Chapter 40: The Kaguya Uprising
As one of Kirigakure's most influential kekkei genkai clans, the Kaguya clan naturally maintained its own network of power and informants within the Mizukage Tower.
The moment the news of Kaguya Naoto being taken in for investigation spread, it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake—ripples quickly spread throughout the clan compound.
Inside the clan head's residence, several senior figures gathered together.
The atmosphere was stifling, heavy with the stillness that precedes a storm.
Anger and humiliation hung thick in the air, unmistakable on every face.
"This is outrageous!" someone slammed the table.
"Clan Head Naoto may have only been trying to open a new supply route for the clan, yet he's treated with such disgrace!"
"I've said it before—those bastards in the Kirigakure upper ranks have never trusted us," another growled.
"They're clearly using this as an excuse to suppress the Kaguya clan."
"If we don't retaliate," a third voice cut in sharply,
"how are we supposed to stand tall in the Land of Water? I propose we go directly to the Mizukage Tower and let them see the strength of the Kaguya clan!"
The incendiary words immediately ignited the room.
Several of Kaguya Naoto's close aides tried to intervene, urging restraint—but their voices were completely drowned out by the rising tide of fury.
Before long, the clan elders returned to their respective residences, mobilizing their people and preparing to march on the Mizukage Tower to demand answers.
---
The news of an impending Kaguya clan uprising reached the Third Mizukage almost instantly.
At that moment, he sat across from a visibly resentful Kaguya Naoto, rubbing his temples as a headache began to form.
"Clan Head Naoto," the Mizukage said heavily,
"why did you go to that forest in the first place? And where did that unidentified coded signal come from?"
"I've already answered that question more times than I can count," Kaguya Naoto replied, barely suppressing his irritation.
"The signal came from an anonymous letter that was thrown into my residence. As for why I went to the forest—I intended to verify whether the contents of that letter were true, and whether that traveling merchant was, in fact, a spy."
Repeated interrogation had clearly worn down his patience, and anger crept into his voice.
"And the letter?" the Mizukage asked.
"It's on me," Kaguya Naoto said coldly.
"You're welcome to examine it yourself."
The tension in the room tightened—
because both men understood that whatever was written on that letter might decide not just Naoto's fate, but the balance between Kirigakure and one of its most dangerous clans.
Seeing Kaguya Naoto's open and forthright attitude, the Third Mizukage found himself caught in a dilemma.
But when he considered the unrest already brewing within the Kaguya clan, he had no choice but to temporarily set aside any concerns over trade or profit. Turning to the shinobi behind him, he gave a firm order:
"Bring that traveling merchant here. Alive. I'll interrogate him personally."
"Yes, sir!"
The shinobi departed at once, heading straight for the inn where Namikaze Yami was staying.
---
Inside the inn, Yami sat calmly before a low tea table, his expression unruffled. On the surface, he appeared completely relaxed—but through Kagura's Mind Eye, he had already grasped every movement outside.
The shinobi stationed nearby were growing drowsy as the night dragged on, though they forced themselves to stay alert. Seeing that the merchant in the room still hadn't gone to sleep, they merely assumed he was too shaken to rest.
Before long, ANBU from the Mizukage Tower arrived at the inn and questioned the guards.
"Is the foreign merchant still here? What's the situation?"
"He is," the guard replied promptly. "He seems shaken—hasn't slept yet."
"Good. The Mizukage has ordered his interrogation. Come with me."
With the guard leading the way, they headed toward Yami's room.
---
Inside, Yami sensed everything clearly.
A faint smile curved his lips.
So… it's time for the traveling merchant to exit the stage.
A few minutes later, the two shinobi began to feel something was wrong. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, as though they were walking in circles.
"Damn it—genjutsu!"
The ANBU suddenly snapped awake, realizing he had unknowingly fallen into Temple of Nirvana–style looping illusion, endlessly pacing the inn's hallway.
He surged chakra through his tenketsu to dispel it. Startled by the shout, the Mist shinobi beside him reacted instantly.
"Release!"
"Release!"
The world spun violently—and in the next instant, they were standing directly in front of Yami's door.
They kicked it open—
—and their faces drained of color.
"Shit!"
They tried to retreat, but it was already too late.
The moment they crossed the threshold, a deafening explosion erupted. Fire roared upward as the entire inn was engulfed in a violent blast, the shockwave hurling both shinobi through the air.
The ANBU barely stabilized himself mid-flight. The Mist guard, however, was gravely injured.
Through the raging flames, the ANBU caught a fleeting glimpse—
A shinobi wearing a demon-faced mask, standing face-to-face with the "merchant," their bodies almost embracing.
A bone spear pierced straight through the merchant's chest.
---
Ignoring his injured companion, the ANBU rushed back into the inferno.
The inn had completely collapsed.
The masked assailant was gone without a trace.
After combing through the ruins, they found only one thing left behind—
The merchant's charred, unrecognizable corpse.
With no other choice, they carried the remains back to the Mizukage Tower.
---
The Third Mizukage stared at the blackened body—burned like a lump of charcoal—and a terrifying pressure burst from him.
"Excellent," he said coldly, fury seeping into every word.
"Silencing witnesses, are we? Find out who did this—no matter what."
The soot-covered ANBU hesitated instead of withdrawing.
"In the flames… I think I saw a bone spear pierce his heart and lungs."
The Mizukage's eyes snapped open.
His gaze locked onto the ANBU, sharp enough to make cold sweat pour down the man's back.
"Until there is irrefutable evidence," the Mizukage said slowly,
"this matter is not to be mentioned again."
"Yes, sir."
The ANBU retreated at once to assist with the investigation.
---
Left alone in his office, the Third Mizukage stood beneath the flickering lamplight, his expression shifting unpredictably.
After a long silence, he rose and headed for the room where Kaguya Naoto was being held.
The moment Naoto saw him, he demanded urgently:
"Was the merchant brought in? I can confront him directly!"
The Mizukage looked at him with a complicated expression and replied flatly:
"The merchant is dead."
"What?! That's impossible!"
The Mizukage unfurled a sealing scroll and released the charred remains onto the floor before him.
Naoto stared at the corpse.
Then his expression changed abruptly.
Before he could speak, the Mizukage cut him off:
"Your clansmen are gathering at the compound. Tell me—what exactly does the Kaguya clan intend to do?"
Naoto's composure finally cracked.
"N-no… this isn't it. This has nothing to do with the Kaguya clan, I swear—"
"I will allow you to return," the Mizukage interrupted coldly,
"but I expect an explanation. A real one."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping.
"If not, I will personally lead the forces to demand answers.
You fought in the Whirlpool War—you know exactly what happens when a clan challenges the village itself."
With that, he opened the door and walked out, leaving Kaguya Naoto standing alone—his heart sinking as the walls closed in.
---