Can you represent Kirigakure?
Because the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, did not actively manage the village's affairs, power struggles among Kirigakure's jōnin intensified. This led to the persecution of Bloodline Limit clans and Kirigakure's ultimate loss in its conflict with Sunagakure.
After a moment of contemplation, Hōzuki Mangetsu listed several crimes against the Fourth Mizukage.
"If the Fourth Mizukage's orders hadn't been so absurd, Zabuza and I wouldn't have even considered assassinating him. The risks were too high. Even if we succeeded, we had no guarantee of becoming the next Mizukage—whoever took power next might fear us just as much."
Hearing these accusations, Naruto smirked slightly. "From what you're saying, the Fourth Mizukage sounds like a tyrant deserving of punishment. But I'm curious—what would he gain from doing this?"
After a brief pause, Naruto continued, "Think about it. The Mizukage is already the supreme ruler of Kirigakure. The village is his to control. Why would he go out of his way to eradicate the Bloodline Limit clans?"
"Even if we assume they were a threat to his rule, wouldn't it make more sense for him to personally lead the purges? Instead, he hid in the shadows, rarely showing his face. That doesn't add up."
"You're right. That doesn't make sense."
Naruto's words left Mangetsu silent.
For the longest time, he had believed Yagura acted out of paranoia, fearing that the Bloodline Limit clans would challenge his authority. But putting himself in Yagura's position, he couldn't find a logical reason for such drastic orders.
Naruto glanced at the silent Mangetsu and Zabuza before speaking again.
"By the way, your Fourth Mizukage wasn't always like this, was he?"
Under Naruto's subtle guidance, both Mangetsu and Zabuza sank into thought. They realized they couldn't pinpoint when Yagura had changed.
Seven or eight years ago, they were still genin, too low-ranked to interact with the Mizukage directly. However, they remembered glimpses of that time.
Back then, Kirigakure was at war with Sunagakure. Yagura, both Mizukage and Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, had used his overwhelming strength to crush opposition within the village. He had even put an end to the infamous Bloody Mist graduation ritual with sheer force.
And yet, within months, he abruptly reversed course. He ordered the purge of Bloodline Limit clans and reinstated elements of the Bloody Mist era, plunging the village into renewed turmoil.
What had caused such a drastic shift?
While Zabuza and Mangetsu struggled for answers, Uchiha Shisui, who had been listening quietly, seemed to realize something. His expression changed.
A major personal blow could change a man's personality and goals, but there was another possibility—one far more sinister.
Someone had used genjutsu to control Yagura.
Shisui's own Mangekyō Sharingan could achieve this with Kotoamatsukami. Other Mangekyō abilities should be capable of something similar.
The answer was clear. Yagura had likely been manipulated through Sharingan genjutsu. And the culprit was most likely the masked man responsible for the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha.
Shisui turned to Naruto, realizing that he had likely figured this out long before.
"So… Yagura's drastic change in behavior—could it be because he was no longer acting of his own free will? Was he merely a puppet?"
Sensing that the conversation had reached a climax, Naruto voiced what was already on Mangetsu and Zabuza's minds.
Their expressions grew grim. If Yagura had truly been under illusionary control, his actions made sense.
But Yagura wasn't an ordinary ninja. He was both an exceptionally skilled Water Release user and the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Normally, a Jinchūriki's tailed beast could break them free from genjutsu. The only way to completely control Yagura was if the perpetrator possessed strength far beyond his.
If this was true, then their plan to assassinate the Mizukage was pointless.
Even if they succeeded, nothing would change. As long as the mastermind behind the scenes remained alive, Yagura's replacement would be another puppet.
Realizing this, Zabuza felt a wave of despair.
Mangetsu, however, remained unfazed. He turned to Naruto with a sharp gaze. The fact that Naruto was sharing this information meant that he and Zabuza still had value.
"Are you telling us this so we spread the truth about Yagura's manipulation?" Mangetsu asked.
"If that was my only goal, Uzushiogakure could handle it," Naruto replied. "What do you think I want? The collapse of Kirigakure so I can seize control of the Land of Water?"
Mangetsu frowned. "Isn't that your aim?"
Naruto chuckled. "The Land of Water is too barren for my taste. I'm telling you this simply because I find it interesting. Besides, your village's higher-ups should already suspect the truth."
At this, Mangetsu fell silent.
He knew exactly who Naruto was referring to—Elder Genji (Master Genji), one of Kirigakure's founding figures. Though he had stepped back from direct governance, his influence within the village remained immense.
Previously, Mangetsu had assumed that Genji was simply too old and powerless to oppose Yagura's rule.
But now, it seemed likely that Genji had been aware of the genjutsu manipulation all along. He had simply been biding his time, gathering his strength to strike back.
Mangetsu's eyes narrowed as realization dawned. "The one controlling Yagura… is your enemy, isn't he? So you're trying to use Kirigakure as a weapon to eliminate him. Quite the strategist."
Naruto shrugged. "It's just basic tactics—pitting one beast against another. But Kirigakure has no choice. Sooner or later, you'll have to confront the masked man."
"But if you can't defeat him alone, Uzushiogakure might be willing to help… for a price. A price Kirigakure may not be willing to pay."
Mangetsu looked intrigued. "What price are we talking about?"
Naruto met his gaze and said calmly, "I can speak for Uzushiogakure. Can you speak for Kirigakure? When the time comes, I'm sure Kirigakure will name its own price."
Mangetsu fell silent.
He wasn't in a position to negotiate on behalf of Kirigakure. And Naruto's strength, intelligence, and presence were proof that he was no ordinary ninja—he was someone capable of leading an entire village.
But the mention of the masked man raised another question.
Could the one controlling Yagura be the very same masked man who had attacked Konoha with the Nine-Tails?
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