The Fourth Mizukage

[Task 4: Sign in at the Mizukage's office in the Mist Village!]

[Task Reward: Observation Haki!]

Hyuga Kagami looked at the system panel; signing in at the Mizukage's office in the Mist Village was exactly how he could obtain Observation Haki!

If Armament Haki can enhance power, then Observation Haki can enhance one's margin for error on the battlefield!

His eyes flashed with a sharp light: "With Observation Haki, there won't be many people in this world capable of ambushing me!"

"There will absolutely never be a pathetic situation like Uchiha Madara's, where he became a Six Paths-level powerhouse only to be backstabbed by Black Zetsu in the end."

"And when Observation Haki is cultivated to its peak, one can even foresee the future by a few seconds, allowing oneself to remain in an invincible, undefeated state!"

The ability of Observation Haki to foresee the future was simply too terrifying.

Foreseeing the future.

It was equivalent to being able to predict every action of the enemy and making preparations in advance; under such circumstances, how could one possibly lose?

However, the Mizukage's office, huh? That really is a good place.

Mei Terumi looked at the group: "Then I shall lead the way. Although the Mizukage has secretly sent people to hunt me down, once I appear within the Mist Village, the Mizukage will have to show restraint due to my status and choose to turn a blind eye."

"The conflict between us will only occur in the shadows, not out in the open."

Her pretty face looked somewhat unsightly.

This was truly humiliating.

As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the Mist Village had actually fallen into such a state of internal strife!

"Understood, then let's set off!"

Hatake Kakashi's eyes were calm, and he did not say anything more about the affairs of the Mist Village.

After all, this was the Mist Village's internal business.

He was only here to investigate intelligence. Given the current state of the Mist Village, they likely lacked the energy to deal with Konoha, but as the village most skilled in assassination and infiltration, they surely had spies within Konoha!

If he could obtain a list of those spies on this trip, that would be a good outcome as well.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Hyuga Kagami and the others used simple disguises and removed their Konoha forehead protectors.

The figures of the group moved rapidly toward the Mist Village.

With Mei Terumi present, there was no need to sneak in.

They arrived at the Mist Village very quickly.

"Lady Mei Terumi, who are these people?"

The ninja of the guard squad at the gate looked respectful. Mei Terumi was not only an elite jonin but also a kekkei genkai user of the Mist Village; her status was noble!

"My subordinates!"

Mei Terumi glanced at the guard ninja, and the latter immediately understood and said no more.

They entered the Mist Village.

A faint mist lingered within the village, never dissipating, and the villagers of the Mist Village looked dejected, their eyes vacant, as if they were... walking corpses!

The entire village was filled with a murderous, oppressive atmosphere.

There was not a shred of vitality!

This place... was like a dead city!

"This is the current state of the Mist Village."

Mei Terumi sighed, her beautiful eyes filled with disappointment: "Because of the Mizukage's iron-fisted policies, even members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen have defected, unable to bear the burden. Now, all the villagers are starving, and there is no trust even among the ninja."

"There is no trust in the village."

Her beautiful eyes turned firm: "Therefore, we must overthrow the Mizukage's rule!"

"But the Mizukage's power is too immense, and he rarely comes out, so we have never found a suitable opportunity."

She sighed.

Rebelling against the Mizukage was an act of extreme treason, but given the miserable state of the Mist Village, there was no room for hesitation anymore.

"The Mizukage was clearly a gentle person before, why... has he suddenly become like this now?"

Mei Terumi's beautiful eyes were full of confusion.

She was filled with doubt and bewilderment.

Hyuga Kagami suddenly spoke, his eyes clear, as if he could see through everything: "Have you ever considered the possibility that the Fourth Mizukage is being controlled by someone?"

"Unless a major life-altering event occurs, a person's personality rarely changes drastically."

"Other than that, it is very rare for someone to change their personality and way of acting."

In the original story.

It was precisely because Uchiha Obito used the Mangekyou Sharingan to control the Fourth Mizukage that the Mist Village had fallen into decline, growing weaker step by step until even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen began to defect!

"What?!"

Mei Terumi's beautiful eyes constricted!

The Mizukage was a Kage-level powerhouse, and he even possessed a Tailed Beast!

How could he be controlled by someone else?

"There aren't many ninjas in this world capable of controlling the Mizukage. This... is basically impossible!"

She found it difficult to imagine such a fact.

Hyuga Kagami said quietly, "A few years ago, Konoha also believed that no one could control the Nine-Tails."

"But in reality, the Nine-Tails ravaged Konoha! If the opponent could even control the Nine-Tails, why couldn't they control the Mizukage?"

It was truly absurd.

The person who turned Konoha upside down and transformed the Mist Village into the Bloody Mist was actually a dead-last student!

And, damn it, a thirteen-year-old boy at that!

This was too ridiculous; even a novelist wouldn't dare write it this way!

"Doesn't your Mist Village possess a Byakugan?"

Hyuga Kagami's lips curled upward. "You can use that Byakugan to see if the current Mizukage is in a normal state. If the Mizukage is truly being manipulated by genjutsu..."

"A Mizukage who is a Kage-level powerhouse and perfectly controls a Tailed Beast will be a terrifying enemy!"

The Mizukage was just like Killer Bee.

He was a jinchuriki capable of perfectly controlling his Tailed Beast.

His strength was terrifying!

If Uchiha Obito hadn't possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, he would never have been able to control the Mizukage!

"I understand. I will definitely investigate this matter... Thank you!"

Mei Terumi took a breath and looked deeply at Hyuga Kagami.

This man always provided unexpected answers!

This was what a real man should be like.

While they were talking, the group arrived at a towering building with an antique, classic style—a typical Japanese-style courtyard.

"This is where Elder Gen of the Mist Village resides."

Mei Terumi's expression was respectful. "Elder Gen is the wisest elder in the Mist Village, possessing immense wisdom. The fact that the Mist Village is still hanging on today is entirely due to Elder Gen's efforts!"

Before long, the group entered the building.

They saw a bald, wrinkled old man leaning on a cane in the courtyard.

He sat in a chair.

He wasn't doing anything, yet he seemed to be deep in thought.

"Ah... it's Mei Terumi."

Elder Gen looked up. Beneath those wrinkled eyelids were cloudy eyes, but the occasional flash of sharp light made one realize that the old man before them was no simple person!

He stood up and looked toward the sky.

"The Mist Village cannot go on like this any longer."

Mei Terumi nodded heavily, her pretty face flushed with excitement. "Lord Elder Gen, is there a possibility... that the current Mizukage has already been controlled by someone?"

Her face was filled with trepidation.

For the Mist Village, this was an absolute disgrace!

Especially for an old man like Elder Gen, this was an unacceptable humiliation!

The Mist Village was, after all, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!

But now, Elder Gen's eyes flickered, and he asked in surprise, "Mei Terumi, you think so too?"