Chapter 215: The Sorrow of the Bloody Mist
The territory built on the giant island had a highly humid atmosphere, with Kirigakure being a prime example. Surrounded by the sea and filled with mountainous terrain and hills, the village was further obscured by a special protective barrier that precipitated large amounts of moisture. Just as its name suggests, Kirigakure was a secretive place hidden by thick fog and seawater.
This isolationist policy became even more severe three years ago, after the Fifth Mizukage, Mangetsu Hozuki, took power. Not only did he implement a policy of national seclusion, but his domestic policies were also notoriously brutal. Even the Chūnin exams had an alarmingly high mortality rate.
Gradually, this shinobi village hidden in thick mist earned the nickname "Village of the Bloody Mist."
"Mizukage-sama!"
Gorō Kaguya suddenly raised his head, his eyes locked onto the white-haired young man seated at the head of the table.
"Please repeat your order."
"The remaining members of the Kaguya Clan must all relocate to the archipelago." Mangetsu's face was hidden in shadow, and his words were colder than the mist of Kirigakure.
"This is an order."
Gorō clenched his fists, fearful that his anger would cause his bone spikes to protrude, giving Mangetsu an excuse to implicate his clan.
'But the archipelago... that place was far from the village's central area, right next to the lake where the Three-Tails resided. With frequent tsunamis and earthquakes, relocating the entire clan there would inevitably lead to their extinction!' Gorō gritted his teeth and looked up, almost pleading, at the red-haired woman seated to Mangetsu's left.
Mei Terumi's expression was hesitant, but after a brief struggle, she remained silent.
"If this is the Mizukage-sama's order, the Kaguya Clan will comply," Gorō said, feeling weary as he turned to leave.
Due to Yuto's involvement, many things had changed. The first time he emerged as the Moon God, he killed many members of the Kaguya Clan, leaving them without the strength to revolt. By a twist of fate, they escaped disaster, allowing Mangetsu to ascend smoothly and become the Fifth Mizukage.
Yet many things remained unchanged from the original tale.
"Mizukage-sama!" Seeing the current Kaguya Clan leader leave, Mei Terumi immediately stood up and questioned:
"Why are you doing this to them..."
"This is my decision," Mangetsu interrupted her, leaving his seat without offering any explanation.
The young Fifth Mizukage disappeared into the darkness, entering a hidden passage that quickly led him to the interior of a cylindrical water tower.
Zetsu, wrapped in a green leaf-like shell with black and white patterns, was already waiting there.
On his index finger, he wore a ring inscribed with the kanji for "Vermilion" (朱).
Mangetsu trembled, his muscles twitching as two wills clashed within him. His short white hair was drenched in sweat, clinging to his skin.
"Huff, huff..."
Mangetsu and Zetsu both collapsed to the ground, drenched in sweat as if they had just fought a fierce battle.
"Just a little more, just a little more..." Zetsu patted his chest in relief.
"Fortunately, Obito stored some of his ocular power and chakra in the 'Vermilion Ring,' or else Mangetsu would have broken through the genjutsu with his own strength today." He leaned against the wall, giving a weary order:
"Mizukage, seal the Three-Tails within your body and accompany me to Konoha."
Under the influence of the Sharingan's genjutsu, Mangetsu stood up and nodded silently.
'Such a useful puppet,' Zetsu thought as he watched him disappear into the mist, calculating the disparity between their forces and Konoha's.
No matter how hard he thought about it, even if Mangetsu became a Jinchūriki, they couldn't compete with Konoha.
'Damn it... even If Mangetsu starts a war, Kirigakure will undoubtedly erupt in rebellion, and there won't be enough time. But without mobilizing all of Kirigakure's forces to attack Konoha, it would be difficult to rescue Obito...'
'If we lose Obito and the Rinnegan, the plan to revive the Ten-Tails will fail, and Mother will never see the light of day. Do I have to wait another thousand years...'
'Fuck you Yuto Hyuga!' Zetsu felt an overwhelming hatred.
'Yuto had leaked information about Obito to Konoha. Kakashi's Rasengan not only gave them an early advantage but also threw Obito's mind into disarray. No matter how much I tried to persuade him, he refused to use Kamui to escape. And the final blow delivered by Tsunade... it seemed to bear the mark of Yuto's dojutsu!'
'Mother, when will I see you again...'
...
Nighttime, Land of Water.
The earth-shaking wails echoed across the vast lake as the sealing technique unfurled in the air, engulfing the massive turtle-like tailed beast and dragging it into Mangetsu's body.
Before long, with the help of the sealing scroll, a ring-shaped sealing mark appeared on Mangetsu's abdomen. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, donned his robe, and swiftly moved toward the edge of the village.
However, at the border of Kirigakure's barrier, a woman with reddish-brown hair blocked his path.
"What are you planning to do?" Mei's eyes flashed with sadness and anger.
"Sealing the Three-Tails, leaving the village in the dead of night, do you remember who you are? You are the Fifth Mizukage!"
"This is my decision," the young man with short white hair replied coldly, offering no explanation as he brushed past Mei without looking back.
"Getsuki..." Mei bit her lip, standing in place, feeling lost.
She knew all too well that Mangetsu was an unfit Kage. After taking office, he launched a series of drastic reforms under the guise of "strengthening the village's combat power." Every shinobi, from a young age, had to endure bloody trials. The once proud Kirigakure was now stained with an indelible bloodshed.
The tailed beast was not the issue; Mangetsu leaving the village might actually be a good thing for everyone. But, but...
But Mei couldn't forget that figure.
Five years ago, on the day of the Fourth Hokage's inauguration ceremony, she teamed up with Mangetsu to travel to Konoha, where they clashed fiercely with Yuto Hyuga. The Lone Lion's reputation was well-deserved; Yuto held his own against three opponents with ease. That battle, which ended with both sides using Explosive Tags, was the most dangerous fight Mei had ever been in!
In that critical moment, Mangetsu used the Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, transforming into a giant made of water to shield Mei and another teammate. The terrifying Explosive Tags only broke two of Mei's ribs.
But the cost of that protection was Mangetsu's life-threatening injuries, leaving him bedridden for three months.
To this day, that thin figure remained etched in Mei's mind.
At the edge of the village's barrier, the woman with reddish-brown hair raised her head, looking in the direction where Mangetsu had disappeared.
"At least let me know where our Mizukage has gone."
She murmured to herself, activating her secret technique and beginning to gather certain shinobi. After a moment of hesitation, she also notified the "Anbu"—the tracking shinobi forces within Kirigakure.
Unlike Mangetsu, she was well-liked and already held a high position. As long as Mangetsu didn't show up, she was the most powerful person in Kirigakure.
In the damp night wind, She tied her headband, engraved with Kirigakure's symbol, around her forehead.
...
"Strange... Mangetsu is being followed by a large number of chakra signatures." White Zetsu scratched his head.
"This wasn't part of the plan. Why are so many Kirigakure shinobi on the move? You're smarter than me, can you guess?"
Black Zetsu didn't respond, pinching his own skin to keep himself from laughing out loud.
'This is better than expected... No matter what those shinobi from the Land of Water are up to, once they reach the Land of Fire, I have plenty of ways to make them act!'
'As long as I control the distance between Mangetsu and the main force, I can ignite the fuse before Konoha has time to react.'
'As for the consequences of a conflict between Konoha and Kirigakure... Who cares? Heh heh...'
Black Zetsu grinned, revealing a beast-like cruel smile.
(End of Chapter)