We Were the Mizukage's Brothers, After All

It did not matter, anyway. Orochimaru would invade Konoha sooner or later.

He had merely been wanted a few years early. Perfectly reasonable.

Eiji asked Kakashi in a low voice.

"Senior Kakashi, what do you think about our mission?"

Kakashi had not expected that, even now, Eiji was still fixated on completing the mission.

The problem was that this mission would not be easy to complete.

"Let me think. This is a little troublesome."

Kakashi naturally wanted to complete the mission, but the situation was far too unusual.

They had caused such a huge commotion that they had surely alerted Orochimaru and the Masked Man.

Since that was the case, there was little point in staying here.

They might as well withdraw while they still had time, before more pursuers arrived.

As for the Mizukage, Kakashi scratched his head. What was he supposed to do about him?

He had never had any experience holding a Kage hostage...

Just as he was considering how to continue the conversation, Eiji walked straight up to Yagura and asked,

"Lord Mizukage, we'd like to ask you for a favor."

Yagura looked at the boy in front of him in surprise. He could not understand how the boy could speak to him so brazenly.

After all, they were invaders.

If Yagura had not been beaten into submission, he would have picked up his club and fought another round no matter what.

"Go ahead."

Eiji bared his teeth. "That Masked Man is also someone Konoha is looking for. Could you take us into the village and let us look around?"

"If he's still in the village, I'll beat him up for you. How does that sound?"

The Masked Man?

Yagura clenched his fists, a surge of fury rising in his heart.

The village had already been a complete mess, but ever since the Masked Man took control of him, Kirigakure had only grown worse by the day.

"What do you say, Lord Mizukage? We can take this opportunity to work together. Who knows? Konoha and Kirigakure might even establish a long-term partnership."

Faced with Eiji's offer, it was a lie to say Yagura was not tempted.

Konoha was currently the strongest of the Five Great Villages. Working with them would certainly bring some benefits.

Besides, they said Hiruzen, the Hokage of Konoha, was a pushover. They might even be able to get some funding out of him.

But...

Was it really a good idea to take them into the village? Would he not lose face?

Why did it feel as though he had been scammed and was still expected to count out the money for them?

"I..." The moment Yagura began to speak, Eiji drew his sword.

"Speak."

Kakashi broke into a cold sweat. Damn, does this lunatic really want to kill the Mizukage?

"Eiji, stop creating more conflict!"

Eiji wore a puzzled expression. "The three of us already beat the Mizukage senseless. Isn't this conflict big enough?"

"..."

Humiliated tears streamed down Yagura's heart.

Can we not mention the part where you beat me senseless?

I'm the leader of the village too. Don't I deserve some dignity?

He let out a long sigh. Forget it.

What dignity? Staying alive came first.

"Come with me."

Kakashi and Tenzo exchanged glances. Their current course of action was no longer part of the plan.

The Hokage's orders had been to enter the village and investigate.

But now, it had become a search.

Tenzo said, "Senior, Eiji, wouldn't this be too risky?"

Unexpectedly, Eiji spoke with a firm gaze and righteous conviction.

"The Masked Man and Orochimaru actually planned to invade Konoha and hurt my companions. If I don't capture them and bring them back to the village, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace."

As he spoke, he pointed at Yagura.

"Besides, we've already established a mutually beneficial partnership with Lord Mizukage. He'll protect us, right?"

Yagura pretended not to hear him. Listening to this brat was truly infuriating!

Kakashi scratched his head. Things had already come this far, and they were already here, so they might as well take a look.

The Konoha Team slowly headed toward Kirigakure with Yagura, while Zetsu, hiding in the darkness, reported the matter to the Masked Man.

"Those brats kidnapped the Mizukage and are heading toward the village."

The Masked Man was somewhat surprised. Yagura was the perfect Three-Tails Jinchuriki, after all. How could he be so weak?

According to his plan, he had originally intended to appear after Eiji's teammates died and make Eiji experience pain.

Now, his plan was ruined too.

"Damn Orochimaru. If he hadn't spread false information to muddy the waters, they wouldn't have found their way here."

The Masked Man wanted to chop Orochimaru up and make snake soup.

Zetsu thought something was off.

"Could it be that Orochimaru wants to use them to get rid of you?"

The Masked Man froze. He and Orochimaru had no grudge against each other. Why would Orochimaru cause trouble for him?

"Perhaps Orochimaru is plotting something as well, and our existence is an obstacle to him?"

"Hmm... That's possible."

But none of that mattered. The Masked Man was convinced that he was the greatest mastermind in the world.

As for little Orochimaru, there were ten thousand ways to kill him with nothing more than a movement of his finger.

"Take Kisame with you and leave. Let the brats make a fuss here."

"Kakashi, don't think you've won. You'll always be trash!"

"Achoo!"

Kakashi sneezed aboard the ship. He did not know why, but lately he always felt as though some rotten kid was cursing him behind his back.

"We're almost there."

The group could already see the gates of Kirigakure.

They could also see the Kirigakure ninja, poised to act.

The commotion earlier had been so great that it had naturally reached their ears.

Now that the Mizukage had been defeated, the task of commanding the ninja had naturally fallen to Genji.

He was the village's most senior elder and possessed authority equal to that of the Mizukage.

After hearing what had happened to Yagura, the old man did not know what to say either.

Three people had dared to charge into Kirigakure. How much courage did that take?

The last people to have done such a thing had been Hashirama Senju, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara.

"First, rescue the Mizukage."

Yagura was, after all, the village's highest-ranking leader and represented the village's image.

What would it mean for him to be captured as a prisoner?

Besides, he was also a Jinchuriki.

Such an important combat force had to remain under the village's control.

The moment he finished speaking, five or six fiercely loyal ninja charged forward.

Then they flew back at an even greater speed.

Eiji poked Yagura, the meaning perfectly clear.

Start talking, or you'll really become a commander without any soldiers.

Yagura's face was full of humiliation. "Stop! Let them into the village!"

What the hell is this supposed to be?!

The dignified Mizukage had been taken hostage by a minor and now had to call the gate open for them!

At the gates of Kirigakure,

the Konoha ninja and the Kirigakure ninja faced each other with swords drawn, the atmosphere extremely tense.

"Konoha ninja, release the Mizukage first. Then we can discuss everything."

Genji stood at the very front of the formation, sizing up the Konoha Team.

Eiji, however, looked surprised.

"What do you mean, release the Mizukage? We didn't kidnap him. I'm a helper whom Lord Mizukage invited back."

Upon hearing this, a Red-Brown Haired Woman rushed out.

"Despicable Konoha ninja, I'll personally—"

Mei Terumi had not finished speaking when Yagura stopped her with a look.

He had already figured things out on the way there.

During his time in office, too many people in the village had died.

He did not want to see any more pointless casualties.

After all, this brat named Eiji really could pull out countless Explosive Tags and take the entire village down with him...

Eiji slowly spoke.

"We're only looking for someone. We'll leave soon."

"Who are you looking for?"

"The Rogue Ninja Orochimaru, and another fellow wearing a mask."