"Is this... a Wood Clone?"
Terumi Mei was somewhat astonished by the other's Wood Clone ability.
"This is based on my Wood Dragon Jutsu."
Akihara Kagura's real body appeared behind a large tree, explaining nonchalantly: "When you tried to release a Water Clone to evade the vines, I released a Wood Clone. No Chakra movement here can escape my perception."
"Was she stalling for time, just waiting for this moment?"
Akihara Kagura walked next to Terumi Mei, asking in surprise, "However, I guessed you might choose to take the weakest hostage among us. I didn't expect you to take the strongest one..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake's eyelids twitched.
Had this brat already assumed he was the strongest in this team? Based on actual battle strength, what this kid said wasn't off the mark.
Uchiha Itachi never considered himself the strongest, but his expression turned a bit odd because he knew he was the weakest.
"Stop the attack!"
A voice suddenly came from within the mist.
Ao, who was responsible for coordinating the battle, observed through the Byakugan that Terumi Mei had been captured. Shocked, he immediately ordered everyone to stop the attack.
This attack was originally to cover Terumi Mei, but with her captured, continuing the assault was futile and would only increase casualties.
The most troublesome thing was...
Ao felt they didn't have any formidable fighters left.
The strongest Seven-Swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village had defected under high-pressure policies, and the younger generation hadn't matured yet. Even if there were someone, they might not want to come to rescue the Fourth Mizukage...
This Mizukage was quite unpopular.
To be honest.
Even within the unit he led to rescue the Mizukage, most were forced to follow orders. Many among them disliked the Bloody Mist policies.
Ao gritted his teeth and solemnly instructed the ninja beside him: "Report to Master Yuan, our attack was unsuccessful. The enemy is a Konoha ninja. I hope we can negotiate with the enemy. As long as we can rescue the Mizukage and Terumi Mei, it would be enough..."
The implicit meaning of this statement is...
No matter what conditions the enemy proposes, it would be best to agree.
Compared to other Mist Village ninja, Ao's character is extremely calm and measured, willing to retreat when facing an unbeatable enemy rather than making unnecessary sacrifices.
Of course.
This isn't something a mere Jonin like him can decide.
"Konoha ninja!"
After making all the arrangements, Ao raised his head and shouted at the Wood Dragon: "Please stop this meaningless battle for now. I have requested the village elders. Whatever demands, we can discuss them well, as long as we can ensure the safety of the Mizukage and Terumi Mei Jonin!"
"..."
On the Wood Dragon's head.
Uchiha Itachi looked at the pervasive mist, then glanced at Terumi Mei bound to the tree and the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura re-suspended, curiously asking, "How did they know this female ninja was captured by us? Does the Hidden Mist Village have such a powerful perception ninja?"
"It's probably the so-called Byakugan Killer from the Hidden Mist Village..."
Kakashi Hatake began to inform his two younger subordinates, "The village's Golden Wanted Order marks Jonin Ao from the Hidden Mist Village, who obtained a Byakugan left on the battlefield by a Hyuga Main Family member during the Third Ninja World War..."
"Can Byakugan be lost?"
Uchiha Itachi took a deep breath.
As a member of the prestigious bloodline heritage ninja clans like the Hyuga Clan, Uchiha Itachi knew there were some secrets within. The Hyuga Main Family's methods to protect Byakugan were almost insane.
The Hyuga Main Family used a Curse Seal called the Caged Bird to protect the branch family's Byakugan from leaking. Once a branch family member died, the Byakugan would be damaged. This Curse Seal also allowed the Main Family to completely control the branch members, even treating them as slaves.
"Anything can happen on the battlefield..."
Kakashi Hatake didn't find such instances surprising. When mentioning the Hyuga Clan, something suddenly clicked in his mind, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Kagura..."
Kakashi Hatake's expression slowly turned cold.
This Konoha Anbu had some unknown darkness hidden in their eyes, a darkness he didn't want to pass on from the village's upper echelons.
The last time Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village clashed, the envoy from the Cloud tried to steal the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan. The Hyuga Clan Leader killed the intruder, and despite holding the moral high ground, the village's upper echelons pressured them to hand over a corpse.
This time?
If the Hidden Mist Village demanded Konoha hand over Akihara Kagura, the current Third Hokage might not reject the request, even though the Hidden Mist Village seemed quite weakened.
However...
The Hidden Mist Village is a Great Country Ninja Village.
As long as Konoha's stability could be ensured, as long as peace could be maintained, everything would be expendable, no matter who the sacrificial person was...
Even a powerful Wood Release Ninja...
As long as it prevented Konoha from facing threats from the Hidden Mist Village, the village's higher-ups might not be willing to protect Akihara Kagura, and might even let Akihara Kagura willingly sacrifice himself.
Kakashi Hatake couldn't let this happen.
During this mission, Kakashi Hatake was somewhat grateful for Akihara Kagura's proactive help. Otherwise, he might have died at the hands of the Fourth Mizukage this time.
"We've caused enough commotion as it is."
Kakashi Hatake shook his head, advising the young one: "Kagura, we can't bring a dangerous Tailed Beast Jinchuriki back to Konoha."
Perhaps fate is in a cycle?
Last time, his teammate Nohara Rin had Three-Tails implanted in her, and to prevent harm to Konoha, she voluntarily died by his hand... This time, Kakashi Hatake felt he was again at the crossing point of destiny.
"Dangerous?"
Akihara Kagura looked at the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, tilting his head slightly: "Even Uchiha Obito can control him, and even a Chunin like me can capture him."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake felt somewhat stuck, then argued back: "Danger isn't calculated that way. Tailed Beasts are ultimately a danger to the village."
"Then let's place him under Danzo-sama's 'Root'."
Akihara Kagura immediately sought a task for his superior: "Danzo-sama is so skilled with Curse Seals; I'm sure he has a way to handle the Mizukage."
Akihara Kagura obviously had his own considerations. If his superior Shimura Danzo couldn't resolve this trouble, then he, the subordinate, would have to tackle it.
"..."
Kakashi Hatake felt helpless.
Terumi Mei, tied to the tree the whole time, had a somewhat unpleasant expression.
Shimura Danzo's reputation at the top of the Ninja World wasn't good, relying on Konoha Village's name to commit all sorts of evil without repercussions!
"Konoha ninja!"
A voice suddenly resounded from within the mist.
Ao, who had been coordinating the situation, quickly received orders from Master Yuan, allowing him to act as he saw fit as long as he could retrieve the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
Ao shouted towards the Wood Dragon: "We agree to your request to enter the Hidden Mist Village to search for the Konoha traitor Uchiha Obito. Once it's confirmed that there are no traces of Uchiha Obito in the Hidden Mist Village, can we release Terumi Mei Jonin and Mizukage-sama?"
"Alright..."
Kakashi Hatake wanted to agree aloud.
"Not possible!"
Akihara Kagura interrupted Kakashi Hatake, speaking in a deep voice: "At this moment, we can't capture Uchiha Obito no matter what. It's better to take this opportunity to throw the problem onto the Hidden Mist Village, let them also help us trace Uchiha Obito..."
"Hey, you down there, listen up!"
Akihara Kagura's figure swayed and stood atop the Wood Dragon's head, shouting loudly towards the mist below: "Whenever the Hidden Mist Village catches Uchiha Obito and sends him back to Konoha, we'll release the Fourth Mizukage back to them!"
"..."
Sweat covered Ao's forehead.
Just who is this bastard Uchiha Obito?!