Uchiha Obito's figure vanished into the distance like a ghost.
At the same moment, Karatachi Yagura finally regained a trace of clarity before death claimed him.
"Mizukage-sama!"
Mei Terumi and the others rushed forward immediately.
Those who had remained loyal to the Mizukage—Ao, Chojuro, Gonbei, Chokichi, Ameyuri Ringo, and the others—gathered around him in grief.
Yagura looked down at the Chakra Chains binding his body before turning his gaze toward Naruto.
"Was it you who sealed me?"
"What an incredible young man..."
"What is your name?"
Naruto looked at the Fourth Mizukage with mixed emotions. A man who should have been one of the greatest leaders of the Hidden Mist Village had instead spent years as someone else's puppet. It was a truly tragic fate.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
A bitter yet relieved smile appeared on Yagura's face.
"Thank you..."
The surrounding Mist shinobi fell silent.
Ao, Chojuro, Chokichi, Gonbei, Mei Terumi, and the others stared at their dying leader. Their hearts were filled with emotions too complicated to describe.
Yagura slowly spoke.
"I'm sorry..."
"I have failed all of you."
"For so many years, I allowed myself to become that man's puppet. Because of my weakness, the Hidden Mist Village became what it is today."
"I have disappointed the previous Mizukage, and more importantly, I have disappointed the entire village."
Mei Terumi quickly shook her head.
"Mizukage-sama, this isn't your fault!"
"The blame belongs to the one who controlled you!"
Yagura let out a faint laugh.
"No... in the end, it happened because I wasn't strong enough."
"At this point, any excuses would be meaningless."
His gaze swept across everyone present before finally settling on Mei Terumi.
"The future of the Hidden Mist Village... is in your hands."
"I hope that one day, the village can regain its former glory."
"I entrust everything to all of you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Karatachi Yagura's body went limp.
The Fourth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village had passed away.
A perfect Jinchuriki.
A legendary leader.
Gone forever.
Mei Terumi and the others dropped to their knees as grief overwhelmed them.
"Mizukage-sama!"
Their cries echoed across the battlefield.
At that moment, dark clouds gathered overhead.
A torrential rain began to pour from the sky, washing away the bloodstains left behind by the fierce battle.
Naruto released the Diamond Sealing Chains and quietly looked at Yagura's lifeless body.
A deep sadness filled his heart.
"At least..."
"You've finally been freed."
"Farewell, Mizukage-sama."
---
For three days and three nights, heavy rain fell over the Hidden Mist Village.
The atmosphere throughout the village was bleak and oppressive.
Everything had changed.
Karatachi Yagura was dead.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, had died with him.
Of course, Tailed Beasts never truly died. They would eventually reform somewhere in the world.
However, nobody knew when or where Isobu would reappear.
As a result, the Hidden Mist Village had not only lost its Mizukage but also lost two of its Tailed Beasts.
The Six-Tails Jinchuriki had already been captured by the Akatsuki.
Now the Three-Tails was gone as well.
The village had lost both its leader and its greatest military assets.
Years of the Bloody Mist policy had pushed the Hidden Mist Village into darkness, causing immense suffering and countless losses.
Now the entire village resembled a crumbling building that had lost its foundation.
It seemed as though it could collapse at any moment.
---
Inside Genji's residence, the village's most influential figures had gathered.
Under Genji's leadership, Mei Terumi, Ao, Chojuro, Chokichi, Gonbei, Ameyuri Ringo, and many others assembled to discuss the future of the Hidden Mist Village.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Hinata were also invited to participate.
The elderly Genji slowly rose to his feet and bowed deeply toward the Konoha shinobi.
"Honored ninja of Konoha..."
"Thank you for saving the Hidden Mist Village."
Kakashi immediately stood up in response.
"Genji-sama, you're too kind."
"We merely happened to be there and did what any shinobi should do."
Genji's eyes were filled with emotion.
"If not for all of you, the Hidden Mist Village might truly have fallen into despair."
His gaze shifted toward Naruto.
"Especially you, Uzumaki Naruto."
"You not only freed the Fourth Mizukage from his suffering, but also saved countless lives from the Three-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb."
"You are truly the savior of the Hidden Mist Village."
Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe... I guess that's true."
"But Kakashi-sensei is right."
"We just did what we were supposed to do."
His straightforward response caused Mei Terumi and the others to smile.
Even Hinata quietly covered her mouth as she giggled.
Genji's expression softened.
"No matter what, the Hidden Mist Village will never forget this kindness."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)