Chapter 280: The Mastermind's Retreat and the New Alliance
Kirigakure, Mei Terumī's Residence - Two Days Prior.
The Elder Gensui, the political head of Kirigakure's Old Guard, had an overly exaggerated, fawning smile plastered on his face. He bowed low, a deep sign of respect.
"Lady Mei, I offer my profound congratulations. Serving Konoha's esteemed Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Akira-dono, will surely bring swift and necessary modernization to our stagnant Mist Village."
His tone made Mei Terumī's skin crawl. The Genrō's willingness to abandon decades of isolationist principles and grovel before a foreign power was distasteful.
But she couldn't resist. She was trading one tyrant for potential salvation.
After speaking, the Genrō even gave Mei Terumī a meaningful, knowing look—a glance that implied cooperation now meant power later, a wink of political conspiracy.
Mei Terumī took a deep breath, fighting to suppress the surge of indignation churning in her heart. She was the one paying the price for the village's survival.
Lowering her head in compliance, she managed to say in an almost inaudible voice:
"It's... my honor, Genrō-sama. And our village's salvation."
Uchiha Akira, who had been observing the final moments of the conversation from the center of the room, nodded once.
"Lead the way, Lady Mei."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Mei Terumī replied, then turned and led the way out of the Elder's opulent residence.
Mei Terumī's own residence was located in a relatively quiet, older area of Kirigakure, far from the central hustle and bustle. The air here was damp, but peaceful.
Pushing open the simple wooden door, a faint, pleasant, floral fragrance—likely from the nearby hot springs and her own cosmetic choices—wafted out.
"Hokage-sama, please," Mei Terumī stepped aside, allowing Uchiha Akira to enter first.
Uchiha Akira walked in without ceremony, his gaze casually surveying the furnishings inside the house.
It was very simple, traditional, and impeccably clean. No signs of luxury or extravagance. It spoke of a woman who valued discipline and discretion.
Mei Terumī stood awkwardly behind Uchiha Akira, feeling completely ill at ease. She was used to commanding, not waiting.
"What are you standing around for, Lady Mei?" Uchiha Akira's voice broke the thick silence.
"Pour me a cup of tea. I trust the Mist has something potable?"
Uchiha Akira walked directly to the main seat in the living room, near the low table, and sat down, immediately establishing dominance over her private space.
Mei Terumī secretly glared at Uchiha Akira's back. That arrogant bastard!
A strong wave of indignant fury surged in her heart. She was Mei Terumī! The youngest, most powerful female Kage-candidate in the Kirigakure!
But when under the roof of a god, one must bow their head.
"...Yes, Hokage-sama."
Soon, Mei Terumī returned with a simple tea set. She knelt gracefully beside the low table in front of Uchiha Akira and began silently, expertly brewing the strong Mist Village tea.
"The tea is acceptable." Uchiha Akira put down his teacup, having finished his drink. He issued a final, simple order.
"Go. According to the list the Genrō gave you, notify those who are willing to follow you in launching the coup. The timeline remains fixed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Mei Terumī replied, bowing her head.
"Oh, and," Akira added as an afterthought, "prepare a guest room for me. I need to be here for the transition."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Mei Terumī stood up and excused herself, her mind already consumed by the immediate tasks.
The next two days were a blur of clandestine activity.
Mei Terumī and Ao secretly contacted everyone on the list the Genrō had given her—ANBU agents, frustrated Jōnin, and influential clan seniors.
Ultimately, over eighty percent of the contacted individuals chose to submit to the new reality and joined the coup. They were weary of the Bloody Mist and afraid of Konoha's power. The remaining twenty percent chose simply to withdraw, not participating in the coup, but also not helping Yagura. They would wait to see who survived.
Kirigakure, Mizukage Building - The Night of the Coup.
Two days later. The sky was faintly bright, just before dawn. A thick, pervasive morning mist permeated the air, perfectly cloaking the operation.
The entire Kirigakure was still shrouded in silence.
But in the shadows, cloaked by the heavy mist, countless dark figures—the rebel forces—had already begun to move quietly, efficiently, toward their targets.
A coup d'état that would determine the entire future fate of the Kirigakure officially began!
Mei Terumī's Residence.
Mei Terumī, dressed in a tight-fitting, deep-red combat outfit, stood before Uchiha Akira, her expression solemn, her beauty heightened by the adrenaline.
"All core personnel are in position, Hokage-sama. The purging squads are moving out."
"Very good." Uchiha Akira stood up from the low table.
"Then let's go. It's time to end the Bloody Mist."
"Let's meet your Fourth Mizukage."
The two flickered and disappeared from the spot, moving with explosive speed through the mist-shrouded streets, heading towards the tallest, most protected building in the center of the Village—the Mizukage Building.
Across Kirigakure, the Purge.
At the same time, in various corners of the Kirigakure, a swift, brutal slaughter was quietly taking place.
Inside a sprawling ninja residence.
A Jōnin fiercely loyal to Yagura was asleep in his bed.
Suddenly, a dark, silent figure appeared like a ghost by his bedside.
"Traitors to the future of the Village all deserve to die," a cold voice sounded.
The next second, a sharp, poisoned kunai cut through the air and pierced the Jōnin's heart, killing him instantly.
On the other side.
Outside the Hidden Mist ANBU Black Ops headquarters. The building was heavily fortified.
Chōjūrō tightly gripped his unique twin swords, Hiramekarei, its thick form wrapped in bandages. He was visibly nervous, his hands sweating.
"Chōjūrō-sama, there are at least thirty ANBU inside," a rebel Jōnin whispered in his ear. "They are the most fiercely loyal to Yagura-sama! Elite guards!"
"I know," Chōjūrō took a deep, shuddering breath, his timid expression slowly fading. His eyes gradually became resolute, fixed on the future.
"But this is Lady Mei's order! And it's for the future of the Village! For the children who won't have to kill their friends to graduate!"
"CHARGE!"
With a single, shouted command, Chōjūrō led the rebels, his massive sword ready, charging towards the ANBU building!
The battle instantly erupted! Blades flashed, jutsu roared, and the sounds were quickly muffled by the surrounding mist.
Similar, rapid purges were simultaneously occurring throughout the Village.
Those ninja and clans who had benefited from the Bloody Mist policy and were fiercely loyal to the controlled Yagura suffered devastating, surgical blows.
The entire power core of the Hidden Mist was being dismantled and reshuffled at an extremely rapid, efficient pace!
The Mizukage Building.
Uchiha Akira and Mei Terumī's figures landed silently in front of the imposing, fortified building.
"There are sixteen ANBU guarding the perimeter," Mei Terumī reminded him, her voice professional now. "Four of them are Elite Jōnin, likely Kekkei Genkai users."
"Genjutsu."
Uchiha Akira calmly uttered a single, decisive word. He had no intention of wasting time or chakra on close-quarters combat.
The ANBU guards reacted instantly, sensing the intrusion. Several figures lunged forward simultaneously, blades drawn.
Akira's eyes, the layered Rinnegan and Mangekyō, gently spun. His dōjutsu instantly locked onto all sixteen guards.
Thump!
Several aggressive ANBU ninja suddenly stiffened, mid-leap, their eyes glazing over. Then, one by one, they fell heavily to the ground, completely losing consciousness.
Instant kill. Total mental breakdown.
"Let's go." Uchiha Akira walked towards the inside of the building, stepping over the unconscious bodies.
Mei Terumī quickly followed, her eyes wide with fresh awe. This was the terrifying efficiency of a god-tier dōjutsu user.
The two proceeded unhindered. All guards, all barriers, all traps they encountered instantly fell under Uchiha Akira's terrifying Genjutsu, their minds shattered by a single glance.
Hidden Space - The Mastermind's Lair.
At the same time, in a hidden, isolated space somewhere deep beneath the Land of Water.
Black liquid slowly emerged from the solid ground, coalescing into the form of Black Zetsu.
"Obito," Black Zetsu's hoarse voice resonated in the darkness. "Uchiha Akira has already arrived in the Hidden Mist. He is inside the Mizukage building now."
"It seems he intends to completely take control of this Village. The coup is moving swiftly."
Uchiha Obito, wearing the spiral, single-holed Uzumaki mask, stood in the oppressive darkness and snorted coldly at the news.
But in the depths of Obito's single visible Sharingan eye, a trace of unconcealable, visceral apprehension flashed.
His previous, humiliating experience in Konoha, where Uchiha Akira had shattered his mask and effortlessly broken his Kamui space-time jutsu, had left a deep, psychological shadow on Obito's cold heart.
"That guy..." Obito's voice carried a hint of gnashing hatred and deep resentment. "He is moving too fast. He must be stopped."
"Don't be impulsive, Obito," Black Zetsu cautioned, its voice smooth and calculating.
"The current you is no match for him. We've seen his power. A direct confrontation has no chance of victory."
"Hmph!" Obito snorted, tightening his fists, the anger burning within his chest. "I know! I don't need you to remind me of his power, Zetsu!"
"Let him be arrogant for a while longer! The Eye of the Moon Plan is the most important thing! We cannot risk Madara's endgame now."
Black Zetsu chuckled, a dry, grating sound. "Indeed. But we can take advantage of the chaos he creates."
"I have a tactical suggestion."
"That Orochimaru fellow, after being defeated and humiliated by Uchiha Akira last time, has been hiding in the shadows, frantically researching and perfecting his Edo Tensei Jutsu. His motivation for vengeance is now absolute."
Obito glanced sideways at Black Zetsu, his one eye glinting with dangerous interest.
"You mean, use Edo Tensei to summon the dead to fight for us! Summon the Kage!"
Black Zetsu chuckled again. "We can form a temporary alliance with Orochimaru. He provides the bodies and the forbidden jutsu. We provide the targets and the strategic framework to deal with Uchiha Akira together."
"If necessary, as a final, absolute measure, we can use his forbidden technique to revive Madara himself and unleash him upon Konoha."
Obito was silent for a long, calculating moment after hearing this. He hated relying on others, especially the snake Sannin. But necessity dictated the course.
"Alright," he finally nodded, the decision made. He was agreeing to Black Zetsu's treacherous suggestion.
"As for the Hidden Mist, we'll abandon it for now. The collateral damage is too great. There's no need to directly confront Uchiha Akira just for a disposable puppet like Yagura."
A sinister, vindictive glint flashed in Obito's visible eye.
"However," he mused, "before leaving, I should at least send him a big, unforgettable gift to remind him of my presence."
"It also happens to be a perfect opportunity to use Yagura—my last, most powerful puppet—to get a good sense of just how strong Uchiha Akira truly is now. Let them fight."
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