Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +50 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you
As Miao was deep in thought, Deidara turned to him and said, "Miao, where should we go next? I don't think we can stay in the Earth Country anymore."
"Hmm?" Miao snapped out of his contemplation about the Sharingan, startled by Deidara's words. He paused for a moment, then began to ponder deeply on what Deidara had just said.
The setting sun painted the sky in vivid hues, its beauty tinged with an air of melancholy and desolation. Miao looked up at the sun as it dipped closer to the horizon, his resolve hardening. His gaze grew cold and sharp. "It's time," he murmured.
"We're going to the Water Country! It's time to settle some things once and for all," Miao said calmly, his voice laced with a hint of killing intent.
"The Water Country? What are we going there for? I've heard that the Water Country is currently embroiled in a civil war, and it's reached a fever pitch. Are you planning to join the chaos?" Deidara asked with great interest.
"Of course. How could we miss such a grand spectacle? Our sole purpose in going to the Water Country is simple: assist the so-called rebel ninja forces in attacking the Hidden Mist Village and eliminating the Fourth Mizukage!" Miao replied coolly.
"Eliminate the Fourth Mizukage?! Hahaha, how interesting! This is exactly the kind of thing I live for! Everyone will bear witness to my art! The name of the artist Deidara will surely echo throughout the entire ninja world!! Hahaha…" Deidara burst into laughter, clearly thrilled by the idea.
"Hmph!" Miao chuckled softly, then added, "Don't worry, there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to showcase your art. Everyone will see it when the time comes. For now, let's find a place to rest and prepare before heading to the Water Country!"
With that, the large white clay bird soared swiftly into the distance, disappearing into the far-off horizon beneath the crimson sunset.
It was now the spring of the 57th year of the Hidden Leaf Village's calendar, but the Water Country remained steeped in coldness and bloodshed. The civil war had escalated to its most critical phase, with countless ninja joining the rebel forces. All those who opposed the brutal rule of the Fourth Mizukage had united under one banner.
Leading the rebellion was none other than Chōmei Mei, a former elite jōnin of the Hidden Mist Village. Known for possessing two bloodline limits, she was not only exceptionally powerful but also highly intelligent and strategic, earning her the respect of many male ninja and becoming the leader of the rebel forces—a rare feat in the ninja world.
Many ninja in the Water Country had begun to suspect that something was amiss with the Fourth Mizukage, speculating that he might be under the influence of some sort of genjutsu or control. As a result, they joined the rebellion to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage and uncover the truth behind his actions.
On the other hand, the Fourth Mizukage and his loyalists claimed that the rebellion was merely an uprising aimed at seizing power, dismissing any rumors of him being controlled as baseless lies. They insisted that the rebels' sole objective was to take control of the Water Country.
At this point, the conflict had reached a boiling point. The battlefield spanned the entirety of the Water Country, with both sides locked in fierce combat, neither willing to yield. The rebel forces were now nearly equal in strength to the Hidden Mist Village.
However, Mei, the leader of the rebellion, was acutely aware that if this senseless slaughter continued, the Water Country's strength would soon be depleted. Meanwhile, other nations were rapidly advancing, and the Water Country risked falling far behind, potentially losing its status as one of the Five Great Nations.
Thus, Mei made a bold decision: to mobilize all rebel forces and launch a direct assault on the Hidden Mist Village to kill the Fourth Mizukage. She believed that decisive action was necessary; hesitation would only lead to further ruin. Rather than allowing the country to weaken through prolonged attrition, it was better to end the conflict swiftly, unify the Water Country, and begin rebuilding. This demonstrated Mei's remarkable courage and confidence—qualities that rivaled any man's.
The first person to discover that the Fourth Mizukage was under external control was a renowned ninja named Ao. Ao was a legendary figure in the Water Country, not only because he was the only non-Hyuuga shinobi to possess the Byakugan but also due to his unparalleled reconnaissance and sensory abilities, which were unmatched in the Water Country. Using his Byakugan, Ao detected abnormal chakra flow within the Fourth Mizukage's body, revealing that he was under the influence of a genjutsu.
In the original storyline, during the Five Kage Summit, Ao had also used his Byakugan to expose Danzo's use of Shisui Uchiha's Sharingan to manipulate Mifune, the leader of the Land of Iron. At this point in time, Ao had become one of Mei's most trusted lieutenants, serving as her right-hand man.
Deep within the damp forests of the Water Country, Ao was leading a squad of rebel ninja against a group of loyalist forces from the Hidden Mist Village.
"You rebels might as well surrender yourselves! The Fourth Mizukage has promised leniency to those who voluntarily lay down their arms and return to the Hidden Mist Village!" shouted one of the mist-nin, an upper-level jōnin wearing the Mist forehead protector. He led a group of over a dozen loyalist ninja, surrounding Ao's smaller team.
Surrounded by the enemy, Ao's group consisted of four or five individuals. Standing at the center was a middle-aged man with short gray hair, an eye patch covering his left eye, and a talisman dangling from his ear. This was Ao, and beneath the eye patch lay the Byakugan—an invaluable tool that had revealed the Fourth Mizukage's plight.