Mei Terumī smiled politely. "Thank you. If not for your assistance, we don't know when we would have been able to meet Hokage-sama. Please accept this as a small token of my gratitude."
She took out several banknotes and handed them to the captain.
The captain's expression did not change in the slightest.
"Lord Mei Terumī," he said sternly, "your words insult me—and insult Konoha. As a member of Konoha's coastal defense, I cannot accept any form of bribery. Please take it back."
His tone was resolute, and his gaze toward Mei Terumī grew noticeably colder.
He knew very well that Konoha's newly appointed Hokage tolerated no sand in his eyes. Discipline was strict, and any stain would be punished without mercy.
Before this, he had indeed gone out of his way to help Mei Terumī—purely because of her beauty. But after personally witnessing Uchiha Ran, he finally understood something clearly.
Women and money were nothing but obstacles on the path forward—temptations that could drag a man into corruption with no escape.
If he wanted to rise, he had to be even stricter with himself and perform his duties flawlessly. Only then might Hokage-sama look upon him in a different light.
Mei Terumī stared at him in disbelief, her brows knitting together.
Was he under some kind of genjutsu?
Otherwise, how could his attitude have changed so drastically?
Just as she was about to test him again, Genji suddenly spoke up.
"Lord Mei Terumī, we should go meet the Hokage. The Hidden Mist Village is still suffering, and suppressing the internal chaos is our top priority."
Mei Terumī snapped back to her senses.
That's right. She hadn't come all this way to argue with a minor official.
Feeling a trace of embarrassment, she nodded immediately. "You're right, Genji. Let's go."
She gave the captain a brief nod and turned to leave.
The captain remained where he was, expressionless, standing at attention as he continued to monitor the sea.
---
Deep within a cave in the Hidden Mist Village.
Uchiha Obito lay on a stone bed, sweat pouring down his face, his expression twisted with pain as he muttered a single name over and over.
"Rin… Rin… Rin…"
Suddenly, footsteps echoed at the cave entrance.
Obito's eyes snapped open, murderous intent surging instantly.
His body turned intangible as he slipped into the Kamui dimension. In the next moment, he reappeared at the entrance and reached out with his right hand.
"Who are you," he growled, "to dare disturb my rest?"
His fingers tightened, the muscles in his arm bulging.
Yagura Karatachi let out a muffled grunt.
He had not intended to resist, but as the pressure increased, the Three-Tails, Isobu, sensed danger and immediately released a cloak of tailed-beast chakra, blocking Obito's grip.
That cold, alien chakra gradually calmed the violent turmoil in Obito's heart.
Only then did he clearly see who he was holding.
Yagura Karatachi.
A flicker of hatred and killing intent flashed deep in Obito's eyes—but it vanished just as quickly.
He hurled Yagura aside, smashing him into the rock wall.
"Speak. What do you want?"
Yagura coughed twice and slowly stood up.
Protected by the tailed-beast chakra, the impact had shattered stone but left his body unharmed. Only faint redness remained on his neck where Obito had gripped him.
"Mas—Master," Yagura said mechanically, his eyes dull and lifeless, "this subordinate has an important matter to report."
Obito walked over and sat down on the stone throne that once belonged to Uchiha Madara.
"Hmph. If it's not important," he said coldly, "I'll make you understand what it means to beg for death."
Obito was still playing the role of Madara.
His foul mood stemmed from the same recurring nightmare—rain pouring down, Kakashi's lightning-covered hand piercing straight through Rin's chest.
Her face twisted in pain.
That night, the world lost all color. Only crimson remained in his vision.
Though Yagura had not personally participated in that operation, he was the successor to the Third Mizukage. He had to be involved—at the very least, an insider. Perhaps even a supporter.
If not for these people, how could Rin have died?
How could Obito have betrayed Konoha and abandoned his ideals?
The first thought might have been truth.
The second was merely an excuse—one he used to justify his own monstrosity.
He hadn't just betrayed Konoha.
He had orchestrated the death of the person who treated him best—Uzumaki Kushina.
And he had caused the death of his teacher, Namikaze Minato.
Every mission, Kushina would encourage him, reminding him to be careful and never get hurt.
Every family meal, she cooked dishes he liked.
Aside from his grandmother, no one had ever treated Obito better than Kushina.
And what had he done in return?
For the sake of the Nine-Tails, he had killed his teacher—and murdered the big sister who cared for him the most.
Yagura continued speaking.
"Some time ago, Genji colluded with Mei Terumī and united a group of Hidden Mist Village jōnin to plot my assassination."
Obito's expression grew impatient.
"You needed to tell me something so trivial?" he said dismissively. "Can't you handle it yourself? Is your status as the Three-Tails' jinchūriki just for show?"
He did not care about the Hidden Mist Village at all.
To him, it was merely a tool—a means to accumulate resources. Tools could be replaced. If they broke, so be it.
Yagura shook his head. "No, Master. You misunderstand. In my view, their strength is no more than dogs and chickens. But this time, the leader is the key."
"Mei Terumī holds extremely high prestige within the village. Her reputation is strong, and she advocates recuperation and reform—directly opposing the Bloody Mist era you established, Master."
"The ninjas and villagers have grown to utterly loathe their current way of life. They remain silent only due to armed suppression. This has given Mei Terumī a massive foundation of support."
"If this continues," Yagura said slowly, "I fear we may end up surrounded by enemies."
A brief flicker of struggle—and hatred—passed through Yagura's eyes as he looked at Obito.
Then it vanished, replaced once more by emptiness.
Obito noticed nothing.
"Surrounded by enemies?" he scoffed. "So what if you are? Can't you deal with them?"
"As I've said before—kill anyone who refuses to submit. If someone complains, wipe out their relatives as well."
"The Bloody Mist era must continue."
"This is how the Hidden Mist Village screens talent. Who dares say that ninjas forged in the Bloody Mist are weak? No one. Not a single one."
He stood up.
"Yagura Karatachi—continue enforcing the Bloody Mist era. At the same time, issue wanted orders for all rebels."
With those words, Obito activated Kamui and vanished from the cave.
------
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