CH 396

In an underground passageway leading to the Mizukage Building.

Hoshigaki Kisame’s figure can be seen strolling through the passage.

Kisame arrived at a dead end after a while of wandering, but he knew it wasn’t the end. Kisame quickly saw through the secret door, pulled it open, and carefully searched inside the chamber. Inside, he observed two shinobi, which astonished him, and his face took on a confused expression. However, Kisame is a seasoned shinobi, so he swiftly covered his astonishment and calmly strolled in, making sure not to lose his vigilance against these two.

The two persons inside the room were also aware of Hoshigaki Kisame’s presence, but they did not pay him much attention and quickly averted their sight.

Kisame was naturally pleased with this; however, he had no intention of indulging these two, and because none of the three made the initiative to talk, the room remained strangely still.

Kisame could sense a sense of restlessness in the room while casually reclining against a wall and calmly waiting.

The oppression perpetrated by all three individuals was the source of this unrest. Only Mizukage, maybe, is one of the few shinobi in Kirigakure capable of such persecution on him. As a result, Kisame believes that neither of the two is a simple person, and he can’t help but wonder who these two are. ‘He appears to be a Kaguya Clan shinobi based on his hairdo, but wasn’t the Kaguya Clan wiped out a few years ago?

And as for the other person, I can’t seem to figure out who he is, but why do I have the impression that he can see right through me?

Is it a Genjutsu?’

Because the two people on the opposite side were dressed in Kirigakure Anbu uniforms and masks, it was impossible to even for Kisame to figure out their true identities.

‘Their strength is at least on par with–…’ – As Kisame was racking his brain, the sound of footsteps from the opposite side of the corridor abruptly interrupted his thoughts.

Soon after, a slender and little figure emerged out of the passage, wielding a club with unevenly sized hooks and a green flower on the large end.

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“Mizukage-sama!” – This person was respectfully greeted by the three persons, including Kisame.

This individual is none other than Karatachi Yagura, Kirigakure’s Yondaime Mizukage, who hasn’t been seen in public since returning from the second Gokage Summit.

“Chinoike Mageta, spying on your superiors is not a very pleasant activity,” Yagura stated coldly as he looked at the three persons with his pupilless pink eyes that seemed lifeless and boring.

However, Chinoike Mageta, a shinobi, was unfazed, and he quickly pulled his Anbu sword and sharply questioned, “You are not Mizukage!” “Who are you?”

“Don’t be so worried; even if you use all your strength, you won’t be able to do much to me!” – Yagura remarked.

“I had a question for you: who are you?” – Mageta was still unconcerned, so he inquired again, the reason being that when he heard a footfall, he subconsciously activated his Ketsuryugan and cast a gaze in the direction of the approaching individual.

And Mageta was taken aback when he discovered that the Mizukage’s head is filled with a foreign Chakra that isn’t Sanbi’s chakra, but rather someone else’s. When Mageta saw this, he immediately understood Mizukage was being manipulated by someone.

The other Anbu in the room were alert when they heard Mageta’s words, but Kisame didn’t seem to have changed.

The opposing Mizukage, on the other hand, was completely unresponsive to them, making the two nervous.

“Giggle… Surprise!” A chuckle came from behind Mizukage, and then a figure in a spiraling orange mask and Akatsuki Cloak leaped out of the Shadow, “Did I scare you all? Didn’t I scare you all? Heh, I had intended to creep out of the shadows and scare all of you, but it appears that I am unable to conceal from Ketsuryugan’s perceptive powers, and you have an unpleasant pair of Dojutsu Mageta-san.” – Tobi said, sarcastically depressed.

“Akatsuki? Yondaime Mizukage was discovered to be under the grip of the Akatsuki Organization.” “No wonder Mizukage’s behaviors have been so illogical,” Mageta mumbled, “now everything makes sense, so you are Tobi, is that correct?”

“Yes, my name is Tobi.” – Tobi acknowledged with a nod.

Kisame had a serious expression on his face as he looked at Tobi, recalling his talk with that man a few days before.

…

Flashback

…

…

…

“To think you have the visual prowess to manipulate the Yondaime, who is Sanbi’s Jinchuriki…” Kisame exclaimed, stunned. “You’re not your average Uchiha… You’re not Uchiha Shinichi or Uchiha Shisui, and I’m stumped as to who else might have such visual prowess, so who precisely are you? “Are you the Amatsukami’s fabled Homusubi?”

“Do not confuse me with people who are nothing more than children, because I am… Uchiha Madara!” proclaimed the masked Madara.

“Uchiha… Madara?” Kisame muttered with surprise.…

…

…

Flashback end.

…

‘So this person Tobi is the subordinate Madara-sama was talking about?’ Kisame pondered as he looked at Tobi wearing the Akatsuki Cloak. ‘And since Mageta believes Tobi is in charge of Mizukage-sama, does that indicate Madara-sama has already departed Kirigakure and handed over authority to Tobi as he stated? Does this imply that Tobi has Sharingan as well, or does he have some other means? I’m curious.’

“So, you’re Akatsuki’s notorious Tobi?” “Can we infer that you, rather than Mizukage, summoned us here?” – the Kaguya Clan shinobi inquired.

“Mm-hmm, that’s correct,” Tobi said with a nod. “Tobi summoned you three here, Takashi-san.”

“And what brought the three of us here?” “It couldn’t merely be to disclose Mizukage’s status as a puppet, could it?” – Mageta inquired.

“Not fully,” Tobi responded, “but it was one of the goals. Since both Mageta-san and Takashi-san both know that the Mizukage has been under Akatsuki’s influence, you must both comprehend that Akatsuki is the reason you are all still alive.

Chinoike Mageta, you were saved and rehabilitated from the brink of death to be in the excellent condition that you are today, able to walk, talk, and even raise your sword at your rescuer. It’s past time for you to pay off your debts to Kirigakure Anbu instead of playing these juvenile games. “Do you recall what those words were?”

“I remember each and every word of mine,” Mageta said, nodding. “I was perplexed when I was requested to serve in the Kirigakure Anbu during my recovery period, and I was never told why… However, it makes no difference. Because it was Akatsuki who rescued me from the Valley of Hell’s hellhole. As per my commitment to my savior, I will serve the organization to the best of my abilities.”

Clap… Clap…

“I understand,” Kaguya Takashi said. “What do you want from me?”

“I want you to work for the Akatsuki,” says the narrator. – “Your clan is already extinct, you are the last survivor of the Kaguya clan,” Tobi stated flatly, “so why not pursue something significant, like striving for a better world, for world peace?” Besides, the Kaguya Clan has an insatiable appetite for conflicts, and working for the Akatsuki will satisfy that appetite admirably.”

“If you’re in charge of Mizukage, you must know everything there is to know about me,” Takashi stated.

“Do not worry,” Tobi said, nodding. “Akatsuki will find a way.”

“If that’s the case, then so be it,” Takashi said with a nod. In any case, I didn’t feel very attached to this community.”

Also, Chinoike Mageta and Kaguya Takashi are extremely valuable being the last few remaining members of the Chinoike and Kaguya Clans. They are both quite young, just in their twenties, and thus both have the potential to become tremendous powerhouses in the future. They are an excellent complement to the Akatsuki’s battle power.

“I’m delighted you both made the correct decision!” – Tobi gave a grateful nod.

“So, now that everything is out of the way, how do you want to deal with the coup d’état?” Kisame inquired.

“Giggle…” – Tobi giggled again, “Oh yeah, we’ve decided to teach the entire Kirigakure a good enough lesson that they’ll never forget, this will pluck the bud from the root, and then our organization will take control of the town to prepare the next steps.”

“And what about Momochi Zabuza?” Kisame inquired again. Do you plan to bring him into the Organization as well?”

“No, the leader isn’t interested in him,” Tobi said, shaking his head. “Momochi Zabuza thinks too highly of himself when his strength isn’t even that of an elite Jonin, so we’ve chosen to make an example of him that other Kirigakure shinobi will remember forever.”

Momochi Zabuza, according to Tobi, falls into the type of person whose ambitions greatly exceed their actual strength, and as a result, they will never be able to achieve their goals; as a result, such morons are not needed in the organization.

Takashi and Mageta remained silent, but Kisame smirked and said, “If that is the case, I believe I will take the Great Sword Samehada for myself.”

Tobi, understandably, had no reservations and said, “If you can take it from him, then it’s yours to keep.”

Kisame nodded, his grin deepened, and he remained silent.