Departure: Kirigakure in the Land of Water

After Issui, Hinata and Haku to help him pack. He had three things to do before going out: first, to complete the mission of Kirigakure; second, to collect the blood of Tsunade and Naruto; and finally, to create the bodies of the First and Second Hokage and infuse their souls into them.

When Fini heard that Issui was going out, she wanted to go with him, but Issui refused without hesitation, saying that who knew what might happen if he took this burden along.

It was almost evening by the time they finished tidying up, but instead of staying home for Issui night, Kirigakure headed straight for Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

A week later, on August 15th of Konoha Year 60 Konoha, they arrived at Kirigakure in the Land of Water. Compared to Konoha in the Land of Fire, Kirigakure was much smaller, and its villagers were not Konoha wealthy. Years of civil war in the Land of Water had caused Kirigakure's strength to decline rapidly. A series of policies implemented by the Fourth Mizukage, controlled by Madara, quickly ignited civil war in Kirigakure. Subsequently, the three Kekkei Genkai families of Yuki, Taketori, and Hozuki were wiped out.

Ultimately Mei Terumi ousted the Fourth Mizukage and then enacted a series of policies. Under her rule, Kirigakure gradually recovered its strength, but its national power was still much weaker than that of other countries. As the country with the least land area among the Five Great Nations, surrounded by the Fourth Mizukage's long-term policy of isolation prevented the Land of Water from communicating with the outside world. After the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, came to power, she abolished this treaty. However, to this day, Kirigakure has only established contact with the outside world, and its exchanges with the other major nations are not frequent. The Land of Water is currently still focusing on development.

Upon arriving at the outskirts of Kirigakure, Issui was stopped Chunin several Kirigakure. Issui had no choice but to explain his purpose and hand the mission scroll to the Kirigakure ninja, asking them to inform the Mizukage Kirigakure.

Several Chunin and then sent one Chunin to report, while the others kept a close eye on Issui, preventing him from making any improper moves.

A moment later, several masked ninjas approached Issui. The leader sneered, "Tch, what kind of strongest ninja village is this? Sending out a brat? I bet Konoha has no one left. Sending a kid to complete an S-rank mission? Are you kidding me? Kid, you should just go back."

Issui looked at the Anbu of Kirigakure with great interest and said, "Oh, are you underestimating me, or do you want to become enemies with Konoha or start a war?"

A member of the Kirigakure Anbu sneered, "Kid, don't talk big. I think you'd better disappear quickly, or we won't be so polite. Don't be scared and cry."

"So you mean I need to demonstrate my abilities and see if I meet your requirements?" Issui asked, arms crossed.

"You could say that. We, Kirigakure, aren't some orphanage where any random kid can complete an S-rank mission, and yet Kirigakure ends up suffering the consequences. That won't do. Konoha has no sincerity at all," said the Anbu who was with them.

"Alright, how about you try this? Genjutsu — Death God Encounter Technique!!!" Issui smiled and unleashed his signature Genjutsu.

Instantly, a terrifying killing intent surged from Issui's body, and a deathly gray aura swept over all the Kirigakure Ninja.

"Ah... the devil!!!"

Apart from the Anbu the group, all the other Kirigakure Ninja had bulging, white eyes and bluish-purple faces. They were screaming with their mouths open—no, it should be called screaming in agony, screaming in terror, as if they had witnessed the most frightening scene, and only screaming could overcome their fear.

These ninjas witnessed in a blood-red world that all the dead they had killed had transformed into demons, tearing at their flesh until bones were exposed. Then, their skeletons were nailed to a dilapidated bed, and a demon with a giant hammer smashed their bones piece by piece...

"You, you quickly dispel the Genjutsu, you're provoking me..." The ANBU Anbu clutched his head, revealing immense fear. Although he had escaped from that bloody world, his spirit seemed to have suffered a great trauma, not to mention the other Kirigakure Ninja who were still unaware of what was happening.

Issui sneered, "Isn't this the result you wanted? No one in Konoha has ever dared to speak to me like this. You're quite bold. Even the two advisors of Konoha show me some respect. You're incredibly rude. Is this how Kirigakure treats guests? And that Byakugan ninja hiding there, come out too, or I won't be polite. As the husband of the future head of the Hyuga Main Family Konoha, I can take back your Byakugan at any time."

Ao emerged from the shadows and said calmly, "The genius Demon God of Konoha truly lives up to his reputation. At such an advanced age, he is already so powerful. Please Genjutsu: Release. Although we have made some mistakes, if this continues, these ninjas will suffer mental breakdowns and die. That would be disastrous."

Issui stared intently at Qing and said, "Demon God? I had no idea I had such a title?"

Ao said with a surprised look, "Oh, this is news from Sunagakure. They say you can transform into a giant Flame Demon God to fight, and no one can defeat you. Also, you have a title in Konoha called 'Star of Star of Hope,' right?"

Issui nodded, dispelling the Genjutsu. All the Kirigakure Ninja gasped for breath, looking disheveled and completely lacking any semblance of ninja spirit.

Ao said, "Thank you so much. Please don't waste your energy on these low-level ninjas. The Mizukage is waiting for you. Please follow me."

"Okay, lead the way," Issui said.

Ao led Issui through the many buildings of Kirigakure and arrived at a building similar to the Hokage. Entering Mizukage's office, a delicate fragrance wafted towards them—such an alluring scent! Upon closer inspection, what a seductive body! Her sensual lips seemed to melt away, her long, wine-red hair cascading down to her hips, her round, full breasts swaying constantly. Paired with a blue dress, she was incredibly alluring. Her fiery emerald green eyes shone with exquisite sensuality; she was simply a fiery enchantress.

Mei Terumi stared with great interest at the handsome little boy in front of her. Such a small body contained such amazing strength. She even felt that she might not be able to subdue him. Konoha always seems to produce a constant stream of geniuses.

Ao walked up to Mei Terumi, bowed, and said, "Lord Mizukage, I have brought Konoha's Jonin, Issui Kanna."

Mei Terumi smiled and said, "Handsome young man, you must be the reinforcements sent by Konoha. I've heard so much about you. How about it, are you interested in serving Kirigakure? My terms are very generous..."

Issui showed no deference whatsoever towards a mere shadow, saying with disgust, "We have a grudge, you know. Hurry up and tell me the mission's objective and details. I need to get back to my village after this. Besides, is your Kirigakure stronger than Konoha? I'm not even interested in being the head of Konoha's Anbu, let alone Kirigakure. Do you want to step down and let me take over?"

Qing said angrily, "Watch your words, young man. Don't be too arrogant, or I won't be so polite!"

Mei Terumi waved her hand with a smile and said, "It's nothing, Ao, don't interrupt. You said I have a grudge against you, handsome, that's not quite right. I've never even seen you before, how could I have a grudge against you?"

Issui said, word by word, "Six years ago, Kirigakure of Zabuza Momochi out a small village called Ame—no -Heaven Village, and I was the only survivor. I then joined Konoha and became a Konoha ninja. Have you forgotten? Although I Zabuza, it doesn't mean I have no hatred for Kirigakure."

Mei Terumi frowned and asked doubtfully, "Ao, did I give such an order?"

Ao thought for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "Do you remember six years ago, when an elder from Kirigakure submitted a proposal to enhance Kirigakure's prestige? That elder suggested destroying that small ninja village called 'Heaven Village,' not only to obtain some of their Secret Technique but also to establish our authority. You agreed at the time, and then sent Zabuza of the Anbu to Zabuza. That's how it went..."

Mei Terumi blushed. "Really? I was just feeling sleepy when I nodded, I didn't hear what the old man said at all?"

"Hmph, the law of the jungle, that's all there is to it. It's fine if you're sleepy, but you've killed all the villagers of our Heaven Village!" Issui was furious upon hearing this. "Do you think the lives of hundreds of people in our village are as easy as a dish? You just nodded because you were sleepy? You're really something. I was sleepy and wanted to get into your bed. Are you going to let me or not?"

Mei Terumi said apologetically, "I'm so sorry. I didn't expect to cause you such a tragic memory. I'm truly sorry. I will give you an explanation after this mission. You handed over that elder's head to you without my permission, directly ordering the Anbu. It seems my authority isn't enough. Ao, what do you think?"

A glint flashed in Qing's Duyan, and he nodded, saying, "Yes, that elder has always expressed dissatisfaction with your rule; they should be taught a lesson!"

Issui doesn't care about any of this. This is an internal matter for your Kirigakure, but in the end, I'm the one who will suffer. So what if you killed that elder? My grandfather and all the villagers won't be able to come back. Damn it.

"I don't care about these things. Getting my revenge won't be that easy. However, as an excellent Konoha Ninja, I understand the basic elements of a ninja. Now, please tell me about the mission, Mizukage. The mission scroll sent to Konoha only says to eliminate a monster, but it doesn't specify what kind of monster it is," Issui said calmly.

"You know about the legendary Night Parade of a Hundred Changes, right?" Mei Terumi said with a smile.

"I know, but what does it have to do with this?" Issui asked in return.

"Of course, this monster has been active in a mountain forest in the Land of Water. It comes out to hunt at night, and any human it sees is inevitably eaten alive. At first, we thought it was just an ordinary wild beast, so we sent a small team of Genin. But a few days later, we received news that the entire Genin team had been wiped out. Later, we sent a Jonin and three Chunin, but the result was the same. Finally, we sent a small team of Anbu, but the result was still the same. The daimyo of the Land of Water was very angry about this, so I sent Ao to lead the team, but..." Mei Terumi hesitated.

"As a result, everyone except me perished, but I still managed to gather information about it. It is the legendary Wind Tanuki, one of the hundred demons, also known as the Wind-Born Beast. It resembles a sable, is blue, and cannot be killed by fire or cut by a knife. Hitting it is like hitting a leather bag. Even if you try your best to kill it, it will immediately revive as soon as wind enters its mouth. According to the legend, you can kill it by stuffing its nose with calamus, but that didn't work," Qing added.