The shinobi village system began with Konoha, while the specific structure within the villages was established by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
For many years before the Third Hokage took office, Konoha had been the "beacon of the Shinobi World," and villages great and small had imitated its systems and structure.
Shinobi schools. Anbu.
But now, more than thirty years after Senju Tobirama's death, the various villages no longer blindly imitated Konoha. Instead, they adapted to local conditions and developed shinobi village systems "with their own distinctive characteristics."
Kirigakure, for example, had the most rogue ninja in the Shinobi World because of the Third Mizukage's Blood Mist Policy. As a result, it had the renowned Kirigakure Hunter-nin Force, whose autonomy even surpassed that of the Anbu.
"Although I'm the head of the Hunter-nin Force, most of its members come from secret-technique and kekkei genkai clans like the Hozuki and Yuki. Their looks and fighting styles are easy to recognize.
"So, when we get there, the two of you should avoid talking or fighting. Leave everything to me."
Three figures leaped through the forest. Leading them was Suikazan Fuguki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Behind him followed a man and a woman in Hunter-nin uniforms, wearing black and white masks.
"Whoosh!"
A whip made of water swept lightly across the trees ahead of them. The trees fell like wheat cut by a sickle, and Uchiha Chen and the others had no choice but to stop and land.
On the only tall tree still standing, a green-haired, purple-eyed boy with a baby face stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the three below.
Karatachi Yagura.
He looked like a teenager, but was actually nearly thirty. His name had long since become famous throughout the Shinobi World.
"Fuguki," Karatachi Yagura said with a snort, apparently quite displeased with Suikazan Fuguki. "Shouldn't you be carrying out your mission? What are you doing here?"
Suikazan Fuguki showed no respect for this candidate for Fourth Mizukage. He drew Samehada from his back.
Samehada's handle suddenly extended more than ten meters, curving like a chain as it smashed into the tree beneath Yagura's feet.
"You're not the Fourth Mizukage yet!" Suikazan Fuguki licked his lips and taunted him. "Besides, I can't stand short people standing somewhere higher than me!"
Yagura landed lightly on the ground. He seemed used to Fuguki's "treasonous remarks." Looking up at him, he said calmly, "Capturing the Three-Tails is a major undertaking for the village. Don't interfere!"
"Heh!"
Suikazan Fuguki sneered, his expression indifferent. "I'm here to clean up your mess.
"I'm stationed on a hill ten miles east of the lake. If the Three-Tails beats you until you're running for your life, remember to come my way. I'll make sure you get a quick end!
"Let's go!"
With that, Suikazan Fuguki swaggered past Yagura, leading Uchiha Chen and Pakura along.
"Lord Yagura!"
Several Anbu emerged from the shadows. One knelt before Yagura, looking puzzled. "Didn't the clan alliance say they wouldn't take part in this operation? Why send Fuguki here after all?"
"He only brought two people. They can't cause much trouble. Maybe the clans want to gather some information about me. It doesn't matter."
Karatachi Yagura gazed toward the lake where the Three-Tails was hidden, a trace of scorn on his face.
The retrieval of the Three-Tails was top secret, known to only a handful of people. He intended to become its Jinchuriki himself!
With the power of a Tailed Beast, he would surely be able to bring the various factions in Kirigakure to heel with overwhelming force, unite the village, and restore it to glory.
"We got through that easily?"
Standing beside the great lake where the Three-Tails was hiding, Uchiha Chen and Pakura still couldn't quite believe it.
"I'm one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, head of the Hunter-nin Force, and a future member of the elders' council."
Suikazan Fuguki, fiercely loyal to Uchiha Chen, grinned foolishly.
"The Hozuki Clan originally wanted to put me up against Yagura for the Fourth's seat! Who'd suspect me of betraying the village?"
"Fine. Wait here on the shore."
Uchiha Chen plunged into the lake.
The lake was large, but the Three-Tails' dozens-of-meters-long body would stand out wherever it went.
Not long after entering the water, Uchiha Chen spotted the enormous beast lying on the lakebed, like a mountain of stone beneath the water.
Isobu, the Three-Tails.
A giant turtle covered in spines, with three tails.
Its appearance was turtle-like, and its temperament was much the same: it preferred quiet to activity and had a mild disposition.
Uchiha Chen stared at the motionless Isobu, then suddenly spat out a blade of wind that struck its forehead.
Thump!
Isobu unconsciously slapped the lakebed and slowly opened its eyes.
Two yellow beastly eyes, each larger than a person, glimmered like scorching planets. They swept across the lake, searching for whatever had just tickled it.
[Demonic Illusion: Sharingan]
Uchiha Chen met the Three-Tails' gaze without fear. With only a slight expenditure of Eye Power, his spirit became a peerlessly sharp sword that effortlessly shattered Isobu's mental defenses and entered the Three-Tails' spiritual world.
"This is... ten times easier than I expected!"
Uchiha Chen finally understood how powerful the Mangekyō's suppression of Tailed Beasts was.
Before the Mangekyō, a Tailed Beast was practically as compliant as if it were under the effects of an aphrodisiac. He could do whatever he wanted with it.
The Three-Tails' spiritual world was a beautiful, azure lake. A cute, miniature version of the Three-Tails was happily rolling around in it.
Normally, Jinchuriki had strong resistance to genjutsu, and Perfect Jinchuriki were said to be immune to it. Unless the Mangekyō's genjutsu was a special ability, it probably wouldn't work on a Perfect Jinchuriki either.
Uchiha Chen didn't know how Obito had controlled Yagura and the Three-Tails. Madara might have taught him some secret technique, but Uchiha Chen had Kotoamatsukami!
Obito could sit on the throne of Kirigakure's "Mizukage behind the scenes." So could I, Uchiha Chen!
"Transcription Seal: Kotoamatsukami: Light!"
A torrent of Eye Power surged into the Three-Tails' lake of consciousness like water released from a floodgate. The lake's surface turned Sharingan red, then gradually faded away.
The miniature Isobu continued playing in the lake, completely unaware that anything had happened.
"Once the Three-Tails is sealed inside Yagura, I'll be able to use Kotoamatsukami to control him whenever I want!"
Uchiha Chen nodded in satisfaction, left the Three-Tails' spiritual world, and swam back to shore to rejoin Pakura and Fuguki.
Night fell, dark and windy.
A vortex appeared out of nowhere, and Obito Uchiha leaped out, clad in a black cloak.
"Did anything happen?"
"Nope!" Several pale faces appeared in the trees beside the lake, speaking over one another. "A few groups from Kirigakure went down to investigate during the day, but none of them disturbed the Three-Tails."
"Good. I'm going down to control the Three-Tails now. Keep watch."
Obito activated his Mangekyō ability again and appeared above Isobu's head in the lake, directly using his Eye Power to enter its spiritual world.
The same azure lake. The same miniature Three-Tails. Only the person standing by the water had changed.
"Beast, you belong to me now!"
Red light blazed in Obito's eyes. A chain shot from his palm and wrapped around Isobu's spirit. Isobu's spirit let out a wail, then lowered its head.
"Madara's technique really does come in handy!"
In the lake, Obito glanced at the still-sleeping Three-Tails, then vanished in an instant.
The next day dawned bright and calm, with barely a ripple on the water.
At last, fully prepared, Yagura decided that today he would take the first step toward forging Kirigakure's glory.
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