Pakura's words—and the scroll in her hand—made it impossible for Mei Terumi not to think in the worst possible direction.
The Mizukage had already agreed to negotiations, yet someone was suddenly sent to intercept and kill them?
What did that mean?
Or was this the plan from the very beginning?
Mei exchanged a glance with Ao. Zabuza, bound tightly, said nothing—still trying to break free from the restraints around him.
"I once heard something interesting," Ren said at that moment. He nodded slightly to Pakura, who was cooperating without hesitation, then smiled as he spoke.
"The system in Kirigakure is fascinating. Besides the Mizukage, who holds authority over the entire village, you also have a Great Elder with almost equal power."
"I always wondered—why would someone tolerate another person with absolute authority standing beside the Kage? And now I understand."
He sighed lightly.
"So Kirigakure isn't as united as it looks. The struggle at the top is far more vicious than outsiders imagine."
"Shut up! Don't spout nonsense!"
Mei's face darkened instantly. How could she not understand what Ren was implying?
Ao's expression wasn't much better either. Ren hadn't stated it outright—but the meaning was painfully clear.
This operation was nothing more than internal conflict between the Mizukage and the Great Elder. The Mizukage side never informed the Elder's faction at all.
Instead, the Elder's people were ordered to patrol—with the real purpose of intercepting and eliminating anyone entering Kirigakure with clear identities.
If it succeeded, the Elder's faction would be left in an impossible position.
"If this is nonsense, why don't you take a look at your Mizukage's signature?" Pakura sneered coldly, fury flashing in her eyes as she faced Mei.
"Besides, whether this succeeds or fails doesn't even matter. If you reach an internal compromise, you can just announce we sank at sea."
"And if it fails? A large-scale purge. Blame it on Konoha. Ruin the Sand–Leaf alliance."
She laughed bitterly.
"Kirigakure really plans well. In the end, the only loser will be that so-called Great Elder."
"Don't say it so bluntly," Ren said mildly, pulling Pakura back as her anger flared. Then he added casually, as if talking about the weather.
"If nothing unexpected happens, these people were all sent by that 'Great Elder'—Yuan Shi, right?"
"They're a group of losers. Once Yuan Shi compromises with the Mizukage, they'll probably be abandoned."
Ren's words were vicious—but Mei and Ao couldn't refute them.
In this situation, even if they trusted Elder Yuan Shi completely, would anyone believe them if they said so?
The outlook was grim.
"So what exactly do you want to talk to us about?" Zabuza suddenly spoke, staring at Ren with a deep, heavy gaze.
"If this is all meaningless already, why bother talking? And if you wanted to invite someone, shouldn't it be Sand Village?"
"You're clearly from Konoha. Why are you here with Suna?"
He sneered.
"You may be allies, but everyone knows what kind of alliance that is. For all we know, the Mizukage sent people to wipe you out—and just didn't expect Sand to get dragged in."
"Oh?"
Ren paused, genuinely surprised.
It seemed he'd underestimated Zabuza.
In Ren's memory, Zabuza had been little more than the first 'gatekeeper boss'—a tragic figure who awakened too late.
But thinking carefully, Zabuza was no fool.
He was a product of the Blood Mist—elite, ruthless, and capable enough to launch a rebellion and escape Kirigakure alive.
A man like that couldn't be simple.
"Even so," Ren replied calmly, "since action has already been taken, the one who ends up unlucky will still be Yuan Shi. Isn't that right?"
He didn't bother dancing around it—he kept firing on the single point of Kirigakure's internal strife, forcing Mei and the others into silence.
"So my advice is simple: don't act rashly. And honestly, I don't think you can do anything to me anyway."
He smiled faintly.
"Do you know the Fourth Hokage? Unfortunately for you—everything he knew, I know. And some things he didn't? I know those too."
The confidence in Ren's voice was unmistakable.
Mei, Ao, and Zabuza all understood what he meant—and understanding only made their expressions worse.
Flying Thunder God. Wood Release. Flight.
Looking at Pakura, who remained silent—as if tacitly acknowledging it—they could only accept it for now.
"If you want to talk," Mei said at last, exhaling slowly, "then at least tell us what you want to talk about."
"I think only then can we truly communicate."
"Agreed," Ren nodded. He thought for a moment before continuing.
"You must realize that the people I just fought weren't on your side."
"So aren't you curious who they are—and why they appeared here?"
"The one who could fly?" Ao's face looked unpleasant. Zabuza said nothing—he'd been taken down before even seeing the enemy clearly.
"Yes," Ren nodded.
"This involves a secret mission of ours in Kirigakure. But before that, let me ask you something."
"Don't you find Kirigakure… strange?"
"A village where the upper ranks fight each other so fiercely, where ninja are treated like disposable tools."
"Entire bloodline clans wiped out just to fulfill certain goals."
"The Kaguya clan rebelled and died—that might seem normal. But why did they rebel in the first place?"
"Wasn't it because your policies began suppressing them?"
He turned his gaze toward Zabuza.
"And you, Zabuza—you should know the Yuki clan better than anyone. After all, there's a child like that right beside you."
Silence fell.
Pakura stared at Ren in disbelief.
The destruction of the Kaguya clan was known—even with Kirigakure's lockdown, some things couldn't be hidden.
But why they rebelled had always been unclear.
Ren seemed to know far more.
Mei and Ao also turned to Zabuza, shock flashing across their faces.
The Yuki clan should have gone extinct long ago—another victim of Blood Mist policies.
Yet Ren spoke as if one still existed.
And when they saw Zabuza's eyes widen like he'd seen a ghost, they knew Ren had hit the mark.
"Bullshit!" Zabuza finally roared.
"There's no Yuki clan survivor! And the Kaguya rebelled because they were insane!"
"Is that so?" Ren smiled pleasantly. "Then what about the kid named Haku?"
Zabuza choked, his face turning ashen.
Ren nodded, pressing harder.
"And you're right about one thing—the Kaguya were mad."
"But you aren't mad, are you?"
Zabuza's fists clenched.
"What are you implying—"
"You've hated the Mizukage's rule for a long time," Ren said calmly. "Especially you—an elite Blood Mist graduate who slaughtered an entire class to pass."
He grinned.
"According to reliable intelligence, your subordinate has been spreading dissatisfaction with the Fourth Mizukage's policies, longing for peace and stability."
"But our analysis suggests… you have ambitions beyond that."
"Shut up!"
Zabuza finally snapped.
How did he know all of this?
How many spies did Ren have around him?
Or worse—how could Ren be this familiar with every hidden corner of Kirigakure?
Hadn't the village sealed itself off?
Then why did this outsider know so much?
Not only Zabuza—Mei and Ao felt their scalps go numb.
Forget Zabuza's secrets—Ren's knowledge itself was terrifying.
Kirigakure had been infiltrated into a sieve.
Only Pakura slowly calmed down, an odd sense of relief surfacing.
Sand Village had been infiltrated the same way.
At least they weren't alone.
"Don't look like that," Ren said lightly. "Konoha's intelligence isn't something you can imagine."
"And don't doubt Lord Danzo's capabilities."
He smiled.
"If we want information—there's nothing we can't get."
Ren enjoyed this moment.
He hadn't waited to find Jiraiya and use him as a mouthpiece on purpose.
Some things weren't suitable for Jiraiya to hear.
Danzo's 'intelligence network' was exaggerated—but these people didn't know that.
And they would never go to Konoha to verify something so humiliating.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, knew too much.
Establishing overwhelming intelligence superiority was the best way to control the conversation.
"What are you really trying to say?" Zabuza asked hoarsely.
He'd never regretted following someone more than he did now.
"Simple," Ren said seriously.
"Konoha never acts without reason."
"Otherwise, what I'm about to say would sound like madness."
Zabuza ground his teeth. Mei and Ao remained silent—they didn't know what to say either.
"Pakura," Ren turned to her, "you know about Uchiha Obito, right?"
"If possible, explain it to them. If it comes from me, they'll think I'm lying."
Pakura nodded.
"Uchiha Obito is currently Konoha's most wanted criminal. His crimes include attacking Konoha, stealing Wood Release, attacking Iwagakure, and burning down the Tsuchikage Tower."
Ren cut in casually.
"And the Dragon Vein in Rōran? He stole that too."
"…What?"
Pakura froze.
That too?
"You didn't know?" Ren looked genuinely surprised.
"According to intelligence, a massive chakra eruption occurred in Rōran's tower—accompanied by a giant tree."
"This happened during our negotiations with your village. Didn't you investigate further?"
They had.
And the suspect had gradually become Ren.
Now, thinking back—space-time techniques, Wood Release…
Obito fit better.
Mei, Ao, and Zabuza exchanged stunned looks.
Had Kirigakure been sealed off for so long that they didn't even know such a monster existed?
"And you exposed his information to Iwa?" Mei asked sharply.
"Yes," Ren nodded.
Her expression darkened.
"So your purpose in coming to Kirigakure is to hunt him down?"
"And given your strength… he's here, isn't he?"
"Exactly," Ren sighed.
"And the situation is worse than we thought."
"Do you know a woman named Nohara Rin?"
Mei shook her head. Zabuza frowned.
Ao hesitated.
"…The woman implanted with the Three-Tails?"
"That's right."
Ren's voice turned cold.
"Kirigakure sealed the Three-Tails into Nohara Rin to attack Konoha."
"I don't know who approved such madness—but it happened."
"Rin couldn't bear it. She chose death—by Kakashi's hand."
"And she was the person Uchiha Obito cherished most."
Pakura inhaled sharply.
"So… he's taking revenge on Kirigakure?"
"Not choosing to," Ren corrected. "He probably already did."
Kirigakure was remote, defensible, and isolated.
Information was blocked.
From the fact they didn't even know Obito's name, it was obvious how safe he was here.
And Obito was petty.
He'd taken revenge on Konoha.
Why would he spare the village that truly killed Rin?
"And we suspect he's joined Akatsuki," Ren continued.
"The one I fought earlier was one of them."
"A group of S-rank missing-nin appearing here says everything."
"Then… where is he?" Mei finally asked, dread creeping into her voice.
"That," Ren said quietly, "is something you need to discuss with your elder."
"Obito possesses powerful Sharingan capable of controlling people through genjutsu."
"And the best way to destroy a village… is policy."
Policies that quietly crush bloodline clans.
Policies that turn ninja into expendable tools.
Mei, Ao, and Zabuza went cold.
This wasn't a whirlpool.
It was an abyss.
"At first, I suspected Yuan Shi," Ren said calmly.
"But after connecting what Sand, Konoha, and Kirigakure have experienced…"
He looked at Mei.
"I think the truth is far uglier than we imagined."
Far away, within Kamui space, Obito watched silently.
Kirigakure's losses pleased him.
They were Yuan Shi's people.
Perfect.
What irritated him was Ren's growth—and Akatsuki's misfortune.
"He's grown again," Black Zetsu muttered. "That power… could he be Indra's reincarnation?"
Then he frowned.
Something felt off.
Indra and Asura reincarnations followed rules.
But Ren had been born while Madara was still alive.
It made no sense.
Elsewhere, Mei and the others moved toward Kirigakure in silence.
"What he said… do you think it's true?" Ao asked quietly.
Mei looked at Zabuza.
Zabuza finally spoke.
"I didn't betray the village."
"But I did oppose the Fourth Mizukage's tyranny."
"And yes… Haku exists."
That was enough.
Too much of Ren's information was accurate.
Back in the cave, Pakura looked at Ren.
"You just let them go?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Ren smiled.
"The strongest trump card is sincerity."
Besides—
He didn't say it aloud.
I've already marked all three of them with Flying Thunder God.
"Why don't I feel reassured?" Pakura muttered.
"You should thank me," Ren said lightly.
"You won't lose everyone this time."
She snorted.
"I suppose I should."
He grinned.
"Your figure really is excellent."
"…Idiot."
Footsteps echoed.
Jiraiya stumbled into the cave.
Before he could speak, Ren stepped forward.
"Captain Jiraiya… we may be in trouble."
Jiraiya's heart sank.
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