Chakra surged forth. Fortunately, the system's power required no consumption of his own, otherwise, his Shadow Clone would have likely dissipated in an instant. At the same time, Feipu used his Waterfall Body Flicker to appear in front of the others.
Everyone's heart leaped into their throats.
As the Cursed Seal activated, Feipu performed the Secret Defensive Art of the Water Moon he had just learned.
Water Style: Tate Eboshi!
As the seal marks spread across his body, a colossal amount of water instantly transformed into a giant water monster. Fueled by his abundant chakra, the creature continued to expand, completely shielding the shinobi behind him.
In the blink of an eye, the Tailed Beast Bomb viciously slammed into the water monster. Its body began to evaporate rapidly.
Feipu steeled himself.
He cast the jutsu two more times in quick succession. A second and then a third water monster materialized outside the first.
BOOM!
After a brief, intense impact, a violent explosion rocked the surroundings. A massive mushroom cloud soared into the sky, followed by a thunderous roar that echoed across the heavens. The sound was heard from as far as Tsuzawa Island and the Cloud Village base on Tsuren Island.
"Such power... could that be Lord Killer B's Tailed Beast Bomb!?" a Cloud ninja wondered in shock. What kind of enemy would force him to use such a technique?
The three Uchiha, who were rushing to the scene, exchanged glances.
"I'll go to the Eight-Tails," Itachi offered. "You two rescue Yugito."
Shisui and Yogetsu nodded in agreement before vanishing.
-
Yugito now lay in a pool of her own blood, her body twitching faintly, proving she was still alive. Kakuzu was panting heavily; he had lost three of his hearts to obtain her blood. Nearby, within a massive ritual circle, Hidan was sprawled on the ground, a black spear piercing his chest.
Kakuzu caught his breath. "Hey, Hidan, how long is this going to take? It's dangerous here."
Lying on the ground, Hidan replied impatiently, "Shut up. It'll be done in thirty minutes. Don't interrupt my ritual."
Kakuzu pulled out a map and estimated the distance between their location and the nearest Cloud ninja forces, deeming it relatively safe for now. Still, he couldn't shake his unease. He only had his Water and Earth Grudge Fear hearts left; another unexpected turn of events could be disastrous. He scouted the area, finishing off the Cloud ninja who had been sent flying earlier.
He found one who was still breathing. "Why are all their hearts lightning-nature?" he muttered. "Well, I guess this will have to do."
He had searched the others and found only lightning-nature hearts. Coincidentally, his own lightning heart had just been destroyed, so this was a perfect replacement.
Secret Technique: Heart Steal!
With a snap, countless black threads erupted from Kakuzu's body, ensnaring the man. He thrust his hand straight through the Cloud ninja's chest and pulled out a still-beating heart. As the tendrils of his Earth Grudge Fear writhed and retracted, the heart was pulled into his own body.
Thump-thump.
A new heartbeat echoed from within Kakuzu's chest. Seeing Hidan still muttering on the ground, Kakuzu said with dissatisfaction, "I really don't get it. Are these prayers absolutely necessary, or is this just one of your weird quirks? Can't you skip them?"
But Hidan was in no state to care about what Kakuzu was saying, completely absorbed in his incantations.
Just then, a thunderous explosion rumbled from the distance. Kakuzu looked toward the sound.
"So, Feipu and his group are fighting the Eight-Tails? They actually pushed him to use a Tailed Beast Bomb. They're pretty skilled..."
A hint of anxiety crept into Kakuzu's mind. He stomped his foot, and his water-nature Earth Grudge Fear creature immediately submerged itself in a nearby body of water. Only then did he feel secure enough to sit down.
...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fully transformed Killer B was clashing violently with a giant water monster. At the center of the creature stood Feipu, his body covered in strange, writhing runes. Though each impact deformed the water monster and sent massive splashes everywhere, it regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Killer B roared in fury. "What the hell are you! You fool! Ya fool!"
After the initial exchange, the other Mist ninja had retreated from the battle zone. They vaguely recognized the technique as a secret art of the Hozuki clan.
"Incredible. What's Senior Feipu's story? How does he know a Hozuki clan secret jutsu?"
Juzo Biwa stood protectively in front of Zabuza with his blade, a gesture that warmed Zabuza's heart. "He took a Tailed Beast Bomb head-on," Zabuza said, still shaken. "He's too strong."
Kisame was even more confused. Wasn't the boss supposed to be an Uchiha subordinate? Where did he learn such a powerful Water Style jutsu? Wasn't this a Hozuki clan secret art?
Suigetsu was completely stunned. "Isn't that Tate Eboshi? Is Lord Feipu a senior from our Hozuki clan?"
None of the others knew much about the technique, so they all turned to look at Suigetsu.
"It's a secret jutsu from my clan called Tate Eboshi," Suigetsu explained hastily. "It's purely for defense."
As another thunderous crash sent water flying, the monster continued to clash with the Eight-Tails, causing Suigetsu to falter. "Uh... I thought it was only for defense."
The triple-layered Tate Eboshi, fueled by the continuous chakra supply from the Cursed Seal, had undergone a strange transformation. The water monster was no longer just a head. After withstanding multiple blows from the Eight-Tails without being destroyed, it began to sprout countless watery tentacles from its crown. These appendages combined with the head, making the Tate Eboshi resemble a jellyfish.
As the water churned, all the tentacles began to change color.
Even Kisame, who had rested enough to rejoin the fight, backed away. "Everyone, be careful! The water is poisoned! Highly toxic!" he warned as he retreated.
The others quickly followed suit.
...
The battle between Killer B and Feipu's jellyfish monster shook the earth, but soon, Killer B began to falter. The Cursed Seal's drawback was a reduction in the user's available time, but Feipu's chakra was currently overflowing. Supported by this immense power, the Tate Eboshi endlessly regenerated. After its transformation, its whip-like tentacles were all coated in a potent venom.
A single lash tore through Killer B's skin, and he immediately felt a numbing sensation. Even in his full Tailed Beast form, his tough hide couldn't withstand the relentless whipping. Killer B was tiring and wanted to retreat, but Feipu wouldn't let him go, continuing to lash him with the water whips.
"This is bad. I didn't expect an Akatsuki member to be this strong. You fool, ya fool," Killer B grunted, his movements slowing and his voice strained. The situation was critical.
"Should we call for backup?" Gyuki asked in his mind. They could still hold out for a little while longer, but if this dragged on, they might be captured.
Just then, Feipu caught sight of crows in the distance, and a glint appeared in his eyes. His chakra erupted. The tentacles became a frenzied storm of whips, their tips hardening into sharp points as they shot forward.
Startled, Killer B swung his own tentacles to defend himself. But Feipu's were too numerous. Despite his desperate resistance, Killer B couldn't block them all.
Squelch! A hole the size of a bowl appeared on Killer B's body. He was lucky to be in his Gyuki form, or that blow would have been fatal. Even so, being pierced through caused Gyuki to let out a pained roar before collapsing.
Killer B fell unconscious. At the same time, the Tate Eboshi seemed to reach its limit and dissolved into a spray of water. Feipu, still covered in runes, fell from the air. The runes receded back into his body as he pushed off with all his might, leaping backward.
BOOM!
A Yasaka Magatama slammed into the spot where Feipu had just been. The person who had appeared was Itachi, enveloped in the orange-red aura of his massive Susanoo. Itachi had intended to eliminate the Mist ninja, but upon noticing Kisame in their ranks, he refrained from using Amaterasu. Instead, he used the Yasaka Magatama to separate the battlefield and approached the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
Itachi's gaze locked onto Kisame. Kisame's eyes widened. After a brief, stunned exchange with Itachi, he quickly grabbed Feipu and began to drag him back.
"It's a Mangekyo Sharingan's Susanoo! Retreat!"
Everyone had just witnessed Kisame's strength, and with Feipu seemingly exhausted, they had no choice but to fall back. Juzo, Zabuza, and Suigetsu cautiously formed a defensive perimeter around the two as they retreated. Fortunately, the Uchiha on the other side seemed focused only on saving Killer B and didn't give chase.
They all breathed a sigh of relief. Feipu was even more relieved. It was a good thing Itachi had spotted Kisame. Otherwise, a single Amaterasu could have finished the three of them off. The Mist Village was currently struggling, lacking successors. If he didn't leave behind a few seeds for the future, the village would likely be begging for help every other day. The current Mizukage, Mei Terumi, was a major problem in herself. Only when the Mist was strong as a whole could it effectively deter foreign threats.
...
Near the battlefield they had just abandoned, a black-and-white face emerged from the ground.
"To have mastered such a powerful secret Water Style jutsu... who in the world is this Feipu?" Zetsu wondered. When Obito had controlled the Mist, he knew all of its top shinobi inside and out. Yet this man, a master of a Hozuki clan secret art, seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
Zetsu wracked his brain but couldn't find a single piece of information about him. It was as if he had materialized from nothing.
"It seems the Mist still has trump cards I don't know about," Zetsu mused before sinking back into the earth.
...
The earlier commotion had left the group on edge. They remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings as they formed a protective circle around the "gravely injured" Feipu.
Kisame carried Feipu on his back and led the way. Feipu whispered something in his ear. Kisame's wide eyes blinked. He didn't understand his boss's intentions but gave a subtle nod. They soon reached a beach near the coast.
"Let's rest for a bit..." Feipu's voice sounded weak.
Kisame surveyed the area, found a large rock, and gently set Feipu down against it. Feipu's breathing was shallow, and with no medical ninja among them, no one knew the true extent of his condition.
"Kisame, scout the area."
Kisame acknowledged the order without question and left to check their surroundings. Feipu then beckoned the other three to come closer. They held a great deal of respect for this senior from their village who had just saved them from a Tailed Beast Bomb. Though they didn't understand why he had sent Kisame away, they gathered around him.
Feipu's first words put them slightly at ease. "I just overexerted myself. I'll be fine soon." But his next sentence made their hearts sink again. "However, I am injured. I'm afraid I'll have to withdraw from this mission."
He raised a hand to stop them from protesting. "Listen to me first."
The three patiently waited for him to continue.
"Juzo Biwa, Zabuza, you should now understand why the Mist Village became what it was. It was all because the Fourth Mizukage was being controlled by Obito."
Zabuza already knew this secret, and he and Juzo had become friends and shared much information.
Feipu then turned to Suigetsu. "Do you know how your brother died?"
Suigetsu's eyes shot wide open. "Old man, you know?"
Feipu took a few breaths. "Your brother was killed while Obito was controlling Yagura Karatachi."
Suigetsu's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, his eyes burning with rage.
"And your common enemy, Obito, is hiding within our Akatsuki."
"What!?" All three were stunned. Obito had thrown the Mist Village into chaos, causing so many deaths that the bodies could have lined the entire coastline. And now this man was saying Obito was in the Akatsuki?
Feipu nodded. "That's right. He's hiding within the organization. Some members have already been swayed by him. Right now, besides the leader and Konan, no one in the Akatsuki can be trusted. This mission wasn't arranged by me, but by the leader himself. If you stay, you're in great danger of being either recruited by Obito or eliminated. You should use this mission as an opportunity to leave the organization and return to the Mist."
He looked at them earnestly. "I was pleased to see the changes in the village on my return. I hope you will go back as well."
Juzo and Zabuza looked at each other, hesitation in their eyes. Feipu knew they still cared for their homeland. "Don't worry," he said. "If you are willing to return, I can ask Mei Terumi to grant you a pardon."
Zabuza was already tempted. He knew more about the current state of the Mist and was aware that it was no longer the Village of the Bloody Mist.
Juzo asked worriedly, "Will the leader let us go?"
Feipu nodded. "He will. The leader intends to purge the traitors and reorganize. This is the perfect chance for you to leave. The Mist is in desperate need of skilled shinobi right now. You can be of great service."
Juzo and Zabuza exchanged another look, and this time they saw a clear desire to return in each other's eyes.
"If I can go back to the Mist, I'm willing," Juzo said.
Zabuza added, "I also want to see how the village changes in the future."
"As for you, Suigetsu," Feipu said, "the Akatsuki is not a good place. If you don't want to die a mysterious death like your brother, you should return to the Mist."
Suigetsu glanced at Zabuza. "I'll follow Zabuza."
"Good. Let's head back to the base."
Feipu seemed to have recovered some strength and was able to stand. He led them back, though at a much slower pace, and called for Kisame to rejoin them. He had sent Kisame away because he wasn't the most perceptive person; it was better for him to remain ignorant than to be burdened with the complex truth. On the way, Feipu instructed Juzo that during the next Astral Projection Jutsu meeting, he must pretend to still be loyal to the organization so as not to arouse the suspicions of Obito's faction.
...
Before long, Feipu's group returned to the Kirigakure outpost. Ao was already waiting for them. With Mei Terumi absent, the responsibility of liaising with the Akatsuki had fallen to him.
When Ao saw them, he was uncharacteristically silent. They were all familiar faces... Juzo Biwa, Kisame Hoshigaki, Zabuza Momochi... and the youngest one, who bore a striking resemblance to Mangetsu. Could that be his brother, Suigetsu?
The atmosphere was momentarily awkward.
Feipu walked over and patted Ao on the shoulder, gesturing for him to follow. Once they were alone, Feipu spoke. "I know the Mist is short-handed. The ones out there... except for Kisame, who was sent by Kawasaki to help, I have persuaded the others to return. As long as the Mist pardons their crimes, they will all come back."
Ao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lord Feipu, are you serious?"
Feipu laughed. "Would I lie to you?"
Ao didn't hesitate. "Done! I agree. I, on behalf of the Mizukage, agree to it."
Feipu nodded, satisfied. The Mist Village was in turmoil. Any action that could bolster its strength didn't require prior approval from Mei, because she herself would have made the same decision. The past and present of Kirigakure were like two different worlds. As long as you were capable and your crimes weren't unforgivable, Mei was willing to be lenient.
"Is that boy outside Suigetsu Hozuki?" Ao asked curiously.
"He looks a lot like Mangetsu, doesn't he?"
Ao smiled and nodded. "Yes, very much so."
"You've met Mangetsu?" Ao asked carefully, sensing an opening. He had always been curious about Feipu's identity. If he could answer this, it would narrow down the possibilities.
"Mangetsu was also killed by Obito, wasn't he?" Feipu retorted. It was a safe bet; any dark event in the Mist's recent history could be blamed on Obito.
Ao's silence was an admission. He sighed. "Yes. And there were many other talented shinobi like him who died."
Feipu let out a cold snort, though he was thinking to himself that Obito had truly tried to wipe out the Mist's future, targeting every genius he could find. No wonder someone like Chojuro could become Mizukage after Mei.
"Kisame is my disciple," Feipu explained. "You know his relationship with Kawasaki. He is here to help this time. I will be leaving soon."
Ao was stunned. "You're leaving? But what about the mission...?"