The instant that voice faded into the mist, three figures in deep blue stepped out of the alley entrance, one after another.
They were no ordinary Anbu. Their waist badges bore cuttlefish-bone patterns, and tiny letters embroidered on their cuffs read "Village Government Supervisory Corps."
These were the old veterans who had truly held the blades during the Fourth Mizukage's reign. They did not bear the Mizukage's title, but their power was no less than his.
Their leader was a balding old man with a dry, rasping voice.
"Lu Zeming of the Flower Capital, do you intend to make an enemy of Kirigakure?"
Lu Zeming shrugged, his face a picture of innocence. "I'm just here on vacation. I happened to rescue a few poor souls along the way."
"Those so-called poor souls of yours are condemned prisoners of our Land of Water. You are interfering in our internal affairs. Aren't you afraid we'll convene a Five Kage Summit and launch a punitive campaign against you?"
Lu Zeming laughed. "A Five Kage Summit? Why don't you go back and ask that baby-faced fellow of yours whether he dares attend?"
Lu Zeming was certain Karatachi Yagura would not dare go. Plenty of capable people would attend a Five Kage Summit, and someone might well see through the fact that Karatachi Yagura was being controlled.
The bald old man, Genji, was puzzled. He had no idea why Lu Zeming would say that, but he did not dwell on it.
"We know you're strong, but Kirigakure is no place for you to run wild. Attack!"
Genji raised a hand. Dozens of Anbu instantly emerged from the mist, unleashing kunai, senbon, Water Dragon Bullets, and blades of mist in unison, all but sealing off the entire space.
Haku instinctively stepped half a pace forward and