The Beginning of Genocide

Two months later, Kirigakure had entered the depths of winter.

As the temperature plummeted, snowflakes of varying sizes began to scatter across the sky. Even the mist that perpetually shrouded the village was laced with tiny ice crystals, leaving a faint, stinging sensation in one's lungs upon inhalation.

At this time of year, Kirigakure entered its only season of total lockdown, isolating itself from the outside world.

On the rooftop of the Mizukage Building, Shisui stood atop the thick snow, overlooking the panoramic view of Kirigakure amidst the icy fog.

"Another year has passed since I arrived in this world."

In the blink of an eye, the year had reached 48 of the Konoha era, and Shisui Uchiha was now nine years old.

He would be spending this New Year in Kirigakure.

"My life has been like walking on thin ice, and to have reached this..."

My apologies, wrong script.

For ordinary people, the icy fog obscured their vision, but under the power of Shisui's Mangekyō, it merely added a touch of winter atmosphere and could not hinder his sight in the slightest.

At this moment, his gaze was fixed on an ancient complex not far from the Mizukage Building: the ancestral grounds of the Kaguya Clan.

"Master, everything is ready. We can begin tonight." Danzō, who had appeared behind him at some point, knelt on one knee in the snow to report the preparations.

"Then, let the operation begin." Shisui watched the direction of the Kaguya Clan and spoke slowly.

Exterminating a clan was a task best left to Danzō; naturally, there was no need for Shisui to dirty his own hands.

"Understood."

Having received his definitive orders, Danzō shouldered the Gunbai and withdrew.

Next, it would be time for his performance with Karatachi Yagura.

It must be said that over these past two months, Shimura Danzō had grown accustomed to his life as the "Shadow without a Crown." As long as he could achieve the goals Shisui set for him, he never questioned the methods he had to employ.

Even if he ultimately failed to ascend to the position of Fifth Mizukage, Danzō felt his trip to Kirigakure had not been in vain.

Today, the special assassination tactical unit of Kirigakure was also operating with high efficiency. Inside the Anbu headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with a grim, murderous intent.

The Anbu of Kirigakure was established by the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, following the model of the Second Hokage Tobirama to consolidate the village's development.

Hozuki Gengetsu valued the legacy of the ninja blades, using the Anbu to cultivate a large number of new-generation ninjas as members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, operating under the direct command of the Mizukage to execute high-difficulty missions.

"Tayuya, are you still not ready? Honestly, women are such a hassle." Inside the Kirigakure Anbu headquarters, Sakon stood with his arms crossed, waiting impatiently for Tayuya to finish in the changing room.

It wasn't just Sakon; Kidomaru and Jirobo were also waiting nearby.

"Since there's still time, can I have another cake?"

Jirobo was still thinking about his snacks.

As for Ukon, he had already merged into Sakon's body.

"Stop your whining! Today is our first time executing a mission arranged by Lord Shisui; naturally, I have to be fully prepared." Tayuya's impatient voice drifted from the changing room, accompanied by the sound of clashing metal.

"This is a gift from Lord Shisui. This time, I'll definitely give Sakon and the others a shock."

Tayuya secretly hid a metallic device inside her sleeve before heading out to meet up with Jirobo and the others.

Ever since Shisui had coached them in actual combat last time, he had pointed out that Tayuya's offensive methods were too singular and that her Doki were too restrictive.

Drawing inspiration from the combat styles of the Otogakure ninjas during the Chunin Exams from his previous life, Shisui had specifically developed more diverse attack methods for her.

That was the secret weapon Tayuya now kept hidden in her sleeve.

Once the former "Sound Four" were gathered, Kidomaru glanced at the time on his wrist and said, "Everyone is here now, let's head out."

Among these five, Kidomaru had been appointed by Shisui as the squad leader, responsible for managing the team during missions and adapting to unforeseen circumstances.

Ukon, with his sharp mind, had also had a chance at the position, but because he disliked showing his face and preferred staying inside Sakon's body, Kidomaru was the best choice among the remaining members.

"You're finally here. If you hadn't arrived, we would have had to leave without you." At the designated meeting point, an Anbu standing at the front of the squad spoke with a hint of helplessness.

This Anbu was named Karatachi Suirō; as his surname suggested, he was of the same clan as the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.

Over a month ago, Shisui had used Karatachi Yagura to arrange for Kidomaru and his group to join the Kirigakure Anbu, hoping they would grow rapidly within the organization.

However, Karatachi Suirō, as the Anbu captain, viewed Kidomaru and his group as dead weight, accepting his cousin's arrangement with extreme reluctance.

One must know that Kirigakure during this period had not yet implemented the "Bloody Mist" policy of the future, and it was highly unlikely for children under ten to appear in the Anbu.

Against this backdrop, Karatachi Suirō held no affection for Kidomaru and the others.

"Apologies, Lord Suirō. Since it's our first time participating in an operation, we wanted to be as prepared as possible, which caused the delay." Kidomaru used his six hands to hold down Tayuya, who had wanted to retort, and apologized patiently.

After Shisui's recent guidance, Kidomaru had largely shed his previous playful attitude, becoming much more mature and steady.

"Just you lot? What good will being 'prepared' do? Once you're on the battlefield, just try not to hold us back." Karatachi Suirō was extremely dismissive of Kidomaru's explanation.

However, since Kidomaru and his group were arranged by his cousin Karatachi Yagura, they were, in a sense, his own people.

Therefore, after venting his dissatisfaction, Karatachi Suirō did not pursue the matter further and began to reiterate the characteristics of their target for this mission.

"As members of the village, we all know the traits of the Kaguya Clan. Those battle-crazed lunatics will disregard their own lives to defeat an opponent; they are truly troublesome foes."

This was the aspect of the enemy that made them so formidable during this mission.

"However, the enemy's greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. If you know how to provoke them and utilize strategy during the fight, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the Anbu members before he said in a low voice, "In any case, try your best to survive the mission. The dead are of no use to the Mizukage."

Though the words were cruel, they laid bare the essential value of a ninja's existence.

"The time is upon us. According to the tactics laid out over the past few days, all units, move out."

"Understood."