Under the firm command of Mei Terumī, dozens of elite Hidden Mist shinobi—who had been secretly preparing for hours—suddenly flickered into motion, their bodies turning into streaks of light as they rushed toward the Mizukage Building.
---
Orochimaru's Side
At the same time, a chilling crack echoed through a narrow street.
Orochimaru withdrew his hand from the crushed throat of a bounty-nin and turned to the remaining group with a strange, serpentine smile.
"So… the Lightning Blade," he hissed, his golden eyes narrowing at Raiga Kurosuki. "I didn't expect one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to be among you."
Raiga's face darkened as he glanced at the dozen fallen bounty hunters. Without another word, he leapt into the distance.
Their mission had been to track Orochimaru and observe—not fight. Unfortunately, Orochimaru had sensed them long before they could retreat, killing nearly all of them with terrifying ease.
Just as Raiga vanished into the mist, Orochimaru licked his lips thoughtfully.
Who sent them?
Raiga had defected from Hidden Mist long ago—so the Village couldn't be behind this.
Unable to determine the truth, Orochimaru eventually left the ruined civilian home with White Zetsu, slipping into a new hiding location deeper within the waterways of the Land of Water.
---
Battle at the Mizukage Building
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions rang out as Sora was brutally slammed backward by the Fourth Mizukage—who had fully entered his Tailed Beast Transformation. Sora's body crashed through a storefront, rubble collapsing around him.
Coughing blood, Sora staggered to his feet.
"How did he break free from the control? What the hell did that guy do?!"
If not for his Shikotsumyaku protecting his bones, the blow would have left him far worse than bloodied.
Using a lattice of icy mirrors, Kanryū evaded another barrage of attacks and shouted, "Complain later—block him now!"
But their combined efforts were barely enough.
The transformed Fourth Mizukage's skin was tough as steel, making Kanryū's Ice Release nearly useless.
Benimaru, wielding the Red Eye technique, was also helpless. Most genjutsu failed completely against a Jinchūriki in partial Tailed-Beast Mode.
Only Kisame could somewhat hold his own.
"Hey!" Benimaru yelled toward Zabuza, who was hesitating behind them. "If we're done for, you're next!"
Zabuza swallowed hard. He had fully expected to be the star of this night's coup… until he saw the Fourth Mizukage's overwhelming power.
Knowing he had no choice, he took a long breath and charged.
Together, the four blocked the rampaging Mizukage, creating a single opening for Kisame.
Kisame leapt high, bringing down Samehada in a vicious arc—
Only for the sword to suddenly bristle with thorns.
"GAH!"
Kisame's palm was punctured, forcing him to release the blade.
Freed from his grip, Samehada wriggled like a living creature, shedding its bandages and crawling directly toward the Fourth Mizukage. Once at his feet, it clung to him—as if showing devotion to a new master.
The Mizukage grasped Samehada firmly and glared coldly at the group.
"You all deserve to die."
Benimaru's expression shifted.
"No good—reinforcements are coming from every direction!"
Kisame clenched his teeth. Watching his beloved Samehada in the Mizukage's hands was torture—but staying meant certain death.
"Retreat!" he barked.
The others needed no convincing.
The moment they saw the approaching wave of Mist shinobi, they used Body Flicker Techniques to escape into the dark.
Zabuza, pale and shaken, grabbed a few trusted subordinates and fled in another direction.
Ignoring Zabuza entirely, the Fourth Mizukage chased after Kisame and the others—only to eventually lose them in the thick fog and treacherous terrain.
Returning to the village, he bitterly regretted not seeking Neji's help earlier.
---
Hidden Mist Crisis Stabilizes
Hidden Mist was descending into chaos. Rooting out traitors was important, but stopping the uprising came first.
After regrouping with Genshi, the Fourth Mizukage launched an immediate operation. Together, they crushed Zabuza's remaining subordinates and quelled opportunistic rebels throughout the village.
Two hours later, the entire village was back under control.
As dawn pierced the heavy fog, sunlight finally illuminated the oppressive streets, breathing life back into the battered village.
A high-level meeting was quickly called at the Mizukage Building—and Neji was invited as an honored guest.
Inside, the Fourth Mizukage addressed the leaders directly.
"I was manipulated by a masked man using a powerful genjutsu. Without help from the Hidden Cloud visitors, I would never have broken free."
The room erupted in outrage—shouts, curses, fists slamming on tables.
Genshi raised a hand, calming the group.
Then he turned to the Mizukage. "Permit Ao to examine your body."
Hesitating only for a moment, the Fourth Mizukage glanced at Neji—who offered a small, reassuring nod.
The Mizukage agreed.
Ao activated his Byakugan and examined the Mizukage's body carefully.
He found no foreign chakra in the brain or chest.
But on the abdomen—a newly carved, unfamiliar sealing pattern had been embedded.
Ao frowned. "Mizukage-sama… this carving on your core—?"
"It is a sealing reinforcement technique for my Jinchūriki status," the Mizukage replied coldly. "With your vision, you can confirm that it isn't genjutsu."
Ao nodded and declared publicly, "Mizukage-sama's condition is normal. No signs of manipulation remain."
Relief washed through the room.
Still, Genshi spoke heavily:
"Hidden Mist has shed too much blood over the years. Even if it wasn't your intention, the village deserves an explanation."
"Yagura cannot escape responsibility for what has happened."
The Fourth Mizukage bowed deeply.
"Once a suitable successor is chosen, I will step down."
This stunned many, but it reassured others.
Only Neji noticed the hidden layers—the carving on the Mizukage's abdomen was none other than Uchiha Hikari's Eight Thousand Spears seal.
Even while aware of being controlled, the Mizukage chose to abdicate and reduce Hidden Cloud's influence, subtly resisting in his own way.
Neji didn't care.
He already controlled the true power of Hidden Mist:
– The Six-Tails Jinchūriki was in his hands.
– The Three-Tails Jinchūriki was under Hikari's control.
– The village itself was within his grasp.
Mist was already a dish on the table.
---
Alliance Negotiations
Neji finally spoke.
"In that case, regarding Hidden Mist's military action against Hidden Cloud—"
The Mizukage cut him off immediately.
"Neji-kun, your village has always been our most trusted ally. Since a villain manipulated me into attacking Cloud, there is no better time to correct that mistake. From today onward, Hidden Mist is prepared to form an alliance with Hidden Cloud."
Neji nodded calmly.
"Our forces on the Western Front and at the Land of Hot Water are slowly withdrawing. However, we have intel confirming that the Hidden Sand Village has sent troops north to invade the Land of Lightning. We require your village's support."
An hour later, the meeting adjourned.
Outside, Mei Terumī emerged with a complicated expression.
Genshi approached her. "Mei, what did the Mizukage say?"
"He wants me to lead the force supporting Hidden Cloud," Mei replied. "And if I succeed… he will step down, allowing me to become the Fifth Mizukage."
Ao's face lit up with joy.
Genshi, however, frowned.
"Supporting Hidden Cloud won't be easy. The situation is dangerous."
Mei nodded.
"With Hidden Sand joining the war, Konoha is under pressure from three sides. But this is my chance."
Both she and Genshi knew the Mizukage should logically lead the mission.
Assigning it to Mei was a test—one she could not refuse.
She had dreamed of becoming Mizukage and changing the village. This was her only path.
Genshi finally relented. "You have my full support. What do you need?"
Mei's expression hardened.
"Release Zabuza. I'll need him."
Genshi hesitated. "Zabuza is a rogue. He holds deep resentment toward the village."
"If I can't even handle Zabuza," Mei replied resolutely, "how can I convince anyone I'm fit for the Mizukage title?"
Genshi smiled faintly.
"Then let's go meet the Demon himself."
---
Neji's Secret Orders
Meanwhile, Neji returned to the Hidden Mist inn with Hikari and the others.
Soon after, he received intelligence from Raiga Kurosuki.
"Orochimaru is extremely cautious."
Neji narrowed his eyes while reading the scroll.
After brief consideration, he instructed Raiga to formally request a meeting with Orochimaru—using the authority of Cloud Star.
---
Akatsuki Retreats
On a remote, unnamed island in the Land of Water, Kisame, Benimaru, Sora, and Kanryū finally recovered from their injuries.
Kanryū spat angrily.
"Damn it… that masked bastard tricked us!"
They had joined Akatsuki expecting protection and a new future—only to be beaten half to death by the rampaging Mizukage.
Even Kisame looked gloomy, clutching his bandaged palm.
Still, he sighed.
"With the Mizukage free, a purge was unavoidable. The fact we're still alive is already lucky."
Just then—
Rustle—
A figure in a black cloak with red clouds stumbled out of the bushes.
He wore a mask similar to Obito's… but his movements were goofy and playful.
"Heeey! I'm Tobi! I was sent to guide you!"
Benimaru activated his Red Eye.
His pupils shrank sharply—this thing had no flesh or blood, yet radiated a strange life force.
Sora furiously barked, "How did the Mizukage break free from the control? And where were you?!"
"Aiyooo, long story~" Tobi chirped. "Let's head back to the base first. I'll explain on the way."
---
Obito's Return
Elsewhere, space twisted silently—Obito emerged, alive.
Just as Neji predicted, he had used Izanagi at the last moment, sacrificing his left Sharingan's remaining power to escape the Amaterasu flames and the Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
He delayed his revival until Neji left the chamber, buying time.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu stared at him in shock.
White Zetsu snickered. "Obito, your hair is a mess!"
Obito didn't react.
His mind was drowning in the Tsukuyomi illusions he experienced.
He clenched his fists.
To manipulate Nagato, Madara killed Yahiko.
To manipulate him, Madara orchestrated Rin's death.
It was the same pattern.
But Obito's mind—already fractured—twisted the meaning entirely.
Instead of blaming Madara, he blamed the world.
"This fake world," he muttered, trembling, "is what killed Rin."
"People cry… people betray… conflict never ends. Even if I revive Rin, tragedy will repeat."
His eyes burned with madness.
Black Zetsu finally asked, "Obito… what happened?"
Obito removed his mask.
His face was feral, twisted with rage and grief.
His remaining Sharingan was pale—drained of all power.
White Zetsu stiffened.
"You actually used Izanagi? Who in this world could possibly force you to do that?"
Obito's answer was cold, trembling with hatred.
"It was the Cloud Star… from the Hidden Cloud Village."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)