Under the moonlight, "Zou Hyuga" stood quietly on the sea, gazing at the distant sky.
His Byakugan vision pierced the dark clouds and spotted Fū and Toneri hiding there.
"A new Otsutsuki has actually appeared in the Shinobi World?"
Zou Hyuga murmured to himself, a trace of confusion in his eyes. Then his brow furrowed, and he plunged straight into the depths of the sea.
With that, both sides involved in the great battle vanished, leaving only the destroyed island and the wreckage of the warships.
Only several hours later did ninja arrive to investigate the disturbance. Horrified, they reported their findings to their shinobi villages.
At the border of the Land of Water.
Kisame, newly promoted to ANBU Commander, was leading his subordinates on patrol around the coastal islands, guarding against an Akatsuki infiltration.
Although Akatsuki had lost interest in Kirigakure after taking the Three-Tails and Six-Tails, Kirigakure had never abandoned its plans for revenge against the organization.
Those plans had merely been put on hold during the recent power vacuum, until Genji took up the position of leader again.
Now, after receiving the demands of the Five Kage Summit, a new call had arisen within the village.
Whoever killed an Akatsuki member would be nominated as a Mizukage candidate and have a chance to become Mizukage.
Kisame had no particular desire to become Mizukage. He only wanted to fulfill his duties as ANBU Commander and await his next order from Zou Hyuga.
"Lord Kisame, there seem to be ninja from another country out on the sea."
A Kirigakure ANBU appeared before Kisame, trust in his eyes as he reported the results of their reconnaissance.
The nearby ANBU also turned to Kisame.
After returning to Kirigakure as ANBU Commander, Kisame, who had already been one of their members,