At the Mizukage Building.
When the massive force of Mist Ninja marched into the nearby streets, they drew the attention of the ANBU guarding the Mizukage Building.
After the Fourth Mizukage had gone half a year without appearing in public, these ANBU were practically the only ones still loyal to him. The others had, to varying degrees, turned to other senior officials or even the elders.
The greatest number had pledged themselves to Lord Genji.
Whether they served the Mizukage or Lord Genji, they were still serving Kirigakure.
All of this stemmed from the system established by the First Mizukage and Genji when they founded the shinobi village. Back then, Kirigakure lacked the strength to keep the Land of Water's ninja clans in check. Besides the local clans, the Land of Water also housed many clans that had fled the mainland after their defeat.
That was precisely why Kirigakure was practically the most chaotic and divided shinobi village in the Five Great Nations.
Blocking the way into the Mizukage Building, the Kirigakure ANBU Captain recognized Hozuki Mangetsu, glanced at the ninja force behind him, and demanded in a low voice, "Boy from the Hozuki clan, do you realize what you're doing?"
Hozuki Mangetsu gave a wicked smile and licked the twin blades of Hiramekarei. "I know exactly what I'm doing. I just want to see Lord Yagura and ask him to settle this."
The ANBU Captain said, "Lord Fourth is researching ninjutsu and cannot receive you. You should all go back."
The ANBU Captain's explanation stirred up quite a commotion among the Mist Ninja.
Hozuki Mangetsu spread his hands. "Looks like everyone in the village finds your explanation hard to believe. Let me ask you this: as the ANBU Captain, how long has it been since you last saw Lord