At the end of July, the turbulent Kirigakure finally ceased its fighting, and the position of Fourth Mizukage was ultimately obtained by the Reformist Faction Karatachi Yagura.
Not much news about the selection and competition spread, Kirigakure continued its policy of secrecy. After Elder Genji announced the news, Kirigakure went "closed" again.
The other Four Great Ninja Villages routinely congratulated the new Mizukage. Without discussing how Karatachi Yagura came to power, he was recognized by the Land of Water, making him a legitimate Mizukage.
Konoha paid no attention to the Fourth Mizukage, but Obito Uchiha in Amegakure, upon hearing the news, had his crimson Sharingan with killing intent.
In Obito's view, the Kirigakure Ninja were the real culprits behind the deaths of Rin Nohara and Kakashi, and he would never let the Kirigakure go!
Amegakure was gradually returning to normal. Under the gloomy sky, Konan leaned on the railing at the top of the tower, gazing at the village. "I wonder if we can ever return to pre-war life. Some people are even having a hard time getting food..."
The girl suddenly lowered her head and sighed. Nagato came to her friend's side and they gazed at the view together. After a moment of silence, she replied expressionlessly, "The change is complete. Everything will pass."
"Only in this way can this country be reborn; in some ways, the death of ninjas actually lessens the burden on the village."
Konan turned to look at Nagato. The gentle companion of the past seemed to have died along with Yahiko and the others. The current Nagato was so cold-hearted in some ways that it frightened her.
" Konan, you did a great job. With normal requests restored, Amegakure has weathered this crisis."
"Once I have fully mastered the Six Paths Technique and improved the puppet, it will be time for the Konoha Ninja to feel pain."
As Nagato finished speaking, a look of pain appeared on his face. He still couldn't get over Yahiko's death. To die in despair during a hopeful ceremony was suffocating just to think about it.
"Should we really believe in that Madara Uchiha?"
"He seems to be just using you."
Konan grew increasingly worried about her friend's attack on Konoha, which seemed like suicide; an individual's strength could not shake a ninja village.
Just as Nagato was about to respond, a vortex suddenly appeared behind the two of them, Obito Uchiha appeared, looking at them with his scarlet eyes and simply replying, "Using? I think an alliance is more accurate."
" Konoha also has its weaknesses. With my help, Nagato can easily break through the barrier."
"For someone who has mastered the Six Paths Technique, destroying a village is no problem."
Obito Uchiha confidently gave his answer, and seeing that Konan still showed no sign of trust, he simply boasted again, "No one can limit my power!"
"If you have time, you can come with me to the Land of Water."
"The so-called Five Great Shinobi Villages are equally vulnerable in the face of absolute power, and the Land of Water will become our vassal."
Konan heard that the other party was actually targeting the Mizukage, she was so surprised that she fell silent.
Kirigakure was, after all, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Even in its decline, it was still stronger than Amegakure. The kind of spirit that Obito displayed made Konan begin to waver.
"Once the puppet is modified, we'll accompany you to Kirigakure."
"I hope you won't let us down. I hope this can be considered a test before attacking Konoha."
Nagato looked at Obito and calmly responded, but the latter only left a laugh. As a vortex appeared in front of the two of them, Obito disappeared again.
Shu Furukawa's spirit witnessed everything through Konan's body. At this moment, he was secretly calculating the speed of Kamui. The more times Obito used it in front of the two of them, the more accurate the calculation would be.
"How exactly should this power be restrained?"
" Nagato, I still don't trust him. If he can control the Mizukage, he can control us too."
Konan looked at her friend with a worried expression, but Nagato didn't respond. He turned and slowly walked away, muttering to himself once he was far away from Konan, " Yahiko, I will make the Konoha Ninja feel our pain!"
After Obito transferred to his own Kamui Dimension, White Zetsu slowly removed the "mask" from his face. Knowing the boy's feelings at this moment, it remained silent.
In the desolate space stood rows of square prisms. Obito arrived at a towering spot, looked at the Rin Nohara carved upon it, and slowly sat down on the ground. "Rin, once the Rinnegan user masters the Six Paths Technique, the plan can officially begin."
"I don't know if anyone in the village still remembers us, but it doesn't matter anymore."
"This false and hopeless world should end."
"What does the Fourth Hokage have to do with us? Come to think of it, we've all been deceived by Shu Furukawa. Perhaps he also harbors hidden ambitions."
The possessed White Zetsu couldn't help but remind Obito in a comical voice, "It's not ambition, it's the will of the Senju Clan. Lord Madara has said many times that Shu Furukawa was influenced by Tobirama Senju..."
"I don't care about the Senju Clan. Since he's a fraud, let him meet his end along with that world!"
Obito raised his voice and said angrily that he had no interest in carrying out Madara Uchiha's entire plan.
More importantly, seeing the old man's fate, even after his transformation, Obito still felt a lingering fear, which was why he deliberately avoided his previous plans.
He hasn't seen Lin in the new world yet, so he can't die.
White Zetsu responded, then added, "According to information obtained from Danzo, the Uchiha Clan is relocating; they seem to be integrating into the village more effectively."
" Danzo seems quite dissatisfied with this, and has been sending us messages lately, saying he's willing to help with hunting for Sharingan."
Obito was lost in his memories again. If he were still in Konoha, he might have been happy to hear this news. "Don't worry about that cowardly old man. I can still complete the plan without him."
"Continue gathering information on Nine-Tails; I need to get Nagato's complete trust in the plan."
Ignoring White Zetsu's complaints, Obito fell silent after speaking, staring at Rin Nohara's tombstone for a long while before muttering to himself, " Minato-sensei, will you still remember me?"
After the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure took office, Konoha secretly increased its defenses in the eastern part of the Land of Fire.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, no battles occurred near the coastline, and internal strife suddenly broke out in Kirigakure again.
Although the specific details could not be confirmed, the information relayed back by intelligence personnel indicated that it was related to Suikazan Fuguki and others.
Although the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are missing two members, the remaining members are still capable of causing trouble, repeatedly interfering during the Mizukage election, and this rebellion was premeditated.
In a "corner" undetectable to Konoha's intelligence personnel, Mei Terumi and Kisame Hoshigaki, powerful subordinates of Suikazan Fuguki, have secretly joined forces.
Late at night, the fog still shrouded most of the buildings in Kirigakure. Under the bridge, Kisame Hoshigaki waited with his arms crossed for a while. When the girl appeared wearing a mask, he said sarcastically, "I thought you died at the hands of the Reformist Faction! You're so late."
"Ugly fellow, stop with your nonsense. If it weren't for the village, I wouldn't be interested in joining forces with you."
Behind the mask, Mei Terumi rolled her Byakugan; Kisame's appearance simply didn't suit her aesthetic.
Hearing the girl's mockery, Kisame remained unfazed, grinning to reveal a set of sharp fangs, and retorted with a self-deprecating laugh, "Ninjas who betray their superiors never have a good end!"
"We are all destined to die a terrible death; this is the fate of ninjas, and no one can escape it."
Mei Terumi said the same thing to Shu Furukawa. Seeing the utterly hopeless look on Kisame's face, she casually remarked, "If we kill everyone who knows the truth, no one will know about our betrayal!"
"Many people probably don't know that you and I are close confidants of Suikazan Fuguki, and in that respect, we really have to thank the secrecy system."
Kisame had witnessed Mei Terumi's rampage many times; melting half of her village comrades' bodies was just routine for her. He always felt that she had become twisted. "You madwoman, how many people will die?"
Seeing Mei Terumi wave her hand, Kisame's heart skipped a beat, and he continued to press, "Are you really going to kill all of Suikazan Fuguki's subordinates?"
"It's not just him; Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who knows me is going to die. The Fourth Mizukage would definitely be happy to see that happen."
Mei Terumi burst out laughing at the end, mocking the village's system, but Kisame thought the girl had gone mad.
Just as the two were about to leave, Shu Furukawa's spirit suddenly issued a warning.
Mei Terumi immediately sensed the four strands of Chakra and realized she was being followed, but she showed no signs of nervousness.
"Judging by your timid and cowardly appearance, tonight I'll show you my true power!"
Kisame sensed nothing and looked at the neurotic Mei Terumi. Suddenly, he noticed that the girl's hair and skin had changed color, and the Chakra he sensed was completely different from before.
"You... what kind of monster are you?!"
Black patterns appeared on her fair skin, and her orange-red hair turned bright red. Mei Terumi glared at Kisame, then suddenly jumped into the water and glided away at high speed!
The four who had tracked them down sped up their escape. Just as they jumped onto the rock wall, a thin, sharp stream of water swept over each of them.
"Ah..."
After the screams that rose and fell, the area near the bridge returned to silence.
Kisame, watching from afar, could see clearly that Mei Terumi's ninjutsu was both fast and far-reaching; with a flick of her head, the person was dead.
Having finished her Pseudo-Sage Transformation Mei Terumi felt a constant urge emanating from the cells of her body. After suppressing a low moan, she barely managed to control her emotions. "Evil power... why do I feel the reaction is even stronger now!"
"This was all planned by you, wasn't it? You've had your eye on my body for a long time..."
Upon hearing the question, Shu Furukawa's spirit was somewhat speechless. The mutated Spirit Transformation Technique was indeed somewhat evil, but the girl had definitely willingly accepted the transformation and was even enjoying it. "This is only the first stage of power; the second stage requires the aid of medication."
"After you kill Suikazan Fuguki, strive to become subordinates of the Fourth Mizukage."
"In a while, an external force will take control of him, and then you'll understand that what I'm saying is true."
When Kisame caught up, Mei Terumi reverted to her usual aloof demeanor. Seeing his hesitant and awkward expression, she simply turned away and said, "Only by completing the revolution can the village be saved."
"After killing that traitor, you'll be the one to use Samehada. Don't let me down..."