Next, Sora gave a detailed report of the mission's circumstances, of course with appropriate emphasis… telling what should be told and naturally glossing over what shouldn't.
"So, the force majeure encountered during the mission was a Mangekyo user with combat power far exceeding that of an ordinary Kage-level Ninja, and because of this Ninja's appearance, the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki also fell in battle?"
After listening to Sora's report, the Third Mizukage asked with a somewhat deep gaze.
"Yes."
Sora's expression remained unchanged.
Wood Release: Hashirama Senju!
Mangekyo Sharingan: Uchiha Madara!
These were two names that made people pale upon hearing them, true Ninjas standing at the peak of the Ninja World.
The Third Mizukage naturally knew the terror of these two individuals. So when he learned that Wood Release, representing Hashirama, and the Mangekyo Sharingan, representing Madara, actually appeared on the same person simultaneously, the shock and horror in his heart could be imagined.
After pondering for a moment, the Third Mizukage slowly sat down in his chair. His fingers lightly tapped on the desk as he said with a meaningful tone:
"Yuki Sora, as the supreme commander of this operation, you cannot escape the responsibility for the mission's failure. So..."
"You will first return home and await orders. Regarding your disciplinary action, I will send someone to notify you after discussing it with the village's council of elders."
"As for other matters, you don't need to concern yourself with them for now."
Sora nodded.
At that moment, the Third Mizukage suddenly smiled.
Looking at Sora's calm expression, he said, "Don't feel too much pressure. This is just for you to rest for a while. I don't think there will be any major problems. You should also be mentally prepared, the village will inevitably need you to take on more responsibilities in the future."
"You are young and have a bright future ahead of you."
"By the way..."
The Third Mizukage changed the subject, "I heard you have a rather good relationship with Hozuki Meigetsu of the Hozuki Clan. I think highly of her. She has talent, strength, and is also quite outstanding in appearance."
"I think you young people, while you have time, could try to spend more time together. This might be beneficial for both yourselves and the village."
Sora's expression also became subtle.
He never thought the Third Mizukage would be so foolish as to use this matter to target him.
After all, not every Kage was as foolish as Hiruzen, unnecessarily causing trouble for their own village's Kage-level Ninjas.
Currently, Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen were severely wounded, Yagura was heavily injured, the Three-Tails was dead… there was a huge gap in high-level combat power.
If the Third Mizukage dared to pressure or even move against Sora at this time, it would likely directly trigger a civil war in Kirigakure.
Don't forget-
The current Sora was a powerhouse capable of suppressing Konoha's Sannin. Harboring any malice towards him would definitely come at a cost.
However, even so, Sora never expected the Third Mizukage to suddenly start sounding like he was trying to arrange a marriage for him!??
'Arrange a marriage?'
'With Hozuki Meigetsu?'
Sora's expression rarely showed a change. "I will consider this matter. But while I'm young, I still want to focus my main energy on training."
"What about Terumi Mei?"
The Third Mizukage seemed very familiar with Sora's network of relationships.
"Terumi Mei?"
Sora's tone was somewhat strange. "She's not an adult yet, is she?"
"An adult? Is that important?"
"Isn't it?"
"Perhaps!"
The Third Mizukage shook his head, 'This Yuki Sora was just a bit too rigid in character.'
Soon, Sora stood up to take his leave. He was somewhat uncomfortable with the Third Mizukage's sudden enthusiasm.
He even suspected whether Uchiha Madara had really used a Genjutsu to control this Mizukage, who had suddenly started acting like a matchmaker.
…
Tap tap tap!
Fingers continuously tapped on the desktop.
No one knew how much time had passed before the meaningful expression on the Third Mizukage's face suddenly froze. Then his face twitched violently, that contortion as if he was enduring some intense pain, trying to suppress some ominous and bizarre presence.
However, after a moment of struggle, the Mizukage's body became rigid again.
His gaze was dull, empty, like a manipulated puppet.
"Yuki Sora, is it?"
"Truly an unexpected Ninja."
"He actually knows my identity? Where was the flaw exposed?"
"White Zetsu?"
"Or..."
"Uchiha Obito!??"
"Strength enough to suppress Obito and Tobi combined, and that gaze that seems to see through everything... Killing such a fellow would probably require a very great cost..."
The numb puppet-like Third Mizukage's lips kept moving slightly, but the inexplicably emitted voice carried a bizarre quality that made one's scalp tingle.
…
After winding through several quiet alleys, Sora finally returned to the Yuki Clan's compound. Pushing open the courtyard gate, he entered his home.
Sora's home was large.
After all, as an Elite Jonin of the village and an Anbu Captain, still living in a small residence would make Kirigakure seem too shabby towards its meritorious servants.
However, compared to the Hozuki and Kaguya Clans, which are located in the very center of the village, Sora's large residence still lacked the taste of power.
After returning home, Sora bathed and changed clothes with the help of a maid. A quarter of an hour later, wearing a fresh white robe, he arrived in the reception hall.
At that time, Yuzuki was kneeling on one knee, waiting there.
"How is the person?"
Sora asked with a calm expression.
"After bringing her back, she was hidden in your residence, constantly watched by Kurumi. There have been no incidents so far."
"However..."
At this point, Yuzuki's expression suddenly became troubled.
"What is it?"
Sora raised an eyebrow.
"It's just that this Nohara Rin has very tough bones. Since arriving in the village, she has been on a hunger strike for three days, and seems determined to continue."
Yuzuki said carefully. He wasn't a fool, and he could see Sora's special treatment of this Konoha's Kunoichi. Kurumi had been taking care of and watching her the entire way. He and Toden didn't even dare to look at her too much, let alone touch her.
After returning to the village, facing the tough Rin, they were at a complete loss. Such a beautiful young girl… could they really use severe torture?
Yuzuki had no intention of joking with his own life.
"I understand."
"You may withdraw first. I will go see her myself."
Sora said lightly.
"Yes, Sora-sama!"
Yuzuki acknowledged and vanished from the spot.
A moment later, Sora appeared beside the rockery in the backyard. He threw a blood-soaked human-shaped sack onto the ground.
Then he reached out and turned an inconspicuous broken stone at the edge of the rockery.
Click!
Click!
The sound of mechanisms turning were heard.
The next moment, the rockery before Sora split down the middle, moving apart with a low rumble to reveal a dark, descending stone staircase.
His figure disappeared, and the split rockery soon merged back together amidst the rumbling.
…
Underground secret room.
Under dim candlelight.
A girl with short brown hair and brown pupils was tied to a wooden cross with iron chains, just like during the Three-Tails' sealing ritual.
The girl tied to the cross was none other than the one who should have died by Kakashi's Chidori, the bomb Kirigakure prepared for Konoha… Nohara Rin!!!
Earlier, Sora had replaced Rin with a Portable Gigai and arranged for Kurumi to send her back to Kirigakure.
She was a hostage he kept in his own hands, a bargaining chip sufficient to threaten and control Obito should any accidents occur in the future.
Nohara Rin!
She was probably the second most important woman in the entire history of Naruto, after Otsutsuki Kaguya!
But at this moment, Rin lacked her usual sweetness and cuteness. Her skin had a sickly pallor, and her eyes were somewhat sunken due to prolonged hunger.
"Sora-sama..."
Ringo Kurumi bowed and said, "I periodically force-feed her some sugar water, so she remains conscious."
"Good."
Sora nodded.
Probably sensing the sudden additional presence in the secret room, Rin struggled to lift her weak body and looked towards Sora.
Handsome.
Cold.
And a kind of spine-chilling oppression.
Rin subconsciously bit her lip, because she felt a prickling sensation like needles on her back from this strange yet handsome man.
"Even..."
"Even if you kill... kill me, I won't betray the village!"
Rin's speech was halting, her voice extremely hoarse.
"Kill you?"
Sora chuckled lightly and shook his head. He turned sideways and kicked the blood-soaked sack he had thrown behind him towards Rin.
Instantly, looking at Sora's smirk, Rin felt an inexplicable panic. That baseless panic was so intense it made her already extremely weak body tremble madly.
Kurumi bent down and untied the rope binding the sack's opening.
Then, a figure so familiar it made Rin Nohara despair with horror rolled out from the blood-stained sack.
Black Ninja attire, white hair, a face obscured by a mask...
"Kakashi!??"
Rin's pupils trembled, her gaze both joyful and fearful. Seeing the dear friend she admired still alive filled her with immense relief, but seeing that same dear friend also fallen into the enemy's clutches made her feel an ice-like despair spreading continuously over her.
"Won't betray the village?"
Sora's smile turned mocking. His fingers lightly pinched his chin as he said with interest, "Kurumi, give our brave Konoha's Ninja a little taste of Kirigakure's shock."
"Yes."
With just one glance, Kurumi understood Sora's meaning. It's the tacit understanding accumulated through years of life-and-death battles.
Shing!
A sword was drawn.
Then, under Rin Nohara's frantic and despairing gaze, the sword fell, directly piercing through Kakashi's right shoulder, nailing him alive to the ground.
"Pfft!"
Blood spurted out like a spring.
The piercing, intense pain also woke 'Kakashi' from his unconsciousness. In his dazed black eyes, the crimson Sharingan had already seen the utterly despairing Rin.
"Rin!"
Kakashi roared in grief.
However,
What awaited him was another sword piercing through his left shoulder.
Blood gushed forth again.
Kakashi's pain doubled, and the despair in Rin's eyes also doubled.
"You seem quite indifferent to your dear friend's life..."
Sora smiled slightly.
As soon as the words fell, before Rin Nohara could react, Kurumi's sword fell again, severing half of Kakashi's hand.
"No..."
"Don't mind me!"
Kakashi curled up on the ground in intense pain, but he still roared unwillingly: "You... you must protect the village's secrets!"
After he finished speaking, Kurumi's ninjato once again landed on Kakashi's face.
This time...
It was the Sharingan!
"No!"
"I'll talk, I'll say anything!"
Rin's pale face was already covered in snot and tears. She cried out angrily and fearfully: "Please, let Kakashi go, stop torturing him, I beg you, I'll agree to anything, any thing, all things!"
"Everything!!!"
Watching the final bond between the three of them, and Kakashi's life hanging by a thread, Rin could finally no longer withstand the immense pressure in her heart. Her entire mental defense line completely collapsed.
"Any..."
"Thing?"
Sora smiled meaningfully.
At that moment, the huge mental impact also completely knocked out the already extremely weak Rin.
The secret room fell into a deathly silence once more.
The black-haired girl Kurumi was somewhat puzzled. She couldn't understand why, when they could interrogate the two Konoha's Ninjas separately, they had to put them together and stage such a play.
Then, the next instant-
Under her dumbfounded gaze, the Kakashi who had been stabbed three times and was covered in wounds actually stood up nonchalantly from the ground.
He picked up the severed hand from the ground without a care, slowly turned around, and walked towards Sora's location.
"Well done."
Sora encouragingly patted the Portable Gigai version of Kakashi on the shoulder.
That Kakashi was cold and detached, offering no reply, and simply silently walked into the darkness.