"Y-You... you actually dare to assault a Mizukage?!"
Only after enduring the pain for quite a while did the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, finally recover a trace of clarity from the dizziness and agony.
Covering his sausage-swollen lips and pig-like face, he pointed a trembling finger at Kai.
He wanted to speak, but his swollen mouth leaked air from every direction.
After struggling for a long time, he finally managed a complete sentence.
"I-I-I'm going to send a formal complaint to your Hokage!"
"You actually dared to assault a Mizukage!"
"Do you two want to become rogue ninja as well?!"
A complaint to the Hokage...
Become rogue ninja...
Hearing those words, even Kisame felt the urge to roll his eyes.
Ever since being thoroughly beaten by Uchiha Kai, he had spent quite a bit of time gathering information about him.
The things he learned only became more shocking with each report.
Reforming Konoha.
Crushing Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure.
Building a human organ dissection park.
Launching a collapse plan that directly killed the Hokage.
The First and Second Hokage somehow returning from the dead.
Even the God of Death passing by and getting an arm ripped off.
Every single one of those stories...
When he heard them from Black Zetsu, only one thought remained in his mind:
Thank goodness.
Thank goodness he had behaved after taking that first chain strike.
Otherwise, there was a good chance he would already have a place reserved in Kai's organ harvesting park.
Thinking of that, Kisame quietly dug himself a little deeper into the ground.
Only after ensuring his entire head was buried underground did he finally sigh in relief.
Meanwhile, Mei Terumi, who had originally wanted to intervene again, silently dusted herself off after hearing Yagura's words.
At the same time, she grabbed Ao, who was preparing to help.
"Don't."
Ao hesitated.
"But—"
"Let go of your savior complex. Respect other people's fate."
Mei Terumi shook her head lightly.
Others might not have noticed.
But she had clearly sensed something strange.
That S-rank Konoha rogue ninja—
Uchiha Itachi.
The moment he saw that young man, a trace of joy had flashed through his eyes.
A tiny trace.
Yet unmistakable.
There had even been a feeling of relief.
She suspected it might be her imagination.
After all, Uchiha Itachi's reputation had become enormous in Kirigakure recently.
Even Kisame, the village's so-called Tailless Tailed Beast, obediently followed behind him.
Even Hidan, who barked endlessly, never dared raise his voice too much in front of Itachi.
Only after leaving would he dare laugh loudly.
Because of that, Mei Terumi had already reached a conclusion.
Uchiha Kai was not ordinary.
And there was another point.
Narrowing her beautiful eyes, she glanced toward future Sasuke.
"A space-time ninjutsu? Or..."
That mysterious technique earlier had required no hand seals.
No preparation.
In other words—
A zero-frame space-time technique.
For ordinary shinobi, defending against something like that was practically impossible.
Otherwise, Yagura would never have appeared directly beneath Kai's waiting palm.
Thinking of that, Mei Terumi's gaze once again settled on Kai.
This little man...
He really was intriguing.
At that moment, Kai's lazy voice finally sounded from the front.
"A complaint to the Hokage?"
He grinned.
A bright smile appeared on his face.
But hidden behind it was the pity and mockery one reserved for a fool.
Looking down at the Fourth Mizukage sprawled on the ground, he said:
"Unfortunately for you, the position of Hokage is currently being handled by yours truly."
Unlike Yagura's childish face paired with an old man's voice, Kai's voice was clean and clear, uniquely youthful.
After speaking, he simply remained bent forward, staring motionlessly at Yagura.
Pressure.
Maximum pressure.
After all, identities were self-assigned when traveling abroad.
Was there really any problem with him claiming to be Hokage?
Given the current situation, Yagura probably wouldn't live long enough to verify it anyway.
However, those words instantly snapped Yagura back to reality.
His swollen mouth twisted sideways.
"You?"
"A Hokage?"
"You tiny little runt whose hair hasn't even grown in yet!"
"Who are you trying to fool?!"
"Runt?"
Hearing that, Kai raised a hand to stop future Sasuke.
The smile vanished from his face instantly.
"Want to compare?"
As he spoke, he directly dragged Yagura to his feet and measured them against each other.
At just over ten years old, Kai was still shorter than most adults.
But he was taller than ordinary children his age.
However—
To his complete surprise—
After comparing heights, Kai discovered that he and Yagura were actually about the same height!
BOOM!
The discovery struck him like heavenly lightning.
He had never expected that he wouldn't completely tower over Yagura!
Crunch.
Crunch.
The sound of grinding teeth became extremely clear.
Kai's irritation was immediately noticed by Yagura.
Having gotten back to his feet, Yagura quickly forgot the beating he had just received.
He grinned and began mocking him again.
"Hahahaha!"
"You think you're taller than me?"
"Keep dreaming!"
"Little turnip!"
"I advise you to obediently follow this Mizukage's orders."
"Otherwise I'll immediately send word to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"Oh, right!"
"And Hokage Advisor Danzo!"
"He's one of my closest friends!"
"You'd better think carefully!"
"I'd like to see what a brat like you can possibly do when facing the Hokage and his advis—"
This time, his voice was cut off once again.
Kai's eyes flashed.
Powerful chakra instantly transformed into two massive invisible hammers and smashed downward.
BOOM—CRACK!
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The sound of bones breaking and Yagura's scream erupted simultaneously.
Before his body could even react—
Thud!
He collapsed to his knees.
Both knees folded inward at impossible angles.
Now, Yagura only reached Kai's chest.
Taking two steps forward, Kai patted Yagura's little head and bent down with a cheerful smile.
"Now then."
"Take another look."
"Am I much taller than you now?"
"Urgh... urgh... ahhh!"
With both legs shattered simultaneously, Yagura was drenched in sweat from pain.
He wanted to scream.
Wanted to roar.
But the remnants of the Tailed Beast cloak constricted his throat.
No other sounds could escape.
Kai clearly had no intention of letting him off.
Instead, he continued:
"Oh, right."
"You said you know Danzo?"
"Mhm! Mhm! Mhm!"
Overwhelmed by pain, Yagura could only nod frantically.
Completely missing the indifference hidden beneath Kai's tone.
Finally, forcing himself through the agony, he shouted:
"I know him!"
"We're friends!"
As if that wasn't convincing enough, he hurriedly added:
"Closest friends!"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> [email protected]/SorenSwiftTL (replace @ with a)