Wen Lan did not refuse Yagura's invitation to dinner.
The two first discussed several political matters.
Because of the Hidden Mist's consistent cooperation and goodwill, Wen Lan held a favorable opinion of Yagura.
During their conversation, Wen Lan offered several economic suggestions—placing particular emphasis on transitioning resource-based industries and pursuing sustainable development.
Yagura nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Some of the ideas left him momentarily stunned.
Wen Lan even proposed combining marine eco-tourism with deep-sea aquaculture, creating a unique "blue economy" industrial chain exclusive to the Hidden Mist.
Such forward-thinking concepts caused Yagura to fall into deep contemplation.
He had never imagined that the seas—long considered barren—could contain such immense potential.
Soon, night fell.
Wen Lan and Yagura arrived at Yagura's home.
It was a courtyard residence—larger even than the compound of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku.
Several honeysuckle plants grew in the yard.
On the stone table in the courtyard, several dishes had already been prepared.
A young man and woman were arranging the table.
Hearing footsteps, they looked up.
When they saw Yagura, they froze briefly—then quickly ran forward and bowed.
"Father, Hokage's Aide."
Yagura nodded and introduced them to Wen Lan.
"This is my son, Karatachi Tetsuya.
And this is my daughter-in-law, Ming Xiayi."
At that moment, a woman carrying a pot of hot soup stepped out of the kitchen.
She saw the guest had arrived and immediately steadied herself, offering a warm smile.
"You must be the Hokage's Aide."
She gently placed the soup on the stone table, her movements calm and practiced.
Stepping forward, she bowed politely.
"I am Yagura's wife, Wuxia.
Tonight's meal is rather simple—please forgive any shortcomings."
Wen Lan returned the greeting with a smile.
"Madam Mizukage, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Enough talking—please, take your seats."
The five of them sat around the stone table.
Wuxia personally served each person a bowl of kelp and tofu soup.
Steam rose gently from the bowls, carrying a faint, savory ocean aroma.
Wen Lan took a sip and nodded in approval.
"The timing is perfect. The seafood flavor is clean and authentic."
Wuxia smiled softly, warmth shining in her eyes.
"I'm glad you like it."
As the meal continued, the conversation gradually deepened.
Topics shifted from household matters to the future development of the Hidden Mist.
Tetsuya listened intently, his chopsticks frozen midair.
It felt as though, for the first time, he truly understood the weight resting on his father's shoulders—and the long road ahead.
Ming Xiayi glanced quietly at her husband.
Seeing the light in his eyes, a ripple of emotion stirred within her as well.
As the wine flowed, Yagura became more talkative.
He asked Wen Lan about the changing political situation beyond the Hidden Mist—especially the recent movements of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
His voice lowered slightly.
"Do you think we should strengthen border patrols?"
A trace of concern lingered in his tone.
Wen Lan set down his chopsticks and answered seriously.
"Iwagakure has indeed been acting suspiciously.
According to intelligence reports, their border shinobi have been gathering more frequently—likely testing the reactions of neighboring nations."
He paused briefly.
"But Kumogakure's stance remains stable for now."
"Wen Lan," Yagura asked,
"What do you think the Hidden Mist should do next?"
By this point, their familiarity had grown enough that formal titles had given way to first names.
Wen Lan gazed into the rippling reflection of the soup in his bowl before speaking slowly.
"Yagura… have you ever heard of the Ōtsutsuki clan?"
"Hm? The Sage of Six Paths?" Yagura asked in confusion.
"Yes," Wen Lan replied.
"The Sage of Six Paths belonged to the Ōtsutsuki clan.
And the Ōtsutsuki are not natives of this world."
Gradually, he explained the origins of the Ōtsutsuki—
and the possibility that members of that clan would one day descend upon the ninja world.
His goal had always been to unite the Five Great Villages.
But without the pressure of an external threat, true unity would never happen.
Besides—
he now possessed the strength to face them.
Even if the entire Ōtsutsuki clan arrived, he would not fear them.
Still, war was never desirable.
If conflict could be avoided, that would always be best.
The four members of the Karatachi family sat in stunned silence.
After a long pause, Yagura gave a short laugh.
"Such a thing sounds like pure fantasy.
Most villages wouldn't believe it until the Ōtsutsuki actually appeared before their eyes."
Wen Lan neither agreed nor disagreed.
It was like telling people in the 21st century that extraterrestrials were about to invade Earth.
No one would believe it.
But when that day finally came—
the price of being unprepared would be annihilation.
"So," Wen Lan said calmly,
"I plan to create an external threat in advance."
"The leader of the Akatsuki is one of my people.
I've ordered them to gather the power of the Tailed Beasts and summon the Ten-Tails.
When the Ten-Tails appears, the Five Great Villages will feel an unprecedented danger—
and they will have no choice but to unite."
"The Akatsuki… is yours?!"
Yagura shot to his feet, eyes wide with shock.
"Yes."
Wen Lan nodded.
Noticing the concern on everyone's faces, he added:
"Don't worry. We only need to extract a portion of the Tailed Beasts' chakra.
The jinchūriki will survive."
Yagura slowly nodded.
"In that case… after the Mizukage succession ceremony is complete, you can take the portion from the Three-Tails."
Wen Lan did not refuse.
Instead, he asked quietly:
"You can communicate with the Three-Tails, right?"
"Of course."
"Do you know its name?"
"Name?"
Yagura blinked in surprise.
"Tailed Beasts have names?"
He was, by all standards, a perfect jinchūriki—yet the Three-Tails had never told him its name.
"The Three-Tails is called Isobu," Wen Lan said.
"You should inform it in advance, so it doesn't panic."
No sooner had he finished speaking—
than crimson chakra suddenly erupted from Yagura's body.
It felt thick, violent, and ominous.
Yagura clutched his chest in pain.
Wuxia and the others recoiled in alarm.
"Don't worry," Yagura said through gritted teeth.
"It wants to talk to you."
He quickly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
A circular mirror formed from water floated in the air.
Inside it appeared the image of a massive turtle.
The Three-Tails — Isobu.
Its eyes locked onto Wen Lan.
"Who exactly are you?!"
it growled.
"How do you know my name?!"
Wen Lan rolled his eyes.
"Why do all of you Tailed Beasts start with that same question?
Is it really so hard to know your names?"
"You… have met other Tailed Beasts?"
Isobu frowned.
"Yes.
Matatabi.
Kokuō.
Kurama."
"I see…"
Isobu's expression relaxed slightly.
"That makes sense.
If you know the Sage's clan, knowing our names isn't strange."
Then its tone turned serious.
"But are you truly planning to summon the Ten-Tails?
Once it appears, it will slaughter every living being on this planet—
and use them as nourishment."
"Tch."
Wen Lan smirked dismissively.
He patted the Kusanagi Sword at his waist.
"If it really gets out of control—
I'll slice it into minced meat."
"Empty words do not equal strength," Isobu replied coldly.
Wen Lan said nothing.
He simply closed his eyes.
The next instant—
Rinnegan with tomoe flared open.
Several Truth-Seeking Orbs floated into existence around him.
"Then what about now?" he asked calmly.
Isobu's eyes widened in shock.
"That is…
the power of the Sage…
natural energy…
the Rinnegan…
You— you—!"
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