The Infiltration Team Is Formed

After finally helping Harusame overcome his inner demons, Hōzuki Mangetsu breathed a sigh of relief.

These two were one of the few model teacher-student pairs in the Bloody Mist Era. It would have been a real shame if they had died.

After this heart-to-heart, the tragedy that befell the pair should no longer come to pass, right?

This time, Hōzuki Mangetsu had returned with a full haul.

Not only had he gained the Neutral Faction's full support, but he had also befriended Harusame, a highly influential elder.

Although the Neutral Faction wasn't as prominent as the factions led by Suikazan Fuguki and Terumi Mei, it was still a formidable force in Kirigakure.

Only then did Hōzuki Mangetsu finally let his long-held worries ease.

Ever since arriving in this world, he had been constantly on the run, forced to survive in the cracks between the various factions.

It was only after gaining the Neutral Faction's support that Hōzuki Mangetsu truly had the means to compete for the position of Mizukage.

"You actually managed to survive. That's incredibly impressive."

Utakata tilted his head as he looked at Hōzuki Mangetsu, his face full of admiration.

He was the Six-Tails' jinchūriki, but he hadn't yet fully mastered the Six-Tails' power. Normally, Harusame kept his strength sealed.

This time, to gauge Hozuki Mangetsu's strength, Harusame had deliberately undone the seal on Utakata, allowing him to transform into a tailed beast so quickly.

He knew himself well. If he ever went berserk, Harusame was the only one who could stop him.

Yet Hozuki Mangetsu had actually withstood his five-tailed transformation without being killed. It was truly unbelievable.

In Utakata's mind, only a handful of the village's top officials could match that kind of strength.

Hozuki Mangetsu truly lived up to his reputation!

Shinobi of the Bloody Mist Era had always admired the strong. After their clash, Utakata was so impressed by Hōzuki Mangetsu that he offered to join him and train.

Harusame was glad his student could grow close to Hozuki Mangetsu, so he asked him to look after Utakata and help him hone his skills.

That was what he called it, anyway.

In truth, he had his own motives.

Since the Neutral Faction fully supported Hōzuki Mangetsu, he might become Mizukage. If so, his student Utakata could also rise through the ranks by virtue of being the Mizukage's ally.

He was paving the way for his student.

Hōzuki Mangetsu understood Harusame's motives, of course, and was happy to accept a junior like him.

Although this junior seemed a little lazy and talkative.

"This subordinate, Hozuki Mangetsu, pays his respects to you, Lord Mizukage. The mission in Konoha has been completed."

After returning from Harusame's place, Hōzuki Mangetsu went to the Mizukage's Office.

He was there to report the mission's completion.

"Mangetsu!"

The Fourth Mizukage Yagura set down the scroll and said calmly, "Thanks for your efforts!"

He had already learned the outcome from the scroll.

To avoid a war, Konoha had made some concessions to the Land of Water.

"It was my duty," Hōzuki Mangetsu replied modestly.

In fact, he had also reached a private agreement with Konoha. They had released Chukichi, the Dark Release shinobi, who had since been successfully brainwashed by Hōzuki Mangetsu and become his important subordinate, Ah Da.

Yagura clasped his hands behind his back and paced a few steps. "Is Konoha's leadership really at odds with the Uchiha, as the intelligence reports claim?"

A cold glint flashed in Hōzuki Mangetsu's eyes.

He knew that Yagura was being controlled by Obito, and that this was something Obito wanted to know.

Though he wasn't sure why Obito hated the Uchiha Clan, judging by what happened later, his desire to destroy them wasn't accidental.

"According to my men's findings, tensions between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership have been extremely high for years. Also..."

Hōzuki Mangetsu paused, then lowered his voice. "According to rumors, Uchiha Shisui was assassinated by Konoha's leadership."

What?

Yagura's body trembled despite himself, and a look of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

So that was it!

Hōzuki Mangetsu's thoughts stirred, and he began to understand.

Perhaps Obito Uchiha and Uchiha Shisui had some kind of connection.

"From what my men have discovered, the Uchiha Clan is plotting a coup, and Konoha's leadership has noticed. A clash between them is imminent."

Hōzuki Mangetsu added more fuel to Obito's anger.

He knew Obito wouldn't be able to resist.

As things unfolded later, the Uchiha Clan was wiped out, and Obito Uchiha was the real culprit. He had also collected a large number of Sharingan during the upheaval.

"I understand. Thanks for your efforts. You may leave."

Yagura's voice turned cold as he dismissed him.

Hōzuki Mangetsu turned and left.

Obito had almost certainly used an Implanted Illusion on Yagura. To maintain the illusion, he had to infuse Yagura with Chakra at regular intervals.

Once Yagura's Chakra ran out, the illusion would naturally disappear.

Now that Hōzuki Mangetsu knew the secret behind the Implanted Illusion, he was confident he could break the one affecting Yagura as long as Obito left Kirigakure.

Saving the Mizukage would be a great achievement, and Hōzuki Mangetsu wasn't about to let it slip away. Nor would he let Ao, that lackey, get the credit.

He wasn't worried about lacking an opportunity, either. Obito would definitely leave on the day the Uchiha Clan was massacred.

But there was still some time before the Uchiha Clan Massacre, so Hōzuki Mangetsu had time to prepare.

"Big brother, you're back!"

When he returned home, he was naturally greeted by Suigetsu, that little squirt.

This time, Suigetsu didn't try to attack him. Instead, he looked at him with a beaming smile.

Hōzuki Mangetsu stared at his younger brother in surprise.

Something seemed off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Seeing his elder brother looking so confused, the little squirt grew unhappy.

"Big dummy, can't you tell something's different?"

Suigetsu said in annoyance.

Different?

Hōzuki Mangetsu took a closer look at his younger brother.

He was wearing a shinobi uniform, with the Kusanagi Sword tucked into his waist.

That was a Chunin uniform!

Hōzuki Mangetsu was astonished.

Had the kid been promoted to Chunin?

He was only seven years old.

"Did you... become a Chunin?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu asked.

Seeing that his big brother had finally figured it out, the little squirt grinned smugly. "Big brother, I broke your record! I completed an S-rank Infiltration Mission not long ago, and Lord Mizukage personally promoted me to Chunin."

Hōzuki Mangetsu was speechless.

Children in Kirigakure matured early. Plenty graduated at six or seven, but becoming a Chunin wasn't so easy.

An S-rank Infiltration Mission?

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded slowly.

For a member of the Hozuki Clan with the Hydrification Technique, infiltration missions weren't difficult at all.

But for Suigetsu, who was still a Genin, it was no small challenge.

The kid really was a genius.

At that thought, a smile suddenly appeared on Hōzuki Mangetsu's lips.

"As expected of my little brother! You became a Chunin at seven and broke the records set by Zabuza and me."

Until now, the youngest shinobi in Kirigakure to become a Chunin had been Hozuki Mangetsu at eight, followed by Zabuza and Terumi Mei at nine.

Suigetsu had now burst onto the scene and broken that record once again.