Chapter 212

On the azure blue sea.

A large ship sailed through the waves, with Kyomu standing at the bow. Kakashi and Obito stood beside him.

As for Might Guy…

"Ugh!"

"Guy, don't vomit on the deck." Kyomu said, somewhat helplessly. "You're a taijutsu ninja, for goodness' sake. How can you get seasick?"

"I don't want to, but I can't control it." Might Guy said with a pained expression, clutching a pot. "It's too bumpy, completely different from fighting on land."

"I really doubt... if you'll make it to Kirigakure alive." Kakashi held his forehead with one hand. "Even if you do, how much combat power will you have left?"

"Youth never has accidents!" Guy glared at Kakashi but was interrupted by another bout of vomiting.

Slap.

Obito couldn't help but slap his forehead. "Guy, should I just throw you into my Kamui space?"

Guy clearly didn't want to suffer from seasickness anymore. "If it's possible... I'd like that."

Obito nodded, his eyes transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan. The shuriken pattern spun clockwise, opening a space portal.

A ripple of space surrounded Guy, and he was sucked into the vortex.

Wiping the blood tears from his eyes, Obito blinked. "Kamui is useful, but the eye power consumption is really troublesome."

"Going blind?" Kakashi glanced at Obito. "Should I get you a guide cane?"

"Screw you, Kakashi. Even if I die, I won't go blind!" Obito glared. "You're just jealous, I know it.

Wait and see. One day, I'll awaken the Rinnegan."

Kakashi didn't respond, just rolling his eyes. "Kyomu, you're a bit biased."

"Well... cough." Kyomu cleared his throat. "It's just a coincidence. For you, if there's a chance in the future, I'll make sure you get a great perk."

"Promise?" Kakashi insisted. "Really?..."

"Sage Mode, alright? When you come of age, I'll take you to Ryūchi Cave to train in Sage Mode."

"And me, Kyomu?" Obito grew anxious. "You can't forget about me."

"Sage Mode depends on personal talent. I'm certain Kakashi can do it, but for you, I'm not so sure."

Obito lowered his head, dejected. "Kyomu, do you really think my talent is inferior to Kakashi's?"

"You have the Sharingan. What more do you want?" Kyomu shot a look at Obito. "Alright, let's get to business."

With that, Kakashi and Obito immediately became serious.

Their mission was to infiltrate Kirigakure.

Under Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan influence, Yagura had succumbed to his darker side, aggressively promoting the Blood Mist policy.

Moreover, with the open access to A-rank and below jutsu and advanced ninja knowledge in Ryūgakure, Yagura had been influenced as well.

In addition to the Blood Mist policy, Yagura began implementing an anti-clan policy in Kirigakure, garnering support from many commoner ninjas and civilians in the Land of Water.

However, the various ninja clans in Kirigakure were deeply concerned, quickly uniting to overthrow Yagura and establish a new Mizukage.

Initially, the bloodline limit clans should have sensed the danger, but with Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan manipulation, Yagura naturally included them in the purge list.

Chaos was brewing, and it had already begun.

All this was part of Kyomu's plan.

The more chaotic Kirigakure became, the better. He could fish in troubled waters, absorbing much of Kirigakure's resources.

The Yuki Clan and Kaguya Clan were targets Kyomu had coveted for a long time. They would be valuable assets for his future conquests.

"What about the attitudes of the Yuki and Kaguya Clans?"

"Kyomu, to be honest, the Yuki and Kaguya Clans won't easily betray Kirigakure unless they face extinction."

Kyomu nodded. "I understand. What I mean is, how do the Yuki and Kaguya Clans feel about Yagura?"

"They hate him deeply, wanting to overthrow and kill him immediately." Obito grinned. "I've had a significant hand in this, but that's between us."

"You think I'm stupid?" Kyomu shot Obito a look. "Can Yagura's faction overpower the Yuki, Kaguya, and other clans?"

"Most likely." Obito nodded. "Yagura has the support of the Daimyo of the Land of Water. He agrees with the 'Blood Mist' and 'anti-clan' policies.

This benefits the Daimyo's control and makes it easier to manage the commoner ninjas in Kirigakure. Given five or six years, Kirigakure's ninja strength might actually increase significantly."

"It's a risky move," Kakashi commented. "The step is too big, and they could easily fall into decline."

"It's not a risk; it's inevitable." Kyomu stood at the bow, looking towards Kirigakure. "I want to see if the Yuki, Kaguya, and other bloodline clans, facing extinction, will still remain loyal to Kirigakure and the Land of Water."

"Hard to say." Obito's eyes flashed. "The Kirigakure ninjas, influenced by the Blood Mist policy, are cold and mission-driven, with no concept of comradeship. They only care about mission success and will sacrifice anyone for it, including themselves."

"The Blood Mist..." Kyomu muttered. "It's an extreme policy, but it produces extreme ninjas. After what you've said, I'm unsure if the Yuki and Kaguya Clans will ally with us."

"The opportunity is there," Kakashi interjected. "The ninjas affected by the Blood Mist policy feel empty inside, longing for recognition, especially when they're uncertain about their future. That's the best time to exploit."

Kyomu looked at Kakashi with surprise. "Since when did you study human nature?"

"Remember my state when my father faked his death?" Kakashi explained. "Becoming a mission machine, even though I knew it was fake, I still had that longing inside.

So, for most Kirigakure ninjas influenced by the Blood Mist policy, once their internal resolve collapses, if they feel valued by you, they'll become loyal to you immediately."

Like Hoshigaki Kisame?

Or Kimimaro and Haku?

Kyomu nodded. "We'll see how things unfold."

...

Kirigakure

In the Terumi Clan's residence.

"Mei, what's your opinion?"

Mei held a high status in her clan, thanks to her father and her own intelligence, strength, and exceptional talent.

"Father, the Kaguya Clan is losing patience." Mei frowned. "We can't hold them back. They only know how to charge into battle without considering anything else.

We must find a way to hold the Kaguya Clan back. If they act first, negotiating with the Fourth Mizukage to change his mind will be impossible."

"Can't we fight?"

"We can't win, Father." Mei shook her head. "The Fourth Mizukage has the support of nearly all the commoner ninjas in the village. Though their individual combat strength is average, their numbers are overwhelming. Even if we win, it will be a pyrrhic victory.

Afterward, the village's strength will be severely damaged.

So we must not act unless absolutely necessary."

"Why does the Fourth Mizukage target the ninja clans!" Mei's father slammed the table. "The situation in Ryūgakure and here are entirely different. Kyomu can do that, but we can't.

Even if we had to do it, it should be gradual. Such drastic measures will destroy Kirigakure."

Sigh.

Mei sighed, recalling Kyomu from years ago.

Despite their acquaintance and enmity from a mission, Kyomu was a Konoha ninja then, making their opposition natural.

Now, however, everything had changed. Ryūgakure, under Kyomu's leadership, had become the only refuge for Kirigakure's bloodline clans.

Mei understood that once Yagura acted, it would be a crushing force, swiftly sweeping away all remaining ninja clans in the village and country.

The ninja clans in Kirigakure would have to either fight to overthrow Yagura, leave, or face extinction. There was no option for compromise.

If they compromised, their bloodline legacies would be confiscated and spread among commoner ninjas. Could they still be called ninja clans then?

Living in hiding was unacceptable to the Kirigakure ninja clans. They had the spirit to choose death over disgrace.

"Father, prepare for action." Mei closed her eyes in pain. "Let's hope we succeed. If not, we'll have to consider our retreat."

"Mei, do you think Kyomu's Ryūgakure..."

"He will accept us," Mei was certain. "Kyomu initiated the 'sermon' movement in Ryūgakure, making all ninja arts and advanced knowledge public. His goal was to undermine the ninja clans and ignite internal conflicts in the villages.

He succeeded, while our Fourth Mizukage...

His intentions were good for Kirigakure, but his actions were misguided! He shouldn't have targeted the bloodline clans. Even Kyomu, the initiator, didn't do that. How dare he? The bloodline clans don't fundamentally conflict with commoner ninjas. Our strength lies in our bloodline limits, not in monopolizing jutsu.

But the Fourth Mizukage..."

Mei shook her head in pain, her doubts growing. "Father, do you think the Fourth Mizukage is influenced by outsiders?"

"Though I also think so, all evidence points to his decisions."

"..."

Mei remained silent for a moment before raising her head. "Father, I'll personally talk to the Fourth Mizukage. If I explain the situation, he might change his mind.

After all, we are bloodline clans, relying on our bloodline limits. So, our family archives can be handed over to the village in exchange for..."

"Mei!" Her father interrupted. "Can you be sure the Fourth Mizukage won't go back on his word?"

That...

Mei couldn't guarantee it. She felt Yagura would first appease them, then focus on eliminating the commoner ninja clans before targeting the bloodline clans.

"Unite with the Yuki, Kaguya, Hozuki... forget the Hozuki Clan. They'd rather die here than join us..."

Thud.

The sound of a blade piercing flesh interrupted her father's words.

Shocked, he looked down, then turned mechanically. "Ao... you..."

Mei's eyes widened. "Ao! What are you doing?"

"By order of the Mizukage, if the Terumi Clan shows signs of treason, kill them!"

Drawing the blood-stained kunai, Ao glanced at Mei. "It's my mission, but Mei... you should leave."

"Die!"

Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!

In an instant, Mei and Ao clashed. Outside the Terumi Clan residence, numerous Kirigakure Anbu had surrounded the area.

"The Terumi Clan intends to ally with the Yuki and Kaguya Clans to rebel. By order of the Mizukage, destroy them!"

Shouts and sounds of battle echoed as numerous Anbu stormed the Terumi residence, killing everyone they saw, regardless of age.

But where there's slaughter, there's resistance, and the Anbu also suffered casualties.

"Ao! Why are you doing this?"

"It's hopeless, Mei." Ao deflected Mei's attacks, revealing the truth. "The Fourth Mizukage has hired a team of ninjas led by someone with the Rinnegan."

"Rinnegan?!"

"Mei, run. There won't be another chance."

"There's no chance left." Orochimaru suddenly appeared. "Watching this drama unfold has been fascinating. But Ao, are you afraid to die or not?"

Ao was indeed afraid of death.

Otherwise, in the future, he wouldn't join the Kara organization to survive.

He thought his actions were a perfect compromise, saving his life and letting Mei escape.

"Run!" Ao shouted.

"But you killed my father." Mei didn't appreciate it. She stabbed Ao in the chest, piercing his heart. "We're even."

Watching Mei run out of the hall, rallying her clan members to fight and retreat, and the dying Ao, Orochimaru had no intention of intervening.

"Let's go, Sasori. Let's visit the Kaguya Clan. There's something there for both of us."

Ao, choking on blood, reached out for help, but only managed to produce meaningless sounds. The others were too busy fighting to notice him.

Soon, Ao was dead.

His seemingly perfect plan was merely self-deception.

Suddenly, a hand emerged from a space vortex, plucking Ao's Byakugan from his eye socket.

(End of Chapter)