Mist Rebellion

Rain is like weeping souls wandering in the sky.

"Drip, drip..."

The raindrops pattered against the eaves outside the window, their crisp sound reaching Zabuza's ears.

Through the window, Zabuza's gaze seemed unfocused, and the Mist Shinobi seemed to reveal an indescribable aura in Zabuza's eyes.

The rain splashing outside the window fell on the smooth, mirror-like Kubikiribōchō, reflecting Zabuza Momochi's face, whose expression was completely obscured.

Zabuza tightened the bandages on his hands, Zabuza opened the door, and faced the rain. His eyes suddenly changed, no longer showing any confusion, but only a firmness as solid as a rock.

"I will end all of this..."

Looking at the Water Shadow Building in the distance, a rare smile appeared on his face, but it carried a hint of determination.

Even if it means sacrificing one's life...

There was no better opportunity than now. Almost Mist Shinobi had been mobilized, leaving only a handful of Anbu squads in the entire Water Shadow Building.

A sudden clap of thunder shook the sky, Zabuza flashed into the pouring rain.

"Has it started...?"

On the edge of Kirigakure, Kato Osamu, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed in the attic, suddenly opened his eyes.

With a clenched fist, the blue orbs of light hidden throughout the Mist Shinobi places quietly returned, and the spiritual light gently touched Kato Osamu's body and merged into them.

Kato Osamu slowly stood up, and specks of fluorescent light quickly dispersed from his body, disappearing back into the rain and mist.

After his soul control improved further, the Soul Firefly Technique became as easy as using his own arm, greatly enhancing its stealth capabilities and even giving it a more lifelike agility.

"Akihamaru..."

"Zabuza's operation... has begun..."

He lightly tapped his forehead, and his thoughts instantly traveled to Akihamaru's mind.

Thanks to contact with the Yamanaka Clan, the Soul Seed underwent another evolution, making instant communication possible.

Listening to the sound of rain falling outside the window, he gently opened the window, and a gust of wind rushed in, blowing his hair all over the place.

Breathing in the fresh air, a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"Fog, wind, and rain—it's such a beautiful day..."

In the Terumi Family, Terumi Yu sat upright in the council chamber, with Mei Terumi sitting beside him. They remained silent, but the air was thick with tension, as if they were waiting for some news.

Over the Terumi Yu has been pondering this carefully. He has gradually come to understand Karatachi Yagura's purpose: he is waiting for an excuse, an excuse that no one can refute.

Using oneself as bait, anyone who can't resist greed can get what they want. Of course, the prerequisite is survival...

If victorious, they can use the pretext of a military coup to suppress the offending clan, completely shattering their powerful position. They can then use this as an excuse to reorganize Mist Shinobi, and no Mist Shinobi will raise any objections to such a matter.

If we are defeated, we will die and our clan will be wiped out, so there is naturally no need to think about anything else.

A battle where everything is at stake...

However, while Karatachi Yagura from humble beginnings to power, was willing to gamble everything, how could his family, with its countless generations of heritage, possibly gamble as well?

"The Hōzuki Clan... what a fool they are!"

The day after Terumi Yu returned from the Water Shadow Building, he activated almost all of the Terumi House's intelligence personnel. The Taketori Kawa Taketori Family kept their doors tightly shut, presumably intending to stay out of the situation and remain unchanged in the face of any eventuality.

On the contrary, the Hōzuki Clan seemed to be preparing for something. Hozuki Mangetsu, who was supposed to be the leader of the younger generation of the Hōzuki Clan and set off for the Mist Shinobi battlefield, was left behind in the family...

Terumi Yu couldn't help but think in a certain direction.

"Whoosh..."

A figure suddenly appeared outside the council hall door, hurriedly knocked, and stepped inside.

"Someone has made a move..."

"The rain and fog are too heavy, making it difficult for intelligence personnel to get too close and determine their identities..."

Upon receiving the intelligence, Ao rushed back immediately. With just one sentence, anger flared in Terumi Yu's eyes. The Hōzuki Clan had actually taken action, without even informing the Terumi Family of anything.

How dare they!

The three major families have always been closely allied and fought side by side. Why would they tell the Mizukage that they know nothing about the Terumi Family?

Thinking of this Terumi Yu his hand on the table, his tone carrying a hint of iron-fisted resolve.

"Immediately gather the clan's remaining ninja and proceed to the Water Shadow Building to protect the Fourth Hokage..."

"If you encounter the following insubordination..."

At this point, Terumi Yu paused, as if thinking of something, before continuing sternly.

"Kill without mercy!"

With a solemn expression, Qing nodded and immediately leaped out of the council hall, disappearing into the rain and mist. Terumi Yu frowned, looking at Mei Terumi who seemed hesitant to speak, his tone softening and his voice lowering.

"Xiao Ming, you will personally lead the team there..."

"Only..."

"If things change, remember to adapt to the situation..."

A hint of surprise flashed in Mei Terumi's eyes, but she nodded slightly. Who knows if a family with a history spanning countless years might have some trump cards to turn the tide?

What if the Kirigakure really does change hands...?

"But no matter what, the first priority is to save your own life..."

As he was about to leave, Terumi Yu's eyes held a complex expression. Dressed in military uniform Mei Terumi looked dashing. She slowly nodded, turned, and stepped into the rain and mist.

"Lord Madara..."

"The show is about to begin..."

From a high vantage point far from Kirigakure, Zetsu slowly walked forward.

Looking at Madara Uchiha, who was soaked by the rain and mist, he smiled sinisterly and followed Madara's gaze to Kirigakure, which appeared calm and unaffected.

"Where 'Obito Uchiha...?"

Madara's voice was hoarse, and his aged face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes still held a hint of disdain as he looked at Kirigakure.

"Falling into a deep sleep..."

He will wake up at the most opportune time...

As if he hadn't emerged from underground for a long time, Ban slowly closed his eyes, standing motionless atop the mountain, seemingly savoring the wind, rain, fog, and the fresh breath of nature.

Perhaps it is the twilight of a hero, but the attachment to life is a fundamental instinct of every living being.

"The Kato Clan brat, huh? I'd like to meet him..."

"After everything is over..."

"Oh? Lord Madara is starting to think this is a good plan?"

"A seemingly insignificant move..."

"However, this brat seems to have already touched upon some forbidden power..."

"Although pitifully weak..."

A ball of pitch-black energy appeared in Ban's hand. However, this black, almost tangible energy gradually began to fade and dissipate after it appeared, as the black mist gradually merged into nature, revealing what it contained.

A faint blue ball of light danced up and down like a Fire Fly, seemingly unable to find any direction as it darted about aimlessly.

"This is..."

"The aura of Yin–Yang Release..."

Jue's voice paused, becoming noticeably colder. Although he was a creation of Yin–Yang Release, his abilities had not yet reached the level required to utilize Yin–Yang Release.

However, he sensed this shared aura the moment it appeared.

Having lived for a thousand years, he had seen countless geniuses. He originally thought this kid was just one of them, someone he could casually play and barely qualify as a small pawn. He never expected that he had misjudged him.

Without uttering a word, Zetsu silently increased his surveillance level on Kato Osamu.

"There's a trace of Yin–Yang Release in his Chakra, though it's almost imperceptible, but he must have been exposed to Yin–Yang Release power..."

"Only the ultimate Yang Release Chakra and the ultimate Yin Release Chakra can give birth to the power of Yin–Yang Release..."

"I never imagined Konoha would be hiding such a genius..."

Zetsu's gaze drifted towards the outskirts of Kirigakure, where Kato Osamu's two-story pavilion stood. He narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

Although he has lived for a thousand years, his own power is ultimately weak.

"A genius... Konoha really is a place that produces geniuses..."

"Hmph, that idiot Hashirama..."