Chapter 43: First Visit to Hidden Mist  

"Sasuke-kun, where are we going next?" Karin asked.

Sasuke replied, "Let's go to the Land of Water first."

"Aren't Guren and the others preparing to capture the Three-Tails?"

"I want to see what the new Mizukage is capable of."

The Land of Water, the homeland of Haku and Zabuza, is an island nation with most of its territory covered by the ocean. The climate affects the land all year round, and it is often shrouded in mist.

The Hidden Mist Village was built by the first Mizukage, Hakuren, a legendary ninja who had experienced many battles. Unfortunately, that era belonged only to two individuals, and even the most remarkable person couldn't make a significant impact in front of them.

Suigetsu, who had returned to his home territory, was full of energy. This was his home. When talking to Karin here, Suigetsu was a lot tougher. "It's the perfect place, finally back. I have found out clearly that the current owner of the double-bladed sword Hiramekarei is a kid named Chojuro."

"Sasuke-kun, when the time comes, you go find the Mizukage, and I'll go meet this kid. How about that?" Suigetsu suggested, showing what it means to betray a fellow villager upon meeting.

After finally returning home, all he could think about was how to kill his outstanding junior. Suigetsu didn't care about anything else. The double swords, Hiramekarei, were once the weapons of his brother, Hozuki Mangetsu. If this kid was useless, he would take back the ninja sword.

"Suigetsu, don't mess around. It's not good to alert the enemy," Kabuto warned Suigetsu bluntly. "Kirigakure is one of the five major ninja villages, and you should know its capabilities best. We are indeed not afraid of Kirigakure, but it would be a loss if they interfere with our plans."

Facing the military strategist of the team, although Kabuto's strength is not strong, Suigetsu dared not offend him at all. The reason is simple: Kabuto once dissected his body for a period of time. Suigetsu has always been cautious about this insidious man with glasses and squinty eyes, fearing that Kabuto, who holds grudges, might harm him in the middle of the night.

Seeing that Kabuto talked down to Suigetsu as usual, Sasuke couldn't help but agree that Suigetsu's personality was jumpy and needed more discipline.

Tonight is another slow night, but Sasuke's body is not at all uncomfortable as he does push-ups crazily. Still not tired, even a little unsatisfied.

"System, give me a cigarette," Sasuke requested.

"One exchange point, no account will be cleared," the system responded.

"Stingy," Sasuke muttered. He didn't need this little exchange point, so he took out a cigarette and silently lit it with Chidori. He hadn't smoked for a long time, and this smell was still intoxicating, second only to exploring caves.

Now that they had entered the jurisdiction of Kirigakure, Sasuke sighed, "I hope they can be sensible and not affect my work. Otherwise, I don't mind giving them a warning."

The Three-Tails, after the death of the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, had been living in a large lake and was recently discovered by Guren and the others. Sasuke believed that Obito's attention was likely focused on the Land of Water because he knew that the Three-Tails was currently an ownerless tailed beast and was the easiest to capture.

"It doesn't matter if we meet Obito. The only thing difficult about him is the ability of Kamui. As long as we know the weakness, we don't have to be afraid," Sasuke stated.

At dawn, they would go to the lake where the Three-Tails resided. Sasuke was determined to capture the Three-Tails and would not give up, not even to Obito or Nagato with the Six Paths.

Kabuto, who had been waiting by the fire on the first floor, touched his glasses. Seeing Sasuke's elusive appearance, his face remained calm. "Sasuke-kun, are you still not sleeping so late? This is a heavy drain on the body."

Sasuke didn't mind when he heard Kabuto's implication. Sasuke usually didn't pay much attention to details when dealing with valuable and capable subordinates. On the contrary, the more capable and unique a subordinate is, the more Sasuke appreciates them.

"You and Kimimaro just need to accompany me to capture the Three-Tails. Guren and the others have already set up a barrier to trap the Three-Tails."

"I'll be there for you when the time comes," Kabuto smiled. "Sasuke-kun means to test our abilities to see if we can capture the Three-Tails."

"Well, maybe," Sasuke replied. Kabuto couldn't discern Sasuke's intentions for a while. He didn't do it himself but let them do it alone. Was he guarding against someone? Since Sasuke didn't say it clearly, Kabuto wouldn't be so tactless as to ask questions.

If it came to capturing the Three-Tails, Guren, Kimimaro, and himself were enough.

"Let's go! Kimimaro is still outside the door blowing in the cold wind!"

The three of them hurried into the night and quickly approached an island.

In the Mizukage's office building in Kirigakure, an Anbu was reporting the recent discovery. Sweat was on his face, and he didn't dare to look at the Mizukage seated in the shadows.

"Mizukage-sama, according to the strange occurrences on that island recently, the Three-Tails that the village has been looking for may be..."

"I know. You may go down," the Mizukage interrupted.

The Anbu man gritted his teeth and said nervously, "Mizukage-sama, please send us to investigate the situation! It took a lot of effort to find the Three-Tails again; we can't lose it again."

Fearing that the Mizukage would not agree, the man added, "Mizukage-sama, Kirigakure can't lose the Three-Tails, just like Konoha can't lose the Hokage Rock."

"Please."