The deafening roar echoed throughout Kirigakure.
The blinding light that followed was almost like daylight itself, completely leveling what remained of the Mizukage Tower.
The anguished howl of the Three-Tails reverberated across the village, leaving distant Kirigakure shinobi staring blankly at the scene before them.
"Th-the Three-Tails… lost?"
"How is that possible?! That's the Three-Tails!"
Countless Mist shinobi felt their minds go numb as they listened to the beast's cries.
The Blood Mist policy was cruel beyond measure, but even so, everyone understood one basic truth—tailed beasts were the core of a village's security.
Yes, jinchūriki were feared, resented, and ostracized, but no one ever doubted the overwhelming power of a tailed beast.
Yet now, before everyone's eyes, the Fourth Mizukage had been defeated together with the Three-Tails.
How could they not feel fear?
"So this… is the power of the Senju?"
Yuan Shi had already led a group of Mist shinobi retreating some distance away. As he stared at the rising mushroom cloud in the distance, his expression turned numb.
At this point, he was genuinely cursing inside.
Are you people from Konoha completely shameless once you leave your own village?
Terrorists aren't even this excessive!
Just thinking about the reconstruction costs made Yuan Shi's heart bleed. He seriously suspected Shihara Ren had done this on purpose.
After all, the greater Kirigakure's losses, the more they would be forced to negotiate properly with Konoha later.
"Elder, what exactly is going on?!"
While Yuan Shi was drowning in despair—half tempted to just wipe out Konoha and Sunagakure altogether—commotion erupted behind him.
Turning around, he saw Ao restraining a shark-faced man a few meters away, while numerous Mist shinobi stared in their direction.
"Let him go, Ao."
Yuan Shi recognized him immediately—Kisame Hoshigaki, a prodigy of the Hoshigaki clan, an ANBU operative, and someone who genuinely loved the village.
Seeing the confusion and anger on Kisame's face, Yuan Shi knew it was time to explain—not just to him, but to everyone watching.
"I know many of you are confused. Some of you haven't even received the orders yet," Yuan Shi said loudly.
"So let me explain exactly what happened tonight."
"We have confirmed that the Fourth Mizukage was under someone else's control."
"All the suffering we endured over these years… stemmed from that fact."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"I know it sounds unbelievable," Yuan Shi continued, his voice firm. "But think carefully. Look at our policies. Look at what we've been doing."
"And look at today. A true Mizukage would never fight so recklessly inside the village—even in death."
"Think about Konoha's Fourth Hokage."
"What we are doing now… is setting things right."
As Yuan Shi spoke passionately, the battered wooden construct in the distance suddenly split open.
Shihara Ren leapt out.
"Tch. A Tailed Beast Ball really isn't something to underestimate…"
Golden chakra still wrapped around Ren's body, though his tone was distinctly irritated.
He knew very well how terrifying a Tailed Beast Ball was. Among his current techniques, the highest-tier offensive move he possessed was the Rasengan—an evolution derived from that very power.
With Wood Release protection and constant absorption of the Three-Tails' chakra, he had believed the blast could be weakened.
Clearly, he had underestimated Obito's desperation.
That bastard had squeezed out the very last drop of the Three-Tails' power, aiming to drag Ren down with him.
If Ren's defenses hadn't been absurdly strong—and backed by Wood Release—anyone else would have been finished.
Even so, one of the Wood Golem's arms had been completely blown off, and the Wood Dragon looked badly damaged.
"Reasonable," Ren muttered. "LV7, and forced out with Yang-Release Chakra Mode. Of course it can't compare to Senju Hashirama."
He didn't mind much. Techniques could always be repaired.
More importantly, the fight with Uchiha Obito was over—for now.
"Now it depends on whether you'll make another move."
Ren glanced at the sky, then landed and walked toward the fallen Fourth Mizukage.
The young-looking Mizukage lay battered, his body covered in wounds. Combined with his childlike appearance, he almost looked pitiful.
But as Ren approached, Yagura suddenly snapped his eyes open.
The vacant gaze slowly regained focus, his expression twisting as shame, rage, and humiliation surged forth.
His face flushed red—he was furious.
"You've recovered?" Ren asked calmly, stroking his chin.
"That's odd. I don't remember removing the genjutsu yet."
"To maximize the use of my chakra and Isobu's," Yagura said through clenched teeth, "that man overused his control… and it broke."
Ren immediately understood.
Obito had pushed too hard, draining his Mangekyō's control. Even with White Zetsu cells allowing recovery, Mangekyō techniques still had limits.
And Yagura was a jinchūriki.
The moment control faltered, he could break free.
"I see," Ren nodded. Then he asked casually, "That Uchiha who controlled you—did you hear anything while under his control?"
"Uchiha… Obito?" Yagura's fists tightened, but he shook his head. "I don't know his name. Just a masked man. But he was an Uchiha."
"That's enough."
Ren smiled in satisfaction.
Then he looked down at the pale-faced Mizukage and suddenly asked, "Kid, at this point… you understand your fate, don't you?"
"You're the kid!" Yagura snapped. "I already have a son!"
Despite his appearance, he was undeniably an adult. Ren's words stabbed straight into his sore spot.
After glaring for a moment, Yagura calmed himself and studied Ren.
"You're a Konoha ninja."
"Yes."
"…Thank you," Yagura sighed. "Your motives weren't pure, but you did free me."
"And judging by your words, you've already struck some kind of deal."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You're sharp."
"What choice do I have?" Yagura smiled bitterly. "Either I die here to atone… or I disappear with you."
Ren nodded.
In Ren's memories, Yagura had died quietly after being freed—whether by suicide or 'assistance' was unclear.
This time, he had another option.
"You'll be coming back to Konoha with us," Ren said calmly.
"But before that…"
A figure descended through the smoke and fog, crashing onto the ground.
"Another enemy?" Yagura growled.
"Yahiko?" Ren smiled—then shook his head. "No… Nagato."
Nagato said nothing, his gaze briefly sweeping over Yagura.
Ren immediately stepped forward, blocking Yagura.
"Leave. You're in no condition to be here."
He lowered his voice. "Run south."
Yagura hesitated, then nodded. After one last glance, he turned and fled.
Only after he disappeared did Ren face Nagato again.
"So now," Ren said calmly, "it's our turn."
"Indeed," Nagato replied.
Elsewhere, Jiraiya emerged from the ruins, bruised and exhausted.
"That blast was insane…"
Gamabunta had already returned to Mount Myōboku after cursing him out.
Kakashi and Tenzo approached cautiously.
"Should we go check on Ren?" Kakashi asked.
Before Jiraiya could answer, Pakura pointed ahead.
"Someone's coming!"
They turned—and froze.
The Fourth Mizukage staggered toward them, chakra nearly depleted.
"Stay alert!" Jiraiya shouted—then paused. "You're… free?"
Yagura laughed bitterly. "Looks like it."
"And Ren?" Jiraiya asked urgently.
"He ran into another enemy," Yagura replied. "Someone named Nagato."
Jiraiya's pupils shrank.
"Nagato…?"
At the same moment, golden light tore through the sky.
High above, Ren clashed with Pain once more.
"You really don't know how to communicate, do you?" Nagato said grimly.
Ren punched without hesitation.
"I understand your thoughts," Ren replied coolly. "What I don't understand is why you reached them."
As they exchanged blows, Ren's voice carried beneath the sonic booms.
"You think I'm controlled by Danzo? You think I don't see his schemes?"
Nagato faltered.
"Your own problems aren't resolved," Ren continued. "So why would I ever cooperate with you?"
Nagato's memories resurfaced—Yahiko, Konan, betrayal, sacrifice.
Ren pressed on mercilessly, dissecting his trauma, exposing his lack of political vision, his reliance on fear rather than structure.
"You blame the world," Ren said. "But you have no plan. No system. Just destruction."
"And Obito? He's using you."
Nagato's control wavered.
Ren's fist smashed him into the ground.
"Stop," Ren said quietly. "This ends here."
"If I expose everything, you won't survive long."
Silence followed.
Dawn broke over the Sea of Water.
Kirigakure lay in ruins—but alive.
Later, on a hillside, Yuan Shi spoke tiredly.
"You should leave."
Sunagakure had already been escorted out. Negotiations would follow.
As Jiraiya prepared to depart, he cursed Ren under his breath.
"I knew coming with you would end badly."
Ren simply smiled.
Because his system interface had refreshed.
[Hidden Task Completed: Expose Uchiha Obito's Identity (5)]
[Evaluation: SS]
[Freedom Points Obtained: 12]
[Special Reward Acquired]
[Kaguya's Child]
Ren's eyes gleamed.
Finally… the first real reward.
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