"Mizunotsuki Lan, do you admit your crimes!?"
Outside the dark, damp prison stood several silhouettes.At the center of the group was a boy, barely one meter thirty or forty tall.The one who had just spoken was among them.
"I admit my guilt."
The boy seemed momentarily stunned by how calmly the prisoner responded.A faint smirk tugged at his lips."Mizunotsuki Lan… very well."
With that, the boy turned and left.The others accompanying him bowed respectfully as he departed.
Slap—
"Lord Lan, we're beasts… We couldn't save you, and now we must betray you on top of that."
Seeing the boy leave, even those who had accused Mizunotsuki Lan dropped to their knees, striking their own faces in shame.
"Brothers, don't do this," Lan said softly."All of this happened because of me. I once told you—our glory would be shared, but the sins… they're mine alone."
Their bodies trembled; some even wept.They rose, exchanged glances, and saluted him deeply.
"Loyalty!!"
"Lan was captured?""We must rescue Brother Lan!"
In a small wooden house, a group of Kirigakure shinobi gathered, fury burning in their eyes.
"It was Brother Lan who paid for my mother's medicine!""When I was gravely wounded on a mission, it was him who saved me—my life belongs to him!"
"Brother Hayabusa, say no more! If we're saving Lan, I'll be the first to charge in!"
The noise grew louder until a huge man slammed his fist on the table."Enough talk! Whether right or wrong, I'm saving Brother Lan tonight!"
The room fell silent. The man was tall and muscular, wearing a grey cloak and carrying an enormous blade on his back.
"Momochi Zabuza, stop shouting."
"...Big Sister."
The infamous Demon of the Mist lowered his head at once.
A woman stepped into the room — her long reddish-brown hair flowing down, her blue dress elegant and dignified.The moment she appeared, everyone fell silent.
"Big Sister Mei!""Big Sister!"
Terumi Mei nodded slowly."Lan's been thrown in prison, and here you are arguing like fools. Do you think that would make him proud?"
"Big Sister!""Loyalty!!"
Dozens of elite Mist shinobi roared in unison.To touch Mizunotsuki Lan was to insult their family itself — they would never allow it.
"Before Lan was taken away, he said… he would become Mizukage."
Hearing this, even Mei's eyes shimmered with admiration.That man — unmatched in looks and strength — had captivated not only her but the entire Hidden Mist.
She remembered their first meeting… and her thoughts drifted once again.
"Bad news!" a panicked voice broke her daze."Brother Zabuza, Uncle Lan… he confessed!"
"What!?" Zabuza frowned. "Calm down, Haku."
"He… he admitted to embezzling funds and covering for his men. Said it was all his fault…"
"Brother Lan…"Tears welled in the eyes of several shinobi. Each of them had been saved, helped, or inspired by Lan.
"I'm going to him," Mei said firmly."Right! Big Sister, tell us his next command. We won't back down—Loyalty!!"
In the lowest level of Kirigakure's dark prison,Mizunotsuki Lan leaned against the cold wall, staring at the ceiling — where neither moon nor stars could be seen.
A hiss of cold mist spread through the bars.A blue figure slipped silently inside.
"Lan…"
Terumi Mei threw herself into his arms. Lan gently caressed her back and whispered,"Mei, after tonight… you'll be the Mizukage's wife."
Her breath caught, cheeks turning crimson.The words sounded almost like a proposal — and she could no longer restrain herself.
She lifted her beautiful face and pressed her lips to his.
"Mei…"Lan patted her lower back lightly, signaling for her to stand.
"Tonight, the Bloody Mist ends. From this day on, Kirigakure shall rise above all ninja villages."
Boom—!
A massive explosion thundered outside.Mei froze. "What happened!?"
"The guards near Yagura were ours," Lan explained calmly."I had them inform Zabuza. They're probably clashing now."
He took Mei's hand and stepped toward the prison gates.
"Loyalty!!"The guards who saw him showed nothing but reverence — their eyes filled with faith.
"This glory," Lan said, "I will not enjoy alone."
"Yes, Boss Lan!"
"The Mizukage has ordered an investigation! The ANBU Chief, Mizunotsuki Lan, is accused of embezzling seven billion ryō!"
Seven billion — an unimaginable sum. Nearly the lifetime funds of two hundred Hokage's sons!Even the Hidden Mist's annual budget barely reached one billion. Lan alone had taken seven years' worth of the village's wealth.
"And during his tenure, he favored personal ties, defied the ninja code, and valued lives over missions, causing losses to the village.He even donated to the Ninja Academy in his own name!"
The clerk reading the decree sneered — one of the few in the village who hated Lan.Once, Lan had demoted him from ANBU to a lowly office worker. He'd resented him ever since.
Now he finally had his revenge… or so he thought.He began to smile—
—only for his head to roll from his shoulders before it could fully rise.
The guards screamed.A massive blade had pierced the ground, glinting cold under the misty night.
"Momochi Zabuza! Hōzuki Mangetsu! Are you betraying the village!?"
From the shadows stepped several figures. The two leading them made every loyalist tremble.
"Tell Yagura to come out himself," Zabuza snarled. "You think you can stop me?"
Boom—!A huge water bullet shot forward.
"Yagura, is this all you've got?"
The water blast was split cleanly in half — Mangetsu appeared wielding the twin swords Hiramekarei.
"You dare call us traitors?" he sneered. "The real traitor is you… Mizukage."
"Ridiculous," Yagura said coldly. "A coup? From you rabble?"
Even as he spoke, Obito's voice echoed in his mind through the genjutsu link."White Zetsu, the Mist is rebelling! What do we do!?"
White Zetsu chuckled. "Relax, Obito. You're the one controlling the Fourth Mizukage, remember?"
But before they could react, Yagura's vision was consumed by a blazing light — the arc of Lan's sword.
And then silence.
The genjutsu shattered. The link severed.
The last thing Obito and Zetsu heard was a voice echoing through the Mist:
"Yagura is dead. From this day forth, I am the Fifth Mizukage!Brothers — this glory, I will never enjoy alone!"
"LOYALTY!!"