Mizuki knew Hiruzen had summoned him back to Konohagakure to inquire about the ANBU deaths, but in reality, this was likely a trap to kill him.
Konoha had already suffered losses because of him. Previously, it was Root ninja — Danzō's loyalists. Hiruzen didn't need to feel bad about them. But this time, three ANBU had died. They were the village's pillars. His heart must be bleeding.
Yet even so, Mizuki planned to return and try one more time. He genuinely wanted to stay in Konohagakure.
Talented people, a good environment, delicious food, and a boss who was an indecisive old man easy to bully — where else could he find a better place?
As for becoming a Missing-nin, unless absolutely necessary, he would never go down that path. Just look at Orochimaru. Look at Zabuza. Look at the shady lives they led. That alone showed how hard it was.
Mizuki didn't dawdle, quickening his pace toward Konohagakure. Walking would take three days, but leaping through the forest, he could arrive in half a day.
❊❊❊❊❊
Soon, he reached the village gates.
The gatekeepers Izumo and Kotetsu processed his entry registration.
Kotetsu said, "Chūnin Mizuki, the Hokage has ordered that upon your return, you report to his office immediately."
Mizuki nodded and headed toward the Hokage building.
❊❊❊❊❊
News of Mizuki's return reached Hiruzen immediately. He narrowed his eyes, murderous intent flashing through them.
"Notify Danzō and the two advisors. Summon all Jōnin and Special Jōnin on leave to the Hokage building for an emergency meeting. Have the ANBU prepare for combat. The moment I give the order, apprehend Mizuki."
Hiruzen had made up his mind — today, no matter what, he would deal with Mizuki.
The losses were too great. If Mizuki didn't die, Konoha's future losses would be even greater.
He stood, looking out at the peaceful village and muttering, "I will never allow anyone to disrupt this peace. Even the slightest threat must be eliminated."
Just then, a crow flew straight toward his window. He frowned, and in the next moment, an ANBU appeared, slashing at it with a blade.
"Wait!" Hiruzen waved the ANBU back.
The crow landed on the windowsill, its pitch-black eyes studying Hiruzen. He noticed the letter tied to its leg.
"Is this Itachi's summoned crow? After all these years, he's never sent messages to the village. Why today?"
Hiruzen removed the letter from the crow's leg and began reading. The more he read, the grimmer his expression became.
"Teleportation… Sensory ninjutsu — can perceive his surroundings clearly even with his eyes closed… Learned the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan and added wind release chakra nature transformation, powerful enough to break through Orochimaru's Triple Rashōmon… Refused Orochimaru's recruitment and confronted him head-on… Even Itachi can't handle him…"
Hiruzen's already wrinkled forehead furrowed deeper. He'd thought Mizuki only had teleportation. He hadn't expected the man to be hiding so much.
"How did he learn all these jutsu?" Hiruzen was baffled.
He was clearly a Chūnin with ordinary talent, without even a mentor. There was no reason he should be this strong.
"If only the Will of Fire had been planted in his heart when he was young, perhaps Konoha would have another successor like Minato. Alas, we discovered this too late!" Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe and exhaled smoke with a deep sigh, "I must apprehend him with lightning speed. Otherwise, if he uses the Wind Release Rasengan, Konoha will suffer massive destruction."
Determination flashed in his eyes as he picked up the letter and continued reading.
Itachi's message contained intelligence not only about Mizuki, but also about the Akatsuki organization — information about its members, their abilities, and analysis of their strengths.
"Pain, who calls himself a god, possesses the legendary Rinnegan?"
Hiruzen immediately thought of Jiraiya. Jiraiya had once taken three students in the Land of Rain, and one of them, Nagato, possessed the Rinnegan.
"The masked man who calls himself Madara Uchiha and possesses space-time ninjutsu…" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, involuntarily recalling the Nine-Tails attack twelve years ago, "Just who are you?"
Itachi's message shocked him.
Mizuki's power shocked him. The Akatsuki organization's strength and composition shocked him even more.
He shifted his attention away from the Akatsuki. The immediate priority was dealing with the weaker target.
Soon, the higher-ups and all off-duty Jōnin in the village had assembled. The ANBU had made thorough preparations.
"Third Hokage, Mizuki has arrived downstairs." An ANBU reported.
Hiruzen nodded, "Bring him to the conference room."
He walked to his desk, set down his pipe, put on his Hokage hat, and headed toward the conference room.
On the first floor of the Hokage building was a large conference room. A main table sat at the front, with two rows of tables flanking either side.
Danzō, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were already seated at the main table.
At the side tables sat numerous Jōnin: Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, Anko, Ibiki…
When Mizuki entered the conference room, everyone's gaze turned toward him.
An ANBU brought him to the center, "Wait here. The Hokage will return shortly to preside over the meeting and question you about your experiences in the Land of Waves."
Being stared at by so many people — honestly, Mizuki felt uncomfortable. Especially Danzō at the main table, whose undisguised murderous gaze annoyed him.
He had the urge to throw a Wind Rasenshuriken… But if he wanted to stay in Konoha, he had to endure.
Soon, Hiruzen arrived. He walked to the main table and sat at the head position.
"Mizuki, explain in detail how you colluded with Orochimaru and murdered three ANBU." Hiruzen went straight for the kill.
Mizuki froze. Good grief, Hiruzen was truly determined to kill him.
He didn't panic, "Third Hokage, you say I colluded with Orochimaru — do you have evidence? You say I murdered ANBU — what's your reasoning? You may be the Hokage, but you cannot declare me a traitor without evidence."
Hiruzen rebuked, "Three ANBU were Jōnin with formidable strength. They're all dead — why didn't you, a mere Chūnin, die? There's only one reason: Orochimaru didn't want to kill you. And there's only one reason he wouldn't kill you: you're accomplices."
Mizuki smiled.
Hiruzen had gone all in. The conference room had become a tribunal.
The two advisors frowned.
Homura said, "Hiruzen, how can you determine he colluded with Orochimaru based on just this?"
Koharu added, "That's right, Hiruzen. How can speculation serve as evidence for conviction?"
Danzō said, "Hiruzen is right. His survival is inherently suspicious. I can't think of any other reason why Orochimaru would spare him alone."
The surrounding Jōnin watched coldly.
Everyone could see that Hiruzen was targeting Mizuki, intent on having him killed. No one would step forward to contradict the Hokage or support Mizuki.
Hiruzen had no evidence.
Mizuki defended himself, "Third Hokage, if it's really as you say, then Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno must all be Orochimaru's accomplices too, right? Orochimaru didn't kill them either!"
Hiruzen said coldly, "Whether they are Orochimaru's accomplices, the village will investigate."
Mizuki was speechless.
Hiruzen continued, "Besides that, you stole and learned the Fourth Hokage's seal-less jutsu, the Rasengan. This is also an unforgivable offense. All ninjutsu are the village's property. You cannot steal and learn them without permission. The Rasengan is a powerful A-rank technique. Those who steal and learn it shall be treated as Missing-nin."
Mizuki froze.
How did Hiruzen know he could use the Rasengan? Had the Telescope Technique's range extended all the way to the Land of Waves?
Had one of the three — Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura — sent a message back to Konoha? Or perhaps it was that double agent Itachi?
Thinking it through, Mizuki felt Itachi was the most likely suspect.
He said, "Third Hokage, I don't know the Rasengan! That's a powerful jutsu created by the Fourth Hokage — how could I possibly know it? I wonder if you have evidence?"
Hiruzen: "…"
He had evidence, but he couldn't present it. Itachi still bore the title of Konoha Missing-nin — his message couldn't be used as evidence.
Danzō spoke up, "Setting aside the Rasengan, you stole and learned the Flying Thunder God Technique — surely that's a fact? The ANBU sent back intelligence. They witnessed you using space-time ninjutsu during your battle with Zabuza, instantly moving your position. The Flying Thunder God Technique was created by the Second Hokage and is a forbidden jutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals. Since you know it, you must have secretly read the Scroll of Seals. This alone is enough to sentence you to death."
Mizuki glanced at Danzō. This old schemer knew how to twist the facts.
He was done arguing. He was ready to play his trump card.
"Third Hokage, everyone, whether I'm guilty or not — we can discuss that later. Right now there's crucial intelligence I must share with you. This intelligence concerns Konoha's safety. If not handled properly, Konoha may very well be destroyed."
As soon as he spoke, the conference room's atmosphere became strange. Everyone looked at Mizuki as if he were an idiot.
"Alarmist nonsense!" Danzō rebuked coldly, "Don't try to change the subject to escape punishment. Confess your crimes and accept righteous judgment."
Mizuki ignored him completely, saying calmly, "Konoha… Crush Plan!"
Those three words shifted the conference room's atmosphere instantly.
Especially Hiruzen — his pupils contracted sharply.
❊❊❊❊❊
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $2 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)