"Hozuki Mangetsu, what nonsense are you spouting?!" Yagura barked coldly.
"Take him for treatment immediately. His injuries are causing delirium; he's rambling."
"I... I'm not rambling. In the shinobi world, only the Blood-Red Asura could unleash such powerful lightning and defeat me instantly…"
Mangetsu struggled to say before a medical ninja injected him with a sedative, plunging him into unconsciousness.
Mangetsu's removal did not ease the tension; instead, it intensified. No one could refute his final words.
The Blood-Red Asura's devastating lightning jutsu, instantly killing hundreds of Kumogakure ninjas at the Konoha Northwest Outpost, was legendary.
"Fourth Mizukage, what do we do? What if it was a warning from Uchiha Kai...?" the elder pressed, his voice laced with anxiety.
The Kirigakure ninjas stared at Yagura, their faces etched with urgency.
"Hmph, the Five Kage Summit is already set. Canceling it because of a baseless warning would make Kirigakure the laughingstock of the shinobi world," Yagura scoffed coldly.
"Don't forget, even if he's powerful, he can't fight a whole village."
"We have four days until the summit. Until then, activate the village's sensory barrier, halt all missions and departures, and have Jōnin manage the village.
Give that brat a mission. Doesn't he want to be one of the Seven Swordsmen? He's already quite skilled."
Yagura's orders were precise and efficient. The Kirigakure ninjas, though apprehensive, remained silent. In the Bloody Mist, obedience was paramount; disobedience was a death sentence.
"Also, inform the other four villages to expedite the summit. Dismissed," Yagura said, dismissing everyone with a wave of his hand.
Yagura stood alone in the ruins. After a few minutes, a black shadow emerged from the ground.
"Fourth Mizukage, you seem troubled," a smooth, raspy voice said.
Yagura glared. "You said that brat was weak. Why did he attack Kirigakure?"
Yagura remained wary of the mysterious man who'd encouraged him to become Mizukage and provided the Byakugan transplant method. He felt a chill whenever he saw the man's blood-red Sharingan.
"Fourth Mizukage, are you afraid of this?" Black Zetsu sneered, amused. After Kai killed the aged Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu had escaped, obtaining a spare Sharingan from Madara's hidden laboratory.
He'd then manipulated Yagura into becoming Mizukage, knowing the key to resurrecting Madara lay with Nagato.
"This incident is temporarily suppressed, but you promised me the method to control the tailed beasts," Yagura said coldly. "If you lie, you'll regret it."
"Fourth Mizukage, be patient. I'll deliver what I promised. But don't forget your promise," Black Zetsu chuckled.
"The Three-Tails is lost, and Third Mizukage, though under your watch, needs time to be fully utilized. Be patient. You'll become the strongest Mizukage…"
"I hope so," Yagura said coldly. "Someone's coming. Leave."
Black Zetsu vanished underground. Seconds later, a Kirigakure Anbu arrived. "Fourth Mizukage, the person you summoned left the village, seemingly heading for the Ninja Swords…"
"He left?!" Yagura's face darkened, striking a tree trunk. "Damn it! Find him! And choose someone to accompany me to the Five Kage Summit."
Meanwhile, Kai, having dealt with Hozuki Mangetsu, headed towards Amegakure. After traveling a short distance, he looked back.
"You're still following me...?"
Pakura emerged from the shadows. Seeing her hesitant expression, Kai rolled his eyes. "You're not planning on making me the 'cleanup guy,' are you?"
"Cleanup guy?" Pakura stared, confused. "Chu… nin… what's a cleanup guy?"
Even the wisest Konoha shinobi might not understand this modern slang.
Seeing Pakura's confusion, Kai sighed. "It means someone… did something to you, you got pregnant, and you're blaming me…"
"Chunin, what are you saying?!" Pakura exploded. She might not have experienced it, but she understood the implications.
"It's a metaphor…" Kai said helplessly.
Pakura quickly approached and grabbed his arm. "I don't care! You ruined my purity! I'm sticking with you. If you don't want me, kill me…"
Kai was stunned, then gently ruffled her hair. "You don't need to do that. If you have nowhere to go, I can take you in. But the path of a rogue ninja is difficult."
Pakura trembled at his touch, tears welling up. She threw herself into his arms. The betrayal was more painful than anything she'd faced as a village hero.
Kai awkwardly patted her back. It wasn't so bad, actually.
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