Hidden Mist Village's Dirty Trick

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

The atmosphere was more oppressive and frigid than ever. The Third Mizukage had shut himself away in his dim office, while rumors of the crushing defeat at Azure Reef Island and the humiliating peace treaty gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes. The shame of defeat, his hatred for Sunagakure—especially that brat controlling the giant puppet and Pakura—and the supposedly advisory but truly accusatory looks from elders like Genji nearly drove him mad.

He could not accept Kirigakure being reduced to such a state! He could not accept being viewed as the mediocre Mizukage responsible for it all! He needed a victory, an achievement grand enough to shake the Ninja World, redirect internal conflict, and perhaps even restore his dignity!

Since the front lines had suffered setback after setback, then he would use what Kirigakure did best—assassination, conspiracy, and ruthless means!

"Sunagakure... Konoha..." the Third Mizukage muttered from the shadows, venomous and dangerous light glinting in his eyes. Sunagakure had just shown its strength and could not be touched for the time being. That left only one target—Konoha! The enemy that had humiliated Kirigakure twice as well!

An extraordinarily vicious, utterly insane plan gradually took shape in his mind. What he wanted was not victory on the battlefield, but to destroy Konoha's stability from within and make them taste that same heart-rending agony!

"Someone!" he growled hoarsely.

A Kirigakure ANBU wearing an animal mask silently knelt before him like a ghost.

"Go. Have the 'Plow' squad prepare to carry out a top-secret mission." The Third Mizukage's voice was cold and utterly emotionless. "Target: the Land of Fire. Mission: capture a suitable Konoha ninja, preferably one with a decent amount of chakra and an adequate physique... then seal the Three-Tails Isobu inside their body!"

The ANBU's body