Chapter 72. Assassination Instructions

At the bottom of the cliff, Natsuki and the female Mist ninja emerged from the water with a splash.

Discovering a pool beneath the cliff explained why Kisame wasn't killed by the fall.

Examining the wet footprints on the shore, Natsuki concluded that Kisame had already left.

Setting up a bonfire with fuel, Natsuki tossed the weapons into the water.

The contents of the ninja tool bag weren't particularly valuable.

Upon inspecting Ibiki's scroll, Natsuki furrowed his brow.

Konoha's sealing technique?

Placing his hand on it, Natsuki released the sealing technique and read the scroll. Afterward, he rolled it up thoughtfully.

After a moment, he sensed something was amiss.

Turning around, Natsuki realized the female Mist ninja was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to unseal you."

When Natsuki had jumped off the cliff with the female Mist ninja, he had used the Four Symbols seal to immobilize her.

Apologizing, Natsuki patted the female Mist ninja's body, causing the ink-colored Four Symbols technique to retract into Natsuki's hand.

The female Mist ninja was free to move once more.

"Where are you taking me?" The female Mist ninja observed that the person in front of her was different from the Konoha ninja above.

Natsuki, who had reverted from the transformation technique, was still dressed in attire from the Land of Wind.

He wore a large gray cloak and a hat. He removed the bamboo hat and tossed it aside, revealing his original face.

Although Natsuki was somewhat well-known, his portraits weren't plastered everywhere, so the female Mist ninja didn't recognize him.

"Where I take you is up to you," He said, rubbing his chin.

"What does that mean?"

"Do you resent Kisame for killing you?"

The female Mist ninja seemed lost in thought and her expression changed. She hugged her legs, sitting by the campfire.

"For ninjas like us, obedience is our duty. If you don't save me, I will die as well. There's nothing to blame."

"Tsk, tsk," He expressed his interest. The fate between two people can be quite fascinating. That Kisame had encountered such a girl was intriguing.

"I have high expectations for Kisame. I see him as a talent, and I want to recruit him for my own purposes. Can you help me convince him?"

Natsuki admired Kisame for his dedication to pursuing peace and beauty throughout his life.

In the end, to protect vital intelligence, Kisame summoned a shark to consume him. If possible, Natsuki wanted to alter that outcome.

The female Mist ninja was taken aback. She pointed at herself in disbelief, asking, "Me?"

Natsuki understood what surprised her.

He explained to her: "Whether you believe it or not if I didn't save you, your death would be remembered by Kisame for the rest of his life."

The female Mist ninja's eyes widened in surprise, and then her face turned red. Panicking, she covered her face and exclaimed, "How is that possible?"

"Besides, Kisame will never betray Kirigakure."

In his mind, he wondered about the strong affection she still held for Kisame, even after he had apparently stabbed her. 

Natsuki said helplessly, "You don't have to worry about this. Your Mizukage has been controlled by the enemy using illusions. Kirigakure is finished."

"What?" The female Mist ninja, who had appeared shy just moments ago, stood up in shock at the unexpected news.

Natsuki casually threw the scroll he had just read to the female Mist ninja. As she opened it and glanced inside, she exclaimed, "This is the road map of our Cypher Division!"

The female Mist ninja was surprised to find out that their secret mission had been compromised even before leaving the Land of Water.

Natsuki shrugged, "The person who sent your information was the controlled Mizukage."

She endured a great blow. "What about the dictatorship of the Mizukage these past few years!?"

He nodded, "Yes, it was the person who controlled him who did it."

"Really...really?" The female Mist ninja spoke with trembling.

He chuckled, "Is there any benefit if I lie to you?"

The female Mist ninja, being an elite member of the Cypher Division, began to contemplate the sudden changes in the fourth Mizukage and the village's management.

The kekkei genkai families were massacred, and the village's management became excessively strict.

All the elite ninja of the Mist Village fled for their lives. Even the once-notorious Zabuza had defected not long ago. It appeared that the rumors were true.

The female Mist ninja suddenly felt disheartened, realizing that her relatives and friends had tragically perished in the tyranny of the Blood Mist over the past two years. Unbeknownst to her, it was all part of a deceitful scheme.

"May I have your name?" He asked with a casual tone.

The female mist ninja, feeling depressed, raised her head and replied, "Miru."

"Do you have any relatives?" He inquired.

Miru shook her head. Kirigakure, once a village teeming with shinobi talents, had suffered immeasurable losses due to Obito's actions.

"That's great. Come and help me convince Kisame. When the time comes, you can work for me together. Being from the same hometown, you can take care of each other."

He couldn't help but feel like a manipulative boss coaxing workers into illegal activities.

Originally planning to test the sand ability, he now found himself with an unexpected companion, waiting for the right opportunity in the future.

...

Kisame walked toward the village, grappling with confusion.

His life consisted of protecting his companions within the village while also executing them when necessary for the mission.

This dual role left Kisame in a constant state of inner turmoil, distorting his entire worldview.

In a brief encounter with Miru, she astutely remarked, "Your life must have been very hard," shattering his already fragile mental state.

Lost and disillusioned in this false ninja world, Kisame found himself questioning the very nature of the village he had devoted his life to.

The so-called excellent ninjas, he realized, were merely murderers who betrayed their companions.

Wandering alone, Kisame's attempt to reclaim a sense of purpose was unexpectedly interrupted.

"You are the subordinate of the Fuguki Suikazan," stated the fourth Mizukage, Yagura, appearing on Kisame's path.

"Mizukage-sama, I am Kisame Hoshigaki," Kisame bowed, respectful yet wary.

Intrigued by the rare appearance of Yagura, who had been mostly unseen since his assassination a few years ago, Kisame braced for an unexpected turn of events.

"Your boss was secretly colluding with foreign enemies and sold information to an enemy country," Yagura declared.

"What!?" Kisame was shocked.

The revelation that the person who instructed him to kill his companions to prevent leaks was now betraying information to the enemy left him spinning.

With an indifferent expression, Yagura stated, "You are the only one who has the chance to get close to him."

"Find the opportunity and kill him!"

Numbly, he agreed, "As you command, Mizukage-sama."

After delivering the order, Yagura left without further explanation.

He stood there for a long time, then raised his head and continued walking towards the village.