Do not be fooled by Yagura's seemingly effortless suppression of Kakuzu and Jūzō earlier.
In truth, Yagura was under immense pressure, not from the duo themselves, but from a multitude of external factors. For instance, Kirigakure's hasty entry into this war appeared ill-advised; they had gained nothing so far, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had become a laughingstock, and now even Jūzō had chosen to defect.
Furthermore, since ascending to the seat of Fourth Mizukage, he had yet to achieve a significant military feat. His diminutive, child-like stature often led others to underestimate him, a fact that grated on his nerves.
This was Yagura's reality. Even an experienced veteran like Kakuzu had looked down on him before their clash. He was undeniably powerful, but he lacked the prestige and the fearsome reputation to match.
Yagura also understood exactly why Jūzō had defected. Was it not because the atmosphere within the village had become suffocating? Though he loathed the "Bloody Mist" tradition that treated comrades as disposable tools, it was a legacy deeply rooted since the founding of the village.
Unlike other hidden villages, Kirigakure operated under a dual-leadership system. Within the village existed the Genji, a figure whose status was entirely equal to that of the Mizukage. While appearing to be a mere advisor, the Genji held genuine executive power.
In Konohagakure, the Hokage could suppress the advisors; the elders only held power when the Hokage delegated it. In Kirigakure, the dual system acted as a check and balance; advanced in theory, but detrimental to the centralization of power. Without centralized authority, resources were wasted on internal friction rather than effective governance.
The current Genji was an old hardliner, a staunch proponent of the "Bloody Mist" philosophy. He believed a shinobi's sole standard was the mission; comrades were unnecessary, they were merely tools.
Even if Yagura wished to reform the village, he found it nearly impossible to act, especially during wartime. Destabilizing the status quo now would only trigger a violent power struggle. His plan was to wait for the war to end before seeking an opportunity for change.
Regrettably, despite his noble ambitions, his involvement in the Nohara Rin tragedy would eventually earn him the undying enmity of Obito. He would later fall under total hypnotic control, losing his consciousness and failing his dream of reform, instead becoming a catalyst for even greater atrocities.
At this moment, Yagura was also weighing a conspiracy involving Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Aside from the marginalized Sunagakure, the other four Great Nations were excluding them. Currently, Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa were trending toward a secret alliance.
Through an exchange of interests, they hoped Kirigakure would take the lead in a covert strike against Konoha. If successful, they would fall upon Konoha together to tear away a piece of its territory. It was a high-risk endeavor involving Tailed Beasts, and Yagura was stalling to negotiate for better terms.
As for whether he dared to move against Konoha again? Yagura had no fear. He was supremely confident in his strength, and the Land of Water's geographic isolation provided a unique advantage. The other four were continental powers; Kirigakure was a maritime power. In all the years of the Shinobi World Wars, no village had ever successfully crossed the vast ocean to strike the Land of Water. This gave him the confidence to instigate trouble.
As his giant water buffalo carried him and the "mummy" that was Jūzō toward the port city, Yagura's mind remained preoccupied with these complex affairs. He had been away from the village for some time; a mountain of work surely awaited his return.
Then there was the matter of Jūzō. The thought of the traitor sparked a flare of anger. I'm already under enough pressure, and you bastards still find ways to irritate me. If I weren't planning to make a public example of you, I'd kill you right here.
Yagura suddenly looked up at the path ahead. Sensing his intent, the water buffalo came to a natural halt.
Though Jūzō was incapacitated and silent, his years of shinobi instinct told him that a turn of events was imminent.
Could it be the "Boss" that idiot Kakuzu kept talking about? Jūzō wondered, a spark of hope flickering amidst his despair.
Yagura stared into the dense forest ahead and spoke coldly: "Who's there?"
"Just as you said, his sensory abilities are incredible..." a voice drifted from the trees.
Another voice followed, sounding somewhat strange, "As I thought, that Pipa Hanzo is useless. To think he actually got himself captured alive, doesn't he even know how to end his own life?"
Jūzō heard the voices. He didn't recognize the first, but the second was unmistakably Kakuzu.
You damn bastard, my name is Biwa Jūzō! What the hell is "Pipa Hanzo"? Where did you even get that name?
Despite the internal urge to scream his correct name, Jūzō was overjoyed. I might actually be saved! It was one thing to be unafraid of death, but quite another to actually want to die. If he could live, why choose the alternative?
Yagura recognized Kakuzu's voice. "I didn't want to get deeply involved with a mad organization like the Yorozuya, but it seems you don't value the chances you're given. Kakuzu, isn't it? And who else? The Outlaw, Rodriguez Diarmuid?"
"Your reputation precedes you," Diarmuid's figure abruptly appeared on the road ahead, smiling at Yagura.
Yagura's brow twitched in slight surprise. The man was fast. He was also surprised that Diarmuid didn't match his expectations; for someone called "The Outlaw," he appeared quite refined and elegant.
Yagura didn't speak, but his guard rose significantly.
Seeing no response, Diarmuid continued smoothly, "I apologize for the trouble my subordinate caused. However, the Yorozuya maintains a 100% mission completion rate. Would the Fourth Mizukage be so kind as to make an exception? Hand over Pipa Hanzo... ahem, excuse me, Biwa Jūzō to us?"
"And if I say no?" Yagura asked coldly.
"Then we'll just have to take him by force," Diarmuid smiled.
"Hmph. Let's see you try!" Yagura replied curtly.
The moment the words left his lips, he struck. Despite his power, he adhered strictly to the shinobi way: act decisively without arrogance.
"Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Yagura whispered.
His hand signs were already complete.
Suddenly, thick fog surged from all sides. In a split second, the surroundings were swallowed by a mist so dense that visibility was reduced to less than half a meter.
The Hidden Mist Jutsu was not merely a visual obstruction; it was infused with a massive amount of Chakra, capable of jamming normal sensory abilities. In the original lore, even Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan had been obscured by this technique. As a master of Water Release, Yagura's version of this simple jutsu completely locked down the battlefield.
Diarmuid released his Observation Haki to scan the area. His brow furrowed slightly. Interesting. Ever since Jiraiya had used Sage Mode to instinctively bypass Observation Haki, Diarmuid had realized that while Haki and Ninjutsu were different systems, Haki was not omnipotent in this world.
In this thick mist, everything was turbulent. As Jūzō and Kakuzu had warned, tracking Yagura's presence in this environment was nearly impossible. Kakuzu, who had mastered a degree of Haki, had said the same!
Indeed, aided by the Hidden Mist, Yagura had become a ghost. His "Silent Killing" technique was even more sophisticated than Zabuza Momochi's would ever be.
Diarmuid sensed nothing through Haki, but relying on his warrior's instinct, he abruptly shifted his footing. Sure enough, a hooked staff lunged out of the white void a second later.
Zzzzt!
Thunder crackled as Diarmuid entered his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. In the next instant, he followed the trajectory of the missed staff and appeared directly in front of Yagura's blurred silhouette.
"...Lightning Release: Lariat!"
Diarmuid showed no mercy. His arm, wreathed in electricity, slammed toward the small figure's neck. The immense power exploded, the current lifting Yagura off his feet, but in the next breath, Yagura's form burst into a splash of water.
A Water Clone!
Before Diarmuid could locate the real Yagura, a familiar chirping of electricity exploded in front of him.
"LIGHTNING RELEASE: LARIAT!!!"
What the hell? Why does that voice sound so familiar? Isn't that... me?
The thought flashed through Diarmuid's mind just as a familiar figure slammed into him. A powerful, electrified arm hooked around his neck.
Am I killing myself?
Water Mirror Jutsu!!!
The massive impact erupted. The Lariat struck Diarmuid's neck with pinpoint accuracy, the sheer force sending him spiraling backward. Diarmuid flipped a dozen times in the air before stabilizing, his feet digging two deep furrows into the ground as he landed.
So strong!
Damn, am I really this powerful?
That strike had been 100% of his own strength reflected back at him. If Diarmuid hadn't been using his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and reinforced his neck with Armament Haki at the last second, he might have actually taken himself out.
"Hell Stab: One-Finger..." The voice arrived with the person.
"Stab your grandmother!"
Diarmuid's reaction was faster this time. The power of Dark-Dark Fruit exploded from his hand, instantly enveloping his "clone."
The next second, the intense gravitational suction "erased" the counterfeit.
Simply put, the reflection was ultimately a construct of Chakra, not a real human. The weakness of the Water Mirror Jutsu was that the mirrored entity only possessed a finite amount of Chakra; once spent, it vanished. It was only because Yagura had such vast Chakra reserves that the technique was so devastating. If used by anyone else, it would be a niche ability.
Diarmuid had intended to test Yagura's limits, but being caught off guard by his own reflection felt humiliating.
In his irritation, Diarmuid drew Kokorowatari from his waist.
Instantly, an aura of gloom, darkness, curses, and malice erupted from the blade. Simultaneously, Diarmuid gathered a massive amount of Chakra into his sword hand.
"Storm, heed my command!!!" Diarmuid roared.
He swung the blade three times into the empty, dense white fog.
Kokorowatari naturally generated wind pressure, and at this moment, Diarmuid's powerful Chakra transformed into the Wind Nature, harmonizing perfectly with the blade.
Each swing unleashed a tempest. In an instant, a hurricane swept across the battlefield, blowing away every trace of the suffocating, vision-obscuring mist!