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The sudden change left everyone, including Suigetsu, stunned. But Suigetsu was the first to snap out of it. He rushed to the collapsed building, desperately digging through the rubble.
Fortunately, though the building's collapse looked "spectacular," it couldn't inflict fatal damage on a Jōnin of Mangetsu's caliber.
Soon, Mangetsu emerged from the debris, brushing dust from his clothes, his gaze fixed on the direction from which the attack came.
That single blow had completely destroyed the building, and he hadn't even noticed it coming, indicating his opponent's immense strength.
When he saw who had attacked him, his mouth twitched.
The Third Mizukage looked at him with an excited expression. Beside the Third Mizukage stood the Fourth Mizukage, his expression calm.
These two had arrived at just the "right" time. If they had been five minutes later, he might have convinced some people.
Mangetsu's scalp tingled.
Makoto hadn't arrived with the squad, leaving the rebels without a leader. Zabuza was tied up with Ameyuri. The only one with enough strength left to deal with the two Mizukage was him.
Suigetsu and Haku?
In a battle of this level, if Suigetsu and Haku got involved, they'd only be a liability.
He was already stretched thin just dealing with the situation alone. Trying to look after Suigetsu and Haku as well—did he want to die faster?
There was no room for regret now.
The only silver lining was that he had managed to say what needed to be said before the two Mizukage appeared.
Now, his only hope of victory was to make the Kirigakure ninja believe his words and join forces against the two Mizukage.
"Mizukage-sama, have you come now because you're afraid I'll reveal your secret? But it's too late. Everyone here already knows: you—our revered Mizukage—are under genjutsu control!" Mangetsu pointed at the two Mizukage.
The other ninja were already hesitating.
After all, over the years, they too had harbored some suspicions about the Mizukage's orders. But on one hand, the overwhelming power of the two Mizukage suppressed such speculation. On the other hand, Igawa Bu, in conveying their orders, always provided an "interpretation" that allowed them to fully understand the Mizukage's "difficult position."
At the time, each of the Mizukage's decrees, in one way or another, had harmed Kirigakure. Yet Igawa Bu always offered an "explanation": "Have you forgotten the humiliation of the war with Konoha? Our previous policies alone won't lead to major breakthroughs. To catch up, we must reform. Reform involves successes and failures. But at least we're not stagnating. We'll gain something eventually, won't we?"
Hearing this back then, they all shared a thought: to bring about change, one must endure failure.
However, after all these years, none of the Mizukage's policies had succeeded.
Failing once was acceptable. Failing twice could be understood. But failing repeatedly, year after year—that indicated a serious problem.
Now, Mangetsu had brought to light the "secret" they had buried in their hearts. It reminded them of the Mizukage's actions in recent years...
Bloodshed, terror... casting a dark shadow over Kirigakure, draining even the ninja of their motivation.
Could it be true, as Mangetsu said, that the Mizukage was under someone's control?
"Mangetsu, I am disappointed in you." Yagura's voice was cold. He produced his weapon—a staff-like implement with a hooked end.
"Every person in Kirigakure knows how important the Hōzuki clan is to this village. Yet you have fallen, joining the rebels to attack Kirigakure. Look at what's before you. Do you want to personally destroy the legacy of your ancestors?"
"Indeed, Kirigakure's current state owes much to my ancestors. But let me ask you: what right do you have to align yourself with my ancestors? Do you deserve it? Has everything you've done—the oppressive rule, the persecution of 'Kekkei Genkai'—been beneficial to Kirigakure?" Mangetsu retorted angrily.
"Yes!"
"What!?" Mangetsu never expected Yagura to actually admit it.
Have you no shame?
"Don't doubt my words. Yes, everything I've done is for Kirigakure. Your ancestors were great ninja, but in this era, even they would be helpless. For Kirigakure to become strong, we must be united. However, as a major ninja village, Kirigakure faces many risks. I must eliminate all potential threats. As for those with 'Kekkei Genkai,' some may genuinely wish for Kirigakure's prosperity. But many more cannot control this power, causing irreparable harm to ordinary villagers. Kirigakure is not a village defined by 'Kekkei Genkai.' Its foundation is ordinary people. They are the ones I must prioritize. As for 'Kekkei Genkai' that benefit Kirigakure, I have not harmed them. Otherwise, Mei Terumī wouldn't still be alive."
"You—"
Mangetsu hadn't expected Yagura to use Mei Terumī as a counterexample.
The Kirigakure ninja wavered again, but Yagura's words only enraged the rebels further.
"Are you saying our very existence is 'evil'!?" a large man shouted, pointing accusingly at Yagura.
"Your existence is not 'evil.' But your 'evil' lies in possessing such great power without understanding it, causing instability within the village." Yagura shook his head.
"I don't believe it. Didn't Konoha handle the relationship between ordinary people and Kekkei Genkai quite well?" Mangetsu shook his head.
The Konoha he had seen was worlds apart from Kirigakure.
"Wrong! They are also wary of 'Kekkei Genkai.' Konoha has always wanted to eliminate the Uchiha clan. Did you know that? The only reason they haven't acted is that the Uchiha clan's power is too great. I cannot allow Kirigakure to end up like that."
Mangetsu frowned. What Yagura said was true.
"Wait... You've been in Kirigakure all along. How do you know about Konoha's situation?"
Yagura paused, not answering immediately. After a ten-second silence, he finally spoke. "Kirigakure has its own intelligence network."
"Intelligence network? Or did your controller tell you?" Mangetsu's lips curled. He had finally caught Yagura's "tail."
Suddenly, Yagura vanished, reappearing right before him in the next instant, swinging his iron staff.
Mangetsu quickly dodged to the side, but still wasn't fast enough. Just as the staff was about to strike his shoulder, his shoulder suddenly liquefied, allowing him to evade Yagura's attack.