A day later, news of Mangetsu's murder reached Hidden Wind Village, throwing the entire village into an uproar.
Everyone was convinced that Pakura was responsible, though no concrete evidence could be produced. This left Wu Yinzhong feeling deeply aggrieved and enraged.
As the sole survivor of the incident, Hoshigaki Kisame returned to the village. He was first taken to the hospital for basic treatment and bandaging, then brought before the Mizukage by the Kirikigakure Anbu at the Water Shadow Building.
In the dim office, the third-generation Mizukage—a water shadow with long black hair—sat behind a desk, eyes closed, as he listened to Kisame's report. This Shuiying, accustomed to solitude and battle, had inherited his position nearly twenty years ago after Gengetsu Hōzuki's death. Known for his strong ability and high prestige, he was a figure who commanded respect.
However, in recent years, the Mizukage had transformed the Mist Hidden village into the "Blood Mist," cultivating a cadre of iron-blooded, ruthless ninjas amid heavy criticism.
Facing the Mizukage, Kisame recounted his escape and detailed how he had disposed of the cauldron that killed Mangetsu Hozuki—handing it off to Pakura. His simple, flawless report raised no suspicions; after all, Kisame was just a twelve-year-old genin with an appearance both honest and unassuming.
"You go back and recuperate," the Mizukage ordered.
Kisame bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Click, click, click. (The sound of the Mizukage tapping his desk echoed in the dimly lit room.)
After a moment of silence, the Mizukage finally spoke.
"Dispatch the Heartless Pair to retrieve Pakura's head," he ordered.
The so-called Heartless Pair—members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen like Mangtesu Hozuki—consisted of Jinpachi Munachi, wielding a blasting knife, and Kurirara Kushimaru, armed with a long knife and a needle. Brutal and cold-blooded, these two were among the strongest.
"Let them go after Pakura, even if they get caught," the Mizukage decreed.
After his subordinate departed with the order, the Mizukage sat alone. Then, at a certain moment, he opened his eyes—revealing a pair of intense red eyes.
After walking out of the office, Hoshigaki Kisame frowned slightly.
In his memory, the Third Great Ninja War would erupt in the next two to three years. During that period, Madara Uchiha not only orchestrated the abduction of Nohara Rin via Kiri's Anbu, but also implanted Isobu, the Three-Tails, into her body, making her a Jinchūriki from Kirigakure.
That much alone confirmed one thing—Madara was already pulling strings from the shadows, and had seized control of Kirigakure, becoming its true, albeit invisible, ruler.
So, was the Third Mizukage he had just met already under Madara's genjutsu?
The thought of the legendary Madara Uchiha operating behind the scenes made Kisame realize he had to act with far more caution. But at the same time...
He also recalled the gourd-shaped fan with the six-tomoe pattern slung across Banō's back.
Gunbai Uchiwa.
A treasured heirloom of the Uchiha clan, said to be crafted from the sacred tree. It was sturdy, elastic, and capable of deflecting all ninjutsu.
Undeniably a legendary artifact—and Kisame couldn't help but covet it.
In addition to the remaining six swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he had now added the Gunbai to his list of targets during his stay in Kirigakure.
Kisame was a patient hunter.
He excelled at waiting.
And such men always found their moment.
Passing through the corridor, Kisame reached the lobby on the first floor of the Mizukage's Tower.
This was Kirigakure's mission reception office. At this hour, it was teeming with activity—shinobi coming and going, the room buzzing with life.
But the moment Kisame stepped in, the noise dimmed noticeably.
The bandaged, blood-stained figure of the young genin drew immediate attention. Whispers echoed across the hall, questioning whether he had survived by sheer luck—or worse, by abandoning his comrades in the line of duty.
If it was the latter, then no one would ever want to partner with him again.
Kisame ignored their whispers.
He moved through the crowd toward the exit—until two familiar figures caught his eye.
One of them was about his age, a former classmate from the Academy.
She had long, curly reddish-brown hair, turquoise eyes, soft pink lips, and light makeup—looking more mature than her years.
Terumi Mei.
The future Fifth Mizukage, who would one day end the dark era of the "Bloody Mist" and usher in an age of peace and reform. Wise, powerful, and beautiful.
Though they'd shared classrooms for years, Kisame and Terumi Mei had never been close. Just acquaintances.
She spotted him too, offering a polite nod of acknowledgment.
Beside her stood a much younger girl—shorter, but full of energy.
Her reddish-brown hair was tied into twin braids, and she flashed Kisame a mischievous grin, revealing sharp canine teeth.
Ringo Ameyuri.
One of the Second Generation's Seven Ninja Swordsmen in the original timeline. A lightning-style prodigy who mastered the Kiba, the Thunder Swords. Sadly, she would later die young from illness.
Ameyuri leaned close to Terumi Mei, whispering something with a sly smile. Judging by her expression, it probably wasn't flattering.
But little did she know—the Kiba, which was supposed to be hers, had already fused into Kisame's body, becoming one of his chakra tails.
If she found out, she might just cry.
Kisame passed the two without a word and stepped outside the Mizukage Tower.
His current plan: lay low, get home, recover, and then methodically target the remaining swords one by one.
Unfortunately, plans rarely go smoothly.
He had barely taken a few steps when someone blocked his path.
Kurokawa.
A tall, nasty-looking Chūnin from Kirigakure.
During a recent patrol mission, Kurokawa had been Kisame's temporary superior. Abusing his rank and strength, he'd bullied Kisame until the latter had retaliated with fists—humiliating him in front of others.
Kurokawa had held that grudge ever since.
Now that Kisame was injured, Kurokawa brought four backup goons to settle the score.
Kirigakure was a far cry from Konoha.
While the Leaf upheld the "Will of Fire," encouraging unity and camaraderie—even if only on the surface—Kirigakure had long since embraced the law of the jungle. The strong thrived. The weak were prey.
Brawls over personal vendettas on public streets were normal.
In a way, Kirigakure's "simple traditions" were just a cover for barbarism.
So when the confrontation started, no one stepped in to stop it. On the contrary, a crowd of villagers and shinobi gathered, eager to watch the drama unfold.
Terumi Mei and Ameyuri were among them.
Terumi frowned.
Having grown up in a relatively peaceful period, she felt uneasy about the increasing bloodlust and violence brewing in the village. At only twelve years old, she already feared for its future.
By contrast, Ringo Ameyuri was carefree and entertained—shouting for the fight to start like it was a carnival show.
But then something unexpected happened.
Kisame raised his hands.
"I'm sorry," he said solemnly. "I apologize. Please let me go."
Then, in front of everyone, he bowed ninety degrees to Kurokawa.