Things had been fine back when his old comrade Takei Sōchin was still alive.
Karatachi Yagura had only needed to hide behind Takei Sōchin, gather his power, and unleash his ninjutsu.
But things were completely different now. Orochimaru had sliced Takei Sōchin up two years ago.
As a mage without a tank protecting the front line, how was he supposed to fight so many assassins?
The major clans in the village all knew perfectly well that just three Elite Jonin would be enough to kill Karatachi Yagura.
But if Karatachi Yagura became the Three-Tails' jinchūriki, that would change everything.
Every ninja in the village who knew sealing jutsu was currently serving in the Sealing Squad under Karatachi Yagura's control.
Without interference from top-tier fighters or sealing jutsu, sheer numbers alone could not defeat a tailed beast.
Isobu, the Three-Tails, was also relatively docile among the tailed beasts. Kirigakure had always raised him, so even if he were sealed into a jinchūriki, he would not resist his host the way other tailed beasts did.
As long as Karatachi Yagura could fully control Isobu, all the clans in the village combined would be no match for him.
For Karatachi Yagura, this was his last chance.
If he succeeded, everything in the village would still belong to him.
If he failed, he would be dead and would no longer need to worry about any of it.
Before long, Karatachi Yagura reached a clearing on the other side of the lake. All around it, strange symbols had been inscribed on the ground.
The Anbu Ninja who had disappeared earlier approached him. "Lord Mizukage, the Sealing Squad is ready."
The sealing jutsu Kirigakure possessed were spoils taken after their victory in the war against the Land of Whirlpools years ago.
In terms of quality, they