The Land of Water, home to the Hidden Mist Village, is the most mysterious of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. It has been cut off from the outside world for a long time.
A few days later, Kimimaro and his two companions set foot on this enigmatic land.
"Deidara-senpai, Kimimaro-senpai, we've arrived in the Land of Water. I used to be in charge of gathering intelligence in this area, so I'm pretty familiar with it," said Tobi, full of pride.
"This Hidden Mist Village has always been shrouded in mystery. What else do you know? Especially about the Fourth Mizukage," Deidara asked.
"Sure thing, Deidara-senpai. Speaking of the Fourth Mizukage, he's had some really bad luck. About six years ago, Itachi-senpai and Jūzō-senpai, after just joining the Akatsuki, infiltrated near the Hidden Mist Village for a mission, but they were discovered by the Fourth Mizukage.
"A fierce battle ensued. Jūzō-senpai sacrificed himself, but Itachi-senpai managed to severely injure the Fourth Mizukage with his Amaterasu flames!
"Not long after, there were multiple assassination attempts on the Mizukage, including one by Zabuza Momochi, the wielder of the Executioner's Blade.
"Also, Kimimaro-senpai's Kaguya clan rebelled against the Hidden Mist Village around that time, but unfortunately, they were defeated," Tobi said, looking toward Kimimaro.
Deidara also glanced at Kimimaro, but his expression remained calm, showing no signs of emotional turmoil.
Clearly, this topic didn't stir him at all.
Noticing their gazes, Kimimaro spoke up, "Why are you both looking at me? Tobi, what you've mentioned is ancient history. Do you have any more useful intel?"
"Hahaha, of course I do, Kimimaro-senpai. No need to rush; I was just getting to the good part," Tobi chuckled and continued.
"There's a man in the Hidden Mist named Ao. His right eye is a transplanted Byakugan, which allows him to see through illusions.
"About three years ago, the higher-ups in the village started to notice something off with the Fourth Mizukage's actions, so they sent Ao to check if the Mizukage was under a genjutsu.
"Sure enough, after examining him, they found the Mizukage had been under a genjutsu for at least five years.
"The village elders gathered their strongest shinobi and managed to subdue the Mizukage, freeing him from the illusion.
"However, because of the prolonged control under the genjutsu, the Mizukage's mental state deteriorated, and he was imprisoned.
"Since then, the village has been run by an elder, and they still haven't chosen a new Mizukage."
Hearing this, Kimimaro found it odd.
"If the Fourth Mizukage is imprisoned, why haven't they elected a new Mizukage? Has the Hidden Mist really gone three years without a leader?"
"I'm not sure, but I heard that although they say the Fourth Mizukage is imprisoned, he's actually undergoing training. The higher-ups plan to let him continue as Mizukage once he becomes a perfect jinchūriki.
"After all, the Fourth Mizukage is still young. If he becomes a perfect jinchūriki, he'll no longer be vulnerable to genjutsu. Maybe that's why they haven't selected a new Mizukage yet."
Kimimaro nodded in understanding.
So that's the reason.
However, based on the original story's timeline, the Fourth Mizukage should be dead by now.
Otherwise, the Three-Tails wouldn't have been roaming free in the wild.
Could he have died during this period?
Or was the Fourth Mizukage secretly executed by the village's higher-ups?
These were questions that would need further investigation.
"The Hidden Mist Village is such a chaotic place. Bro, you were right to leave when you did. Otherwise, this messy village would've just hindered the development of true art," Deidara remarked, clearly unimpressed by the village.
Kimimaro didn't mind. His opinion of the Hidden Mist Village wasn't much better.
"It's about time, brother. Shall we begin our training for today? We can act afterward," Deidara was eager to start.
Today marked the tenth day of their training. Just one more fusion of his chakra with the Star-Cracking Insects, and his explosive clay would undergo a qualitative change.
Explosive clay that was no longer weak to lightning release—that was true art.
"Alright," Kimimaro agreed, equally eager for the Star-Cracking Insects' evolution.
"Huh? Are you both going to do that weird training again?" Tobi asked, curious. He had witnessed their training over the past few days and was intrigued by what kind of results it would produce.
Thousands of Star-Cracking Insects flew out of Kimimaro's sleeve and landed on Deidara, quickly devouring his chakra.
Deidara was already enjoying the sensation of being drained.
Tobi quietly observed, his right eye beneath the mask turning into a Mangekyō Sharingan!
His vision sharpened.
"Deidara's chakra is undergoing a transformation, and so are the Star-Cracking Insects. It seems Kimimaro is not only helping Deidara but also cultivating these insects.
"Star-Cracking Insects? I hadn't heard of them before. But it's no surprise—Kimimaro learned from Orochimaru, after all. He's full of strange techniques," Tobi thought, gaining a deeper understanding of Kimimaro.
Tobi had always known Kimimaro's motives for joining the Akatsuki weren't pure.
But he didn't care.
After all, few in the Akatsuki were truly loyal.
As long as Kimimaro's strength could be used, that was enough.
After a brief observation, Tobi withdrew his gaze.
The Star-Cracking Insects weren't worthy of much attention yet.
Half an hour later, the final fusion was complete.
The Star-Cracking Insects dropped to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.
Purple liquid seeped from their bodies, encasing them in crystalline cocoons.
Kimimaro recognized the scene. It was similar to their last evolution.
With a flash of joy in his eyes, Kimimaro collected the crystal-encased insects.
Deidara had also completed his transformation, reaching into his ninja tool pouch and letting his palm-mouth produce a clay bird.
With a flick of his hand, the bird took flight.
"Bro, let your summoning beast test this out," Deidara suggested.
Kimimaro nodded and glanced at the Pikachu on his shoulder.
Pikachu understood and launched an attack.
**Thunderbolt!**
Golden electricity struck the clay bird.
"Hah!" Deidara quickly activated the chakra in the bird.
Boom!
The clay bird exploded in mid-air!
Its power, compared to before, had not weakened—in fact, it had grown even stronger!
"We did it! This is true art!" Deidara was ecstatic.
Tobi's eyes narrowed, astonished by the result.
But what surprised him more was the realization that Kimimaro's summoning beast, Pikachu, could use such a powerful lightning jutsu. He had originally thought Pikachu was just for show.
(End of chapter)