While Konoha still buzzed with laughter and celebration, ninjas from other villages had already set out on their journeys home. Naturally, this included the Third Mizukage.
Even if Konoha was flourishing, and his time with Hiruzen Sarutobi had been pleasant, he had no intention of staying longer. In fact, he departed for the Land of Water the very night the exams concluded.
Previously, the Third Mizukage had believed the village was secure under his control. Isolated overseas and free from external interference, it had prospered silently, far surpassing other villages.
However, the Mihua Town incident was a harsh lesson. He realized that the village was far from monolithic; under the surface, currents of unrest were already rising, particularly driven by the three major clans. This prompted his second trip to Konoha.
A cold calculation spread across the Mizukage's face. For the first time in years, someone dared to challenge his authority. "They truly aren't afraid of death," he muttered.
Suddenly, a whistling sound cut through the air. The Mizukage looked up to see a gray-brown hawk circling among the clouds. Whistling in response, the bird dove like an arrow and landed gracefully on his arm.
He retrieved the scroll attached to its leg, broke the seal with a precise technique, scanned it swiftly, and nodded in approval. Then he asked, "Yamaki, what is the situation?"
A lean, middle-aged ninja closed his eyes and focused, then reported, "They are moving according to plan and are approaching the ambush point."
"Good," the Mizukage said. His visit to Konoha was nothing more than a trap, designed to use himself as bait to draw out the restless major clans.
While a Water Clone guided a team of genin toward the enemy's ambush point, the Mizukage's main body had already slipped away. He had even assigned over a dozen ANBU members and three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist weeks in advance.
I hope this effort pays off and it ends in one decisive strike, he thought, narrowing his eyes. He did not wish to return to the village and slay more ninjas, as that would harm his reputation.
Time passed quickly. When the Mizukage and two subordinates reached the agreed location with the ANBU, more than a dozen Mist ninja were already waiting.
Before he could exchange words, dozens of ninja tools flew toward him. But the Mizukage was far from ordinary. In a blur, he deflected every weapon with perfect precision.
"Water Release: Water Stream Whip!"
Yamaki, the same trusted subordinate, suddenly attacked, forming hand seals and swinging a whip of water with lethal force.
The Mizukage, shocked by the betrayal, barely had time to block with a kunai. "Clang!" The water whip's power shattered the kunai and grazed his palm like a razor. The whip attempted to bind him, but he stomped off the ground, propelling his body backward out of reach.
Yamaki did not pursue but grinned. "Impressive, Mizukage. You can still dodge my water whip."
The Mizukage's thoughts raced. Betrayed by his most trusted subordinates, he felt both shock and fury. Who could he trust? His careful calculations now seemed laughable.
Yet his lips curled into a sinister repetition: "Good, good, good!" Each word was chilling, and by the third, he was grinding his teeth against the sound of clashing weapons. Today, he did not care how many were involved in the plot. He intended to kill without restraint, fighting to the death if necessary.
Yamaki, shaking his head, grinned. "Don't glare at me. Your real opponent is someone else. Today, we have a special surprise for you."
An invisible barrier materialized, enveloping everyone.
"This is…?" The Mizukage's voice faltered.
"…The Four Red Yang Formation?"
The Mizukage's fury rose. The Four Red Yang Formation was a signature sealing technique of the Uzumaki clan, thought lost with the destruction of Uzushiogakure. Konoha might still possess it, but surely they could not deploy four ninjas skilled enough to establish such a barrier.
This was not merely strength; it was mastery of sealing techniques. If Konoha had this capability, the Second Shinobi World War might have ended long ago. Hiruzen Sarutobi would never have sent four such ninjas thousands of miles to assassinate him.
Then who had set this trap?
An old voice echoed from the shadows: "Seeing you, Kage, so helpless with rage is satisfying. I almost hesitate to interrupt."
Seconds later, the figure emerged. White hair hung in disarray, a gleaming scythe supported half his body, and a thick tube ran from his back to the ground.
"You are…" the Mizukage trembled.
"Uchiha… Madara."
The old man chuckled. "It's been a long time since anyone spoke that name. For that alone, I'll grant you a few more minutes of life."
"Aren't you dead?"
"Who can say for sure about the boundary between life and death?"
"Then my subordinates aren't yours either?"
"Of course not."
Yamaki transformed into a white figure and addressed Madara, "I don't like Transformation Technique, can you skip making me transform next time?"
"Shut up," Madara barked. White Zetsu covered his mouth obediently.
The Mizukage slowly realized: the Mihua Town incident and the supposed coup of the three major clans had been orchestrated. Madara had done all of this personally, setting a trap to draw him out.
"You've done so much to set this trap; you must think highly of me," the Mizukage said.
Madara smiled coldly. "Kirigakure is small enough for a few plans, but you have become a thorn I cannot ignore. It's time to take action."
"Plan?!"
"Yes. I plan to turn Kirigakure into the Village of the Bloody Mist."
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