"Lord Mizukage, I have one more question."
"What is it?"
"Why Kisame?"
Yagura answered flatly.
"That was the Sand's demand."
Rasa shook his head inside Goki's body.
"No. That's impossible. Kisame is just a young shinobi with no major accomplishments. He hasn't killed anyone important. On the battlefield he was completely average. How the hell does he deserve to be listed alongside Elder Genshi and Jinpachi Munashi?"
"Elder Genshi led our entire army against the Sand. Jinpachi has slaughtered hundreds of Sand ninja with his blade. But my nephew? Nothing. The Sand wouldn't specifically name him."
"Which means someone inside our own village put his name forward. Lord Mizukage… does someone have a grudge against the Hoshigaki clan? Or did Kisame piss someone off?"
The words were deliberately insulting, but Rasa didn't care. This body was disposable anyway. He needed to plant doubt and force Yagura's hand.
Yagura's face darkened. He knew the Hoshigaki clan would never believe him no matter what he said.
"I understand your anger," Yagura said slowly. "But the names really did come from the Sand Village. I can swear it."
Rasa let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Then I finally understand the value of your oaths, Lord Mizukage. Fine. If you say so, then so be it. The Hoshigaki clan accepts its fate. After all, we're just a small, powerless family."
He turned and walked away without another word.
The crowd started murmuring the second he left.
"Goki was right. The Sand wouldn't care about some random kid like Kisame."
"Someone inside the village must hate him."
"Wonder what kind of bribe they gave the Mizukage…"
"Poor Kisame. Unlike Elder Genshi, he's actually being sacrificed by his own people."
Yagura's expression turned ugly as he listened.
"Hoshigaki Goki… you bastard. I sacrifice everything for this village and you just shit all over it. You're trying to destroy my reputation."
Back at the Mizukage's office, Yagura sat down heavily.
"Rasa… was this on purpose? Are you trying to push us into war with Konoha just to revive those rumors?"
At the Hoshigaki compound, young Kisame found "Goki" the moment he returned.
"Uncle Goki… thank you."
The boy bowed deeply.
"Thank you for speaking up for me. But it's okay. If my death can bring peace and save other Mist ninja, then it's worth it."
Not long after, an unexpected guest arrived.
Elder Genshi.
"Lord Genshi."
Genshi nodded, first glancing at Kisame, then at "Goki."
"Goki, you're a good man. Anyone who cares this much about his clan also cares about the village. But this isn't the Mizukage's fault. The Sand Village really did demand those three names—me, Jinpachi, and Kisame. None of us understand why, but we have to accept it."
He looked straight at Kisame.
"I know this is cruel. But if my sacrifice buys the village time to grow stronger, then it's worth it. Kisame… I'm sorry. The Mizukage will compensate your clan in other ways."
Genshi paused, then lowered his voice.
"The Sand hates us. When we're handed over they'll torture us. So here's my advice—hide explosive tags inside your body. The Mizukage will arrange the exchange after our main army retreats. Once we're inside their camp… detonate."
Kisame hesitated.
"Lord Genshi… wouldn't that be breaking the ceasefire? The Sand might attack again."
Genshi shook his head.
"It won't count as the village breaking the deal. We'll already be dead—technically no longer Mist shinobi. And once our army has safely withdrawn, the Sand won't be able to reach the Land of Water easily anyway."
Rasa stared at Genshi, silently cursing.
You vicious old bastard. You want to suicide-bomb my Sand ninja?
Too bad for him—Rasa already knew the entire plan.
"The day of the exchange," Rasa thought coldly, "I'll be there personally. One look with the Byakugan and I'll see every trap. I'll also intercept part of the Mist army before they can retreat."