Chapter 197: Manipulating the Future Mizukage

The Mist Village team was dispatched by the Fourth Mizukage to support Danzo and suppress the Sarutobi clan's coup.

This elite team, apart from Mei Terumī and Ringo Ameyuri, also consisted of the recovered Ao, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and Chōjūrō – the latter three having missed the previous assault on Konoha due to injuries inflicted by Uchiha Dan.

However, this time, the team was led not by Ao, but by Mei Terumī.

The reason? During the ongoing conflict, Mei Terumī's performance was exceptional. Her dual Kekkei Genkai, Lava and Boil Release, made her stand out on the battlefield. Moreover, she showcased exemplary leadership skills. Her capabilities received unanimous approval from the Mist Village, including the Mizukage himself.

Regarding this mission, Mei felt there was no need to go all out. Cleaning up minor threats on the outskirts would suffice. Thus, the Mist team seemed relaxed, casually eliminating weaker enemies.

Suddenly, Ao, under his mask, sensed something with his Byakugan. "Something's not right."

Following his gaze, Mei's expression shifted as the smoke from the earlier explosion began to dissipate, revealing an unassuming man, completely unscathed from the blast.

Seeing this, the Mist ninjas were taken aback.

"I thought he was just a minor player, but it seems I was wrong. Interesting," Chōjūrō remarked, his eyes gleaming. He drew his twin-bladed kunai, licking his lips like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Hold on!" Mei cautioned, signaling Chōjūrō to restrain himself. But it was too late.

Chōjūrō charged, his kunai aimed at the man's heart. Yet, without moving a muscle, the man raised a hand, swiping it towards Chōjūrō.

"You're too slow," Chōjūrō mocked, about to dodge, but upon seeing the man's hand, he hesitated.

Genjutsu!

In that split second, the man's hand struck Chōjūrō across the face, sending him flying into a nearby building.

He was defeated in an instant.

"Prepare for battle!" Mei shouted, sensing the formidable opponent before them.

As she spoke, Ao, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and Ringo Ameyuri prepared for combat. But the man moved quicker, activating a jutsu without even forming hand signs.

The ground shook violently as trees sprouted from the ground, growing at an unbelievable pace. Within seconds, the entire rooftop was covered in a dense forest.

Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.

The iconic jutsu of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

"Is this... Wood Release?!" Ao exclaimed, urging the team to be cautious.

Yet, as they retaliated with various jutsu, the forest regenerated faster than they could handle.

Mei unleashed her Lava Release, melting away the trees, but they grew back even more vigorously, quickly overwhelming the Mist ninjas.

Except for one.

Hōzuki Mangetsu liquified himself, escaping the wooden binds. A technique unique to the Hōzuki clan: Hydrification Technique.

"Hold on! I'll get the Mizukage!"

Having said that, Hōzuki Mangetsu wasted no time fleeing the scene.

The man paid no attention to the escaping Hōzuki and approached Ao.

"Who are you?" Ao began, attempting to clarify the situation, "If you're under the Fifth Hokage, Danzo, then there's been a misunderstanding. We're here to help..."

Before he could finish, the man thrust three fingers directly into Ao's right eye.

Ao cried out in pain. His Byakugan had been taken.

The man then turned his attention to Mei Terumī, who was bound by the trees, unable to move. As he examined her, Mei's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

With a snap of his fingers, the man changed her position, causing Mei to scream out. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and leaped from the rooftop.

"Captain!" The Mist ninjas, still trapped, watched helplessly as their leader was abducted into the night.

Ten minutes later, in a forest outside Konohagakure, Mei was thrown to the ground, fear evident in her eyes. But when the man's eyes transformed into the distinct pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan, she recognized him.

"You... are Uchiha Dan?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

Without a word, Dan trapped her in a genjutsu. When she emerged, her eyes mirrored the Sharingan pattern, signifying Dan's control over her.

Dan dispelled the Wood Release, allowing Mei to rise. Instead of fleeing, she knelt and mechanically acknowledged him as "Master."

Satisfied, Dan recalled that in the original story, Mei Terumī was the Fifth Mizukage, a figure who brought hope to the Mist Village. Like Obito Uchiha controlled the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, Dan planned to manipulate the future Fifth Mizukage as a chess piece.

Suddenly, multiple chakra sources approached quickly. The Mist ninjas, led by Yagura, had arrived.

Without hesitation, Dan and Mei's Sharingan deactivated simultaneously, causing her to collapse.

As Yagura launched a water-based attack, Dan gracefully dodged and retreated into the forest.

Thinking he'd escape? Yagura pursued without a second thought.

"Captain!" Ringo Ameyuri rushed to Mei's side, fearing the worst. Thankfully, Mei regained consciousness.

"Are you alright?" The team surrounded her with concern.

"I... can't remember anything," Mei replied, trying to recall the events leading up to her fainting. However, the pain made her stop.

After a while, Yagura returned, clearly disappointed. Relieved that Mei was unharmed, he realized they were lucky to arrive when they did. Had they been any later, the enemy might have harmed her.

Regrettably, Ao had lost his Byakugan.

The Byakugan held significant strategic value to Kirigakure (Hidden Mist). After all, it was with its help that Yagura's genjutsu was dispelled.

"Let's return," the Mizukage Yagura said coldly.

For tonight's losses, Danzo would have to pay. After all, doesn't Konohagakure possess many Byakugan?

---

Inside Konohagakure, at the Anbu Black Ops base.

"Lord Asuma, escape quickly!"

Amidst the protection of the Sarutobi clan members, the gravely injured Asuma and Kurenai barely managed to get away.

"You might as well surrender," declared Hyūga Hizashi, swiftly launching a chakra wave from his palm.

Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!

Asuma was struck square in the chest and sent flying. Kurenai, in shock, quickly disrupted Hizashi with a genjutsu. She then helped the bleeding Asuma and hurriedly retreated into an alley.

However, against the piercing vision of the Hyūga's Byakugan, there was nowhere to hide.

Breaking free from the genjutsu, Hizashi soon had them surrounded.

"Finish them," ordered Danzo, growing tired of their resilience.

Just as Asuma and Kurenai were cornered, three blazing fire dragons emerged from the shadows, roaring towards Danzo and his men from all directions.

"Protect Lord Hokage!" Hizashi yelled, deflecting the flames.

Who was it?

Danzo recognized the figure emerging from the darkness: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in black armor.

"You've finally shown yourself," Danzo began, his voice dripping with disdain. "I knew you'd return, unable to bear the thought of me as Hokage."

"Have you considered the shame you've brought upon Konoha?" retorted Hiruzen, challenging Danzo's motivations.

Danzo, tired of Hiruzen's sanctimony, signaled the Konoha shinobi to attack.

Hiruzen, unfazed, utilized the Shadow Clone technique, creating four duplicates. Each Sarutobi began to weave hand signs rapidly.

Five Nature Continuous Attack!

Only Hiruzen, the 'Professor', could execute this technique: simultaneously releasing five different elemental attacks. Its power was immense.

A deafening explosion ensued, causing devastation and many casualties.

After the smoke cleared, Hizashi emerged from the rubble, only to find Hiruzen, Asuma, and Kurenai had vanished.

That night, under Danzo's cruel orders, the Sarutobi clan and their supporters, including the Yuhi and Kurama clans, were eradicated.

Thousands perished, turning streets into rivers of blood.

With this violent suppression, other clans and shinobi in the village were paralyzed with fear. The idea of rebellion was quashed.

Under Danzo's rule, from that day onwards, Konohagakure's shinobi would experience their darkest days.