After Obito left, the Wood Formation Wall he had left behind proved fragile and was soon completely eaten away by Lava Release.
Even so, Mei Terumi did not dare let her guard down. As she ordered her subordinates to investigate the scene, she scanned her surroundings, wary of the Masked Man's possible return.
The Masked Man was no ordinary ninja, but a powerful shinobi who commanded Space-Time Ninjutsu and Susanoo.
No amount of caution was excessive.
Soon, a boy wearing black-frame glasses appeared before Mei Terumi, his face filled with uncertainty.
Mei Terumi glanced at the boy and asked with a frown, "Chōjūrō, have you found Lord Genji?"
Chōjūrō shook his head. "There's no trace of Lord Genji. His whereabouts are unknown..."
"Unknown?" Mei Terumi's face darkened with anger. "Ao is still unconscious, and Lord Genji is missing. It looks like the Masked Man intends to bring Kirigakure down completely this time."
Genji was an elder of Kirigakure whose authority exceeded that of the advisers in other shinobi villages. He could even appoint the Mizukage directly.
That was also why Kirigakure had continued to function after Obito Uchiha took control of the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
After a moment's thought, Mei Terumi instructed the Kirigakure forces behind her, "Split into squads. Search the village for Genji and protect the villagers."
"Yes!" The elder's ninja scattered, disappearing beyond the small courtyard.
Once the elder's ninja had left, Mei Terumi stepped forward to inspect the dead guards herself. There had been ANBU elites among them, but all had been killed with a single blow, without even a chance to fight back.
At the sight, Mei Terumi sighed softly, a few more creases appearing on her face.
The emergence of the Akatsuki had completely changed the situation. Ninja with the strength of the