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***
"But what if all these assumptions are wrong…" Mei Terumi said worriedly.
If Ao had truly acted in front of the Fourth Mizukage, and Yagura hadn't been manipulated, his fate would have been dire.
"Whether this matter is true or false, it must be verified," Ao said.
"This concerns the honor and future of Kirigakure. If our assumptions are wrong, I will have no regrets."
"Whether the current Mizukage is true or false, in my opinion, there's no need to continue serving him."
"Look at Kirigakure right now. It's like hell on earth. As a Kirigakure ninja, I'd rather die for the village, but not blindly pander to the Mizukage's tyranny!"
Ao said these words, not because of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, but because of a long-held belief.
Itachi's rebirth had interrupted current history, and Ao's actions had been brought forward.
But Ao had always held this belief.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to expose the Fourth Mizukage's true identity through the history Itachi knew.
And weren't his words exactly what Mei Terumi was thinking right now?
"I understand!"
Mei Terumi replied, already feeling a certain awe for Ao.
"I came to you today to tell you that if I fail, you are the only chance for Kirigakure to escape its current state!"
Ao stared at Mei Terumi with a burning gaze.
The young woman before him was the only one capable of replacing the Fourth Mizukage, both in terms of strength and status.
Most importantly, she possessed a deep love for Kirigakure.
"You must be prepared from now on, because the Fourth Mizukage has his sights on you," Ao said.
Mei Terumi's actions had already crossed Yagura's boundaries.
Yet, even today, the higher-ups hadn't reacted, which was definitely not a good sign.
The Fourth Mizukage hadn't dealt with Mei Terumi immediately because he was wary of her strength and the support of the Terumi clan.
Kirigakure had just been attacked, and with dozens of ninjas from the Four Nations of Fire, Wind, Lightning, and Earth still within the village, the Fourth Mizukage's primary reason for delaying action was to maintain stability.
After saying this, Ao turned and prepared to leave.
Mei Terumi slowly clenched her fists and whispered, "When do you plan to act?"
"After everyone from the other villages has left Kirigakure… In any case, we shouldn't let them know too much about the current situation in the village," Ao said.
Although the Five Great Ninja Nations had a peace treaty after the Third Shinobi World War, if unrest broke out in Kirigakure, that treaty would be void.
Even though Ao and Mei Terumi both wanted to end the Fourth Mizukage's rule, they had to consider this.
Otherwise, the entire Land of Water and Kirigakure would be plunged into a grave crisis.
"I entrust everything to you!"
With a swish, Ao darted out of the hut and instantly disappeared into the mist.
Mei Terumi's eyes shifted slightly, her expression gradually becoming resolute.
…
Two days later, on the sixth day after the attack on Kirigakure, the ninjas from the Four Nations were summoned by the Fourth Mizukage before they could leave the village.
Within Kirigakure lies a small lake, behind which lies a naturally formed cave, though artificially constructed to make it appear even more exquisite.
Here, the Fourth Mizukage met with Shikaku, Dodai, Baki, and others, the leaders of the Four Nations.
At the entrance to the cave, the handsome, seemingly adolescent Fourth Mizukage scanned the four figures before him, his gaze finally resting on Shikaku.
"Many suspicious points remain regarding the attack on Kirigakure, and this is why the exam must be abruptly cancelled."
"Kirigakure was targeted. It's my fault as the Fourth Mizukage, but the ninjas of Kirigakure will not let off the person behind this plot."
"I believe you all share my sentiment on this point," Yagura said indifferently, his gaze fixed pointedly on Shikaku.
The others were similarly silent, their suspicions clearly still focused on the Konohagakure ninjas.
Despite the gazes, Shikaku remained calm.
He spoke calmly, "Konohagakure's stance on this matter is the same as Kirigakure's."
"Five years ago, someone from Akatsuki attacked Konohagakure, and a few days ago, they attacked Kirigakure."
"Such a dangerous mercenary organization has threatened the security of the Five Great Ninja Nations… Therefore, Konohagakure will resolutely eradicate Akatsuki."
"Konohagakure also hopes that Kirigakure will soon find the culprit behind this tragedy."
Shikaku was reminding everyone that Konohagakure had also been attacked by Akatsuki before.
Every ninja village, large or small, in the ninja world was familiar with the ways of Konohagakure's ninjas.
They would never cooperate with anyone who harmed their comrades and the village.
The Fourth Mizukage chuckled and said, "Let's wait and see…"
His tone gradually grew colder.
…
After this conversation, the ninjas from the Four Nations began to leave Kirigakure one after another.
However, this time, they did not travel in groups as they had when they arrived, but left in separate groups.
Konohagakure's Shikaku and his companions were the last to leave Kirigakure.
After leaving the mountainous area where Kirigakure was located, Itachi glanced back.
He knew that soon after they left, drastic changes would occur in Kirigakure.
"Itachi," Izumi stood obediently beside Itachi.
Although she did not know the details of Shisui, Kakashi, and Itachi's conspiracy, she had a premonition that something was about to happen.
Itachi turned and smiled at Izumi.
Then, the Konohagakure ninjas disappeared into the mist.
After a quick journey, they arrived at the port of the Land of Water mainland about a day later.
Everyone boarded the ship and headed towards the Land of Fire.
On the ship, Itachi observed Shikaku constantly, noticing that the focus of all nations was on the Konohagakure ninjas.
So, even though Shikaku hadn't said it, Itachi had already deduced that the rules for the first round of the joint Chūnin Exams were likely designed by Shikaku.
In a sense, Shikaku's plan had been exploited by the masked man and his group, yet there was no sign of panic on his face.
"Could it be…" Itachi observed Shikaku's calm expression.
Knowing him well, he knew he must have been prepared.
Furthermore, given Shikaku's cautious nature, he would rarely propose such a risky plan.
Just then, Shikaku glanced over and smiled at Itachi.
There was something meaningful in his smile.
It suddenly occurred to Itachi that if Shikaku's plan went according to plan, the masked man and his group would likely exploit it.
His expression changed slightly, and he asked in a hint of surprise.
"Could it be… that the Fourth Hokage had also calculated the developments so far?"
...
The day after the ninjas from the Four Nations of Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning left Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage summoned all the village jōnin and gathered them in front of the lake cave where they had met Shikaku and others before.
Kirigakure had been attacked before, and Yagura's actions had indeed caused dissatisfaction among many people.
But the Fourth Mizukage, or the masked man, would never allow anyone to question his orders.
That's why all the jōnin were gathered together.
In front of the slightly dark cave, all the Kirigakure jōnin knelt in front of Yagura. In addition to the jōnin, there were also several squad leaders of the Anbu.
Yagura said a lot of harsh words, and none of the Kirigakure jōnin in front of him dared to speak.
Mei Terumi knelt on one knee, glancing towards Ao from the corner of her eye.
Because she knew that Ao would choose this time to "verify."
"Don't pay attention to the words of the ordinary villagers. They don't understand that if Kirigakure is overrun in the attack, the enemy won't let them off either."
"So this time, facing the Kaguya clan and Akatsuki mercenaries, the actions of most Kirigakure ninjas were fine," Yagura said indifferently.
He didn't care about the lives of the civilians.
To him, they were just a bunch of worthless ants.
Although no one dared to refute his words, the faces of the Kirigakure ninjas who bowed their heads before him showed some degree of anger.
Although Kirigakure's ninja system had turned most of them into killing machines, it didn't mean they were without feelings.
How could there not be family members among the dead civilians?
Becoming a ninja meant leaving everything behind, but humans are sentient beings, not machines.
How could they truly let go completely?
Ao heard this and could no longer hold back.
He gritted his teeth and began to form hand seals.
Everyone around him was a jōnin, so they'd noticed his move the moment he raised his hand.
Yet, no one moved to stop him.
Seeing this, Yagura's eyes suddenly turned cold, and he whispered, "You, man, are you trying to resist me?"
As he finished speaking, Ao completed the hand seal.
"Byakugan, open!"
Veins suddenly bulged in his right eye, hidden by a black eyepatch.
Mei Terumi's body tensed at that moment.
"Capture him!" Yagura commanded.
Though the Kirigakure jōnin harbored resentment, they dared not disobey the Fourth Mizukage.
Just as someone was about to take action to restrain Ao, Ao opened his Byakugan, capable of passing through any obstacle.
He immediately spotted a barrier hidden in the cave behind the Fourth Mizukage, blocking chakra perception.
However, to facilitate chakra transmission, this barrier couldn't completely block out all power.
Ao spotted a figure lurking in the cave behind Yagura.
"Who are you?"
He suddenly shouted, letting his colleagues beside him capture him without any resistance.
"What are you talking about?"
The surrounding Kirigakure jōnin were all stunned.
They didn't understand what Ao was suddenly saying.
Only Mei Terumi's pretty face suddenly tensed after hearing this.
"There is a person hiding in the cave behind the Mizukage!"
Ao shouted.
Swish! Before the Kirigakure jōnin could react, Mei Terumi rushed out.
Hand seals suddenly appeared in her hands.
"Splash!"
Not far from the crowd, a large amount of water surged in the lake behind them, suddenly rushing up, forming a huge water dragon above the heads of the Kirigakure jōnin, emitting a low roar.
Behind the cave, the masked man was shocked, but at this time he was not completely exposed.
So, the Yagura he controlled pretended to be calm and said grimly: "Catch them for me!"
But the masked man knew that even these senior ninjas from Kirigakure would never be able to control Mei Terumi if they did not work together.
Immediately, Yagura also moved.
In his hand, he held a weapon similar to a cane, but the front end was decorated with green flowers.
He swung the cane and opened his mouth at the same time, spitting out a stream of water.
The water suddenly formed a smooth mirror made of water in front of him.
"Roar!"
When Mei Terumi's ninjutsu was reflected in the water mirror, a roar suddenly sounded in the water mirror.
A water dragon of the same size as Mei Terumi's rushed out of the mirror, and then collided with Mei Terumi's ninjutsu in the sky.
"Boom!"
As the jutsu clashed, Yagura's cold eyes swept over the Kirigakure jōnin, demanding, "What? Are you planning to join these two in rebellion?"
Knowing the Fourth Mizukage's wrath, the Kirigakure jōnin planned to attack simultaneously to capture Mei Terumi.
At that moment, Mei Terumi's hand seals shifted.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
She opened her mouth and unleashed a stream of thick, corrosive liquid, cascading down like a waterfall, enveloping Yagura.
Mei Terumi paid no heed to the Kirigakure ninjas surrounding her.
Her gaze remained fixed on Yagura as she barked, "The Fourth Mizukage is being manipulated by the Akatsuki, and that person is hiding behind the cave. As Kirigakure jōnin, can't you tell for yourselves whether this is true or not?"
"What!?"
These words stunned the Kirigakure jōnin, who froze in their tracks.
By this time, Mei Terumi's Lava Release had already taken hold.
Her unique Kekkei Genkai jutsu, even if the Fourth Mizukage's Water Release: Water Mirror Technique could replicate it, would never reach the same power.
As expected, as Mei Terumi's jutsu landed, Yagura's skin began to ooze crimson chakra.
Mei Terumi immediately unleashed her true strength, forcing Yagura, despite being the Mizukage, to meet the challenge with all his might.
As a perfect Jinchūriki, Yagura's greatest reliance was naturally the power of the Three-Tails within him.
As Yagura gradually transformed into a tailed beast, he issued another command.
"What a bunch of idiots! Facing two rebels, why aren't you taking action?"
As Mei Terumi and Yagura engaged in this standoff, some of the Kirigakure jōnin hesitated, while others began attacking the former.
Among these Kirigakure jōnin were numerous perceptive ninjas.
As they attacked Mei Terumi, they formed hand seals and opened their senses.
This sense expanded, instantly encompassing, and immediately reaching the barrier within the cave.
This barrier normally blocks chakra, but now that the masked man was manipulating Yagura to harness the Three-Tails' chakra, the power required was naturally much greater.
The barrier couldn't completely conceal his chakra at this point.
A series of perceptive ninjas caught sight of the masked man and exclaimed in surprise, "There's someone in the cave!"
....
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