Chapter 464: The Allure of Kekkei Genkai

The moment the Wood Release: Piercing Roots Technique was revealed, it became evident that the Third Mizukage was indeed being controlled.

As for who was controlling him?

That wasn't Takuya's concern.

That was Kirigakure's internal issue.

As for whether Yagura could take down the Third Mizukage, Takuya felt it was unlikely.

Yagura wasn't strong enough yet. His power would only soar after becoming a Jinchūriki.

Unfortunately, even as a Jinchūriki, he wouldn't stand a chance against a Mangekyō Sharingan.

A naturally ill-fated individual.

"Who are you, and why are you controlling our Mizukage?!"

With the situation clear, Yagura had no reason to continue hiding.

He stepped out from the small island with his team, surrounding the Third Mizukage along with several guards.

It was obvious Yagura and his team were furious.

Their Mizukage had been controlled, initiating an inexplicable war that cost many lives in their village. Anyone in their position would feel enraged.

That Yagura refrained from cursing outright was already commendable.

What now? Should we help?

Hatake Sakumo and Minato approached Takuya, silently asking for his opinion.

Both were curious about the Third Mizukage, wanting to know his true identity—or more precisely, who was controlling him.

Help with what? Our mission is already complete.

The alliance between the two villages didn't include aiding Kirigakure in taking down the Third Mizukage.

Their task was only to assassinate and expose the Mizukage's secret. Whether Kirigakure could capture him or not was their own business.

"Oh, it's little Yagura. I must thank you for your help over the years."

The Third Mizukage maintained his comedic demeanor, his words infuriating Yagura to the point that veins bulged on his forehead. This was clearly mockery.

Thank you for assisting me all these years in cleaning up some troublesome people.

If this wasn't mockery, what was?

Yagura had believed he was following the true Third Mizukage, helping him eliminate many threats over the years.

Only to discover that the Mizukage he had been loyally serving was a fraud. The bitter realization must have been unbearable.

"Die!!!"

Enraged, Yagura charged forward with his weapon, ignoring the disparity in their strength.

But no matter how much Yagura wanted to fight, the Third Mizukage had no such interest. Letting out a sly laugh, his body plunged into the seawater.

"Stop him!!!"

Yagura roared, and his guards immediately sprang into action.

"Let them handle it."

Takuya had no intention of intervening. This was Kirigakure's internal matter. There was no need for outsiders to interfere, especially when Kirigakure hadn't offered any benefits for their assistance in capturing the Third Mizukage.

"Besides, there's no way we could chase down someone skilled in Water Release, Ice Release, and even Wood Release, let alone someone with an unknown origin."

"Good point."

Hatake Sakumo nodded in agreement. A figure this dangerous was best left alone. Kirigakure's internal affairs were better resolved by their own people.

"Wood Release," Minato mused. "I didn't expect the mysterious person controlling and replacing the Third Mizukage to wield Wood Release."

Not just Wood Release. That person knows far more than that.

Finding a clean spot, Takuya sat down. The ice was slippery and uncomfortably cold, but it sufficed.

The three waited in silence.

Before long, Yagura and his team returned, their expressions grim—an obvious sign that their pursuit had failed.

Yagura couldn't blame Takuya's group for not helping in the chase.

After all, their cooperation was temporary, not a close alliance. Expecting Takuya's team, who weren't proficient in Water Release, to dive into the sea after the Third Mizukage would have been unreasonable.

"Since our cooperation has concluded, we'll take our leave. I hope your village can halt the war soon and initiate peace talks."

"That will be done."

Though burning with frustration over the failed pursuit, Yagura knew better than to vent it on Takuya. Doing so would only backfire on him.

"Once I return to the village, I'll personally report to Master Genji. With him involved, the war will end swiftly. You can be assured of that. We deeply appreciate the assistance of you and your village."

Pausing for a moment, Yagura continued, "But regarding the sword, Samehada…"

Negotiations were still necessary. Though Tsunade had already agreed to return Samehada to Kirigakure, acquiring the weapon required Takuya's cooperation.

Yagura wasn't naive enough to believe Takuya had no say in the matter.

After his trip to Konoha, Yagura understood one thing: while Tsunade held power, she and Takuya were tightly aligned.

To offend one was to offend both.

"I need two members of the Yuki clan. Preferably ones who have awakened their Kekkei Genkai. Strength isn't important, as long as they're delivered to me, the weapon will be returned."

It wasn't a condition Takuya had initially considered, but better late than never.

The Yuki clan had been increasingly defiant. With Yagura's ruthless methods, he certainly wouldn't mind wiping them out entirely.

The same logic applied to the Kaguya clan.

Takuya's request for two Yuki clan members wasn't something Yagura would refuse.

In his view, Samehada was far more valuable than any members of the Yuki clan. As for what Takuya intended to do with them, it wasn't hard to guess—it had to be for Ice Release.

"Agreed."

Without hesitation, Yagura consented.

With that, the discussion concluded, and the two parties went their separate ways. Minato used his abilities to transport Takuya and Hatake Sakumo away.

Back at their camp, Hatake Sakumo looked at Takuya curiously.

"You want members of the Yuki clan for their Ice Release?"

Having anticipated the question, Takuya didn't hide his intentions. He had begun researching Ice Release long ago, though his progress had stalled.

Smiling, Takuya nodded.

"Yes. I've been studying it for a while, but I've hit a bottleneck. I want to use the Yuki clan members to experiment further.

Theoretically, Ice Release is a Kekkei Genkai formed by combining Water Release and Wind Release. Without the bloodline, it's difficult to achieve the fusion."

"Young people these days are truly bold. I hope you succeed."

Hatake Sakumo chuckled, patting Takuya on the shoulder before leaving.

He had no doubt about Takuya's ability to master Ice Release. Experimentation was always worthwhile.

If successful, his son Kakashi would directly benefit.

Though Sakumo had slain countless Kekkei Genkai users with his White Fang blade, he couldn't deny the immense potential of Kekkei Genkai.

Sadly, the Hatake clan, with its roots in a samurai lineage, had no connection to such abilities.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 550+ at Patreon com/ Emik01.