The Deal

Hidden Mist Village.

Kurita Kyoko finished her report and handed over the scroll she had brought to Mei Terumi.

After reading it, Mei Terumi's face turned dark.

After all, it was hard for anyone to accept that their village's Kage had been controlled by genjutsu.

"Please invite Mr. Natsuki in."

Mei Terumi rubbed her temples. No wonder the Mizukage hadn't appeared in public in recent years, especially not where Ao was present.

Natsuki pushed open the door and entered. He had come to the Hidden Mist to recruit a few talented individuals.

Natsuki didn't care about the fate of the Hidden Mist, whether it ended up in a mess.

So, he directly connected Kurita Kyoko with Mei Terumi, knowing that in a few years, Mei Terumi would rise to power and was already a significant figure in the Hidden Mist.

"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Natsuki. With talents like you, the Uchiha clan's resurgence is just around the corner."

Mei Terumi spoke politely, given that Natsuki had just provided them with evidence of the Mizukage's treachery.

The evidence had been obtained from Konoha ninjas, which was very intriguing.

Natsuki looked at Mei Terumi, a tall woman with a mature allure, and couldn't understand.

Were the people of the Hidden Mist blind? She was such a beautiful woman, and no one pursued her.

However, Natsuki had no intentions towards Mei Terumi; he was here to discuss business.

"You're too kind. Miss Mei Terumi is also outstanding. If this matter is confirmed, the position of the next Mizukage will undoubtedly be yours."

Natsuki and Mei Terumi exchanged pleasantries before getting to the main topic.

"How does Mr. Natsuki plan to cooperate with us?" Mei Terumi asked.

"For you to reasonably ascend to the position of Mizukage, you must publicly expose the fact that Yagura is being controlled by genjutsu."

"Right now, is there anyone in the village who can guarantee to suppress the Mizukage?"

Not only was there no one to suppress him, but the Hidden Mist Village also lacked high-level combat power. Most of the notable bloodline limit clans had been nearly exterminated by Obito.

Mei Terumi hadn't grown to the point where she could take on the Fourth Mizukage alone.

The Mizukage also had a unique skill, the Water Mirror Technique.

The Water Mirror Technique could create a mirror of water, producing an exact copy of the enemy that could use the same jutsu with equal power.

So, as a jinchūriki, Yagura Karatachi could walk unchallenged in the Hidden Mist.

This was why, despite Mei Terumi's suspicions, she couldn't act because she couldn't win.

The Hidden Mist couldn't afford more turmoil and wasn't worth sacrificing more lives.

Mei Terumi looked at Natsuki with a probing gaze, and Natsuki smiled slightly.

"Since I can get this evidence, I have the confidence to suppress the Fourth Mizukage."

Mei Terumi nodded, acknowledging the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Did Mr. Natsuki come all this way just to support my rise to power?" Mei Terumi lazily leaned back in her chair, exuding her feminine charm.

Natsuki ignored her flirtations, waving his hand: "Just call me Natsuki. I'm sure you know the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Mei Terumi nodded; she knew well the current relations between the Uchiha and Konoha.

The two sides maintained a superficial relationship, with the Uchiha doing some missions for Konoha but not participating in other activities, almost like an external ninja group.

And the reasons had spread throughout the entire ninja world.

Mei Terumi smiled, "What do you want, Mr. Natsuki? Feel free to speak."

Natsuki held two fingers: "I want two people after this is over, and I need help finding two more."

"Oh? Who are the two people worth your attention?"

Natsuki pointed at Kurita Kyoko: "Her, and Kisame Hoshigaki."

Mei Terumi glanced at Kurita Kyoko and gave Natsuki a meaningful look.

Then she pondered, "Kurita Kyoko and Kisame Hoshigaki are both under Fuguki Suikazan. He won't let them go easily."

Natsuki shrugged: "It doesn't matter. Fuguki Suikazan is as good as dead; do I care about his feelings?"

Mei Terumi frowned, "What do you mean?"

Natsuki chuckled, "This time, Fuguki Suikazan ruined his plan. Do you think Fuguki Suikazan won't be eliminated?"

"Are you sure?" Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes.

Fuguki Suikazan was considered an elder in the Hidden Mist, controlling the Cipher Division and another assassination squad.

Since Yagura was controlled by genjutsu, Suikazan had been reclusive, rarely appearing in public.

He was one of the pillars still supporting the Hidden Mist.

But Suikazan didn't support Mei Terumi's rise, so his existence was an obstacle for her.

Given the Hidden Mist's current state, Mei Terumi was ready to break and rebuild.

Suikazan, being an old relic, was an obstacle that needed to be removed.

"I'm confident. Just keep an eye on Kisame Hoshigaki, and Suikazan will surely die."

"That will also be your best chance to strike against Yagura."

Mei Terumi thought for a moment. After all, it was just two rogue ninjas.

"Alright! I agree!"

...

"Kisame, you bastard..."

Cough... Fuguki Suikazan spat out another mouthful of blood.

He couldn't believe his most trusted subordinate had betrayed him.

Another stab and Suikazan felt all his strength drain away.

He collapsed heavily to the ground.

Kisame squatted down and took the Samehada from Suikazan's back.

This was his trophy.

Kisame kicked the body aside and turned to leave.

A voice came.

"Good job, Kisame."

Kisame turned, gripping Samehada tightly.

"I was sure he would lower his guard around you. As I expected."

"This guy colluded with the enemy. From now on, you are the owner of the Great Sword Samehada and my subordinate."

Kisame saw the Mizukage and relaxed his grip on Samehada, but he didn't look pleased.

He forced a smile, "In the end, you'll eliminate me too, right, Fourth Mizukage?"

All of Kisame's missions had been to kill comrades or superiors.

So even if the Mizukage ordered it, Kisame felt no sense of belonging.

"Precisely because you've completed countless dirty and traitorous missions for the village and country, you are more trustworthy."

The Mizukage said woodenly.

"Because you know this world is full of deceit."

Kisame's expression didn't change, "I understood that when I killed my first comrade."

"As a Mist ninja, I kill other Mist ninjas. What does that make me?"

Kisame seemed to be asking the Mizukage, or perhaps himself.

"Am I an enemy or a friend? What is my purpose, my position..."

"Where do I go to find peace?" Kisame looked at his hands.

"I only feel that I am a false existence."

A shadow emerged from behind the Mizukage.

Kisame was startled.

A deep voice spoke, "Let me free you from your false suffering."

"I will create a place for you."

"Who are you?..." Kisame instantly became alert, gripping the hilt of Samehada.

"Starting with this country, you have acted to dispose of your comrades. From now on, you will act as my comrade." The deep voice continued.

Kisame sensed trust from the other person, feeling puzzled.

"You seem to trust me a lot, but I still don't know who you are."

In the darkness, a pair of blood-red Sharingan eyes opened.

Kisame was shocked. This is!

Those eyes are glowing in the dark...

Kisame suddenly understood.

"So, the one I thought was the Fourth Mizukage is actually you..."

"You are the one controlling the Fourth Mizukage with those Sharingan. Ha, indeed, this world is full of deceit."

"But you possess the power to control the jinchūriki of the Three-Tails Mizukage."

"Who exactly are you?"

The deep voice answered, "Uchiha Madara."

"What!" Kisame was greatly shocked.

"That man should be long dead..."

Just as Obito was about to proceed, a mocking laugh came from behind Kisame.