52

As evening fell, Uchiha Itachi and Juzo Biwa moved north, their forms blurring through the trees at the border of the Land of Water. The deeper they went, the more the air crackled with a palpable tension.

Juzo's gruff voice cut through the silence. "Alright, kid. We're almost at our destination. Our mission is to assassinate a target within the residence of a Land of Water noble. It's a common family dispute, a fight over inheritance."

"Humans are all the same," he continued, his tone cynical. "They talk of countries, clans, and family ties, but when it comes to a struggle for power, everyone becomes a selfish, hypocritical monster. The Hidden Mist is forbidden from interfering in the personal affairs of the nobility. That's why this client came to the Akatsuki."

"Our opponents should be nothing more than a pack of guards with dull swords. It's unlikely we'll encounter any real shinobi. Sigh… another boring mission." Juzo grumbled, his long-winded complaint filling the quiet woods.

Uchiha Itachi remained silent, simply offering a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

"Hmph. You're not much of a conversationalist, are you? It's really quite boring," Juzo said with a grunt of dissatisfaction. "But setting foot in the Land of Water carries its own risks. Itachi, have you heard what happens to foreign ninja who are captured here?"

Itachi responded, his voice as calm and flat as a still lake, "The Hidden Mist does not engage in prisoner exchanges. Captured foreign shinobi are interrogated for their techniques, and then executed."

"Well, it seems you know the cold, ruthless nature of the Mist Village well enough," Juzo's expression hardened. "This village has a 'Hunter-nin' unit that specializes in hunting down rogue shinobi. If you or I are caught… if it's me, remember this, and do not hesitate: just kill me. I refuse to be tortured by them. If you are caught, I will do the same for you. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Itachi replied quietly.

Soon, they arrived at the gates of a massive mansion, hidden amongst the dense foliage. Juzo asked quietly, "Hey. Are you any good at infiltration?"

"It will suffice," Itachi replied.

"Very well. Let's see it, then. I'll draw their attention." With those words, Juzo burst from the treeline, heading straight for the mansion's front gate. The guards immediately spotted him. "Who goes there?!"

"What a stupid question," Juzo complained impatiently. "I'm obviously here with a large sword to kill your master! What, did you think I was here to sell it to you?"

The lead guard captain shouted angrily, "Such audacity! Everyone, kill him immediately!" Dozens of guards instantly surrounded Juzo, their swords drawn. The captain sneered, his lips curling with confidence. "With me here, no one will pass through this gate! You freak with the painted face, believe me, your death will be an ugly one!"

Juzo scoffed. "Hmph. Don't be so confident. You should look behind you first."

"Huh?" The captain spun around, and in the pale moonlight, he saw a silent figure with glowing red eyes standing right behind him. "How… how did you get in here?" he gasped. Just as he was about to raise his sword, a profound weakness washed over him. His vision blurred, and his body collapsed to the ground.

"Captain!" Seeing their leader fall, the guards abandoned Juzo, rushing toward Itachi with their swords raised. Their fate, however, was the same. Before they could take more than a few steps, they lost consciousness, falling to the ground one after another.

"The Sharingan is truly a remarkable tool. That genjutsu is incredibly convenient," Juzo couldn't help but praise.

They passed through the courtyard and entered the mansion. Any guards who jumped out to stop them were cut down by Juzo's massive blade. Finally, only their target remained, a young nobleman trembling with fear. Juzo raised his Executioner's Blade, standing coldly before the man.

"Young man, I know you are an honest official. But there is nothing to be done. A despicable person has paid for your death, and so you must die. Do not blame me. Blame this broken world. Human nature is fundamentally evil. Being a good person… will not lead to a good end."

Swish!

With a single swing, the head fell to the ground.

"Let's go. We have to leave before the Hidden Mist ninja arrive!" Their mission complete, Juzo and Itachi did not dare to linger. They quickly headed back toward the border.

After running for a long time, several figures suddenly appeared in the trees behind them, closing in fast.

"Hmph. What a nuisance! We've been discovered!" Juzo spat, then formed a hand seal. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!" A large area around them was instantly shrouded in a thick, disorienting fog, obscuring all vision.

"This is just a temporary trick," Juzo warned, "but it will buy us enough time to escape. Itachi, follow me! I will get you out of here!"

"Understood."

The two continued onward, but suddenly, they heard a clear, powerful voice from behind them.

"Wind Style: Typhoon's Passage!"

A powerful gust of wind ripped through the forest, blowing away the thick fog in an instant. Juzo froze, his expression turning grim. "Oh no! I didn't expect our pursuer would be him! If it's him, we can't escape. We have no choice but to fight! Damn it!" Juzo stopped, drew his Executioner's Blade, and took a high-level defensive stance.

"Who is it?" Itachi asked.

"The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura!"

Soon, several masked Hidden Mist ANBU appeared, surrounding them. In the center stood a short man with yellow-green hair, purple eyes, and a deceptively youthful, baby-faced expression.

"He is the Mizukage?" Itachi was a little surprised. He hadn't expected the leader of a great village to look younger than himself.

Juzo gritted his teeth. "Don't be fooled by his appearance. This man is a cold-blooded monster. Itachi, remember my advice."

Itachi was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I remember."

"Good! If I am captured, you must kill me!" With that, Juzo let out a fierce battle cry and swung his greatsword directly at Yagura.

Yagura's eyes were filled with contempt. "Hmph! I never expected to see you again in this country, you traitor. Juzo, you disappoint me. Today, your sword and your life will remain here! And you, Itachi of the Sharingan, your end will be no better. I have many questions for you!" Yagura waved his hand. "Go! Capture them!"

With so many opponents, it would be difficult for the two of them to fend them off for long. In less than a minute, Juzo was captured, held fast by two of the Mist ninja.

"Itachi! Don't forget what you promised me!" Juzo shouted, his voice filled with a desperate urgency.

The next second, Itachi appeared in a flash before Juzo. In his hand was a kunai, which he plunged directly into his partner's chest.

"Wha… what is happening???" The Mist ninja stared in utter confusion.

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