Hozuki Mangetsu's words struck Mei Terumi like a bolt from the blue, leaving her frozen in place.
The Mizukage...
How could he?
The Hozuki Clan was one of Kirigakure's most important clans!
Never mind that the Hozuki Clan had once produced a Mizukage—the clan had also rendered countless services over the years... They couldn't have done something like this!
But Hozuki Mangetsu, covered in blood, was right in front of her. Despite all her doubts, Mei Terumi still said quietly:
"I'll take you home to recover!"
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
Obito Uchiha idly rubbed the letter tucked into his sleeve as he looked across at the other man.
Zetsu... or rather, the man called Black Zetsu, was studying him closely, as though trying to read something from his expression.
But Obito had anticipated this and put on his mask ahead of time.
After finding nothing to go on, Black Zetsu gave up and brought up another matter instead:
"The situation in Kirigakure... Was that your doing?"
Obito's hand paused slightly. His voice dropped as he replied coldly:
"They should pay for what they did. What, are you interested in something like this too?"
"Of course not... You'd never mentioned it to me before, so I was just curious."
"Do I have to report everything to you? Zetsu, you're merely the will of Madara Uchiha, sent to assist me. Know your place."
Seeing that he had displeased Obito, the pitcher plant atop Black Zetsu's head swayed slightly, and he switched to a different tone:
"Hey! You controlled the Fourth Mizukage?"
His voice was noticeably sharper than before.
Obito touched the ring on his finger and calmly looked away.
"Yagura became the Six-Tails Jinchuriki. It gave me the perfect opportunity."
"Wow! But why did you suddenly put