Land of Hot Water, Southern Coast...
"So, Raiga Kurosuki and Mangetsu Hōzuki are both dead?"
"The mission to assassinate the Daimyō failed, and the Lightning Blades Kiba was taken as well."
"Heh... Jūzō Biwa, tell me, why do you still have the nerve to come back?"
Sitting atop a rock, a middle-aged man with black hair kept his eyes closed, a hint of displeasure tugging at the corner of his mouth. Before him stood a group of Kirigakure shinobi, led by none other than the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—no, now they were only five.
After all, Raiga was dead, and Mangetsu had been captured.
"Lord Third, the plan ran into unexpected trouble. Konoha sent an elite Jōnin to guard the Daimyō's residence, and his strength was terrifying."
"Oh? How terrifying?"
It was rare to see the Third Mizukage, the supreme leader of Kirigakure during wartime, appearing outside the village.
"He's a disciple of Orochimaru, one of the Three Sannin. He can summon multiple giant serpents to aid him in battle and is also highly proficient in space-time ninjutsu."
"Raiga and Mangetsu both fell to him. I retreated to preserve our strength and recover the ninja blades."
Jūzō kept his head bowed low, not daring to meet the Mizukage's gaze.
Kirigakure had once been prosperous, but ever since the Third Mizukage took power, he had ruthlessly suppressed shinobi with Kekkei Genkai and established the Blood Mist Village to cultivate stronger individual warriors.
"The so-called Three Sannin of Konoha? Just a title for losers."
"But summoning giant snakes... that's somewhat interesting."
"Still, it's not an excuse for failure."
His voice grew colder with each word, and Jūzō was already breaking into a cold sweat.
But then, the Mizukage suddenly changed his tone and even let out a light chuckle.
"Heh... don't worry. I won't punish you—after all, we're still at war with Konoha."
"Head to the front lines. Give me some good news, and if I'm in a good mood, you'll be just fine."
"But—"
Before he could finish, Jūzō cut in.
"No buts! I will break through Konoha's main defensive line!"
The Mizukage seemed pleased with his response.
"You all heard him. Everyone, move out to the main battlefield. Show those weaklings in Konoha what true strength is."
"Every shinobi of the Blood Mist Village is strong. Go."
Without hesitation, the assembled Kirigakure shinobi, including the remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, set off for battle.
Only the Mizukage remained seated on the rock.
His eyes slowly opened, revealing a gaze filled with murderous intent and brutality.
"Just a single Konoha Jōnin? Hmph... Orochimaru, is it?"
"Even Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't dare act so arrogantly in front of me."
"Suitsei, return to the Land of Water and deliver my orders—have the Taketori Clan join the battle."
From behind him, a surge of water took shape, slowly forming into a masked figure—an unmistakable member of Kirigakure's ANBU.
"Lord Third… are you sure about releasing that clan?"
"They're all lunatics."
Hearing this, the Mizukage let out another chuckle—this time, his smile was far more sinister.
"Crazy? So what if they're crazy? The battlefield needs crazy people."
"Go. If they're so eager to fight, let them loose on the battlefield!"
The ANBU didn't argue after hearing the Mizukage's firm stance. After all, while the Taketori Clan was undeniably unhinged, their combat prowess was unquestionable.
Despite their low status in Kirigakure, their Kekkei Genkai and bloodthirsty nature made them a potential threat—even to their own allies. That was precisely why they had been kept in check, even throughout this war.
But now, the situation was grim. Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—shinobi of their caliber—were suffering losses, and two had already fallen.
No wonder the Mizukage was resorting to using such an unstable force.
With that thought, the ANBU hesitated no longer. Nodding silently, he vanished, leaving the Mizukage alone.
"Everyone's gone… and you're still not coming out?"
"Or do I need to drag you out myself?"
His voice suddenly dropped, filled with an eerie chill.
"Still hiding? Fine! Then I'll force you out!"
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Leaping into the air, the Mizukage's hands moved in a blur, forming seals so fast they left afterimages. A moment later, a monstrous torrent of water erupted.
The coastal terrain was instantly swallowed by an endless ocean.
"Water Release: Hidden Tide!"
The water churned violently, forming massive waves that crashed outward.
"Heh… to think that little brat from back then would dare raise a hand against me..."
"How foolish..."
"Kirigakure… wouldn't it have been easier to just remain my pawn?"
A raspy, chilling voice echoed through the water. When the Mizukage caught sight of the shadowy figure beneath the waves, his eyes widened in shock.
His voice trembled.
"Impossible… You're supposed to be dead..."
"How… how is this…"
"No!"
A desperate, piercing scream rang out, and then, as if nothing had ever happened, the water receded, returning to calm.
Only the Mizukage remained, slumped on the ground. His eyes were hollow, devoid of focus.
A moment later, he slowly rose to his feet, turned toward Konoha's direction, and rushed off.
...
Somewhere in an unknown location, an elderly figure swayed unsteadily, prompting the person beside him to step in and offer support.
"You're reckless. Are you not afraid of dying?"
"All for a mere pawn?"
At those words, the old man let out a deep, amused laugh.
"This just got interesting, Kazuyama Gekkō…"
"What a shame. He's not of the Uchiha bloodline, so I'll have to make sure he dies. Otherwise, he might interfere with my plans."
"Zetsu, keep an eye on those two. When the time is right, bring one of them to me."
The figure known as Zetsu gave a nod.
"Huh? We're leaving already?"
"But I'm not done having fun."
Two distinct voices emerged from a body split into black and white.
Black Zetsu scoffed. "Do you think you came out here to play?"
"Lord Madara, maintain your body. If the roots behind you fail, you know what will happen."
Madara Uchiha—once the most feared man in the shinobi world.
But now, he was like a withered leaf in the wind, on the verge of being swept away.
"Relax. I know my limits. With the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sustaining me, I can last a while longer."
"Let's go back."
...
The undercurrents of chaos surged, a storm looming on the horizon.
Kazuyama never realized, even at the very end, that he had already been marked for death.
That someone had gone so far as to personally manipulate a Kage with the Sharingan's genjutsu just to eliminate him.
All this time, he had thought he was well hidden—but he had overlooked the one figure who had always lurked beneath the surface.
And at that very moment, he was in the Hokage's office, clutching the Sword of the Thunder God with a goofy grin, looking just about ready to kiss it.