"It's me," Kaito replied calmly.
When Biwa Juzō and the others heard that personal response, their hearts froze. They came intending to mock Mei Terumi for her absence—and to discover who had "kidnapped" the village beauty. They didn't expect it would be this unstoppable force. Immediately, all seven regretted ever confronting him.
"Kaito-sama, Lady Mei… I was wrong," Biwa stammered, face pale. "Please forgive me!"
He didn't doubt the threat now—it was clear how quickly Kaito could obliterate an entire village the way he obliterated Konoha. Mist Village simply didn't have the resources to recover from a calamity like that.
"Kaito, spare us this once," Yagura said, stepping forward in his Mizukage attire, face grim but respectful.
Even the Fourth Mizukage couldn't stand by idly. A powerful enemy had just shown public aggression toward his own subordinates—and done it within his village. He couldn't let his authority appear weak.
"All right," Kaito replied, withdrawing his aura. "This time I'll show leniency—for Mei."
He paused and released the remaining pressure. "You're free to go."
"Move aside," Yagura ordered the Seven Swordsmen behind him. "Dismissed."
Biwa bowed deeply. "Thank you, Kaito-sama."
When they were gone, Yagura turned to the remaining trio and demanded, "Why are you here?"
"Return Mei Terumi to her home, I'll be leaving for a while," Kaito said simply.
"Leave? Where are you going?" Yagura pressed, uncertain.
Kaito tilted his head. "I'm entering seclusion for three years. I'll return for Mei after that. If anything happens to her, you'll all regret existing."
It was a threat—and a lie. The fewer who knew he was leaving, the better. By then, the war would be over, Yagura likely under Obito's control, and Mei would rise to claimed leadership. This was just time gained for her.
"Don't worry," Yagura snorted, gritting his teeth. "She has someone powerful backing her now. Mist Village isn't going anywhere."
Without another word—and unwilling to keep facing Kaito—Yagura activated a teleportation jutsu and disappeared.
With no one left to impede them, Kaito gestured at a mansion across the street. "Is this your teacher's home?"
"Yes," Mei replied, eyes shining at him. With one sentence, he'd made elites bow. Her pride in him was evident.
"I'll take you to the door and then… I'll be gone," he said softly.
"Well… come back in about ten years?" Mei murmured.
"Understood." Kaito brushed her forehead gently, then disappeared in a flash of light.
—
In a hidden cave, A heavily wounded young man—Obito Uchiha, barely breathing and wrapped in bandages. The Battle of Kannabi Bridge was over.
"Madara-sama," White Zetsu whispered, voice echoing. "Kaito has left the Land of Whirlpools and reclaimed Kirigakure."
Madara's expression remained unreadable. "Heal him. He will act as my voice in the ninja world."
White Zetsu bowed. "Understood, Madara-sama. And your orders?"
"There's no time," Madara replied. "Go to Tsunade. He will seek her out. Let events unfold."
"Yes, Madara-sama."
—
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, senior leaders including Shikaku gathered in a tent, observing events with relief.
"After Kannabi Bridge, Iwagakure has weakened significantly," Shikaku said. "Victory seems close. We have Minato -sama to thank."
Minato Namikaze nodded with a gentle smile, though shadows flickered across his eyes—loss weighed on him heavily after Obito fell.
"Now only the Mist Village remains uncertain," Shikaku added.
"Don't worry," replied Mimura Yemaki, leader of Konoha's defense force. "When the time comes, Hokage -sama will handle it."
Shikaku gave a bitter smile. "I hope so."
"And Lady Tsunade?" asked Shikaku.
"She is steady," Inoichi answered. "Though blindfolded, she still works tirelessly with medical ninjutsu and has saved many lives."
A sigh of relief swept through the tent.
Suddenly, Hyuga Hizashi burst in, sweat pouring from his forehead.
"Hizashi! What's wrong?" Shikaku asked.
"It's not good," Hizashi gasped. "We detected signs of Kaito."
Shikaku relaxed. "He's probably here looking for Tsunade. No trouble."
"If that were true, I wouldn't be terrified like this," Hizashi replied. "Opposite him… was an old man. From their conversation, he called himself…"
"What did he say?" Shikaku asked, narrowing his eyes.
Hizashi swallowed, voice trembling. "Uchiha Madara."
---
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