"Hm? It doesn't matter if you know. You're coming anyway."
"Didn't you really want to fight Yagura? This is a great chance~"
Hatake Satoru casually pushed down on Hozuki Mangetsu's head.
Things in Kirigakure are complicated. Most people here don't feel a strong connection to the village.
Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, who were supposed to protect the Mizukage, ended up turning rogue.
Kids like Hozuki Mangetsu don't have much loyalty to Kirigakure either.
His interest in Yagura isn't about loyalty—it's more about chasing strength and wanting to challenge someone strong.
Getting him involved now would both add power to their side and give him what he's been wanting. Win-win.
Just like Hatake Satoru expected, as soon as Mangetsu heard he could fight the Fourth Mizukage, he got fired up right away.
"I'm in! I'll go, I'll join for sure!"
Hatake Satoru gave a faint smile.
"Train well. You don't have much time left."
Hatake Satoru and Shisui started walking toward the teachers' dorm while waving back at Mangetsu.
"That kid's totally wrapped around your finger now."
Shisui couldn't help but glance back at Mangetsu, who was still training hard.
Not long ago, when they first arrived, the kid was all bark and blocking the door. Now he followed every order like a sweet little brother.
"He's just a kid, that's all~"
"Oh right, Genji's people have been hanging around here a lot lately."
"But they haven't done anything yet, so I'm guessing they haven't realized what you left behind is just a shadow clone."
Hatake Satoru shrugged and said it like it was no big deal.
"He's spying on us too? Why? It's not like we can do anything."
Shisui scratched his head in confusion. In his mind, Genji was already on their side.
In terms of personality and ability, Shisui really was the perfect tool for others to use.
But that kind of simple, trusting nature is a big weakness when it comes to stuff like coups.
No wonder he once proudly told Danzo about his Kotoamatsukami.
Hatake Satoru took a deep breath, then suddenly made a shocked, over-the-top face at Shisui.
"..."
"Whaaat?! Shisui-san! You seriously didn't notice someone's eyeing your eyes again?!"
Shisui instantly realized he really had been too naïve.
Back in the Leaf Village, there were already tons of people who wanted the Sharingan. So in a place like Kirigakure? Even worse.
It's just him and Hatake Satoru out here—of course they'd be easy targets.
Trying to kill two birds with one stone wouldn't be surprising at all.
Shisui awkwardly looked away and nudged Hatake Satoru with his elbow.
"You're being really mean! The eyes are on my face—of course I wouldn't notice something like that right away."
"Well, you already had one stolen once. I figured you'd learn your lesson."
Hatake Satoru chuckled and patted Shisui on the shoulder.
...
Inside the Mizukage building.
Most of the ninjas rushed back and forth, looking busy and serious.
Injured ninjas kept coming in from outside the village to get treated by the medical team. The whole place felt extra tense.
It seemed like everyone was getting ready for something big.
The area around the old advisor's office was completely empty—not a single ninja passing by.
It looked like that room had been purposely cut off from the rest of the building.
Inside the Mizukage's office, a few wounded Anbu captains knelt in front of the desk.
"Move in when the sun goes down. Finish off the Kaguya clan before sunrise."
"Don't leave anyone behind who might get in the way."
"Don't spread the news. If the old man asks, tell him the operation is in two days."
A cold, emotionless voice filled the room. The green-haired boy with the baby face sat in his chair, most of his face hidden in shadow.
After a short pause, Karatachi Yagura spoke again, as if thinking something over.
"No matter who gets in the way, don't hesitate—kill them."
Wiping out the Kaguya clan couldn't wait. He had to strike before they caught wind of it.
"Yes!"
The Anbu captains vanished right after responding, heading off to deliver the mission orders to their squads.
The movement of Anbu and the sudden shifting of the Kaguya clan's people clearly showed that something big was about to happen.
Kirigakure, already a place where everyone felt on edge, grew even more silent.
Thanks to the harsh rules, the shopping district barely had any stores left. People used to quietly go out for basic supplies…
But now, no one knew what Yagura was planning.
Trying to guess his thoughts was no different from digging your own grave.
Whether it was the market or residential areas, all the doors were shut tight.
The streets were completely empty—aside from the occasional blur of an Anbu figure, regular villagers didn't dare step outside.
The entire village felt like it was being suffocated.
Because of this heavy, death-like silence, the ninja academy had become a temporary shelter. Most students chose to stay at school instead of going home.
Even though they were just students, they were still ninja, and weren't bothered by the rough living conditions.
More importantly, they believed that as long as Hatake Satoru and Shisui were around, even the village's Anbu wouldn't scare them.
Inside theGenji's office.
Several Anbu, now unmasked, sat around the room with Ao in small groups.
On the desk sat a red-eyed crow, tilting its head as it curiously looked at the girl who had just arrived.
Everyone's attention focused on the young girl with long reddish-brown curly hair, standing in the middle.
She took off her Anbu mask, revealing a pretty face and bright green eyes.
Terumi Mei—an undercover Anbu spy working under Yagura.
"After dark, the Mizukage will lead an attack on the Kaguya clan."
"And… he also gave the order to kill anyone who tries to stop it—no matter who they are."
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, its last rays faded into the thick mist.
After sending out three squads, the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, personally led another team of Anbu toward the Kaguya clan's territory.
The old advisor's people kept a close eye on the clock, counting down the moment to act.
Their plan was to strike from behind—working with Shisui and the others in a pincer attack.
But they had to wait until Yagura's full force was away from the village.
Meanwhile, Shisui and Hozuki Mangetsu were hiding carefully near the Kaguya compound. Two heads poked out from the trees, eyes locked on every movement around them.
The Kaguya clan continued their usual routine, but every time someone looked toward the gate, a strange fire burned in their eyes.
The air was tight with tension—ready to explode at any second.
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