Unlike Iwagakure's defensive fallback, the situation in Kirigakure was instead filled with madness.
The five remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen also joined the battle.
What they did not know was that, at the same time, Kirigakure itself had fallen into a state of anxiety over the disappearance of its Mizukage.
"Suisei! Where on earth did the Mizukage-sama go?"
"As the Mizukage-sama's bodyguard, how could you make such a grave mistake?"
Several Mizukage advisors were lashing out furiously at Anbu Suisei.
Even Suisei, despite being from the Anbu, now had a dark expression on his face.
He had been the first to discover the disappearance of the Third Mizukage.
"Enough, don't make things harder for him. If the Third Mizukage's strength really was overcome, then even if Suisei knew, what could he possibly do?"
"What matters now is that we immediately choose a new Mizukage to lead the village and continue the war."
Another advisor spoke up with a different opinion. After all, this was wartime—if the village was left headless, it would be troublesome.
"As for this matter, I also have my own view."
"Yagura Karatachi, his strength is decent, his mind steady, and most importantly, he was originally named by the Third Mizukage as his successor."
"Since the Mizukage-sama has vanished, why not let him take the position of Mizukage temporarily?"
"Yagura Karatachi, come out."
The instant the advisor's words fell, a figure appeared in the conference room.
He had green hair, purple eyes, a scar under his left eye shaped like a stitch mark, and wielded a club-like weapon with a hooked tip decorated with green blossoms.
"Greetings, esteemed advisors."
Yagura Karatachi looked calmly at everyone before him, radiating an air of confidence.
"Fine, I agree with this proposal. The current situation demands someone to step forward."
"Yagura Karatachi, we will arrange for you to assume the seat of Mizukage, but only temporarily. If the Third Mizukage returns, you must relinquish it. Do you understand?"
The Bloody Mist had been ushered in by the Third Mizukage. These advisors were his supporters. Though they backed Yagura Karatachi's rise, in their hearts they still wished for the Third Mizukage to return.
"I understand. Our forces have already suppressed Konoha on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water. For now, I'll steady the people within the village."
"Good. As long as you understand."
...
Land of Hot Water battlefield.
Two figures were being chased.
"Seim, something's off."
"I know, Makito. Stay sharp."
Uchiha Seim and Uchiha Makito, an elite pair from the Uchiha clan, were at this moment being hunted down by Kirigakure's troops.
"Needle-Hair Senbon!"
Suddenly, a torrent of hair like countless needles poured down toward them.
"Tch! Move!"
Uchiha Seim shoved Uchiha Makito aside, but he was still a step too slow—his arm was riddled with senbon.
A pained expression crossed his face.
"Seim! Are you alright?"
Uchiha Makito rushed to his companion's side, hastily plucking all the senbon from his arm.
"I'm fine. Damn it, these Kirigakure ninja are relentless, and…"
Before Uchiha Seim could finish, the two of them were already surrounded.
Five men, each bearing a different massive blade, encircled them. Behind them, more Kirigakure shinobi were gathering.
"Heheheheh, two Uchiha this time—what a fine catch. Last time, those Byakugan eyes gave us plenty of joy."
"Eyes like these… even the higher-ups are delighted by them."
"Damn Konoha. Just seeing that forehead protector reminds me of that brat who could turn transparent."
"If not for him, would I have ended up in such a miserable state? Hmph!"
A cold, killing voice rang out as Jūzō Biwa stepped forward, hefting his massive Executioner's Blade.
"Tch, what's the point of talking to them?"
"Just cut them down and take those eyes!"
An orange-haired, burly figure followed, his body towering with brute strength—Fuguki Suikazan, wielder of the great blade Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Fuguki's right. Catching stray Uchiha is no small prize."
"This will earn us great merit when we bring them back! Hahahahaha!"
Two more appeared—one, masked and thin, wielding a long needle-like blade.
Kushimaru Kuriarare, wielder of the Long Blade: Sewing Needle.
The other was rough and rugged, a one-eyed man with a cloth mask across his face.
Jinpachi Munashi, wielder of the Blast Sword: Shibuki.
"None of you touch them! Leave it to me—I'll split them both clean in half!"
The last one stood holding a giant hammer and axe. Though his appearance bordered on comical, the weapons he carried were very real—Kabutowari, one of the Seven Ninja Blades.
His name: Jinin Akebino.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kirigakure's most elite squad.
Seeing them appear, Uchiha Seim and Uchiha Makito's faces were filled with despair.
But they had also heard Jūzō Biwa's words.
The transparent brat? Wasn't that Gekko Chizan?
Yet now was no time for thought.
"Damn it, Seim, I'll hold them off."
"You find an opening and break through!"
Uchiha Makito drew the long sword on his back, his whole body emanating desperate resolve.
But even before his words finished, everyone around burst out laughing.
As if mocking his foolishness.
"Enough talk. Take them down!"
At Jūzō Biwa's bark, the battle began.
...
No one knew how long it had gone on when suddenly—BOOM!—a violent explosion tore through the air.
A battered figure shot out of the smoke.
"Damn it! Damn it all!!!"
The roar of unwilling fury left his throat, so filled with anguish it made one shiver.
But soon, he collapsed to the ground.
His body was covered in wounds—slashes, burns, and kunai and senbon lodged deep into his flesh.
Though unconscious, his right hand was still clenched tight.
At that moment, the ground trembled lightly and a figure slowly emerged—White Zetsu.
"Tsk tsk, looks like there's no need for the Three-Tails after all."
"Just by playing guide, I've already driven these two to such a state. I really am a genius."
"Madara will definitely praise me! Hehehehehe."
Then he hoisted the unconscious man onto his back and sped away.
A few minutes later, a squad of Kirigakure ninja arrived at the scene.
At their head was Jūzō Biwa—now with an extra wound across his body.
They found bloodstains on the ground, but no bodies. His face twisted with rage.
"Where are they, damn it!"
"We had them! Those bastards! They actually used self-destruction to stop us."
"And they gouged out the eyes! Cursed be!!!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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