Yagura would rather have died. After learning what happened to Kirigakure during his period of control.
The intensified Bloody Mist policy, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen who had almost entirely fled, overspent finances, plus completely exhausted governing credibility.
"Fourth, the village still needs you."
What Elder Genshi said was precisely the reason Yagura remained alive.
Yes, he could not yet collapse, much less easily seek liberation. He was the Three-Tails jinchūriki, Kirigakure's nominal Kage. His life and death no longer belonged to himself.
Before the next generation Mizukage could stand independently, he must, as a symbol and cornerstone stabilizing the village, continue living.
"I understand. Henceforth, merely inform me of matters requiring my appearance."
"Elder, I have disappointed you... disappointed the village."
Yagura handed the Mizukage's hat to Genshi. From now on, he would merely be a Kage in name only.
Genshi sighed while accepting it, holding it in hand.
"Those hired shinobi have already failed. People also fled. Let conflicts with Konoha end here."
"ANBU managed capturing several stragglers, confirming those who maintained long-term contact and handled recruitment wore black cloaks with red cloud patterns."
"The eyes controlling you, Sharingan... why Konoha's bloodline limit would trouble their village, motives remain unclear."
"However, currently we lack capacity for deep investigation, nor should we remain entangled."
As for revenge? For the currently severely damaged Kirigakure, that was not a priority. Moreover, a village Kage being controlled was not something worth publicizing.
Continuing alone in his office, after being controlled by genjutsu, Yagura had not returned home. As for now after control was lifted, he did not plan returning henceforth.
Exiting the Mizukage Building, Genshi raised his head toward the sky perpetually shrouded by thick fog. Dispersing the blood mist, guiding the village toward rebirth, plus cultivating the next generation Mizukage... these old bones of his seemingly must persist for quite some time yet.
"Shisui believes you would not do such things. I trust his judgment," Shuji looked at Uchiha Enblade. "However, this does not mean you have escaped suspicion."
"You will return to the village with me, accepting further investigation and interrogation."
"Continuing to attack Kakashi also poses no problem."
"Consider it letting me observe Itachi's clansman, so-called Uchiha elite, how ugly they can become seeking survival."
Leaving the dazed Uchiha Enblade, Shuji exited the confinement room.
Outside the door, Kakashi had already completed the first rapid sweep of camp interior.
"No obvious traces of external infiltration discovered," Kakashi's voice carried a trace of helplessness. "Alert posts and patrol routes also confirmed no oversights."
"My side reached the same conclusion," Shuji nodded. "Therefore, this proves the most troublesome situation—traces without traces."
Shisui standing aside walked over, face carrying some worry. "Shuji, just now toward Enblade, wasn't that..."
"I said I trust your judgment. Merely stopping him from further commotion," Shuji answered.
After this combination, at minimum after returning to the village, Uchiha Enblade should not easily voice such thoughtless words again.
As for the Sharingan theft truth, after this sweep, it was probably Uchiha Obito's doing. Either using Kamui or Zetsu's Mayfly Technique.
Beneath feet lay soft soil, surrounded by dense forest. Here proved the perfect activity stage for existences like Zetsu.
He still needed devising other methods targeting that thing later.
"The Wave Country direction, have there been any new movements from Kirigakure recently?" Shuji shifted topics elsewhere.
Kakashi answered, "Since the last engagement, they have completely quieted."
"According to reconnaissance squad reports, previously gathered wandering ninja have already dispersed individually without trace. It appears Kirigakure seems to have abandoned plans for continuing organized attacks."
Even abandoning hired wandering ninja? Did Obito believe continuing operations held no meaning, or had opposition voices within Kirigakure grown powerful enough that he had to temporarily restrain himself?
"Prepare," Shuji made his decision. "Afternoon, I will take rotation personnel plus Uchiha Enblade back to the village."
"Remaining matters, especially monitoring Kirigakure's direction, I temporarily entrust to you all."
After arranging handovers, because returning personnel included considerable proportions of wounded, village return speed proved slower than arrival.
Uchiha Enblade was arranged mid-convoy, expression gloomy yet lacking previous sharp hostility, seemingly still contemplating Shuji's words.
With his law enforcement experience accumulated in the Police Force, Shuji's logic-based inference seemed... not entirely unreasonable.
Without finding any external intrusion traces, as primary guardian, he was the greatest suspect.
When returning to the village, deep night had already fallen.
Two Uchiha remains were sent to Konoha Hospital for temporary storage. Uchiha Enblade was brought by Shuji to the Hokage Tower.
Inside the building, Shuji unsurprisingly saw Uchiha Itachi on duty.
"Itachi, take him to the interrogation room, awaiting the Hokage's orders."
The name Shuji called made the lowered-head Uchiha Enblade sharply raise his eyes. Uchiha Itachi... actually also joined ANBU, and held the important position of guarding the Hokage Tower? The clan head's plan succeeded?
In that case, their sacrifices held meaning.
As for his own circumstances, since having clansman Itachi as guard, Enblade's heart settled somewhat. He was confident finding opportunities to complete communication through Sharingan, clarifying his negligence while stating he absolutely never harmed companions' remains.
Itachi quietly agreed. As one guarding the Hokage, he should not heed others' orders. However, Shuji proved different.
In current circumstances, presumably he would also explain to Tsunade.
Shuji entered the office. Tsunade obviously had already heard outside movements.
"Who is confined?" she directly asked.
"Uchiha Enblade."
"Hm?" Tsunade felt somewhat surprised. "I had you bring him back for rest. Though his return might affect Uchiha clan attitudes, he ultimately fought desperately at the front for the village."
"Precisely considering this point requires doing so."
Shuji provided a report on eastern front matters: Sharingan theft, Uchiha Enblade's accusations, plus Kirigakure movements.
Tsunade crossed both hands beneath her chin, contemplating briefly. Sharingan theft proved troublesome. However, comparatively, how to properly handle the emotionally agitated Uchiha Enblade who might trigger internal opposition appeared more urgent currently.
As for Kirigakure movements...
"What are they planning again?"
"Regarding this point, perhaps formally issuing negotiation demands to Kirigakure is possible," Shuji said.
Whether Obito had backed down at Kirigakure or what was happening, probing through official, formal channels might reveal some clues.
"Mm... worth considering. Specific plans can be decided after detailed assessment."
"That Uchiha Enblade, how do you plan handling him?"
"First have him stay in the interrogation room one day," Shuji answered. "Consider it punishment for rashly accusing the front commander and disturbing morale."
"Then," he paused, "I will properly talk with him."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild