Land of Water.
The Hidden Mist Village's outpost station.
A group of stationed Hidden Mist Ninja looked incredulously at the wooden dragon by the seaside, even more incredulously at the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura suspended by vines between the wooden dragon's two horns.
Akihara Kagura stood atop the wooden dragon's head, speaking leisurely: "Lord Mizukage, order them to clear the path, you wouldn't want to see them sacrifice in vain, would you?"
"..."
The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura looked at the group of Mist Ninja below, with only a Chunin to lead them, they were no match for Akihara Kagura's group.
"Clear the way!"
The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura shouted his command with a face full of humiliation!
"Lord Mizukage!"
A group of Mist Ninja looked excitedly at the Fourth Mizukage!
"I said, move aside!"
The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura repeated his command.
"Yes..."
The group of Mist Ninja had to comply with the order, angrily watching as the wooden dragon moved towards the Hidden Mist Village.
"What authority from the Mizukage!"
Akihara Kagura softly praised the Fourth Mizukage's dominance.
"...bastard..."
The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura cursed in anger.
The news of the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura's capture quickly spread throughout the Hidden Mist Village, leaving the headless Mist Ninja with no choice but to ask the village's Elder to take charge.
The Elder.
In terms of position, he was akin to an elder of the Hidden Mist Village, but this elder held the same powers as the Mizukage, with even the authority to appoint a new Mizukage.
The Elder immediately issued the order to rescue the Mizukage.
No matter what...
The rescue of Karatachi Yagura is the top priority.
After all, the Fourth Mizukage is not only the leader of the village but also a crucial Tailed Beast Jinchuriki for the village, and absolutely cannot be lost.
Facing an opponent like a Wood Release Ninja... is it right to let the opponent wreak havoc just because their power is overwhelming?
As Akihara Kagura controlled the wooden dragon nearing the Hidden Mist Village, they encountered a ninja battalion sent by the Elder to rescue the Fourth Mizukage.
"So many people!"
Akihara Kagura exclaimed at the sight of the Mist Ninja: "There must be hundreds of them, it will take quite some time to kill them all!"
"Don't always think about solving problems with killing."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Akihara Kagura helplessly, speaking softly: "If negotiation can solve the problem, it's for the best... after all, they are one of the Five Great Countries' Hidden Villages, truly fighting to the end would be quite troublesome..."
"Release the Mizukage!"
A man, looking like a captain, stood in the middle of the road, glaring steadily at the gigantic wooden dragon, shouting loudly at it: "Or else, today makes sure you die..."
Bam!
A female ninja kicked him flying!
"Idiot!"
The female ninja cursed at the captain.
The village's most powerful Mizukage had been captured by the enemy, yet they still wanted to threaten them, was this a plan to sacrifice the Fourth Mizukage directly?
But...
This might not be a bad thing.
After all, the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura was not in his right mind, killing left and right in the village, even driving many ninjas to defect, leading to heavy tensions in the Hidden Mist Village...
However...
No matter what you say.
Karatachi Yagura is still the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village, representing the village's image, and even has a strategic weapon, the Tailed Beast, sealed inside him...
No matter how poor the Fourth Mizukage's governing policies were, they still mattered greatly to the currently headless Hidden Mist Village; even if nobody agreed with his way of governing, everyone had to admit the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura had the power to hold down the Hidden Mist Village.
Though after today, he might not be able to hold it anymore.
"Hey!"
The female ninja had a clearer head, thinking more comprehensively than others; she shouted loudly at the figures on the wooden dragon: "Let's talk, what's your purpose in coming to the Land of Water!"
"No matter what you want to do, release Lord Mizukage first; consider any request you make..."
"That's... Terumi Mei..."
The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura recognized his rescuer.
As the Hidden Mist Village's genius female ninja, Terumi Mei had received a lot of attention since childhood, her Water Release Ninjutsu was exceptional, and she even possessed the Lava Release and Boil Release Kekkeigenkai!
However...
Due to Terumi Mei's intimidating Kekkeigenkai and the heavy tensions between the bloodline and non-bloodline ninjas within the Hidden Mist Village, nobody dared to pursue her...
"Going to negotiate with them?"
Uchiha Itachi looked at Kakashi Hatake and Akihara Kagura.
"If negotiation can solve the problem..."
Kakashi Hatake never wished for a larger conflict with the Hidden Mist Village, but Akihara Kagura's idea seemed sensible enough.
However...
The situation seemed somewhat out of control.
"Let me do the talking then!"
Akihara Kagura suddenly stepped forward, looking down at the group of Mist Ninja below, speaking loudly: "If you want us to release the Mizukage, two conditions, choose whichever you like..."
Akihara Kagura stroked his chin, smiling as he continued: "Either hand over the Konoha Traitorous Ninja Uchiha Obito, or let us enter the Hidden Mist Village to search and find out where he is!"
"..."
Terumi Mei felt relieved, immediately turning back and asking: "Ao, has any of Konoha's traitorous ninja sought refuge with us recently? Especially anyone from the Uchiha Clan? Quickly have someone investigate if there's a Uchiha Obito among Konoha's traitorous ninja..."
"There is no such person..."
Ao, who had always been in charge of intelligence, answered, head down.
Given the isolated nature of the Hidden Mist Village and the fearsome reputation of the Blood Mist Village, nobody had ever been willing to seek refuge there.
The Konoha Traitorous Ninja named Uchiha Obito came from Konoha's Uchiha Clan, and any information on such a noble clan in the Ninja World would have surely been remembered by Ao.
"I understand."
Terumi Mei nodded and then turned back towards the head of the wooden dragon, staring at the black-haired youth who had stepped forward, beginning to concoct a story.
"Because of your arrival, that Konoha Traitorous Ninja named Uchiha Obito fled the Hidden Mist Village. He stole quite a lot of intelligence from us, and we're also tracking his whereabouts..."
"..."
Atop the wooden dragon.
Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead, saying softly: "As expected, our battle alarmed Obito; he has already escaped the Hidden Mist Village..."
"Perhaps."
Akihara Kagura glanced down at Terumi Mei, speaking loudly: "If you can't hand over Uchiha Obito, then why should we return the Mizukage to you?"
"You're from Konoha, aren't you?"
Terumi Mei looked up at the youth, suddenly smiled charmingly: "Little guy, both our villages want to capture Uchiha Obito, keeping the Mizukage doesn't help, mutual cooperation and exchanging intelligence is the most beneficial choice..."
"..."
Atop the wooden dragon.
Kakashi Hatake nodded slowly, speaking softly: "She makes sense; we've foiled Uchiha Obito's plot to control the Mizukage, gleaned intelligence on him from the Hidden Mist Village; this mission's goal has been achieved..."
"Perhaps it has been achieved."
In fact, Akihara Kagura's purpose was met too.
For Akihara Kagura, it sufficed to disrupt Uchiha Obito's scheme, proving the value his spy could bring.
However...
Something felt strange.
Why would Terumi Mei have information on Uchiha Obito? When Uchiha Obito acted, he did so under the identity of the mysterious masked man; how could she even recognize him if spotted?
Akihara Kagura's mind whirred, utilizing the Dark Side of the Ninja World to secretly observe Terumi Mei, eavesdropping on her conversation with those around her.
Terumi Mei shouted vigorously towards the wooden dragon: "Konoha ninja, can you release Lord Mizukage? I can come up there and personally deliver the intelligence on Uchiha Obito to you!"
After finishing, Terumi Mei turned to Ao behind her, whispering: "Once they allow me to jump onto the wooden dragon, command the others to collectively cast the Hidden Mist Jutsu, enshrouding the area with mist; I'll use the cover of fog to rescue Lord Mizukage!"
"..."
Akihara Kagura lazily tapped his arm.