Standing at the bow of the ship, Kitagawa Gen watched the sea mist rise around them, the sea breeze tousling his short hair and putting him in an unusually good mood.
However, Zabuza—tied up tightly and seated behind him—looked far less pleased.
"Damn bastards…"
He muttered under his breath as the ship drew ever closer to Kirigakure. But no matter how he cursed, there was nothing he could do.
Thinking back on the earlier battle only deepened his sense of helplessness.
Faced with both Kakashi and Jiraiya, he hadn't stood a chance—not even within his own Hidden Mist Technique. And worse, he had no way of escaping.
It wasn't that he couldn't let go of Haku—it was that he had zero confidence in getting away from those two alive.
What crushed him even more was the fact that he had assumed Haku would be able to handle that brat… but the truth was the opposite. That kid had been unbelievably strong. Haku was defeated almost instantly.
"We're almost there…"
Zabuza's mental state was on the verge of collapse.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who was feeling relatively cheerful, walked up to the bow and gazed out at the distant coastline before turning toward Kitagawa Gen.
"Kid, just a reminder—this situation is completely different from last time. You're sure your Flying Thunder God technique won't fail us, right?"
"Yeah, this isn't something we can afford to mess up."
Even Kakashi had stopped reading.
"Even though we've got Zabuza's 'cooperation,' your Flying Thunder God is still the linchpin. We're counting on you."
"Don't worry," Gen replied with a nod. "I never do things I'm not confident in. Once we land, I'll place the marks—makes it easier for us to make a quick getaway if needed."
Although Gen wasn't fully proficient with the Flying Thunder God technique and its teleportation range was still limited, he had no trouble ensuring the people he transported ended up where he wanted.
After all, his chakra reserves were no joke.
'Besides… I've made some new discoveries.'
His battle with Haku hadn't been too turbulent. Haku was strong—no question about that.
But for someone like Gen, who might not be able to beat top-tier elites but could crush mid-tiers with ease, it was more like a controlled test.
And through that fight, he'd gotten a rough sense of what Ice Release really was.
Ice Release—or more broadly, all Kekkei Genkai—were definitely far from simple.
His own bloodline let him control chakra with instinctive ease. But without a specific blueprint or framework, combining chakra natures didn't automatically make a Kekkei Genkai.
'It's more like the 'Combination Ninjutsu' used by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakuzu.'
True Kekkei Genkai fusion required the two chakra natures to combine at precise ratios. They had to follow a consistent trajectory during operation and then undergo final shaping and stabilization.
Every single step had to be seamless. One mistake, and the whole thing would collapse.
'No wonder the ninja world is full of shinobi, but so few of them wield Kekkei Genkai…'
Gen couldn't help but sigh.
He also realized something else: this kind of chakra fusion could potentially generate a hereditary bloodline—and be passed down.
Didn't that mean… chakra fusion was, in fact, a way to evolve one's bloodline?
'If that's true… then it's a huge opportunity for me.'
He murmured to himself.
The collection, study, and cultivation of Kekkei Genkai had always been part of his long-term plan. With such a promising start, he couldn't help but feel excited.
And he believed that if he trained diligently for a while, mastering Ice Release would come naturally.
'What's more… my eyes seem to be reaching a threshold.'
As the coastline came into view, Gen rubbed his eyes.
They were absorbing chakra more slowly now, and a strange power had begun to leak out.
Though his eyes still looked the same on the surface, he could clearly feel it—that white glow deep in his pupils was growing more and more distinct.
'Am I… becoming the next 'Hyūga Gen'?'
He couldn't help but joke to himself.
But even if he did become 'Hyūga Gen', he wasn't afraid.
Tailed Beasts… the Tenseigan on the moon… He definitely wasn't going to let his eyes be limited to just the Byakugan.
Right now, what worried him the most… was what he'd do if a horn suddenly grew out of his forehead.
...
Night fell, and a cold wind swept through the air.
Thick fog engulfed the entire village of Kirigakure. Bathed in both mist and moonlight, the village appeared unusually serene.
Inside an underground base, Genji scanned the subordinates gathered before him.
As the most powerful figure in Kirigakure after the Mizukage himself—and given how deeply unpopular the current Mizukage was—Genji had amassed a considerable following.
Tonight, he had gathered these people for an important mission.
"Ao, one last time—are you absolutely sure about what you saw?"
Genji's expression was grim as he fixed his gaze on Ao and spoke in a deep voice.
"You understand the gravity of this. We cannot afford even the slightest mistake."
"Elder, I'm certain of what I saw."
Ao knelt on one knee, his voice equally serious.
"The Byakugan doesn't lie. The chakra within Mizukage-sama is in complete disarray. It's a sign of genjutsu—he's definitely being controlled!"
The idea that the Mizukage could be under someone's control was unimaginable to most. But it had happened—right here in Kirigakure.
"Did everyone hear that clearly?"
Genji nodded, his expression turning even more solemn.
"This is a disgrace to Kirigakure. No matter what, we must put a stop to it. Are you all prepared?"
In an instant, every shinobi present dropped to one knee and responded in unison with loud voices: "We await your command!"
Genji gave a slight nod of approval.
He truly had no ambition for the Mizukage's seat. If he had, with his authority and how recklessly the Mizukage had ruled for years, he could've rallied the people at any time.
But just because he had no such ambitions didn't mean he would sit idly by while someone desecrated Kirigakure in this way.
This matter had to be resolved—and that resolution would come tonight.
"It's time to put an end to this."
...
Bathed in moonlight, Hoshigaki Kisame approached the ANBU base.
Ever since he'd been forced—again—to kill his comrades, especially that kind girl who had once treated him with genuine warmth, a single question had plagued his thoughts:
What was the purpose of his existence?
What was this village he had dedicated himself to protecting?
He didn't have the answer. The uncertainty tormented him. But there was one thing he was sure of—something he could still do.
"Suikazan Fuguki…"
He murmured the name, a shadow flickering across his face as he walked into the base—unaware that someone had been silently watching him the entire time.
"So it's finally happening, huh? Looks like the guy is making his move."
Uchiha Obito, wearing his mask, spoke coldly. Beside him, Zetsu gave a slow nod.
"Yes. Once he finishes this, all you need to do is guide him—and he'll become your most loyal pawn. But Obito… Kirigakure won't be peaceful tonight."
"It's fine. Haven't the Mizukage's forces already been mobilized?"
Obito shrugged with complete indifference, his gaze still fixed on Kisame.
"Once Kisame takes care of his target, we'll just have Yagura show up and suppress the rebellion. The more of them that die, the better it is for us."
Just admit you're doing all this to avenge Rin. Why keep pretending?
Black Zetsu cursed silently but said nothing aloud. Instead, he simply nodded.
"Yes. Everything's in place. Now we wait for them to make their move."
"Good."
Obito nodded, then looked up at the round moon hidden behind the thick mist. After a long moment, he muttered softly: "Tonight will bring results."
...
"We're finally here."
Beneath the moonlight, Kitagawa Gen and his group had at last arrived outside Kirigakure, reluctantly led by Zabuza.
It had to be said—having Zabuza with them did make things go a lot more smoothly.
Obviously, Zabuza didn't want to get caught by anyone from Kirigakure. Even though he'd kept looking for ways to break free, he hadn't tried to sabotage Gen's group under the current circumstances.
As the village came into partial view through the dense mist, Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Gen, if your hunch turns out to be right, then the real trouble is just about to begin."
"No doubt," Gen replied. "The Mizukage isn't someone you can easily approach. And Kirigakure's defenses won't be lacking either."
Kakashi also nodded beside him, fully shifting into combat mode now.
"Even with Zabuza's help, I'm afraid getting inside will still be full of complications."
Zabuza let out a cold snort at that. Right now, he was feeling a strong sense of danger.
"Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya-sama… there's something strange,"
It was at that moment that Kitagawa Gen suddenly spoke up.
"What is it?"
Jiraiya and Kakashi turned toward him, puzzled. Gen furrowed his brows in mock confusion and said: "It's a little blurry, but I feel like there's a Flying Thunder God mark somewhere inside this village."
"And that mark… it seems to belong to the Fourth Hokage."
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