"The deal is still valid."
The voice of the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, came through, tinged with fatigue and pain: "Do not kill Zabuza. I know why he wants to assassinate me."
"Putting on a show of tolerance for whom to see!"
Momochi Zabuza drew his Ninja Sword from the vines, leapt back onto the railing, and began forming hand seals, trying in vain to break through the vine's defenses with Ninjutsu!
"Do you think this is over!"
Zabuza's fingers moved at an incredible speed!
Akihara Kagura watched those fingers, almost too fast to see, and felt a bit dizzy, sighing: "How long is he going to be forming hand seals…"
"It should be the Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu…"
Uchiha Itachi resolved Zabuza's Water Clone and walked over: "The Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu has forty-four hand seals!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu!"
Zabuza shouted fiercely, a water dragon immediately emerging from the sea behind him, surging towards Akihara Kagura and the others!
"Troublesome."
Akihara Kagura raised a finger!
A thick vine suddenly sprang from the deck, directly wrapping around the water dragon's neck, crushing it instantly!
Water splashed everywhere!
The vine, taking advantage of the falling water, suddenly reached out, binding Zabuza's body, beginning to drain his Chakra!
"You!"
Zabuza's pupils widened dramatically!
At this moment, Zabuza could hardly believe his eyes. The Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu, which he completed in ten seconds, was easily thwarted by the opponent's raised finger, and he was even effortlessly captured!
"Is it already resolved?"
Just then, Kakashi Hatake, having dealt with another Water Clone, walked over.
"Hmph!"
Zabuza snorted coldly, unfazed by his predicament, glaring towards the direction of the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, cursing in a low voice: "Karatachi Yagura, this time you are only relying on Konoha's protection!"
"..."
Karatachi Yagura did not speak to defend himself.
Kakashi Hatake asked curiously: "I'm quite curious, why would a Hidden Mist Anbu Ninja want to assassinate the Mizukage?"
"Because it's about ending the Blood Mist Village…"
Karatachi Yagura sighed and continued: "It's an unforgivable mistake I've committed against the village. Being assassinated by my own subordinate is only to be expected."
"If it weren't for me being captured by Konoha Ninja this time, but killed by Zabuza's assassination, it would also be a relief for the village."
After saying this, Karatachi Yagura praised the one who tried to assassinate him, Momochi Zabuza: "To take such a step for the village, Zabuza, you are a true hero!"
"So why don't you just obediently go and die!"
Zabuza scorned, coldly cursing: "For the village, nothing would be worse than your Blood Mist Policy!"
"I cannot commit suicide yet."
Karatachi Yagura shook his head.
To him, suicide would bring personal relief but would cause dissatisfaction among the surrounding Konoha Ninja and might even spark a war between Konoha and the Hidden Mist Village.
Kakashi Hatake and the others did not speak to defend; after all, they could hardly claim that the Konoha Ninja, Uchiha Obito, had controlled Karatachi Yagura to enforce the Blood Mist policy in the Hidden Mist Village, right?
Before Konoha could retrieve Uchiha Obito, it was best not to let more people know the hidden truth, to avoid increasing the Hidden Mist Village's hostility toward Konoha…
Konoha Ninja capturing the Mizukage is one thing.
Konoha Ninja controlling the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, to enforce the Blood Mist policy in the Hidden Mist Village, which led to internal slaughter among the Mist Ninja, is another issue; such matters could lead to an endless conflict between the two Ninja Villages.
"You may go back."
Karatachi Yagura no longer looked at Zabuza, speaking softly: "I have already instructed the village elders to lift the Blood Mist Policy, Zabuza, you are a genius. If you return to the village, you will achieve much greater things in the future."
"Spare me your kindness!"
Zabuza, ever defiant, coldly continued: "Who knows if when you return from Konoha, the village will once again revert to its detested state!"
"Let him go."
Karatachi Yagura stopped looking at Zabuza.
Since being freed from the Genjutsu, Karatachi Yagura had already planned when he no longer mattered, he would give an answer with his life.
As for the Three-tails inside him…
Even if he died in Konoha, the Three-tails would be reborn in the Land of Water, so there was no need to worry about such a strategic weapon falling into Konoha's hands.
"See you next time."
Akihara Kagura released the vine binding Zabuza, even kindly reminding: "Welcome to come again next time. I rather enjoy such performances, where the leader of a village yields to the enemy to save his subordinates…"
"Bastard!"
A murderous glint flashed in Zabuza's eyes!
Just as his body jerked, intending to pounce on Akihara Kagura, a bolt of electricity made him calm down instantly!
Kakashi Hatake's fingertip emitted a ball of electric light, firmly barring Zabuza's path, preventing him from acting rashly: "Mizukage has already saved you, don't squander his sacrifice, leave quickly!"
"I will remember you all!"
Before leaving, Zabuza scrutinized everyone present.
This time, he lost to that Wood Release Kekkeigenkai Ninja, returning with plans to gather Kekkeigenkai Ninjas, vowing revenge one day!
After the interlude with Zabuza, the journey ahead seemed to become smoother. While many in the Hidden Mist Village wanted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, few dared to do so. Only Zabuza possessed the courage to resist.
"That guy is truly remarkable…"
Kakashi Hatake understood the courage Zabuza embodied.
"Learned a lot, learned a lot…"
Akihara Kagura nodded repeatedly, nonchalantly remarking: "In the future, if our Third Hokage does anything unsuitable, I'll go assassinate the Hokage…"
"..."
That's not what you're supposed to learn!
A dark line appeared across Kakashi Hatake's forehead.
This kid is always learning these odd things!
Akihara Kagura is a person eager to learn, having absorbed Zabuza's rebellious spirit, and also learning an interesting technique from the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
Karatachi Yagura taught him a harmless defensive Jutsu; he certainly wouldn't teach Akihara Kagura any techniques harmful to Hidden Mist Ninja, like "Wind Release: Typhoon" that greatly counters them.
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activates, host possesses Water Attribute Chakra, Chakra amount reaches S-rank. The learned [Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu] conforms to Ninjutsu theory, [Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu] successfully learned.
[System Prompt]: You have acquired a new skill [Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu]
[Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu (Using Water Release Ninjutsu, a mirror made of water is created, reflecting and replicating an identical enemy, able to use the same Jutsu with equivalent power. Note: Water Mirror Jutsu requires a large amount of Chakra. The replica cannot be controlled and dissipates after one strike.)]
This Jutsu is quite useful.
It's especially useful against some ninjas strong in Taijutsu, particularly those troublesome close-range attackers, considering Akihara Kagura is not adept at close combat.
"Captain Kakashi, Kagura-kun!"
Uchiha Itachi replaced Akihara Kagura in the guard position, shouting: "There is a ship that's been following us…"