When Hyuga Sho upheld justice...
Kisame spent several days returning to Kirigakure.
Hyuga Sho indeed hadn't revealed any information to them.
Kisame's mission to "wipe out the Cipher Squad"... could be considered perfectly completed.
Kirigakure...
This village was shrouded in dense fog.
Kisame passed through a drainage channel, following the flowing water.
He entered a dark underground passage.
It was filled with mechanisms and multiple exits... along with burning candles, and--
An unusually plump and tall ninja.
This was precisely where Kisame often reported his work.
And the owner of this place was Suikazan Fuguki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Why was Suikazan Fuguki's residence so secretive, with so many defenses and traps scattered throughout it?
The reason was...
Suikazan Fuguki was dissatisfied with the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
In the end, he had become estranged and immoral, establishing his own domain.
Not only had he gradually drifted away from the village, he had even... sold information to other countries and shinobi villages.
That was the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura's account.
In fact...
Whether it was Hyuga Sho or Suikazan Fuguki, neither of them knew one thing...
Aside from carrying out the mission to "protect the Cipher Squad," Kisame...
also bore another mission...
"Kisame."
The one speaking was Suikazan Fuguki. The man stood before Kisame, as stout as a giant.
Even Kisame, who was over 190 centimeters tall, looked like a dwarf in front of him.
Suikazan Fuguki stood 249.1 centimeters tall.
He possessed an enormous amount of Chakra and a massive build.
He wasn't surprised at all by Kisame's appearance. His attitude suggested that he had long expected Kisame to return after successfully completing the mission.
"Report on this mission."
Suikazan Fuguki's deep, muffled voice rang out, and Kisame obediently lowered his head.
In fact.
Kisame couldn't imagine