two Tailed Beast Bombs shot toward Obito.
"This... is the power of Tailed Beasts!"
Obito watched the incoming Tailed Beast Bombs. Susanoo extended its arms, manifesting chakra blades to block the attacks. Using the blades as shields, he collided with the bombs.
BOOM!
The force of the collision sent Susanoo sliding back, its steps crushing the Mizukage building beneath it.
But after only a single step back, Obito regained his footing. With a sweeping motion, he deflected the two Tailed Beast Bombs into the sky.
BOOOOM!
The bombs exploded mid-air, resembling two blazing suns.
Ao, in the middle of evacuating villagers, couldn't help but look up in awe. His face reflected pure shock. "He neutralized even that level of attack..."
WHOOSH!
The shockwaves from the Tailed Beast Bomb explosions swept across the area, sending many people flying. Ao quickly moved to save those in danger.
Back at the battlefield's core, Mei was equally astonished.
Two Tailed Beast Bombs had been neutralized.
Moreover, this was just a controlled Uchiha. The wielder of the Rinnegan hadn't even appeared yet.
For the first time, Mei felt a pang of regret.
At that moment, Yagura and Utakata, now fully transformed into their Three-Tails and Six-Tails forms, charged at Obito at incredible speed.
The close-quarters battle began.
(End of Chapter)
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