outside world
"What great luck! We've managed to form a contract with such powerful summoning beasts as the Three Snake Princesses. Now we can go back and officially prepare to annex Konoha."
Didaze wasn't angry at being driven out by the White Snake Sage; instead, he chuckled and said...
"I really didn't expect the White Snake Sage to be willing to let you form a contract with the Three Snake Princesses."
The Six-Tails looked at Didaze in surprise.
"I'm not surprised that the White Snake Sage would do something like this; it's obvious she's trying to win me over."
Didaze stood up and said.
"Alright, let's go!"
After saying that, Didaze didn't waste any more words. Instead, he sculpted Clay Giant Bird and took to the air.
"It's time to go back and begin the war to destroy Konoha."
Didaze clenched his fist.
With Sage Mode and Wood Release combined, even with Didaze's weakest physique, he could defeat Tsunade.
He might not be quite as physically imposing as the Third Raikage, but he's not far off from Tsunade.
"Let's go!"
Didaze took to the air.
Land of Fire Border
Kirigakure Garrison
The Third Mizukage's consciousness finally broke free of the seal.
"Who is it?!"
The Third Mizukage felt his body being emptied and exploited, and an angry expression appeared on his face.
"Lord Mizukage... you..."
Yagura, seeing the Third Mizukage's eyes suddenly clear, knew that he had returned to normal.
" Yagura, how's the battle going these past few days?"
The Third Mizukage took a deep breath, then coldly asked.
Yagura briefly recounted what had happened in the past few days.
"So, we've already lost?"
The Third Mizukage's face showed a look of resentment.
"Well... it's not a complete defeat. We brought back quite a bit of loot from Konoha, equivalent to five years' worth of our military expenses."
Yagura said in a low voice.
"That's alright..."
" Yagura, get ready. I'm about to pass on the position of the Fourth Mizukage to you."
The Third Mizukage said something to Yagura that shocked Yagura.
"I... I'm going to become the Mizukage now? Mizukage- sama, you're alright now, I..."
Yagura was somewhat at a loss.
"I was forced into battle under someone's control, and I've suffered severe internal injuries. I can no longer fight at this high intensity."
The Third Mizukage sighed.
If he had another choice, he would never have given up the position of Mizukage to Yagura.
But now he really has no other choice. If he doesn't hand over the Mizukage Mizukage Yagura, his health is deteriorating day by day, and he simply won't be able to hold onto it.
It would be better to pass it on while it still has prestige, so that we can also do Yagura a favor.
Who exactly is that mysterious person?
Yagura frowned as well.
"He exuded an evil black aura. In the short time it took me to form a hand seal, he unleashed a triple illusion Genjutsu and dozens of Sealing Jutsu upon me."
The Third Mizukage sighed.
This level of strength was far beyond his reach, but he couldn't understand why the other party was controlling him instead of him taking action.
With this guy's strength, surely I can take action myself?
Moreover, it seems the other side didn't do anything special; they just declared they would kill the daimyo of the Land of Fire, but before they could do so, they were driven away by Nawaki, who arrived at the scene.
"Etc!"
The Third Mizukage seemed to have suddenly realized something.
"This guy's target wasn't the Land of Fire Daimyo from the start; his target was that Wood Release kid!"
The Third Mizukage exclaimed in surprise.
"What?"
Yagura couldn't understand the Third Mizukage's thought process at all; why would the opponent's target be that Wood Release kid?
"Think about it carefully. He chose to control me, and he only Water Release! Although Water Release is my strongest technique, it doesn't mean I can't use other Ninjutsu!"
"And in the final battle against that Wood Release kid, the person behind it all used only Water Release techniques, as if they wanted me to lose quickly!"
After the Third Mizukage opened his mind, his logic became much clearer.
"You mean... he deliberately used you as bait to lure that Wood Release kid? So you could retreat once he arrived?"
Yagura said in a deep voice.
If what the Third Mizukage said is true, then what exactly does the other party want to do?
Is he going to turn that Wood Release kid into a puppet?
" Yagura, this Fourth Shinobi World War is too complicated. I'm preparing to withdraw and return to the village."
The Third Mizukage is now filled with fear.
"I will obey Lord Mizukage's orders!"
Yagura bowed slightly.
"Very good, once we return to the village, you will immediately succeed as the Fourth Mizukage!"
The Third Mizukage patted Yagura on the shoulder.
"Yes!"
Land of Fire
Konoha Garrison
"What's that kid Nawaki doing?"
Orochimaru frowned.
Nawaki told him a few days ago that he was going to train, but even if he's training, surely he shouldn't be completely out of touch for several days in a row?
Orochimaru wasn't worried about Nawaki's safety, since Nawaki's strength was now greater than his own, and the life force granted by Wood Release made killing Nawaki dream.
After all, the only Shimura Danzō here who seems to have a grudge against Nawaki is Shimura Danzō. What makes Shimura Danzo capable of killing Nawaki? Is it because he and Hiruzen Sarutobi have a homosexual relationship?
Yes, the news of Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi's homosexuality has spread.
This was personally ordered by the daimyo.
After all, Shimura Danzō stood by and watched as Kirigakure massacred nobles without doing anything, and the daimyo had long Shimura Danzō a deep-seated hatred for him.
Although the problem was eventually resolved, the daimyo believed it was thanks to Nawaki and had nothing to do with Shimura Danzō!
With the daimyo's encouragement, the ambiguous relationship between Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi became common knowledge in the Land of Fire.
As for why Hiruzen Sarutobi was also brought along?
That's because the daimyo also disliked Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Let's go see the Nawaki.
Orochimaru has recently acquired over a hundred more Kirigakure ninjas as experimental subjects for the Impure World Reincarnation, so he has been busy experimenting with Impure World Reincarnation in the laboratory these past few days.
After hundreds of failures, Orochimaru felt he had finally found a little bit of the knack.
If he's given a little more time, he'll definitely be able to successfully Impure World Reincarnation!
" Nawaki!"
Before they knew it, Orochimaru had arrived at Nawaki's tent.
Orochimaru called out into the tent.
There was no response.
" Nawaki, it's me!"
Orochimaru called out into the tent again, but there was still no response.
Orochimaru frowned.
Orochimaru then simply pushed open the tent.
"How could this be...?"
Orochimaru stared blankly at the empty tent, completely bewildered.
It's impossible for Nawaki to go out without saying hello, which means...
There's a good chance something bad has happened to Nawaki!