Chapter 87: Detained in Kirigakure

"But you, hiding so much strength, I really don't know where you learned it from."

"Isn't it all thanks to the teacher's good teaching?"

Uchiha Kage thought that he could indeed carry both Hinata and Yuhi Kurenai.

But it would be best to have one in the front and one in the back...

That way, it would be more convenient.

"I never...", Knowing that Uchiha Kage was unwilling to say more, Yuhi Kurenai didn't plan to ask further.

She just lay on his shoulder and continued teasing him.

"Anyway, even if one day you tell me you have the Mangekyō Sharingan, I won't be surprised anymore."

'How nice.'

Although being injured was a bit embarrassing, getting cared for gently by her student was a good trade-off.

Yuhi Kurenai suddenly felt a bit lucky to be injured.

"..."

'Is this a woman's sixth sense?'

Uchiha Kage adjusted his hold on his female teacher's leg, weighing it lightly before skillfully changing the subject.

"By the way, Shino, once we reach Kirigakure, try not to use the Hidden Mist Technique anymore."

"Okay," Walking at the front, Shino nodded.

"But Kage, do you think we'll still have to fight when we get to Kirigakure?"

They were, after all, Konoha's representatives. No matter what, the people of Kirigakure wouldn't dare to attack them rashly, right?

"Hard to say,".Uchiha Kage recalled the kunoichi he encountered in the Land of Waves.

Although he had used the tattered-clothes tactic to drive her away back then, she must have held a grudge.

Given her status in Kirigakure, Uchiha Kage didn't think this trip to the Hidden Mist would be peaceful.

———

"Konoha wants to form an alliance with us?"

"Hasn't Konoha always been allied with Sunagakure?"

[Inside the Mizukage building of Kirigakure]

Since there was currently no Mizukage, the village elders were handling important affairs.

Opinions on Konoha's message were divided among the elders.

The arguments continued until the most respected senior elder, Genshi, spoke, finally calming the conference room.

"Everyone is aware of the village's current situation. Forming an alliance with Konoha brings us only benefits, not drawbacks."

"Lord Genshi, you mean..."

Indeed, the village was already struggling, and on top of that, their previous Mizukage had been controlled by someone. If it weren't for a Byakugan, they might still be following the orders of that manipulated Mizukage.

However, the one who controlled the Mizukage was an Uchiha with a Sharingan. If Konoha was behind it...

"Demand more conditions. We'll agree to the alliance, but we won't contribute any forces."

"Understood!"

The elders all nodded in agreement.

This way, the village wouldn't suffer any losses.

"Mei, go inform the Mizukage about this."

After the meeting, Genshi turned to his female disciple, Mei Terumi.

She was the village's future hope, and Genshi had long planned to groom her.

Once the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, passed away, Mei Terumi would be named the Fifth Mizukage.

"Understood, Master."

"Wait, Master Genshi, Yagura is no longer the Mizukage. After what he did, do we still need to inform him about every meeting?"

"The Mizukage was merely deceived by villains. The previous policies were not his true intentions, so we should still respect him," Maintaining the Mizukage's dignity was crucial to maintaining the village's stability, and Genshi wouldn't be careless about it.

———

Inside Kirigakure's special prison, Mei Terumi soon saw the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, in his cell.

He looked utterly dejected, almost lifeless.

Though he appeared like a child, Mei Terumi knew he was old enough to be her grandfather.

"Just kill me. To the village, I'm nothing but a ticking time bomb. That man with the Mangekyō Sharingan could return at any moment...", As the Mizukage, being manipulated like a puppet was the ultimate humiliation. Yagura Karatachi simply wanted to die and be freed from it, "As for the Three-Tails inside me, seal it away first and select a suitable Jinchūriki later."

"I'll relay that to Master Genshi. But this time, I'm here to...", Mei Terumi followed her teacher's orders and relayed the meeting's decisions to the Fourth Mizukage.

"Master Genshi has done well. With you all handling the village, I can rest easy," Yagura Karatachi clutched his forehead in agony.

Although the village was finally returning to order, the thought of the foolish policies he had implemented while being controlled made him break down.

"But we should still be wary of Konoha. If they're so eager to ally with us, there must be another reason," Yagura Karatachi had dealt with the Third Hokage before.

On the surface, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed weak and indecisive, but his underhanded tactics always caught people off guard.

"Yes, Master Genshi thought the same," Looking at the once-glorious Mizukage in such a pitiful state, Mei Terumi felt deeply emotional.

'The Uchiha are truly wicked!'

Somehow, she found herself remembering that young Uchiha boy from the Land of Waves.

'I wonder when I will be able to see him again... Ahem! see him again and wash away my disgrace.'

———

"Sensei, it seems the people of Kirigakure are really unfriendly to us," With no enemy ninja interfering, Uchiha Kage's group had an easy journey into the Land of Water, arriving at the gates of Kirigakure.

However, the sight of a group of Hidden Mist ninjas surrounding them with weapons drawn made their expressions darken.

'Isn't Konoha's delegation supposed to be expected?'

'Why is the reality so different?'

"We are Konoha's envoys, here to negotiate an alliance with Kirigakure. Please allow us to meet with your Mizukage!", Now fully recovered, Yuhi Kurenai found the situation puzzling.

Not only was there no welcome party, but they were about to be arrested?

"You say you're Konoha's envoys? But the representatives from Konoha already arrived yesterday! You must be spies!"

"What?", Yuhi Kurenai couldn't believe her ears.

'Konoha's representatives have already arrived?'

'Then what are we?'

"Surround them and capture them!", The atmosphere became instantly tense as the Kirigakure ninjas raised their weapons.

'There are certainly surprises waiting for us here in Kirigakure,' Uchiha Kage thought bitterly. Sarutobi Hiruzen had really screwed them over.

They had only been delayed for a couple of days, yet another group had arrived before them?

And wasn't this supposed to be a peaceful negotiation?

Why were the Kirigakure ninjas so hostile toward Konoha?

"Enough talking," Yuhi Kurenai cursed the unreliable Third Hokage in her mind.

'Lord Hokage really is getting senile.'

If they made it back safely, she would definitely expose what had been going on in the village.

"Kage, in a moment, you and I will break open a path so that Shino and Hinata can escape first."

"Got it, Sensei."

For Uchiha Kage, taking on all of Kirigakure alone wouldn't even be a problem.

Let alone a small squad like this.

"Wait, Master Genshi has ordered to let the Konoha ninjas in!", Just as the fight was about to begin, a female ninja appeared atop Kirigakure's gates.

"Lady Mei...", At her presence, the surrounding Kirigakure ninjas immediately halted.

"Detain them at the inn for now and verify their identities with Konoha's representatives."

"Understood!"

"It's her...", Upon seeing the familiar blue figure, Uchiha Kage was slightly surprised.

He hadn't expected the one to stop the Kirigakure ninjas from attacking them to be the same kunoichi he had fought before.

"Hmph, didn't expect to see you again so soon, little Uchiha brat," Likewise, Mei Terumi recognized the Uchiha boy who had humiliated her.

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