Controlling the Mizukage

For the next two days, Narong used the White Zetsu controlled by Black Zetsu to continuously feed "clues" regarding Utakata's whereabouts into the Hidden Mist's reconnaissance network. These pieces of information were a mix of truth and fabrication, suggesting that Utakata was lingering in certain remote coastal areas, seemingly scouting terrain or searching for something. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Finally, on the evening of the third day, an urgent intelligence report reached Yagura's desk—it was confirmed that Utakata had landed on a deserted island about one hundred nautical miles from the village, and intense chakra reactions had been detected on the island, suggesting he was performing some kind of ritual or preparing a large-scale ninjutsu!

The time was ripe.

Narong was summoned once again. This time, only Yagura and Genji were in the office, and the atmosphere was even heavier.

"Crow, your intuition from before was correct." Yagura handed the intelligence scroll to Narong. "Utakata has indeed returned, and his behavior is abnormal. Advisor Genji believes this is likely a trap aimed at the village, or... aimed at me."

Narong quickly scanned the scroll; the content was exactly what he had meticulously concocted through Black Zetsu—Utakata setting up a barrier on the deserted island, with abnormal chakra fluctuations, suspected to be preparing a large-scale Water Release or a Tailed Beast Bomb.

"Mizukage-sama, what do you mean by this?" Narong asked nervously.

"I cannot sit idly by." Yagura stood up, his petite frame radiating a powerful aura. "Utakata is a rogue ninja of the village, and furthermore, the jinchuriki of the Six-Tails Saiken. If he is truly being controlled by unknown forces and preparing to launch an attack on the village's perimeter, the consequences would be unimaginable. He must be subdued and brought back to the village before he causes further destruction!"

"But, Mizukage-sama, this is too dangerous!" Genji frowned and tried to dissuade him. "You have just ascended to the position; the village needs you to hold the fort. It would be better to send an elite squad..."

"Master Genji," Yagura interrupted him, his tone firm. "It is precisely because I am the Mizukage that protecting the village is my responsibility. You know Utakata's strength; an ordinary squad would only be going to their deaths. Moreover, if there is indeed a mastermind behind this, their target is likely me. Only by going myself can I draw them out and eliminate the threat once and for all!" He had another consideration he did not voice: if he could successfully subdue and bring back the Six-Tails jinchuriki, his prestige within the village would be greatly consolidated, which was crucial for stabilizing the position of Mizukage he had just assumed.

"But..." Genji remained worried. Although Yagura was the Three-Tails jinchuriki, he had held the beast for a short time. This stemmed from about two months ago, when Genji, while planning a coup, feared accidents and suggested Yagura find a reliable ninja to seal the Three-Tails to increase their high-end combat power. However, out of a sense of responsibility and a desire for control, Yagura ultimately chose to seal the Three-Tails within himself, and his mastery over the Tailed Beast's power was far from mature. Utakata, having been the Six-Tails jinchuriki for many years, might have had much richer experience in utilizing Tailed Beast power despite his defection.

"My mind is made up." Yagura looked at Narong. "'Crow', you are familiar with those waters and possess a meticulous mind. For this mission, you will act as my guide and second-in-command. Go prepare immediately; we meet at the docks in one hour and depart in secret!"

"Yes! This subordinate swears to protect the Mizukage-sama with my life!" Narong knelt on one knee, his voice excited and firm. Beneath his mask, a cold light of success flashed in his eyes. The fish had finally taken the bait.

An hour later, the night was deep and the sea breeze was biting. A small, unmarked speedboat quietly slipped away from the Hidden Mist Village docks, speeding toward the dark sea in the distance. There were only two people on board—the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and the ANBU "Crow", Uchiha Narong.

Yagura stood at the bow, letting the sea breeze ruffle his pale green hair, his emerald eyes staring into the distance, wondering what he was thinking. Narong silently operated the boat, simultaneously suppressing his own chakra and presence to the extreme, like a true, loyal, and silent ANBU.

Several hours later, the outline of a deserted island shrouded in faint mist appeared in their field of vision. From the island came intermittent, unstable chakra fluctuations carrying a violent aura.

"That's the place," Yagura whispered. He could clearly feel that familiar yet hostile Tailed Beast chakra on the island—it belonged to the Six-Tails Saiken.

The speedboat hid behind a reef a few hundred meters from the island. Yagura and Narong used the Body Flicker Technique to land on the island without a sound.

The island was not large, with a relatively flat depression in the center. At this moment, in the middle of the depression, a figure stood with his back to them. Long dark blue hair, green robes, and several crystalline soap bubbles floating around him—it was Utakata!

He seemed to be condensing chakra, his aura fluctuating, carrying a hint of irritability and violence.

"Utakata." Yagura revealed himself, speaking in a calm voice.

Utakata's body stiffened, and he turned around slowly. His face was somewhat pale, and his eyes were complex, filled with both hatred and a trace of confusion and pain. "Yagura Karatachi... no, I should call you the Fourth Mizukage now." He sneered. "I didn't expect you to actually dare to come alone."

"Return to the village, Utakata." Yagura tried to persuade him. "The tragedies of the past were the fault of the Blood Mist policy. The village has changed now, and we can..."

"Changed?" Utakata interrupted him, his emotions suddenly becoming agitated, and the soap bubbles around him fluctuated violently. "That's easy for you to say! My master died! He died under that damn policy! You think it's over just because you say things have changed? Yagura Karatachi, stop the hypocrisy! You high-and-mighty Mizukages are all the same! Today, I will avenge my master!"

Before he finished speaking, Utakata inhaled sharply and spat out a series of massive bubbles containing corrosive chakra!

"Ninja Art: Bubble Chaos Wave!"

Yagura's eyes sharpened, and he instantly formed hand seals: "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" A thick wall of water rose, blocking the corrosive bubbles.

The battle erupted instantly!

Utakata's control over bubble ninjutsu was masterful; the bubbles exploded, corroded, or imprisoned, appearing one after another. Yagura relied on exquisite Water Release and the Three-Tails chakra he had just mastered to defend and counterattack. For a time, water surged and bubbles splashed in the depression, the roar of clashing chakra echoing endlessly.

Narong drifted on the edge of the battlefield like a ghost, occasionally throwing a few shuriken or performing simple ninjutsu to "harass," perfectly playing the role of an ANBU doing his best to assist the Mizukage. But beneath his mask, his Mangekyo Sharingan had quietly activated, calmly analyzing every movement and every trace of chakra flow from both of them.

He was waiting, waiting for the best opportunity.

As expected, although Yagura was stronger, his use of Three-Tails chakra was far less proficient than Utakata's. Driven by hatred, Utakata's attacks became increasingly fierce, gradually gaining the upper hand.

"Boom!" A powerful bubble explosion sent Yagura staggering back several steps.

"Mizukage-sama!" Narong exclaimed, quickly approaching as if to support him.

"I'm fine!" Yagura steadied himself, his eyes becoming sharp, as if preparing to use even greater power.

Just as Yagura's attention was completely drawn by Utakata, his internal Three-Tails chakra began to accelerate, and the moment a gap appeared in his defense—

Narong, who had been following like a shadow, moved!

His speed surged! It was no longer the speed of the ANBU "Crow," but the ultimate speed belonging to Uchiha Narong, enhanced by Hashirama cells!

The kunai in his hand was no longer aimed at Utakata, but pointed directly at Yagura's back! At the same time, the Mangekyo Sharingan beneath his mask spun wildly, and the ability of his right eye—"Domain Deflection"—quietly activated, distorting the force field in a small area around Yagura, causing his movements to freeze for an instant!

"What?!" Yagura's pupils contracted sharply, and a strong sense of impending death made his hair stand on end! He never expected that this seemingly loyal ANBU would launch a fatal sneak attack at this moment!

However, the moment Narong's kunai touched Yagura's skin, the direction shifted slightly, only slicing his arm and drawing a trail of blood. At the same time, Narong's left eye—"Deconstruction Vision"—instantly analyzed the sealing nodes of the Three-Tails chakra within Yagura that were fluctuating violently due to the surprise attack!

"Ugh—" Yagura groaned as the seal was interfered with, and the Three-Tails' chakra nearly went out of control, causing his blood to surge.

To Utakata, this scene looked like the loyal ANBU had sacrificed himself to save Yagura, yet he was still wounded by the aftermath of his own bubbles!

"Chance!" Although Utakata was puzzled by Narong's bizarre speed and movements, hatred overwhelmed everything. He seized the moment Yagura was wounded and his chakra was in chaos to launch his strongest attack!

"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!" Combining his own bloodline limit, he sprayed high-temperature acid mist, enveloping Yagura!

"Damn it!" Yagura was attacked from both sides and suffered the backlash of the seal; the situation was dire!

At this moment, the true hunter—Uchiha Narong—curled his lips into a cold smile. His goal had been achieved: to force Yagura into a desperate situation, compel him to overdraw the power of the Three-Tails, and at the same time, when his spirit and seal were at their weakest... plant the seeds of control.

His figure flashed, seemingly "desperately" blocking in front of Yagura to face the high-temperature acid mist, while secretly injecting an extremely obscure Yin Release chakra, containing his Mangekyo ocular power, silently into the depths of Yagura's spirit, where a crack had appeared due to the seal's fluctuation...

"Mizukage-sama! Look out!"

On the deserted island, the battle entered its most tragic and critical moment. And the future of the Hidden Mist Village, amidst this meticulously planned conspiracy and slaughter, slid toward an unknown abyss.