Unlike Iwagakure's strategic withdrawal, Kirigakure had descended into chaos.
With the Taketori Clan appearing on the battlefield, the village launched a crazed assault on Konoha. Even the remaining five members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist joined the fight.
But inside Kirigakure, the village was gripped by anxiety over the disappearance of their Mizukage.
"Suitsei! Where did Lord Mizukage go?!"
"As his bodyguard, how could you let something like this happen?!"
Several of the Mizukage's advisors unleashed their anger on ANBU member Suitsei. Even with his ANBU background, Suitsei's expression was clouded with gloom.
He had been the first to discover the Third Mizukage's disappearance.
"Enough, don't take it out on him. If someone really managed to take down the Third Mizukage, what could he have done even if he knew?"
"The priority now is to immediately appoint a new Mizukage to lead the village and continue the war."
One of the advisors spoke up with a different opinion. After all, during wartime, having no leader was extremely dangerous.
"I have a proposal."
"Yagura Karatachi—his strength is solid, his mind is steady, and most importantly, he was personally named by the Third Mizukage as his successor."
"Since Lord Mizukage is missing, let's have him temporarily take the position."
"Yagura Karatachi, step forward."
The moment the advisor finished speaking, a figure appeared in the room.
He had green hair, purple eyes, a scar beneath his left eye resembling a stitched wound, and carried a hooked, club-like weapon decorated with green floral patterns.
"Greetings, advisors."
Yagura looked calmly at the people before him, radiating confidence.
"Very well. I agree with this proposal. Someone needs to step up under the current circumstances."
"Yagura Karatachi, we'll arrange for you to take on the role of Mizukage—but only temporarily. If the Third Mizukage returns, you'll step down. Understood?"
The Blood Mist era had been started by the Third Mizukage, and the advisors were all his staunch supporters. Though they were backing Yagura for now, they still hoped the previous leader would return.
"I understand. Our forces are already pushing Konoha back in the Land of Hot Water. I'll focus on keeping the village stable in the meantime."
"Good. That's all we ask."
...
On the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water—
Two figures were being chased.
"Ao, something's wrong."
"I know, Muren. Stay sharp."
Ao Uchiha and Muren Uchiha, both elite members of the Uchiha clan, were being pursued by Kirigakure forces.
"Hair Needle Senbon!"
Suddenly, a shower of hair-like senbon needles flew toward them.
"Tch! Move!"
Ao pushed Muren out of the way but was still a step too slow. His arm was struck full of senbon.
Pain flickered across his face.
"Ao! You okay?"
Muren rushed to him, quickly removing the needles from his arm.
"I'm fine. Damn it, these Mist ninja are really sticking to us. And..."
Before he could finish, the two were already surrounded.
Five shinobi, each wielding a different blade, closed in. Behind them were more Kirigakure ninjas.
"Heh... two Uchiha? Not bad. That Byakugan we got last time gave us quite the thrill."
"Even the higher-ups were overjoyed with that one."
"Damn Konoha. The moment I saw that forehead protector, I remembered that invisible brat."
"If it weren't for him, would I be stuck in this mess? Hmph!"
A chilling, murderous voice rang out as Jūzō Biwa stepped forward, hoisting his Kubikiribōchō.
"Hmph, what's the point in talking?"
"Just kill them and take the eyes."
With long orange hair and a burly build, this man was Fuguki Suikazan—wielder of the giant sword Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Fuguki's right. It's not every day we catch Uchiha alone like this."
"We're definitely turning this in for merit—hahaha!"
Two more appeared. One was thin, masked, and held a long needle-like weapon.
Kushimaru Kuriarare, user of the long blade Nuibari.
The other had a rough demeanor, one eye, and a cloth covering his face.
Jinpachi Munashi, user of the explosive blade Shibuki.
"None of you move. I'm gonna cut them both clean in half!"
The last one carried a sledgehammer and a large axe. Despite his odd look, these were no ordinary weapons—they were part of the Seven Ninja Swords, the blunt sword Kabutowari.
His name was Jinin Akebino.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—Kirigakure's most elite unit—were here. Seeing them, despair flickered across the faces of Ao and Muren.
But they caught a phrase from Biwa Jūzō.
A transparent brat? That had to be Kazuyama Gekkō.
Still, there was no time to think.
"Damn it. Ao, I'll hold them off."
"You break through when you get a chance!"
Muren drew the longsword from his back, his stance filled with grim resolve.
But the moment he spoke, the swordsmen burst out laughing.
It was mockery—plain and simple.
"Alright, enough talk. Take them down!"
With Jūzō's order, the battle began.
...
No one knew how much time passed before a thunderous explosion echoed across the field.
A battered figure stumbled from the smoke.
"Damn it! Damn it all!!!"
A furious, anguished scream ripped from his throat, so raw it sent chills down the spine.
But the screamer soon collapsed to the ground.
His body was covered in wounds—cuts, burns, blackened bruises, even kunai and senbon embedded deep.
He was unconscious, but even so, his right hand clutched tightly around something.
Just then, the ground trembled—and a figure emerged.
White Zetsu.
"Tsk tsk, looks like I didn't need the Three-Tails after all."
"All I did was guide them, and they ended up like this? I'm a genius."
"Madara's totally gonna praise me! Hehehe..."
He slung the unconscious man over his shoulder and disappeared in a flash.
Minutes later, a group of Mist ninja arrived on the scene.
Leading them was Jūzō, now bearing a fresh wound.
Seeing the blood on the ground but no body, his fury exploded.
"Where are they?! Damn it!"
"We were this close! Those bastards—using self-destruction to stall us..."
"And they even gouged out the eyes! Damn it all!"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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