A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-[ ]
-Lord_Clamiral
-Cain
-Shahzaam
-Goha21
-Splendid
-Jacob Mooe
-Nathan king
-Varun Madhu
-Mp Gaming
-Paul Panzer
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
When Igawa Bu saw Yagura, he was visibly surprised. "Lord Mizukage, we're just on a routine patrol. Why are you carrying such a heavy weapon?"
Yagura's weapon was an enormous staff-like implement, nearly taller than himself, with a hook at the front adorned with green floral decorations.
This was Yagura's weapon of choice.
Considering that Yagura was about to encounter Zetsu and the others, it would be best if he could be persuaded to set aside this staff.
"We must not be careless," Yagura firmly rejected Igawa's suggestion. "The purpose of patrols isn't just for show—it's to protect our village and our families. If the weight of a single staff can ensure Kirigakure's safety for even one night, I see no issue with it."
"You're absolutely right, as always, sir," Igawa quickly replied.
"By the way, congratulations."
"Huh?" Igawa was taken aback, unsure what Yagura meant.
"After Igawa Tai's death, I thought you'd fall into despair. Yet, you managed to pull through. I heard you're expecting another child. Isn't that something to celebrate?"
"Cough…" Igawa's expression stiffened.
This was merely an excuse he had fabricated to switch shifts with Suikazan.
A child?
He wasn't exactly young anymore—how could he just "have a child" out of nowhere?
"Ah… yes, of course," Igawa forced a laugh.
"Children are the hope of the shinobi village," Yagura said, taking a deep breath. "Do you know what made me happiest about this year's selection exams?"
"The talented shinobi?"
"No. The children. They represent Kirigakure's future. Knowing that they'll be the ones to carry the village forward fills me with motivation. In my lifetime, I must create a world where they can freely develop their talents—just like in Konoha." Yagura smiled.
Igawa sneered inwardly.
If he were some naive young man, he might have been fooled by this old fox.
Kirigakure's future?
His own son was dead—his future had been brutally cut short. What did Kirigakure's future matter to him now?
Igawa steeled his resolve. He had to seize this opportunity.
Though Zetsu had already informed him that the attack would happen tonight, no specific time had been given.
In the meantime, Igawa needed to make his own preparations.
The most crucial task was to prevent the Seven Swordsmen or others from coming to Yagura's aid.
This was also Zetsu's expectation.
As for how to stop reinforcements, there weren't many options.
The best method would be genjutsu, but Igawa was utterly inept in that field.
Since genjutsu wasn't an option, he had to rely on drugs.
The medical division wasn't under his control, so he had no choice but to spend a fortune procuring a "special medicine" from Water Country's black market—a substance that dulled the senses and clouded the mind for six hours.
He still remembered the seller's obsequious grin. Had the man not tested the drug himself, Igawa would have suspected it was poison.
After his brief exchange with Yagura, he proposed splitting their patrol teams.
"If you'd like some supper, I'll bring some when I return," Igawa offered before leaving. Once Yagura gave his approval, he hurried off.
After parting ways, Igawa ordered his subordinates to prepare the food, lacing the meals with the drug before distributing them to the guards. Once everything was in place, he went to wash his face in the restroom.
But as he lifted his head, he saw Zetsu emerging from the wall once again.
"Must you always appear like this? Can't you just use the door like a normal person?" Igawa clutched his chest.
Even if he weren't sick, this guy would scare him to death sooner or later.
Zetsu ignored Igawa's complaints and delivered his message bluntly.
"Attack begins in about an hour. Be ready. Remember—no reinforcements for the Mizukage. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise?"
"Otherwise, Kirigakure will be reduced to ruins," Zetsu said.
Igawa smirked, unfazed.
Ruins? Please. Even if Kirigakure's strength had declined, the idea that a handful of people could destroy the village was pure delusion.
Still, they were allies for now. It wasn't the time to argue.
Even if he had grievances, he'd voice them after becoming Mizukage.
Supper still had to be delivered. As for how to deal with Yagura—that was Zetsu's problem.
Igawa brought the food to Yagura and his squad. Everyone's meal was drugged—except Yagura's.
Yagura was already stronger than the others, and as a perfect jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, drugs likely wouldn't work on him anyway. Worse, it might alert him, making the whole plan backfire.
The moment Yagura finished eating, a shadow flickered in the distance. A kunai was hurled at him before the figure vanished into the underbrush.
They're here?!
Igawa's heart pounded, his throat dry.
The moment that would decide his fate had arrived.
"Vice-Commander Igawa, stay here on guard. I'll investigate," Yagura ordered before instructing the other Kiri-nin to remain vigilant.
"Lord Mizukage, are you sure you should go alone?" Igawa feigned concern.
"If I can't handle it, none of you would stand a chance. Just maintain your positions." Yagura didn't believe anyone on this island could rival him—let alone with the Three-Tails' power.
Ten minutes at most, and the threat would be neutralized.
Without waiting for further objections, Yagura dashed into the bushes, chasing after the shadowy figure.
The figure noticed Yagura's pursuit, occasionally tossing shuriken backward—yet its speed only increased. Despite Yagura's efforts, the distance between them widened.
Gripping his staff tightly, Yagura grew wary.
There were shinobi renowned for their speed, but to outpace a Kage-level ninja? This foe was no ordinary opponent.
Determined, Yagura pushed forward.
If this was a shinobi from another village, he'd interrogate them. If necessary, he'd "invite" them to Kirigakure—or eliminate them outright.
The figure vaulted over a wall, exiting the village. Yagura followed without hesitation.
After twenty minutes of pursuit, the figure finally stopped—only to vanish.
A clone?!
Yagura scanned the surroundings. They were in a desolate wasteland, surrounded by cliffs, the sound of crashing waves in the distance. Realization struck—he'd been lured away from the village. Someone was planning an attack.
He turned to leave—only to see figures emerging from the darkness.
Not one, but three.
The central figure wore a black cloak and a yellow mask with black swirls. The other two—a man and a woman—were clad in black cloaks adorned with red clouds.
"Fourth Mizukage?" the masked man asked.
"Who are you?" Yagura tightened his grip on his weapon, studying them under the moonlight.
Their attire and faces were unfamiliar.
"I am Uchiha Madara," the masked man declared.
"Uchiha Madara?" Yagura paled before quickly regaining his composure. "Uchiha Madara died long ago. There's no way it's you."
"Then let's test that theory."
The masked man's right eye pulsed with an overwhelming pressure.
Yagura instantly felt the suffocating weight of his gaze.