Twelve Kizuki

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After Muzan boarded the ship, the ANBU ninjas tailing him faced a dilemma. Pakura was an elite ninja, and if they got too close, she might sense their presence, jeopardizing the mission.

"What should we do?" one of the ANBU whispered, watching the ship disappear into the distance. They were uncertain when the next ship would depart or which city Muzan would be heading to.

"Yamanosatsu has already boarded, so everything should go smoothly," another ANBU reassured, though their earlier encounter left the group on edge. Initially, they believed Pakura had killed Yamanosatsu, but soon realized it must have been a substitution jutsu, allowing him to sneak onto the ship undetected.

"Let's hope everything goes according to plan," another ANBU muttered, tension visible on their faces. They couldn't afford failure. Their reputation with the Third Hokage hung in the balance, and losing their posts would be the least of their worries.

The two ROOT members on the team trembled slightly. ROOT's punishments were far harsher than those of the regular ANBU.

Meanwhile, on the ship cutting across the sea, two figures were in a small cabin.

"This is harder than I thought," Pakura murmured to herself. As a kunoichi, she wasn't used to caring for others, let alone an injured child from a noble family. Muzan's condition troubled her deeply.

"I never imagined I'd be dealing with this while on my way to the Land of Water," she added with a sigh. She would have preferred facing enemy shinobi rather than tending to a wounded child. Although Muzan didn't cry or cause any trouble, his pale face and cold body revealed the severity of his injuries.

"If I had a choice, I would have avoided this situation altogether," she muttered before leaving the room.

As the door closed behind her, Muzan opened his eyes, quietly assessing the situation.

"If I had a choice, I wouldn't have done it this way," he mused. "Children's bodies are so inconvenient to work with."

According to the original plan, Pakura was destined to head to Kirigakure and meet her demise there. But Yamanosatsu hadn't confirmed whether the alliance with Kirigakure was genuine or a trap.

The exact details were kept under strict secrecy, especially given the strength of Kirigakure's most powerful shinobi. Whether it was a true alliance or a setup to eliminate Pakura, only the highest levels knew for sure.

But Muzan wasn't concerned. In fact, he anticipated a confrontation between Pakura and Kirigakure, fully prepared to exploit the situation and offer her a way out.

Yes, Pakura was one of the Twelve Demons Muzan had carefully selected. During the Third Ninja War, he intended to expand his influence and power.

From the cabin window, Muzan could see land approaching. It wasn't one large landmass but a cluster of small islands, with the heart of it being Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village of the Land of Water.

Ships typically avoided this area due to Kirigakure's ominous reputation. The village's isolation had only intensified in recent years, and large vessels would only dock at the nearby islands.

"My lord," a voice came from behind.

Yamanosatsu had successfully boarded the ship and entered Muzan's cabin the moment Pakura left.

"The next step is to follow Pakura closely. She will undoubtedly enter Kirigakure."

"You'll soon gain a powerful ally, and the Bloody Mist Village will serve as the stage for our organization's debut in the ninja world."

Muzan glanced at Yamanosatsu, who stood with a mix of fear and determination. Each of the Twelve Demons had been carefully selected, and Muzan tolerated no weakness.

"Understood, my lord," Yamanosatsu replied, feeling the weight of Muzan's expectations. His heart raced with both fear and excitement. Initially, he had reservations about becoming a demon.

The idea of never walking in the sunlight again, hiding in the shadows like a rat, and being unable to reveal his true identity without Muzan's command made Yamanosatsu uneasy. ROOT's harsh training had already pushed him to the brink of rebellion. But if their organization could rise to prominence and dominate the ninja world, there would be no need to live in the shadows any longer.

Yamanosatsu was determined to prove himself. He wanted to impress Muzan, rise through the ranks, and perhaps even become one of the elite Twelve Demons.

"Lord Muzan, Kirigakure is known for its silent killing techniques, but I'm confident I can handle them. Please allow me to show the world the strength of our organization," Yamanosatsu declared, eager to claim victory for their mission. He hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "My lord, what should we call our organization?"

Muzan was silent for a moment, surprised by his subordinate's proactive approach.

"We will be called the Twelve Kizuki. Don't disappoint me."

"Yes, my lord!" Yamanosatsu bowed deeply.

According to their plan, Pakura would stop at the nearest island to take Muzan to a hospital. Yamanosatsu would proceed to Kirigakure ahead of them, preparing for their rendezvous.

The journey was mostly uneventful, but as they neared the Land of Water, the atmosphere grew tense. This region was under Kirigakure's control.

The village was infamous for its brutal graduation exams, where students had to kill their comrades. Kirigakure's ninja were known for their ruthlessness, and their overall strength was slightly higher than those of other villages.

At this time, Pakura was expected to arrive in Kirigakure, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had yet to leave for Konoha.

Despite its bloody history, Kirigakure was undeniably at the peak of its power.

Muzan believed that in her moment of despair, Pakura would choose to become a demon, unleashing unimaginable strength.

"You stay here and rest. I'll return for you," Pakura said, glancing at Muzan's indifferent expression before she turned to leave.

Muzan's cold gaze followed her as she pinched his pale cheek in a rare moment of affection. But inwardly, he thought, *Pakura, you're a fool.*

"If I don't return in seven days, follow the captain back to the mainland," Pakura instructed, handing him a return ticket she had purchased in advance. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in her chest. Kirigakure, shrouded in fog, felt like a beast waiting to devour her.

Though she wasn't sure if she would return safely, she still hoped Muzan would make it back unharmed.

"Don't be so cold all the time. You should learn to smile," Pakura said with a half-smile as she made one final joke before stepping into the mist alongside two shinobi.

After they left, the old captain approached Muzan, ready to guide him back to the ship. But when he looked down, Muzan was nowhere to be found.

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