28 The bloody mist

The next day, in the Land of Water, a thick fog blanketed the Hidden Mist Village. Inside the Mizukage Tower, in the main conference hall, a gathering of the village's high-ranking officials and elite jonin sat in tense silence. They were all waiting for one person: the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura. Moments before, they had all received an urgent summons for this meeting. After a short while, Yagura walked in slowly, his presence casting a cold shadow over the room as he took his seat at the head of the table.

"I have called you all here on such short notice because there are several matters I wish to inform you of."

"First, it has come to my attention that the secret jutsu of our village are being stolen by other nations, our most valuable information leaked. To solve this problem, I have decided to close the borders of our country."

"Close the country?" The words sent a ripple of shock through the assembled elders, who all frowned in unison. This was no trivial matter. Once the country was sealed off, the local economy would suffer a devastating blow.

"In addition," Yagura continued, his voice flat and devoid of emotion, "seclusion is only the first step. There are too many clans within the Hidden Mist who possess bloodline limits and other coveted secret techniques. You know as well as I do that the body of a shinobi is a priceless treasure. Once another nation captures or recovers the body of one of our bloodline users, the consequences are disastrous. This has happened more than once."

"Therefore, I have decided to mobilize all of our forces to purge the village of its bloodline-limit ninja, at any cost."

"Other countries have always coveted these powers, have they not? Then we shall solve the problem at its root. We will digest them from within, so that other nations will no longer have a reason to harass us."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar. Was this the same cheerful, capable Mizukage they had known? Was this a policy that any sane village leader could conceive of?

"Lord Mizukage! I strongly oppose this!" one elder declared. "Closing the country will cripple our economy! And the decision to slaughter our own bloodline users is madness! The strength of the Hidden Mist will be catastrophically weakened!"

"This is self-destruction! It is cutting off our own limbs to spite our enemies!"

"That's right! The very reason the Land of Water is counted among the Five Great Shinobi Nations is because of the strength of our bloodline clans! If this policy is enacted, the Hidden Mist will be ruined!"

"Yes! We cannot inflict such a grievous wound upon ourselves simply to prevent our secrets from being leaked!"

"Lord Mizukage, I implore you, think twice about this!"

"Hmph…" Yagura snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the dissenting council. "It is better to weaken our own strength than to allow it to be used to increase the strength of our enemies."

"For the long-term prosperity of our village, painful sacrifices must be made."

"Besides, as I said, I did not come here to discuss this with you. I came here to inform you of my decision. I expect all of you to carry out my orders without delay."

"Now, that concludes the first matter. I will now announce my second decision."

"There are many talented ninja among the younger generation. It is time to fill the gaps left in the ranks of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen." As he spoke, Yagura glanced at the three figures standing silently behind him: Suikazan Fugu, Juzo Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had always been the personal enforcers of the Mizukage, directly under his command. But in the last great war, four of their number had been killed in battle against a single Konoha shinobi, leaving only these three survivors.

"The world-renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen cannot remain incomplete any longer. We need new blood to replenish their ranks so that they may better serve me."

"Do you have any recommendations?" Yagura asked, his voice a cold challenge.

A heavy silence fell over the room. No one dared to speak. The Fourth Mizukage's aura today was particularly chilling.

"Since you have no recommendations, I will make the selection myself."

"I have taken an interest in Hozuki Mangetsu. He will join their ranks."

"As for the remaining candidates, I will consider them at a later time."

"That is all I have to say. From this day forward, everything I have decreed must be carried out immediately and without fail!"

With that, Yagura stood and left the table, not giving the stunned elders a chance to refute him. They dared not try. They felt as though the very look in their Mizukage's eyes could kill them.

A few minutes later, all members of the Hidden Mist's assassination unit gathered on a rooftop overlooking the village.

"Suikazan Fugu," Yagura commanded, "you will lead three teams to the Yuki clan's territory. You are to eliminate all who have awakened their bloodline limit. Leave no one alive!"

"Juzo Biwa, you will take your men to the Kaguya clan's territory."

"Raiga Kurosuki, you will lead the remaining forces and assassinate the other, smaller bloodline users."

"Disperse!"

For a ninja, obeying orders is their first and most sacred duty. No matter how reluctant they were, they had to suppress their own emotions and become weapons for their leader.

After the assassination teams had departed, Yagura turned and beckoned for Hozuki Mangetsu to approach. The young man ran forward eagerly and knelt respectfully. "Lord Mizukage!"

"Mangetsu, I have summoned you here because I wish for you to join the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and serve the village. You are a talented shinobi with a deep understanding of the legendary blades." Yagura gestured to the four ownerless swords laid out beside him. "Which one will you wield? Choose for yourself."

On the table lay the Longsword: Nuibari, the Explosive Sword: Shibuki, the Bluntsword: Kabutowari, and the Twin Sword: Hiramekarei.

Hozuki Mangetsu could no longer contain his excitement. He picked up each sword in turn, demonstrating his prodigious skill. In his hands, the legendary blades seemed to come alive, humming with a murderous energy.

"Excellent. I was right about you," Yagura nodded with satisfaction.

Mangetsu seemed to have a special affinity for the Twin Sword. He put the other blades down and asked, "Lord Mizukage, I wish to be the master of Hiramekarei. It… calls to me."

"Granted."

"Thank you, Lord Mizukage!"

"The sword has been chosen. Now, Mangetsu, I have a mission for you."

"Your Excellency, please speak."

Yagura slowly walked to Mangetsu's side, leaned close to his ear, and spoke in a cold whisper. "I am sending you to monitor Suikazan Fugu, Juzo Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki. You will observe them and ensure they complete their missions with absolute resolve. If you find any of them showing mercy, you will not report back to me. You will kill them on the spot."

"What?" Mangetsu's pupils widened in shock. He never would have imagined that on his first day as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his first mission would be to spy on, and perhaps even assassinate, his own seniors.

"Lord Mizukage, this…"

"What? Are you incapable?" Yagura's voice was a sharp rebuke. "Everything we do is for the good of the village. As a ninja, you must be prepared to cast aside all personal feelings. Do I need to remind you of this?"

"I… I understand, Lord Mizukage."

"Very well. Go, then. I will send a team of elite jonin to assist you."

"Yes!" Mangetsu swallowed nervously, nodded with a firm resolve, and then departed.

After everyone had gone, a figure began to emerge from a swirling vortex behind the lone Mizukage. The next moment, Obito stood on the rooftop. He raised his head, looking out at the foggy sky, and murmured softly, "The Hidden Mist… it's almost over."

"Today's fog will be a bloody one."

On the other side of the world, outside the entrance to Uchiha Madara's secret base, White Zetsu stood with Shiro perched on its shoulders. Black Zetsu carried a small bag filled with snacks and other provisions, all of which had been insisted upon by a worried Madara. Today was the day Shiro was to go to Konoha to recruit the Uchiha clan, and his father was concerned he would be too busy to eat.

"White Zetsu, please let me down. I can walk by myself."

"No! Your father has ordered that while failure on your first mission is acceptable, you cannot make any mistakes! Shiro, you are still too young. Please let me carry you. If you were to fall or get hurt, my life would be forfeit."

"Ah…" Shiro shook his head helplessly. As expected, having such a doting father was better than anything. It was hard for him not to enjoy it.

"We will be on our way then, Madara sama" Zetsu called out. "You don't have to worry with us here."

"Hmph." Uchiha Madara pinched Shiro's cheek and reminded him softly, "Son, those Uchiha are of your line, your distant kin. You do not have to be kind to them. Show them the authority that comes with being my son!"

"Remember, you are the son of Uchiha Madara. I would rather you stand against the world than let the world stand against you! No matter what happens, your father will support you!"

"Go now. And remember to be back before dinner. I can't eat without you."