"Stop, this is going too far..."
"Don't I have a valid reason?"
Naruto paused for a moment before nodding.
"Hmm... I guess you do."
"What reason?" Kakashi asked suspiciously.
Naruto grinned.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're actually pretty handsome!"
"Well... that's probably true."
Kakashi: "???"
Hinata quickly covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Suigetsu Hozuki let out a sigh.
"Shouldn't you be taking this mission more seriously?"
"The Hidden Mist Village is a dangerous place. I suggest you stop fooling around."
Naruto waved his hand confidently.
"Don't worry! As long as Team 7 is together, we can handle anything!"
"Remember, Team 7 is Konoha's strongest team!"
---
The group traveled swiftly to the coastal border of the Land of Fire before boarding a ship bound for the Hidden Mist Village.
The Hidden Mist Village had always remained isolated from the outside world and rarely interacted with other nations. However, as Kakashi had explained, they still had to show respect to Konoha. Furthermore, after losing their Six-Tails Jinchūriki, they were eager to gather intelligence about the current state of the ninja world through Konoha's shinobi, so they had agreed to open a small diplomatic channel.
After several days of travel, Team 7 finally set foot on the shores of the Land of Water.
The moment they arrived, dozens of Mist shinobi rushed forward and surrounded them in a tight formation.
Their expressions were cold and emotionless, making them seem more like machines than people.
Kakashi calmly explained their purpose and presented the official letter personally written by the Hokage. Since the Fourth Mizukage had already been informed of their arrival, they were eventually granted permission to enter.
Even so, the village's security remained extremely strict.
Naruto looked around curiously.
A thick blanket of sea mist covered the entire area, creating a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere.
Even though this was one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, the streets felt strangely lifeless.
Many stores were closed, and the few pedestrians who walked outside always traveled in small groups, moving quickly as if they feared something might happen at any moment.
Naruto frowned.
"This place feels really depressing."
"And this is supposed to be one of the Five Great Nations?"
Suigetsu smiled faintly.
"This is only the beginning."
Naruto and Hinata exchanged nervous glances.
Fortunately, seeing how calm Kakashi remained helped ease their worries.
Eventually, they reached the central district of the Hidden Mist Village.
The shinobi escorting them entered the Mizukage Building to report their arrival.
A few minutes later, two figures emerged.
"Sharingan Kakashi Hatake. I've heard much about you."
"I am Ao of the Hidden Mist Village, and this is Chōjūrō."
Both men were elite jōnin of the Hidden Mist Village, and Kakashi was already familiar with their reputations.
After exchanging greetings, Kakashi explained the purpose of their visit.
Meanwhile, Hinata's attention was drawn to Ao's eyes.
His left eye looked normal, but his right eye was covered by a special sealing talisman.
She immediately recognized him.
Ao—the infamous "Byakugan Hunter."
During a previous war, he had taken a Hyūga clan member's Byakugan from the battlefield and successfully transplanted it into his own body. The eye had become one of the Hidden Mist Village's treasured assets.
As a member of the Hyūga Clan, Hinata naturally found it difficult to remain indifferent.
Ao noticed her gaze.
"Oh?"
"A Hyūga clan member?"
"It seems you've already figured it out."
Hinata looked directly at him.
"That eye belongs to the Hyūga Clan."
Ao smiled calmly.
"Indeed, this is the Byakugan, your clan's bloodline limit."
"But there's no need to be angry."
"It was obtained as spoils of war."
"Besides, Konoha has done the same thing many times."
"In fact, Konoha has killed far more Hidden Mist shinobi than we have killed Konoha shinobi."
Hinata remained silent.
Ao shifted his attention to Suigetsu.
"So it's really you, Suigetsu."
"I didn't expect to see you again."
"Did you escape on your own, or were you captured?"
Before Suigetsu could answer, Kakashi spoke first.
"He was captured by Orochimaru."
"Jiraiya-sama and I rescued him."
With those words, Kakashi effectively confirmed that Suigetsu had not willingly defected.
Otherwise, his disappearance could have been considered an act of treason.
Given the Hidden Mist Village's strict policies, the consequences would have been severe.
Suigetsu couldn't help feeling a bit grateful.
Ao still looked skeptical but chose not to press the matter further.
"Hmph."
"In that case, come with me."
"The Fourth Mizukage is waiting."
Kakashi nodded politely.
"Thank you for leading the way."
Taking a deep breath, Naruto followed Ao and Chōjūrō toward the Mizukage's office.
His curiosity was impossible to suppress.
Just what kind of person was the legendary Fourth Mizukage—the ruthless ruler known throughout the ninja world as the mastermind behind the Bloody Mist era?
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)