Zabuza Momochi knew the man before him wasn't lying.
Anyone capable of simultaneously manipulating both the Fourth Mizukage and a Tailed Beeeast clearly wasn't someone he could afford to provoke.
After taking a moment to calm down, Zabuza exhaled heavily.
Now wasn't the time for revenge. The first and only priority was to free the Fourth Mizukage from genjutsu—everything else could wait.
With a hint of hope flickering in his eyes, he asked,
"So... you really have a way to remove the illusion controlling the Fourth Mizukage?"
If that could be done, the chaos consuming Kirigakure would finally end.
Ryosuke nodded firmly.
"Of course I can."
His confidence wasn't misplaced. Ryosuke's ocular power was formidable—on par with the strongest of the Uchiha.
Not only was his Sharingan powerful, but he had also mastered the clan's illusion arts to perfection.
For someone like him, dispelling Obito's genjutsu was child's play.
Zabuza's heart raced with anticipation.
"Then we should head out immediately! Maybe we can alert the villagers too—make them understand we're not enemies."
Beeut Ryosuke cut him off, his tone calm yet absolute.
"Not so fast. You're a missing-nin, remember? Even if you tell them the truth, who would believe that the Mizukage has been under a genjutsu's control?"
He paused, his eyes gleaming faintly crimson.
"Beeesides... my objective isn't just to save him. I'm here to extract the Three-Tails from within Yagura. That's the true mission of our organization—The Illumination Society."
Zabuza froze, stunned.
So that was their goal… collecting Tailed Beeeasts?
A cold realization settled over him.
"Our organization claims to bring peace to the ninja world," Zabuza said slowly, "but what does that have to do with collecting Tailed Beeeasts? They're just weapons of war, aren't they?"
Ryosuke's tone became detached.
"That's not for you to worry about. Just focus on your part."
Zabuza hesitated. He didn't fully understand their intentions—but he knew one thing for certain.
As long as the Mizukage remained under illusion, Kirigakure would continue to suffer.
And this man—this Ryosuke—was their best chance.
"...I won't stand in your way," Zabuza finally said. "In fact, I know a hidden route that leads directly to the Mizukage's office. Beeut with the rebellion going on, the entire village will be on high alert."
Ryosuke's lips curved slightly. That was unexpected—and useful.
"A secret route, huh? Perfect."
If he could slip in quietly and subdue the Mizukage before anyone noticed, everything would proceed smoothly.
He could seal the Three-Tails later, away from the village, minimizing casualties.
"Tell me the route," Ryosuke said. "I'll handle the rest alone."
Zabuza's eyes widened.
"Alone? You're seriously planning to face the Mizukage—and possibly an entire village—by yourself?"
"I'm sure," Ryosuke replied simply.
There was no hesitation in his tone. His power, his composure—it left no room for doubt.
Zabuza sighed in defeat.
"Then… once you've freed the Mizukage and saved our country, I'll dedicate myself to your cause. You have my word."
Ryosuke could sense his sincerity.
Zabuza was a man who truly loved his village—loyal to a fault.
And now, Ryosuke realized, he might've just gained a valuable ally.
"Then let's move out."
Two Days Later
After traversing thick forests, fog-choked marshes, and steep mountain ranges, they finally reached the outskirts of Kirigakure.
The endless mist hung heavy in the air, veiling a maze of buildings and shadowy figures.
Ryosuke couldn't help but frown.
"They really built their village in a place like this... no wonder outsiders get lost."
Still, the secrecy suited his mission.
Zabuza passed on every detail of the secret passage before they split ways.
"Take Haku and return to the town we came from," Ryosuke instructed. "Once I'm done, I'll find you."
After all, extracting the Tailed Beeeast would take time—and he needed to move the Mizukage to a safe location before beginning the process.
Zabuza nodded solemnly, clutching Haku close.
"Please... save Kirigakure."
With that, he vanished into the mist.
Ryosuke turned toward the hidden entrance, his expression sharpening.
"Alright... time to move."
Following Zabuza's directions, Ryosuke slipped into the village's inner district through an underground path.
He emerged silently behind a large government building—the Mizukage's office.
The eerie stillness immediately caught his attention.
Not a single guard in sight.
"Strange... either they've been called away, or someone's already here."
Regardless, it made his job easier.
Ryosuke advanced cautiously through the wide hall until he spotted a lone figure seated behind a desk.
Short green hair. Purple eyes. A stitched scar beneath the left eye.
Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage.
Beeeside him leaned a long staff—his weapon of choice.
His aura was cold, empty... lifeless.
Yagura's gaze lifted as if sensing Ryosuke's presence. His voice was devoid of warmth.
"Who's there?"
Ryosuke studied him carefully.
That blank expression, the mechanical tone—it was unmistakable.
He was completely under genjutsu control.
When Ryosuke didn't answer, Yagura's eyes flickered with malice.
He rose, grabbing his staff.
"Intruder. You die here."
In an instant, the Mizukage lunged forward, staff swinging with lethal force.
Ryosuke drew a kunai in one fluid motion and blocked the blow easily.
Their weapons clashed with a metallic clang that echoed through the chamber.
"Fast," Ryosuke muttered. "Beeut not fast enough."
He pivoted sharply and delivered a powerful kick.
Beeoom!
Yagura was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall. Cracks splintered across the surface—but the Mizukage barely flinched.
Expressionless, he rose again and charged.
Ryosuke sighed.
"So be it."
As Yagura swung, Ryosuke sidestepped, caught the staff mid-strike, and twisted it from his grasp.
The weapon clattered across the floor.
Then came a flurry of blows—swift, precise, relentless.
Yagura managed to block a few strikes, but Ryosuke's strength overwhelmed him.
A perfectly timed counterpunch struck Yagura in the abdomen, sending him crashing into the same wall, this time with even greater force.
The stone fractured. Dust filled the air.
Then Ryosuke felt it—something spreading up his arm.
He looked down to see red coral rapidly forming along his skin, climbing toward his shoulder.
"So... that's the Coral Palm technique, huh?" he murmured.
A dangerous jutsu—one unique to Yagura.
Beeut it wouldn't save him.
Ryosuke's chakra flared violently, the air trembling as a green aura surged around him.
With sheer power, he shattered the coral into fragments, scattering them across the floor.
Yagura lay slumped against the rubble, his weapon gone, eyes glazed over.
The fight was short, brutal, and utterly one-sided.
"You'll thank me later," Ryosuke said softly, stepping closer.
He glanced toward the doorway, his Sharingan spinning slowly.
The battle had been brief, but the noise might've drawn attention. He couldn't linger.
"Time to move you somewhere safe, Fourth Mizukage. Let's get that beast out of you."
And with that, Ryosuke hoisted Yagura over his shoulder and vanished into the mist—another silent shadow in a village long shrouded by blood and illusion.
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