Genshī was a man who had survived since the Warring States Period. Alongside the First Mizukage, Byakuren, he had founded Kirigakure. His reputation in the village was one of great wisdom and experience. Having lived through the same era, there was no need for excessive pleasantries between him and Kakuzu.
Genshī lifted his teacup and took a slow sip, his gaze resting on Kakuzu. His heart was filled with complex emotions. Despite being of the same age, their conditions were worlds apart—Kakuzu remained as vigorous as a young man, while Genshī was already well past his prime. However, for the sake of the village he had built with his own hands, there were things he could not abandon.
"Kakuzu, the reckless policies of the Third Mizukage have left Kirigakure in shambles. Now that you've avenged your grudge, it's time to put an end to this, don't you think?" Genshī's tone was neither accusatory nor filled with resentment. He had no intention of making things difficult for Kakuzu.
After all, despite Kakuzu's presence in Kirigakure these past few months, not a single villager had been harmed by him. While the details had been handled personally by Nagato, Genshī did not believe that a young man like Nagato could have such a deep understanding of restraint. It was clear that Kakuzu had issued those orders.
Since the man had shown mercy, it was possible to negotiate.
Kakuzu contemplated for a moment before giving a straightforward reply.
"Fine. But the people I've taken with me—I won't be returning them."
"Sigh..." Genshī let out a heavy sigh, his voice tinged with sorrow and regret. Yet, he did not argue. Perhaps he, too, sympathized with the plight of the Bloodline Limit clans. If he lacked even that bit of compassion, he would not have been regarded as a respected elder of Kirigakure.
"As for that man, Mufu, we will find him soon. Everything will be thoroughly investigated."
Kakuzu shrugged indifferently.
"That's your village's problem, not mine." However, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Who will be your Fourth Mizukage?"
Genshī remained silent. He had no intention of revealing more about Kirigakure's affairs to Kakuzu. Seeing this, Kakuzu did not press further. He had initially assumed it would be Mei Terumi, but considering that she was only around ten years old at the moment, that was unlikely.
With that, the conversation between the two came to an end. While it seemed insignificant on the surface, this discussion symbolized Kirigakure's acceptance of the departure of the Hozuki and Yuki clans. It also helped Kisame clear his identity. Kakuzu instructed Nagato to arrange for an orderly evacuation of the Bloodline Limit clans.
Meanwhile, in another part of Kirigakure, things were far from peaceful.
Genshī's plan to depose the Third Mizukage was not something that could be accomplished easily. He first needed to gather support from the other high-ranking officials of the village. Only with overwhelming backing could he take action. Despite Mufu losing some power within Kirigakure, he was still the Third Mizukage. As long as he had not reached an agreement with Konoha, the battle was far from over.
...
A dense forest on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.
A Konoha squad had unexpectedly encountered a Kirigakure force. Unfortunately, luck was not on Konoha's side—they numbered only five: Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, Ebisu, and two Jonin, Arida Sanjirō and Shimura Seito.
Their opponents, however, consisted of over a hundred enemy ninja, including a significant number of Jonin. Unless Minato Namikaze arrived to rescue them, survival was nearly impossible.
Realizing they were about to be encircled, Seito gritted his teeth and gave a ruthless order.
"You three brats, stay behind and hold them off. Sanjirō and I will retreat to report back!"
Hearing this, the future 'Black Flash' Ebisu was the first to protest.
"Captain Seito, you're just sending us to die!"
"Insolent fool!" Seito roared and slapped Ebisu hard, sending him flying several meters.
"Ebisu!" Might Guy immediately rushed to his side, helping him up.
Seito didn't hesitate to use this moment to drive his point home.
"You three only obtained your Chunin ranks because you volunteered for the battlefield. Do you truly understand what it means to be a ninja? What it means to be on the battlefield? You think I'm abandoning you out of cowardice? You're wrong!"
"For a ninja, for the battlefield, the most important thing is intelligence!"
"A large Kirigakure force is preparing to strike our headquarters. I must deliver this information, or the consequences will be disastrous. Your deaths here are for the sake of the village! Do you understand?"
Ten seconds. That was all the time Seito had to shout his reasoning at them. Then, without waiting for a response, he signaled to his companion.
"Sanjirō, we're leaving!"
Without hesitation, the two Jonin fled.
Might Guy clenched his fists. He knew full well that his father was only a Genin. Even with himself, Ebisu, and Genma—newly promoted Chunin—they had no chance against such overwhelming numbers.
Despair was setting in.
But then—
A green blur streaked through the battlefield, positioning itself in front of Might Guy.
The vibrant green vest was unmistakable. In Konoha, only two people wore it. One was Might Guy.
The other—
"Father!" Might Guy gasped in shock.
His emotions were complex. He was not overjoyed but instead felt a deep sorrow and even a bit of shame.
"Father, what are you doing here? You're just a Genin..."
By all logic, someone of Might Duy's rank should not have been allowed onto the battlefield. Yet, here he was.
Might Duy, however, ignored his son's concerns, focusing instead on the enemy forces that had encircled them. His tone was calm but firm.
"No time to argue. Run! I will buy you time!"
"Run? Don't be ridiculous, Father! They have over a hundred ninja, at least half of them Jonin! You can't possibly handle them alone!" Might Guy's voice was filled with desperation.
He turned back, hoping for help, but saw that Seito and Sanjirō had already stopped running.
Might Guy clenched his teeth and lowered his head, his hands pressed together in silent prayer. He could only hope the two Jonin would help, even if just by using a few ninjutsu techniques.
However—
"Hah, what's a washed-up Genin doing here? Looking for a place to die?"
"Not just that. He's embarrassing Konoha while he's at it."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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