Is This How Kirigakure Treats Honest People?

Mei Terumi lowered her voice to Genji. "Elder, have we taken in those two rogue ninja recently?"

"No, those two aren't in the village."

Mei Terumi's eyes darted.

What to do if the people they're looking for aren't here?

Ah, got it.

"First, return the Mizukage to us. We can help you search for their whereabouts, and we'll pretend today's incident never happened."

Eiji smiled.

Zhang Wuji's mother was right—the more beautiful a woman, the better she lies.

Pretend it never happened? Who'd buy that?

Based on his understanding of Kirigakure, the moment he released the Mizukage, those madmen would charge like lunatics.

He could definitely escape on his own, but dragging these two seniors along? Not so sure.

"I have absolute confidence in the village's intelligence. How about you let me investigate? Once I'm clear, we'll leave."

"Are you joking?!"

The Kirigakure ninjas shouted. "Arrogant! Konoha ninjas really don't take us seriously at all."

Eiji pressed his blade against Yagura's neck.

"You're right. And then?"

The thick fog hung like solid lead, the air saturated with dampness.

Genji's aged voice pierced through the mist.

"Konoha ninjas, this is a time of peace. Don't do anything that might spark a war."

Yet, the response was a faint sound of flesh splitting.

Eiji's blade precisely carved a shallow line of blood across Yagura's neck.

A single vivid bead of blood slowly seeped out, rolled down Xiao Er's throat, and dripped softly to the ground.

Eiji's crimson Sharingan locked firmly onto the Kirigakure ninjas.

"Your Mizukage was the one who struck first. Now you turn it around and blame Konoha for starting a war?"

His voice suddenly rose. "Aren't you just bullying the honest folks here?!"

Genji felt his temples throb violently, accompanied by a splitting headache.

This kid before him, bearing the Uchiha clan crest but sporting a flashy head of white hair, was nothing like the Uchiha of legend who only knew how to swing a blade.

His skill at pinning blame and twisting the truth was practically masterful.

His mind had more holes than a sieve!

From the crowd, another shout rang out: "Kill them!"

Eiji let out a cold laugh.

"Do you think Konoha fears war? The three of us came here today without any intention of going back alive!"

"Right, seniors? Konoha ninjas have never feared death!"

"...Right!"

Kakashi's brain had already short-circuited.

To hell with tactics—at this point, it was just about who had the thicker skull.

Eiji's brow furrowed. Deep within the fog, in some hidden corner, a sudden fluctuation of Chakra flickered.

Byakugan.

Without a moment's hesitation, Eiji jerked his head to the side, his cheek slightly puffed.

"Water Release: Heavenly Cry."

A needle-thin, ultra-condensed water projectile, trailing a piercing shriek, shot from his mouth and vanished instantly into the thick fog.

Thud.

The clear sound of a heavy body hitting the ground rang out.

Then came a pained groan.

In the fog, Ao's face was etched with shock and disbelief.

He pressed hard on his right shoulder, pierced through by the water needle, a flicker of confusion crossing his mind.

How could this be?

He had already perfectly concealed himself using the Hidden Mist Technique; even the Uchiha's Sharingan couldn't see through this thick fog!

Damn it, how did this brat manage to do it?

Eiji sneered coldly, "Despicable Kirigakure ninja, it seems you don't care about this Mizukage's life."

The blade in his hand pressed down slightly, and the line of blood on Yagura's neck deepened by a fraction.

Elder Genshi let out a helpless sigh.

Aside from Mizukage Yagura, Ao was one of the village's strongest combatants.

Who could have imagined Eiji taking him out in one shot?

And did he really not form a single hand seal?

A wave of powerlessness surged in his heart.

He locked eyes with Yagura and understood what the other meant.

Elder Genshi waved his hand, "All hidden ninja, stand down."

Eiji flashed a harmless smile, "That's better. Why can't we just sit down and talk things out? Why must it always be fighting and killing?"

He poked Yagura, who forced out a strained sentence.

"I'll take the Konoha ninja to look around the village. Don't act rashly."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

Elder Genshi waved his hand, and the Kirigakure ninja parted to make a path.

The Konoha Team and Yagura moved slowly along the path. Halfway through, Eiji suddenly shifted aside.

He lightly brushed Yagura's robe, and this subtle motion made the loyal ninja gasp sharply.

This madman had plastered Explosive Tags all over the Mizukage's clothes!

Was he really not afraid of blowing himself and his teammates to bits!

Uchiha lunatic...

Before long, the four arrived at the Mizukage's Office.

"That Masked Man was hiding here earlier. It seems he heard you coming and fled in the chaos."

"Also, without my company, you'd better not wander around. I don't have absolute authority in this village."

After saying this, Yagura himself was stunned—how had he unknowingly ended up siding with Konoha?

<Regarding How I, a Village's Kage, Was Bought Out by Konoha>

Yagura was telling the truth.

Because the Blood Mist Village Policy had led to a severely distorted development of the entire village.

Comrades who once lived side by side could just as easily stab each other to death the next moment—it was perfectly normal.

This also caused some of the more capable ninja in the village to hold grudges against Yagura, constantly itching to kill him.

Yagura had lost count of how many assassination attempts he'd faced.

When he was lucid, he sometimes thought dying wouldn't be so bad—at least he wouldn't be the Masked Man's puppet.

But still, he stubbornly survived.

As long as he lived, others had to die.

After each assassination, his loyal subordinates would purge another wave of ninja from the village.

Then the ninja grew even more dissatisfied and struck again...

It was a never-ending cycle.

Eiji patted Yagura on the shoulder, "You should worry more about yourself. More than half those ninja outside are here for you."

Yagura looked up and, sure enough, saw many ninja through the window.

Whether they were here to rescue him or protect him, he couldn't say for sure.

Outside the Mizukage Building, Ao bowed slightly.

"My apologies, Elder Genshi. I failed to rescue the Mizukage-sama."

"This isn't your fault, Ao," Elder Genshi said, staring thoughtfully at the building. "Who could have guessed those three ninja had this kind of skill?"

"Then what should we do?"

Ao activated his Byakugan and swept his gaze across the surroundings.

"Aside from the Mizukage-sama's followers, there are some forces from unknown origins—likely here to assassinate him."

"Don't let them near the Mizukage Building. I'll continue negotiating with them."

Just as he finished, Eiji suddenly poked his head out the window.

"Send some food over. The Mizukage is hungry."

Elder Genshi's forehead bulged with veins—was this bastard here on vacation!