Can you represent Kirigakure?
Because Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, was under genjutsu for years, he neglected the affairs of Kirigakure. This allowed power-hungry Jōnin to fight for dominance, triggering the infamous purges against Kekkei Genkai clans, including the Kaguya and Yuki clans. These internal conflicts weakened the village, leading to its defeat against Sunagakure during the war.
After some contemplation, Mangetsu Hōzuki listed several crimes attributed to the Fourth Mizukage.
If not for Yagura's irrational decrees, he and Zabuza Momochi would never have considered assassinating him. The risk was too great—even if successful, they might not secure power. Instead, they could be feared by the new Mizukage and eliminated.
Hearing these accusations, Naruto Uzumaki smiled and remarked, "From what you're saying, the Fourth Mizukage seems like a tyrant deserving of punishment. But I'm curious—what exactly did he gain from these actions?"
Pausing, Naruto continued, "Think about it. Yagura was already the supreme ruler of Kirigakure. Logically, the village was under his control, so why would he deliberately target Kekkei Genkai clans?"
"Even if those clans posed a threat to his rule, wouldn't it make more sense for him to personally lead a strike force and eradicate them at their strongholds, rather than orchestrating a slow purge while staying in the shadows?"
"You're right. It doesn't add up."
Naruto's words left Mangetsu in deep thought. He had always assumed Yagura was simply paranoid, fearing the bloodline clans would overthrow him. But the more he thought about it, the less Yagura's motives made sense.
Naruto glanced at the pensive Mangetsu and Zabuza, then continued,
"By the way, your Fourth Mizukage wasn't always like this when he took office."
Guided by Naruto's reasoning, Mangetsu and Zabuza realized they couldn't pinpoint when Yagura's drastic transformation began.
Years ago, during Kirigakure's war with Sunagakure, Yagura—both Mizukage and Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails—consolidated power, crushing opposition with sheer force. He had put an end to the "Bloody Mist" policy, seemingly stabilizing the village.
But just months later, Yagura abruptly reversed course, ordering the extermination of Kekkei Genkai users and reinstating the brutal traditions of Kirigakure, plunging it into chaos once more.
What had happened to cause such a drastic change?
While Zabuza and Mangetsu wrestled with this question, Shisui Uchiha, who had been silently observing, suddenly had a realization.
A person's beliefs might shift after a traumatic experience, but there was another explanation—one he was all too familiar with.
Genjutsu.
More specifically, the Sharingan's ability to control minds. His own Kotoamatsukami could manipulate a target's will without them realizing it. If another Mangekyō Sharingan user had exerted such control over Yagura, then the truth became obvious.
Yagura had been manipulated. And the one responsible was likely the masked man behind the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha years ago.
Shisui turned to Naruto, realizing that he must have figured this out long before them—otherwise, he wouldn't have sought out the two Kirigakure shinobi now.
"So Yagura's sudden change in behavior… Could it be that he wasn't acting as the real Fourth Mizukage anymore, but as a puppet under someone's control?"
As the tension peaked, Naruto spoke, confirming what Mangetsu and Zabuza had already begun to suspect.
If Yagura had been under genjutsu, everything made sense—the irrational purges, the destruction of Kirigakure's unity, and the village's downfall.
But Yagura wasn't just any shinobi. As a Jinchūriki, the Three-Tails should have helped him break free from most illusions. That meant the one controlling him had to be on a completely different level—even beyond the Mizukage himself.
If that were true, then their assassination plan was meaningless.
Even if they killed Yagura, the real mastermind would remain, and whoever succeeded Yagura would likely become just another puppet. Kirigakure would never be free.
Zabuza clenched his fists in frustration.
Mangetsu, however, wasn't ready to give up. He looked at Naruto with intense eyes. If Naruto was telling them this, it meant he saw value in them. It meant there was still a way forward.
"Why are you telling us this? Do you want us to return and expose Yagura's manipulation?"
"If that were all, the forces of Uzushiogakure could handle it. What do you really want? To collapse Kirigakure completely and seize the Land of Water?"
Naruto chuckled. "I have no interest in the Land of Water's barren islands. I'm just having some fun. Besides, your village's higher-ups—especially Mei Terumī and the elder, Master Gengetsu—probably already suspect the truth."
Mangetsu fell silent.
Master Gengetsu, a veteran from Kirigakure's founding era, had more influence than even the Mizukage, yet he had seemingly stayed out of Yagura's affairs.
But what if he had been waiting? Accumulating power in secret, preparing to strike at the true mastermind?
At that moment, Mangetsu's mind clicked into place. He turned to Naruto and narrowed his eyes.
"The one manipulating Yagura… He's your enemy, isn't he? You want Kirigakure to help eliminate him. You're using us."
Naruto smirked. "It's just a simple strategy—setting wolves against each other. But you don't have a choice, do you? Unless you'd rather let Yagura remain a puppet and let Kirigakure rot?"
Mangetsu gritted his teeth. Naruto was right. Whether they wanted to or not, Kirigakure would have to confront the masked man eventually.
Naruto continued, "If you can't defeat him alone, you could always seek aid from Uzushiogakure. But that help won't come for free. The price may be something Kirigakure won't be willing to pay."
Mangetsu's eyes gleamed with interest. "What price?"
Naruto gave him a knowing look. "I can speak for Uzushiogakure, but can you speak for Kirigakure?"
"When the time comes, I believe your village will offer an appropriate price."
Mangetsu fell silent. He wasn't in a position to negotiate on Kirigakure's behalf.
Moreover, he couldn't shake the feeling that this seemingly unknown Uzumaki was far too powerful and well-informed. How had Uzushiogakure, destroyed for decades, suddenly produced someone like him?
And more importantly—if the masked man really was behind Yagura's control, was he the same person who had terrorized Konoha on the night of the Nine-Tails attack?
If so… then Kirigakure was caught in a far bigger war than they had ever realized.
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