"You're from the Uchiha clan?"
"Indeed, Konoha's ANBU, Fugaku Uchiha."
"To have found me here is no small feat. Alas, what a pity…"
"Why do you say that, Mizukage-sama?"
The Third Mizukage tilted his head back and gazed at the sky, his eyes filled with unspeakable sorrow.
Fugaku Uchiha leaped forward within the spiritual labyrinth of the Third Mizukage, navigating deeper and deeper into its core. He didn't know how long he had been running when he finally found someone sitting cross-legged in meditation at the heart of the maze. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the soul of the Third Mizukage, Whale.
The soul looked identical to its physical form in the outside world: gaunt features and a withered expression.
"When I came in, I marked the direction. If we head this way for about 20,000 breaths, we should reach the edge of the labyrinth. By then, my comrades outside will awaken us."
Fugaku Uchiha pointed to a strip of cloth behind him. In this illusionary realm, there was no concept of time, only breaths to mark its passage.
"Heh, young man, I've been wandering here for over a year and have tried every method imaginable. This labyrinth is far more complicated than you think. Escape? That's impossible."
The Third Mizukage shook his head helplessly.
"Oh? I'd appreciate your guidance."
The Third Mizukage gestured to the towering walls of the labyrinth around them.
"This labyrinth isn't static; it's alive. Its layout changes constantly, shifting with your every move. No matter which direction you go, the maze itself moves and rearranges its structure. I've walked in a single direction for over a million breaths, yet I still couldn't find a way out. Look here…"
The Third Mizukage raised his hand and pointed at the wall.
Fugaku Uchiha followed his gaze and saw the wall covered with countless arrows and writings, densely packed.
"These are the marks I left during my attempts to escape over the past year. Yet, somehow, they all ended up converging on this same wall…"
Fugaku Uchiha jumped onto the high wall, focusing his Sharingan to peer into the distance. What he saw startled him: the maze's boundaries, once visible within his Sharingan's range, had vanished, replaced by an endless expanse of winding, twisting paths.
"You mentioned your comrades outside could awaken you?"
The Third Mizukage asked.
"Yes," Fugaku Uchiha nodded.
"Then you might still have a chance to get out. If you do, please deliver a message for me: appoint Yagura Karatachi as the Fourth Mizukage. Stop wasting chakra; there's no point in expending effort on a dead man. But if you can't…"
The Third Mizukage's face turned sorrowful and despondent.
"Then I'm afraid you'll be stuck here with me for the rest of your life."
Fugaku Uchiha leaped down from the wall and approached the Third Mizukage.
"Kirigakure's situation is complicated right now. As an outsider, I'm afraid I can't explain it clearly. It's better if you return yourself to deliver the message."
"Oh? Do you have a way to break this illusion?"
The Third Mizukage's dim eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.
"For such a massive-scale genjutsu, completely overturning it is beyond my ability. However…"
Fugaku Uchiha smirked confidently.
"I should be able to carve out a small section of this vast illusion. Watch me!"
The Third Mizukage instinctively raised his head, meeting Fugaku Uchiha's blood-red eyes.
Fugaku Uchiha formed a series of hand seals, the three tomoe in his Sharingan spinning faster and faster until they formed an unbroken black circle.
"Genjutsu: Interrogation Chamber!"
The Third Mizukage felt the scene around him shift abruptly, and he found himself in a pitch-black room. There was nothing around him except for a pair of blood-red Sharingan.
"It seems to have worked. My theory was correct. This illusion is too vast to destroy entirely, but targeting a specific point is effective. Once I release the technique, we should be able to leave."
The Sharingan in the darkness gleamed with a hint of satisfaction.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get out of here!"
The Third Mizukage's voice trembled slightly with urgency.
"Heh, no need to rush, Mizukage-sama. Since we're about to leave anyway, why not take this moment to chat about Kirigakure's current affairs?"
"Heh, the great momentum of Kirigakure is mine, not yours! What's wrong? Care to test the sharpness of my hook?"
Yoake stood arrogantly, pointing his iron hook at Yagura Karatachi. The humility and warmth he once displayed were gone, replaced by an overbearing and domineering demeanor.
Behind him, a group of followers led by Siren stood armed and ready, their blades gleaming with anticipation. It seemed that with a single command from Yoake, they would charge into battle without hesitation.
On the other side, standing with Yagura Karatachi, was a newly-reformed Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They guarded Yagura closely, their expressions solemn and their vigilance high.
Kakashi Hatake and Maki stood awkwardly against the wall in the middle, caught in a position where neither staying nor leaving felt right.
In Yoake's original plan, dealing with Yagura Karatachi was supposed to be a slow process, like boiling a frog in warm water. By leveraging his own resources, he could gradually pull in allies while weakening his opponent, eventually wearing them down with minimal loss and no lingering consequences.
However, the sudden turn of events changed everything. With the Third Mizukage's death at this critical juncture, the situation became entirely different. If he didn't act now, all would be lost.
Thus, Yoake decided to strike first, claiming the mantle of leadership and seizing the moral high ground. Though the losses might be significant, there was no longer any room for hesitation.
"Hmph! My greatsword has never dulled!"
Fuguki Suikazan raised his Samehada, his presence as fierce as ever. Since defecting to Yagura Karatachi's faction, he had consistently played the role of the vanguard.
"The Third Mizukage entrusted me with his position before his passing. I am now the Fourth Mizukage. Your actions are nothing short of rebellion!"
Yagura Karatachi declared angrily, gripping his flower-patterned iron staff.
"The Third Mizukage? Hahaha!"
Yoake laughed uproariously.
"The Third Mizukage has been comatose for over a year. How could he have left any final words? Clearly, you, Yagura Karatachi, fabricated this claim to usurp the position of Mizukage. The true rebels are you!"
Turning to Kakashi Hatake and Maki, Yoake said, "Honored envoys, I must ask you to step aside for now. Kirigakure has internal matters to resolve. Rest assured, you will receive a satisfactory explanation afterward. I, Yoake, promise to double whatever Yagura Karatachi has offered you!"
Kakashi Hatake and Maki exchanged a knowing glance. It seemed Yoake was aware of their dealings with Yagura Karatachi, though not the specifics.
Without further hesitation, the two bowed to both sides and exited the Mizukage Hall. After all, this was not yet the time for them to act.
As he left, Kakashi Hatake thought to himself with amusement, What a bold claim. Double the offer? Can you even hand over the Six-Tails sealed within your body?
With the envoys gone, neither side held back any longer.
"Whoever takes Yoake's head will be promoted three ranks!"
"Whoever takes Yagura Karatachi's head will be granted the title of Grand Master!"
With promises of rewards from their respective leaders, the two factions clashed fiercely in the Mizukage Hall. Blades clashed, jutsus collided, and the air was filled with screams, blood, and chaos.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
"8 amazing fanfics available on my Patreon.
Support for 200+ advance chapters:
patreon.com/DarkGolds"