Chapter 336: Zabuza’s Decision

"Evidence?" Byakuya looked at Zabuza and said with a smile, "What kind of evidence do you need? The policies that the Fourth Mizukage has enacted over the years are the best proof. No matter how incompetent a Mizukage is, he wouldn't implement such absurd policies."

Byakuya then sighed, "I really can't understand why your Kirigakure has a Blood Mist policy."

'Honestly, I don't know either…' Zabuza thought to himself before continuing, "The orders given by the Fourth Mizukage are indeed suspicious, but with how strong he is, how could he possibly be controlled by another shinobi?"

Seeing that Zabuza was still unwilling to believe him, Byakuya continued, "If the Fourth Mizukage wasn't being controlled, then why has he remained inside the Mizukage Building all these years? Is it really that hard to leave?"

Zabuza fell silent for a moment because Byakuya's words made a lot of sense.

During his years in the Anbu, he had rarely seen the Fourth Mizukage. Even when he did, the Mizukage was always inside the Mizukage Building. While it was true that the Mizukage Building was the place where the Mizukage handled official affairs, no leader would stay in their office all the time.

Besides, many major incidents happened in the village in recent years. First, the Six-Tails Jinchūriki left the village and went to live on a secluded island. Then, several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist also left the village.

Now, only Mangetsu Hōzuki and Kisame remained in the village among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Even after so many major events, the Fourth Mizukage still chose to remain behind closed doors. That alone was highly suspicious.

Hearing Byakuya's reasoning, Jūzō Biwa also fell into deep thought. He, too, found the Fourth Mizukage extremely suspicious, as if he had been controlled by another shinobi. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a series of incomprehensible decisions.

Bringing their thoughts back to the conversation, Zabuza and Jūzō both looked at Byakuya.

"Byakuya-sama, you just said you know the shinobi controlling the Mizukage. So, who exactly is the said culprit?"

Byakuya didn't beat around the bush and answered directly, "It's the man in the mask. Do you remember the Nine-Tails incident that broke out in Konoha? The Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki, both died because of him. For years, Konoha has been investigating the masked man, but they never would have imagined that he was hiding in Kirigakure, controlling the Fourth Mizukage."

Pausing for a moment, Byakuya looked at Jūzō and Zabuza before cracking a joke.

"With how long that guy has been in power, he's basically the real Mizukage. If you think about it, even though Kirigakure lost to Konoha in the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's Fourth Hokage still ended up dying at the hands of 'the Mizukage.'"

But neither Jūzō nor Zabuza could laugh at Byakuya's dark joke.

If the mastermind had truly been controlling the Mizukage for all these years, then calling him the real Mizukage wouldn't be wrong. However, even if Kirigakure had played a role in the Fourth Hokage's death, they had gained nothing from it.

Kirigakure was still isolated overseas, while Konoha remained the strongest shinobi village.

Besides, that joke wasn't funny at all.

After organizing his thoughts, Zabuza spoke up.

"If the Fourth Mizukage was really being controlled by the masked man, then I wrongly blamed him. But what I'm even more curious about is that what's the grudge between you and the masked man?"

Byakuya, like an actor stepping into his role, instantly put on a serious expression and said,

"The masked man's fight against the Fourth Hokage has nothing to do with me, but the fact that he caused Kushina Uzumaki's death—that's on him. Just for that alone, my conflict with him is irreconcilable."

"What does Uzumaki Kushina have to do with you?" Zabuza was still somewhat doubtful.

However, Jūzō Biwa seemed to understand something. He stepped closer and whispered into Zabuza's ear, "Byakuya-sama is a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, and Kushina was one of the few remaining Uzumaki in the shinobi world."

Hearing this, Zabuza finally grasped the enmity between Byakuya and the masked man.

Even so, he was still hesitant about accepting Byakuya's invitation to infiltrate Kirigakure and assassinate the Mizukage.

After a long period of contemplation, Zabuza got straight to the point:

"I can go with you to deal with the Mizukage and the mastermind behind him. But I'm curious—after exposing and eliminating the masked man, what do you plan to do with Kirigakure?"

At this, Byakuya looked at Zabuza and replied,

"That depends on your strength. If you and your people can handle the Fourth Mizukage and the masked man, then Akatsuki will establish an equal alliance with Kirigakure. But if you fail and require my assistance, then Kirigakure will become a subordinate organization of Akatsuki."

Byakuya's terms made Zabuza tensed up. "Becoming a subordinate of Akatsuki… how is that any different from being controlled by the masked man? Why should I even bother dealing with the Fourth Mizukage and the masked man then?"

Without changing his expression, Byakuya answered,

"At the very least, Akatsuki won't enforce the Blood Mist policy or interfere with Kirigakure's normal development. The only condition is that, in the future, if you wish to launch a war, you will need our approval. I'd say that's quite a generous deal."

Byakuya then raised a finger before continuing, "Most importantly, I won't force you to agree. If you refuse, I'll simply find another shinobi who will. Kirigakure isn't lacking in those who desire to become the Mizukage."

Zabuza spoke in a low voice, "You're that confident you can defeat both the Fourth Mizukage and the masked man? Even if you do, you won't be able to appoint the new Mizukage. Furthermore, I don't think the newly appointed Mizukage will agree to your conditions either. You're being overly confident."

"Overly confident?"

Byakuya chuckled, then said, "If a hero who saves the village still can't become the Mizukage, then that just means I misjudged the people. As for whether the new Mizukage will honor my terms… I highly doubt they'd refuse. After all, if I have the power to defeat the masked man and the Mizukage, I also have the power to destroy Kirigakure."

Looking at Byakuya's smirking yet unreadable expression, a sense of unease welled up in Zabuza's heart. He didn't know whether to accept Byakuya's invitation, and he found himself caught in a difficult decision.

Byakuya, noticing Zabuza's hesitation, dropped his smile and said,

"Jūzō and I will be here for half a day. So, in the meantime, think it over carefully—will you continue to rot in the shadows, or will you stand with me, overthrow the Mizukage, and wield your blade in rebellion?"

With that, Byakuya glanced at Jūzō and left the small wooden hut.

Jūzō opened his mouth as if to say something to Zabuza, but upon meeting Byakuya's gaze, he silently followed him out of the hut.

In just a few seconds, the dimly lit hut was left with only two people—Haku and Zabuza.

Zabuza looked at the two figures outside before turning his gaze to Haku. Then, in a voice only he could hear, he murmured to himself,

"Should I continue rotting away in the shadows… or should I go with them and challenge the Mizukage and the masked man?"