As the news spread through the Five Great Ninja Villages, elite forces were mobilized almost simultaneously. One team after another arrived at the Sacrificial Shop, all competing for missions.
The camp grew crowded at an alarming pace.
Elite Ninja moved in squads, headbands of every Village flashing in the sun. The mission board refreshed nonstop, new commissions appearing the instant old ones vanished. Teams argued, bargained, and raced—sometimes nearly coming to blows—just to secure a task.
Sensing the momentum, the Shop released a flood of new missions, completely igniting the competitive spirit of the Ninja World.
At the same time, the Villages reacted swiftly. New Ninja academies were established, recruitment standards tightened, and training intensity doubled. Everyone understood one thing clearly:
Whoever accumulated missions and sacrificial coins faster would dominate the next stage.
While the Sacrificial Shop buzzed with activity, the Land of Water's Daimyo Mansion was no less turbulent.
After the Third Mizukage's death, Genzo had taken control of Hidden Mist. A survivor of the Sengoku era and one of the Village's founders, his political acumen far exceeded that of ordinary Ninja.
His first act was decisive.
The Blood Mist Policy was publicly abolished. Responsibility was pinned solely on its ringleaders, while collaborators were pardoned. The Village stabilized almost overnight.
Next, Genzo privately confronted the Land of Water Daimyo, producing evidence of the Daimyo's past support for the Blood Mist faction. Through negotiation and pressure, he secured substantial military subsidies.
Half the funds went to mission rewards, revitalizing the Hidden Mist economy. The rest compensated families of fallen Ninja.
When funds still proved insufficient, Genzo turned his gaze to the nobles.
He selected Gato, a greedy transport magnate from the Land of Waves, and secretly supported him—ships, sailors, materials, routes. Hidden Mist's supplies were quietly routed exclusively through Gato's fleet.
The result was devastating.
Hidden Mist nobles saw their profits crushed and turned to assassination. But the "wandering Ninja" guarding Gato were, in truth, Hidden Mist Anbu. Every assassin vanished.
When the nobles finally begged Hidden Mist for help, Genzo struck.
Old Blood Mist charges were dragged out. Massive payments were extorted. The nobles were forced to pledge non-interference and grant a 30% discount on all future Hidden Mist transport.
Only then did Hidden Mist "officially" accept a mission and eliminate Gato—seizing his wealth and earning the nobles' gratitude in the process.
A flawless maneuver.
A true Sengoku-era fox.
But old grudges never truly fade.
Before Yagura Karatachi accompanied the Daimyo to the Sacrificial Shop auction, the Daimyo once again extorted sacrificial coins from Hidden Mist under flimsy pretenses.
Genzo finally decided to strike back.
Elite Hidden Mist Ninja were dispatched, disguised as underground bounty hunters, lying in wait near the capital.
If you want Blood Mist, then Hidden Mist will give you a Blood Mansion.
Unbeknownst to Genzo, the Daimyo had prepared his own trap.
Under the guise of recruiting wandering Ninja, he secretly hid Hidden Mist Anbu loyal to Suikazan Fuguki inside the mansion.
Neither Genzo nor Danzo Shimura detected the snare.
"How are the defenses?" Danzo asked coldly.
"Eight guardians left with the Daimyo. Four remain, along with twelve wandering Ninja."
Danzo sneered. "Proceed as planned."
Elsewhere.
"The four left behind are loyal guardians," Biwa Jūzō muttered, fingers brushing the Executioner's Blade.
"They're only special Jonin," Zabuza replied confidently. "Not worth concern."
Jūzō narrowed his eyes. "Overconfidence kills fastest."
Turning to the Hidden Mist elites, he ordered, "You handle it. Leave no survivors. Quietly."
Underground, White Zetsu froze.
Among the Chakra signatures above, one was unmistakable.
"Danzo…?"
Excitement rippled through his body.
"I must report this to Lord Black Zetsu immediately."
Several days earlier, near an island off the Land of Water, another pursuit unfolded.
"This Hidden Mist Anbu is ridiculous!" Ning Rongrong stomped. "He can liquefy and merge into the sea!"
"He has sensory abilities," Huo Wu said grimly. "He escapes before we close in."
"Can you strike mentally from range?" Feng Xiaotian asked.
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Power drops too much."
Silence followed.
Present were Qian Renxue's trio, Ning Rongrong's group, plus Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and Water Bing'er.
Finally, Water Bing'er spoke calmly.
"He's still human. He must eat. He must sleep."
She outlined her plan.
Track—but don't engage. Harass constantly. Strike when exhaustion breaks him.
"Agreed," Xie Yue said instantly.
Ning Rongrong protested weakly. "That means I lose sleep too!"
Qian Renxue smiled mercilessly. "I'll restore your mind."
Days passed.
The target's emotions deteriorated. His movements grew erratic.
Then—
"He's moving northwest!" Ning Rongrong gasped.
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened. "He's heading for the capital."
"Intercept immediately," Gao Feng ordered.
Lightning erupted.
The Yu Family Brothers vanished in twin streaks of blue.