A Strategy Begins

In the original story, Zabuza defected because he wanted to change the face of Kirigakure, which was why he attempted to assassinate the Mizukage.

But unfortunately, he failed and could only flee as a rogue ninja.

Even so, he continued taking mercenary jobs to accumulate wealth.

He hoped to use it to recruit talent and launch another assault on Kirigakure, thereby changing the village.

But sadly, he ultimately failed, dying with regrets in the Land of Waves!

"But it is precisely this spirit that allows Kirigakure, and indeed many forces, to endure, isn't it?"

Mei Terumi's voice came from behind Ye Liangnai. Her cherry lips parted as she said, "Momochi Zabuza is quite a good partner for cooperation!"

Ye Liangnai agreed. He was a man worthy of respect!

"Then who is your next recruitment target?"

Mei Terumi looked at Ye Liangnai. She increasingly felt that she could not see through this younger brother of hers.

Ye Liangnai drew his sword and wrote the answer on the ground—Kisame Hoshigaki!

This surprised Mei Terumi somewhat. Why him?

If she remembered correctly, he was merely a ninja under Suikazan Fuguki, and part of a second-string department like the Anbu Cipher Squad.

What about him had caught Ye Liangnai's attention?

Mei Terumi asked, "Is he reliable? Are you confident?"

Ye Liangnai grinned. "Reliable, yes. But I still lack confidence, so I need to prepare a backup plan to erase his memories!"

Kisame Hoshigaki was not only powerful; more importantly, he was exceptionally loyal.

He was sick of the current Kirigakure. He believed that a Kirigakure that murdered its companions and showed no camaraderie among comrades was filled with hypocrisy.

Therefore, as long as they painted Kisame Hoshigaki a picture of an ideal Kirigakure, there should be a certain chance of winning him over.

Wasn't that how Obito Uchiha had lured Kisame Hoshigaki into the Akatsuki Organization in the original story?

"If that is the case, then go ahead and do it!" Mei Terumi knew many methods of erasing memories.

It was not difficult at all!

A few hours later, in the Mizukage's Office!

"Visiting Mei Terumi and Zabuza without warning—are you plotting rebellion?"

"Jonin meeting in private is a grave taboo in the village. You should know that. Explain yourself!"

Yagura looked at the half-kneeling Zabuza before him and questioned him in an icy tone.

"Please calm your anger, Lord Mizukage. I did not meet privately with Jonin Mei Terumi. I merely sought Ye Liangnai's guidance on the Mist Concealment Technique!"

"His mastery of the Mist Concealment Technique has already far surpassed mine. Visiting him benefited me greatly!"

Zabuza spoke calmly and unhurriedly, his expression perfectly natural.

"Pfft, Zabuza, at least come up with a more convincing excuse when you lie!"

"Seeking guidance on the Mist Concealment Technique from a freshly graduated genin—how could you even say that?"

"Do you think anyone would believe such a laughable excuse?"

Yagura's eyes were cold, and a scornful smile hung on his lips.

Hearing this, Zabuza answered seriously, "Lord Mizukage is occupied with countless matters every day, so perhaps you do not know the specifics!"

"But regarding the Mist Concealment Technique, I am absolutely not lying. If you do not believe me, you may find others to verify it!"

"Throughout all of Kirigakure, Ye Liangnai's mastery of the Mist Concealment Technique absolutely ranks among the top three, and far surpasses mine!"

Seeing Zabuza insist so firmly, Yagura could not help but frown. He snorted. "You had better pray that you are not lying!"

"Otherwise, the charge of deceiving the Mizukage alone will be enough to make you suffer. Dismissed!"

Zabuza immediately took his leave respectfully, but no one noticed that his teeth had been clenched the entire time.

Lord Mizukage, you are no longer worthy of sitting in that position!

You were not like this before, and Kirigakure's future must not be destroyed by you!

After Zabuza left, Yagura immediately sent people to verify the matter concerning Ye Liangnai's Mist Concealment Technique.

The answer he received was, "The village's ninja do indeed believe that Ye Liangnai's Mist Concealment Technique is very powerful. Jonin Zabuza may be telling the truth!"

Yagura could not help but feel surprised. Ye Liangnai truly possessed such skill? How strange!

Then, he had people verify all the details of Zabuza's visit to Mei Terumi's home.

After confirming that Zabuza had indeed only met Ye Liangnai and had not discussed any rebellious matters,

he finally dropped the issue and buried himself in his work.

After the Kaguya Clan was exterminated, matters such as inventorying supplies, planning land, recovering ninjutsu, and uncovering secret manuals all arose.

Yagura was extremely busy and plagued by headaches.

How to distribute benefits was always something those in power had to consider carefully.

But he did not know that the second piece of information the Anbu had reported to him was false.

As the former head of the Anbu, concealing a bit of information was far too easy for Mei Terumi.

Even when facing the Mizukage.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Ye Liangnai. The only thing he needed to do was swing his sword.

To him, swinging his sword meant becoming stronger!

Three days later!

"Ding! Special Jonin-level attributes: Agility and stamina successfully enhanced. This enhancement cost 40,000 Enhancement Points!"

"Ding! Chunin-level swordsmanship successfully enhanced to Special Jonin level. Acquired supplementary skill: Multi-Hawk Flash. Cost: 20,000 Enhancement Points!"

Just before reporting to the Anbu to carry out missions, Ye Liangnai used all 60,000 Enhancement Points he had earned over the past three days to enhance his remaining attributes.

(Enhancing one attribute required 20,000 Enhancement Points.)

Host: Ye Liangnai

Age: 12

Skill: Special Jonin Swordsmanship: Multi-Hawk Flash

Ninjutsu: Mist Concealment Technique, Water Clone Technique, Water Wall Technique, Water Spear Technique

Illusion Technique: Binding

Weapon: Hundred Refinements Katana

Level: Special Jonin (Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, Elite Jonin, Kage, Super Kage, Six Paths)

Enhancement Points: 1,000

The only attribute left unenhanced was strength.

The reason he had not chosen to enhance strength was that, after weighing his options, Ye Liangnai still felt it was more appropriate to enhance his stamina first and increase his Chakra reserves.

The amount of Chakra one possessed was more decisive in determining victory or defeat.

After all, insufficient strength could still be compensated for with intelligence.

But if one lacked Chakra, there was nothing that could replace it.

Kirigakure did not have things like soldier pills that could replenish Chakra midway through battle.

When Ye Liangnai arrived at the Anbu, Tian Jia was already waiting.

After exchanging a glance and greeting each other, they quietly waited as well.

Two minutes later, his two teammates arrived one after the other.

Harukaze Yuno, codename Eagle!

Natsuhana Rin, codename White Wolf!

Only then did Captain Tian Jia speak. "The target of this mission is to hunt down the A-rank rogue ninja Youkou Mitsuda, as well as the B-rank rogue ninja Asakura Iori and Nobuyuki Suke!"

"The mission is extremely dangerous. Any of you may lose your lives!"

"But I believe that from the moment you joined the Anbu, you should have been prepared to make sacrifices."

"True Mist Ninja are all elites forged through life-and-death struggles!"

"Kirigakure has no need for cowards or weaklings. Do you understand?"

As expected of someone from the Bloody Mist Village, every word he spoke brimmed with killing intent.