In Konoha Year 30, the Hidden Mist Village Genin assessment was about to begin.
Mitsuki Kōmei intended to use the students participating in the assessment as a starting point to ignite conflict within the Hidden Mist Village.
He found Yagura in advance and obtained the student roster and detailed information.
Mitsuki Kōmei unleashed a gust of wind, gathering the scattered students, and then called over Kakuzu and others who had come to help.
"According to the list, pick out the Common People; do not touch any Ninja Family members."
The group worked very quickly; within ten minutes, all the Common People had been selected.
Mitsuki Kōmei looked around and handed the young Ninja lying haphazardly on the ground to Uchiha Kawa.
"Uncle He, you command your subordinates to take the students back. When they wake up, explain the situation clearly and don't let them escape."
Mitsuki Kōmei decided to stay and watch the show.
After leaving the Nightmare Forest, he used a transformation jutsu to change his appearance, blended into the crowd, stood in an inconspicuous corner, and chatted happily with the person next to him.
Mitsuki Kōmei's small eyes darted around, he was waiting for the moment the results would appear.
When the assessment ended and the participants emerged from the Nightmare Forest, he watched the Common People around him, each with an expression of disbelief.
"Wow, all the Ninja Family members passed the assessment, not a single one missing. All the descendants of Common People didn't make it out; every single one died. Is it really that miraculous?"
Mitsuki Kōmei's eyes widened, and he covered his mouth with his hand, letting out a gasp of surprise.
The surrounding Common People shared his confusion.
"Yes, in previous years, most of those who passed the assessment were from Ninja Families, but there were also Common People who passed."
Mitsuki Kōmei pointed at the students in the distance, "Go quickly and ask the Ninja who came out what happened; they must know."
Surrounded by a crowd, bombarded with various questions, the group stammered, unable to explain themselves.
How could these young Ninja know what happened? They just walked through an illusion formation and were then thrown out by Mitsuki Kōmei.
"I've guessed it! It must be that the Ninja Families conspired together and ordered their Family members participating in the assessment to kill all your children! Go quickly and demand justice from the Mizukage!"
Mitsuki Kōmei hid behind the crowd, shouting in a sarcastic tone. After shouting, he moved to another spot to continue watching the show.
With a slight hint and guidance from him, the Common People's minds immediately opened up.
It must be this way. The conflict between the two sides has a long history. Since the Ninja Families couldn't target adults, they chose to target the children.
"Yes, please, Mizukage, uphold justice!"
Mitsuki Kōmei followed behind the crowd, watching them call out to friends and companions all the way to the Mizukage Building, where they cried and wailed, falling to their knees in large numbers.
"Mizukage-sama, you must stand up for us! The Ninja Families are too deceitful, they conspired to cheat in the Genin assessment and specifically killed the children of Common People!"
The Mizukage was startled by the scene before him. He thought a large group of people were about to revolt again, but thankfully, the worst-case scenario did not happen.
Understanding the cause and effect of the situation, the Mizukage couldn't help but sigh, the actions of a few Ninja Families were truly insane.
He was also displeased; the Ninja from Ninja Families didn't obey his commands, and if the Ninja Families continued like this, wouldn't the number of usable Ninja under his command become fewer and fewer?
"Why did you cheat? You conspired to kill all the Common People participating in the assessment. Do you even know what fairness is?"
"Mizukage-sama, you cannot listen to their one-sided story. Do they have any evidence? They are making baseless accusations; we did not conspire at all."
Mitsuki Kōmei watched as the Mizukage's face gradually turned ugly. He slammed the teacup in his hand to the ground, and with a slap, shattered a corner of the table.
"You still want evidence? Not a single member of your Families participating in the assessment died, isn't that enough to explain the problem?" the Mizukage said angrily.
"What's wrong with that? It only shows that our children are strong; it proves nothing."
Mitsuki Kōmei watched as the Mizukage was challenged, pointing a trembling finger at a certain Clan Chief, stammering for a long time without uttering a word. He quietly gave Yagura a look.
Yagura understood, giving an imperceptible nod, then stepped forward and said to the Mizukage.
"Mizukage-sama! Why not hand over the Ninja who passed the assessment to the Torture Department? They are professionals and will surely get a result and give you a satisfactory answer."
"Good, Yagura, you are right. Take them to the Torture Department. Everyone disperse; wait for news from the Torture Department."
Mitsuki Kōmei and Yagura exchanged glances, then turned and left the Hidden Mist Village, finding Kakuzu and the others in the Nightmare Forest.
"Let's go, Guo Er, Lian'er, we're going fishing. If all goes as expected, we'll intercept the Third Mizukage by the sea tonight. Kakuzu, you stay behind and guard against any unexpected situations."
The Torture Department was a group of ruthless madmen. Falling into their hands meant either death or being stripped of a layer of skin.
Taketori Rei invited Yuki no Tatsu Take and several other Clan Chiefs to his home to discuss how to rescue the Family members taken by the Torture Department.
In the underground secret room of the Taketori Clan land, the half-meter thick door slammed shut. In the airtight darkroom, several blood-red candles emitted a faint light.
"Gentlemen, the Mizukage completely disregarded us and took our clansmen to the Torture Department. Now, let's discuss how to rescue them."
"Alas, ever since the Third Mizukage took office, he has continuously targeted the Ninja Families. Our status is worsening day by day. The step the Hozuki elder took in defecting was a good one,"
The Clan Chiefs were heartbroken yet helpless. With inferior strength, they could only swallow their anger. The Mizukage continuously challenged the bottom line of the major Ninja Families, and their bottom line kept dropping, just like their Family dignity, which had been completely trampled underfoot by the Mizukage.
"Without getting rid of the Mizukage, there is no hope of rescuing anyone. In my opinion, let's bring out the Family's hidden power, directly attack the Mizukage Building, and fight the Mizukage to the death!" Yuki no Tatsu Take said fiercely.
Taketori Rei strongly agreed with Yuki no Tatsu Take's suggestion, even sounding a bit impatient.
"Good, an uncle of mine, who inherited the Shikotsumyaku, is nearing the end of his life and can fight one last battle for the Family."
"My Yuki Family also has a clan elder who can use Ice Release."
The major Families gathered their hidden strength, intending to make one last struggle. Either they would rise in resistance, or they would perish in resistance. They had no further retreat.
Late at night, in the quiet of the night, several Clan Chiefs led their people towards the Mizukage Building. Beside them was the Family's strongest force, hidden trump cards: several white-haired, elderly Ninja.
If these trump cards were not used now, they might soon become wooden tablets, placed in the ancestral shrine.
Rushing into the Mizukage Building, the group just happened to encounter Yagura coming downstairs. Yagura slowly raised his hand, and under the tense gaze of the major Families, he straightened his slightly crooked forehead protector.
"You all carry on; I didn't see anything. Keep going!"
Then he walked out of the Mizukage Building and disappeared from their sight.
The group looked at each other, "Ignore him, the plan continues. Our target is the Mizukage; one guard won't affect the overall situation."
Everyone thought that made sense, and with a whoosh, they led their people upward. Kicking open the Mizukage's office door, several old men charged in first.
"Mizukage, tonight we will settle this. Either you die, or we perish."