Chapter 142

The Mizukage's office in the Hidden Mist Village.

The Third Mizukage squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the treasure map on the desk.

A very familiar location.

Fujiwara Island.

But it was different from the map he had seen before. Beneath the island was drawn a huge palace.

Although the specifics weren't detailed, anyone looking at this map could understand its implication.

The underground palace was where the treasure was located.

The Third Mizukage tapped his desk, feeling a bit irritable.

He didn't believe in the story of the Pirate King.

But the recent turmoil was growing too big to ignore.

As the Mizukage, he knew that if people started believing these rumors, the Land of Water would never be peaceful.

He had to stop it.

"Where is Chiba Kaketsuki?"

The Third Mizukage looked up and asked.

In front of him stood a ninja who looked like a child.

Yagura Karatachi.

With green hair, purple eyes, and a scar resembling a stitch under his left eye.

Born with a baby face, his actual age was unknown, but he was over thirty and incredibly powerful, one of the top young generation fighters.

"He died in an explosion after a brief fight with the Anbu."

Yagura responded slowly, like a gentleman.

"Dead?"

The Third Mizukage frowned, not blaming Yagura.

Chiba Kaketsuki was an S-rank rogue ninja, quite strong, and capturing him alive was difficult.

What troubled him was not knowing why this guy called himself one of the Four Emperors.

"Do we know the origin of the treasure map?" the Third Mizukage asked again.

"No. We questioned almost everyone on the island, but got no results."

Yagura's expression changed slightly as he mentioned this, "I suspect there is something fishy going on."

The Third Mizukage massaged his aching head.

Other ninjas might foolishly believe in this charade.

But not their Mist Village.

Such a grand rumor spreading so quickly had to have an ulterior motive.

"The only way now is to go to Fujiwara Island."

The Third Mizukage sighed, "I originally didn't want the Mist Village to get involved, as our participation would make the rumor seem more real. But given the circumstances, we have no choice but to personally reveal the truth of the treasure."

He looked at Yagura and instructed, "You'll lead the team."

---

"The Mist Village is moving fast."

Haruki couldn't help but laugh upon hearing the news of Chiba Kaketsuki's death, "Poor guy."

Kakuzu glanced at him.

Isn't the mastermind behind all this you?

Even if he executed it himself.

Using Kakuzu's connections, Haruki had successfully convinced Chiba Kaketsuki that he was one of the legendary Four Emperors, capable of great feats and conquering the seas.

Three days later, the Mist Village captured him.

Luckily, Kakuzu helped him with an explosive tag, otherwise, the plan might have been exposed.

"The lure of fame and fortune is truly irresistible."

Haruki looked at the other news Kakuzu brought.

"Yagura Karatachi, huh?"

His impression of this guy was pitiful, very pitiful.

Even though he became the Mizukage, holding one of the most powerful positions, his joy was short-lived.

He was then controlled by Obito's Sharingan, becoming a puppet, and wreaking havoc on the Mist Village.

Many geniuses and powerful ninjas left, causing a sharp decline in the Mist Village's overall strength.

If it weren't for his subordinate, Ao, who got a Byakugan from the Hyuga clan during the Third Shinobi War and broke the genjutsu, his tragic fate might never have ended even in death.

Haruki pondered.

According to the plan, he had to find the ultimate recipient of the treasure.

Yagura Karatachi's identity was very suitable.

If he could prove the power of the Chakra Fruit, it would certainly cause a huge sensation.

But his experience and strength were too strong, making him hard to approach and easily see through.

Moreover, he could deny it.

After all, he was already a well-known ninja in the Mist Village.

If he claimed it was his hidden strength, not from eating the Chakra Fruit, it would be hard to argue.

Only someone with inherently weak strength would be more convincing.

"Keep investigating for me."

Haruki rejected Yagura as the candidate and handed the task to Kakuzu.

He increasingly felt that keeping Kakuzu was a very wise decision.

This guy could get along anywhere.

Kakuzu nodded.

It wasn't because he was impressed by Haruki, but because he was paid.

He wouldn't refuse money.

"The time is ripe to let the black market release more treasure maps."

After some time and effort, Haruki and Kakuzu finally completed the maze.

To make it look more ancient, Haruki specifically hired an expert to disguise it.

Of course, under secrecy.

"Limit the number of entrants with a mechanism to let the strong go in."

Haruki thought for a moment and added.

Too many people would be hard to handle.

He just needed the right ones to be there.

Kakuzu glanced at him and reminded, "The various forces in the Land of Water are never peaceful. Gathering them might cause more chaos than you expect."

"Don't worry."

Haruki understood his concern, fearing a failure.

But with his current strength, the chances of failure were as low as winning the lottery.

Unless it involved Madara Uchiha and Black and White Zetsu.

But they had their own motives and limitations.

Time flew by.

In just a month, the Land of Water was in turmoil.

The black market's business boomed.

Taking advantage of this, they fully launched the Pirate King's bounty system.

Rogue ninjas and pirates in the vast sea, riding the trend.

Because they discovered that once they had titles like the Four Emperors and Supernovas, some islands directly paid money.

The only ones unhappy were the Land of Water and Mist Village.

Feeling the pressure.

But fortunately, the so-called Fujiwara Treasure was about to be uncovered, and all rumors would be debunked.

Before the grand reveal, Haruki summoned Tsunade and the others.

"This is a rare opportunity. Kakashi, Obito, and Rin have made rapid progress lately. The three of them working together are now on par with Jonin. As long as they don't delve deep into the maze, they won't encounter dangerous individuals. Tsunade, you take them to let them train a bit."

"What about you?" Tsunade had no objections.

"I'll have Kakuzu maintain the maze's mechanisms while I pick a lucky person."

Haruki pinched her cheek, having explained his reasons for these actions to Tsunade before.

To weaken the Land of Water's strength.

In the original story, although the Third Shinobi War wasn't detailed, from the content shown, the Mist Village did quite a bit.

First, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist ambushed Konoha, encountering Might Duy.

Second, they turned Rin Nohara into a Three-Tails Jinchuriki, intending for her to return to Konoha and self-destruct. To prevent this, she willingly died by Kakashi's hand.

Besides these, there were surely more incidents.