"Koharu, after all these years, you're still sharp as ever—just like the old days."
Master Genshi's voice was flat, betraying nothing.
Koharu Utatane didn't respond. Her face was grim, streaked with sweat and dust, her body trembling from exhaustion. She knew that despite Genshi's polite words, reality was harsher: years of desk duty in Konoha had dulled her edge. She'd kept up her ninjutsu, but age and time away from battle had slowed her reflexes. She wasn't the fighter she once was.
The situation was clear as day. Seven of the Konoha strike team were dead; ten Mist guards had fallen. They'd managed to storm the first floor, but now two hundred Mist ninja surrounded them. There was no way to take the safe house quickly. Her squad was caught in a vice—forget rescuing the Three-Tails jinchūriki, even breaking out was impossible.
Mist Village still had monsters. Just moments ago, she'd clashed with a young kunoichi wielding three different kekkei genkai. Given time, that girl would be a legend.
With defeat looming, Master Genshi's voice rang out from upstairs, inviting her to talk.
Talk? Fine. When you're the fish and someone else holds the knife, there's nothing left to hide.
Mist ninja quickly stormed the floor, subduing Kakashi and the others. Koharu put away her blade and walked upstairs, her team marched up behind her under guard.
The first thing she saw was Fugaku Uchiha, blindfolded with a black cloth. Instantly, she knew—the plan was finished.
Koharu had visited Mist Village in her youth, had crossed swords with Genshi before. She knew how dangerous he was. She'd heard he was sick, maybe dying, but watching him now, she realized: an old tiger is still a tiger. You never underestimate him.
All she could do now was play it by ear.
Genshi was courteous, motioning for her to sit. Koharu didn't bother with manners, dropping into the chair with the stubbornness of someone who'd already accepted her fate. She refused to react to his "compliments."
Genshi didn't waste time with pleasantries.
"I already know what happened at Coin Harbor."
Koharu flinched, but quickly regained her composure. Genshi saw it all, but gave nothing away.
"I want to speak to Jiraiya."
Koharu's mind raced—this might be their only chance.
"Inoichi! Get up here!"
…
Half an hour later, Genshi withdrew his hand from Yamanaka Inoichi's forehead, his whole body shaking. His wrinkled face was twisted in grief. It took him a long moment to finally sigh.
"Ten years of work… destroyed in a single day…"
Mist ninja stared in shock, some cursing, chaos boiling over. Aming sobbed uncontrollably. Mist's foundation was thin—losing nearly ten thousand ninja was a disaster. If this news reached home, there'd be mourning in every household.
Koharu saw her opening.
"Master Genshi, stealing the Three-Tails was my own foolish idea. But think—Sand and Cloud are our common enemy now. If we can't stop them at Konoha, we'll have to stop them at the harbor. We need to stand together…"
Genshi's eyes were wet as he looked at her, emotions swirling—resentment, anger, helplessness, contempt, disgust. After a long silence, he finally ground out his answer.
"Go. Forget about the Three-Tails jinchūriki. Get back to Konoha and fight your own war."
"…Excuse me?"
Koharu blinked, unsure she'd heard right.
Genshi shot to his feet.
"I said get out! Didn't you hear me?"
"But—"
"Oh? You don't want to leave? Guards! Kill them! Kill every last one! Chop off their heads! You dragged us into this war—you deserve to die! Kill them! One by one, take their heads—"
Genshi's rage, pent up for days, finally erupted. He was almost manic, waving his arms wildly.
Mist ninja, already furious, drew their blades and advanced. In seconds, five Konoha ninja were decapitated.
One stroke, one head.
Blood gushed like a fountain.
Heads rolled across the floor like watermelons.
Obito Uchiha was next.
A Mist ninja raised his gleaming blade high. Kakashi struggled, but two Mist ninja pinned him down. Koharu closed her eyes, bracing herself.
Obito's face was ghostly pale, his whole body trembling. This was the closest he'd ever come to death.
He tried to run, but his body was lifted off the ground, hands tied behind his back, legs kicking helplessly. He couldn't break free.
He wanted to scream, but his throat was locked tight—no sound came out.
Suddenly, a sharp rush of air—Obito twisted his neck, staring straight at the blade-wielding ninja.
"Hhh…"
A ragged breath escaped him. All his chakra surged to his eyes. The two tomoe in his Sharingan spun furiously—and in a flash, a third tomoe appeared.
The Mist ninja froze, blade suspended mid-air.
"NO!!!"
A scream tore through the room, piercing every ear.
Mist and Konoha ninja alike turned to the corner.
There, on a stretcher, lay Rin—the Three-Tails jinchūriki.
"Not good!"
Genshi snapped out of his frenzy, instantly cold and focused.
Rin's chakra was surging, so intense it could be felt across the room.
"She's about to transform! Everybody out—NOW!"
Before the words finished, red chakra bubbles began to envelop Rin. Her body floated off the stretcher. Her skin cracked, eyes burned with fierce red light, and a tail sprouted from her back.
"Rin?!"
Obito stared, stunned, as Rin began to transform into the Three-Tails. Disbelief filled his eyes.
What's happening?!
Genshi moved fast, grabbing Aming and racing downstairs. Mist ninja followed in a stampede. In a heartbeat, only the five Konoha shinobi remained.
Koharu snapped into action, yanking the blindfold off Fugaku's eyes.
"Hurry! Untie everyone! If we're slow, we're all dead!"
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