Konoha's Tatsuya

Mizukage Tower.

A lean figure walked slowly out of the main entrance, a large sword nearly as tall as himself strapped to his back. The man was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with short black hair, a large cross-shaped scar on his right cheek, and bandages wrapped around his ears and neck. This was Jūzō Biwa, one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. During the Third Shinobi World War, he was one of the only three members of the Seven Swordsmen who luckily survived.

Opposite him, another similarly lean man, his lower face and neck also wrapped in bandages, walked towards him. This man looked younger, perhaps only eighteen or nineteen, but his entire being radiated a battle-hardened, fierce and valiant aura. Zabuza Momochi, the fastest-rising genius ninja in Kirigakure in recent years, a member of the Kirigakure ANBU, skilled in Water Release ninjutsu and Silent Killing techniques.

"Senpai." As they met, Zabuza Momochi inclined his body slightly in a bow towards Jūzō Biwa.

"Hn." Jūzō Biwa responded coldly and walked straight past with large strides. The two figures crossed paths. Zabuza Momochi stood in place, silently watching Jūzō Biwa's figure gradually recede into the distance. Standing there, Zabuza remained still for a long moment before finally turning and entering the Mizukage Tower.

Inside the Mizukage's Office, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, sat silently, his face expressionless.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Enter," Yagura said coldly. The door opened, and Zabuza walked in. Looking at the expressionless Fourth Mizukage behind the desk, an almost imperceptible shadow flickered in Zabuza's eyes.

"Lord Mizukage, Zabuza reporting mission completion," Zabuza said, bowing respectfully to Yagura.

"Has the Konoha spy been eliminated?" Yagura looked up, regarding Zabuza impassively.

"He has been taken care of," Zabuza replied respectfully, his head lowered.

"Good. You may leave," Yagura nodded, speaking coldly.

"Yes, sir." Zabuza bowed and exited the room.

Walking out of the Mizukage's Office, Zabuza sighed inwardly. The Fourth Mizukage who once dared to enact reforms, the one who held the most hope for pulling Kirigakure out of its mire, was truly gone. The change had been far too abrupt! Perhaps the rumor circulating within the village was true. The Fourth Mizukage was being secretly controlled by genjutsu. The Fourth Mizukage, a Perfect Jinchūriki, actually being controlled by someone using genjutsu! Although it sounded like a joke, Zabuza was more inclined to believe it was the truth. As a former admirer and follower of the Fourth Mizukage, Zabuza wouldn't allow this wrong to continue. Thinking this, a flicker of determination flashed in Zabuza's eyes.

Mizukage Tower. A large, somewhat rounded figure stood behind a window, silently watching Jūzō Biwa and Zabuza Momochi leave one after the other. This person had green stripes painted on his cheeks, orange hair reaching his waist, and carried a large sword wrapped in white cloth on his back. His mouth stretched into a grin, revealing sharp teeth as he murmured under his breath, "Heh heh! Those two idiots. Thinking they can launch a coup d'état with their level of skill."

This was Fuguki Suikazan, another of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the great sword Samehada, and also the head of Kirigakure's Intelligence Division. During the Third Shinobi World War, Fuguki Suikazan was also one of the three swordsmen who luckily escaped. After returning to Kirigakure, he took charge of the village's Intelligence Division.

Behind Fuguki Suikazan stood a tall, well-built figure silently. He had long, dark blue hair and a face resembling a shark's. Kisame Hoshigaki, Fuguki Suikazan's trusted subordinate. Hearing Fuguki Suikazan's murmur, Kisame's shark-like face showed no hint of expression.

Back in the Mizukage's Office, after Zabuza left, a large pitcher plant slowly rose from the floor. At the same time, Obito, wearing his mask, slowly emerged from the shadows.

"Obito, the policies you're implementing in Kirigakure have already caused dissatisfaction among numerous ninja families. They're going to rebel soon," White Zetsu's voice echoed in the room, carrying a distinct tone of wanting to enjoy the show.

"After all, the time has been too short. Such an abrupt shift is naturally easy to see through. If not for Yagura Karatachi being a Perfect Jinchūriki, they probably would have acted long ago," Black Zetsu's voice followed White Zetsu's.

"Oh? In that case, shouldn't you have not changed the Fourth Mizukage's previous policies? Why didn't you advise Obito against it back then?" White Zetsu continued flippantly.

"Shut up!" Black Zetsu snapped angrily. Then, Black Zetsu turned back to Obito. "Obito, Zabuza is no longer reliable either! What do you plan to do next?"

"Hmph! Just a bunch of insignificant rabble! They can't even manage basic trust amongst themselves, how could they possibly unite to overthrow my rule?" Obito scoffed, his voice laced with disdain. After controlling Yagura Karatachi with genjutsu, the reason Obito completely reversed his reforms and reinstated the Bloody Mist Policy was purely to retaliate for the harm Kirigakure ninja had inflicted upon Rin Nohara back then. Obito was impatient to avenge the one he loved. His confidence in doing so stemmed from Yagura Karatachi's strength and prestige, as well as the suspicion and distrust engendered by Kirigakure's long history of enforcing the Bloody Mist Policy. As long as the major factions didn't unite to rebel together, Obito wasn't worried they could accomplish anything.

"Obito, this time they've started contacting outsiders. You still need to be careful. Should the Chūnin Selection Tournament scheduled for ten days from now be postponed?" Black Zetsu said gravely, watching Obito.

"Don't worry! I've made complete preparations! If someone wants to jump out, all the better. We can deal with them all at once," Obito replied, his voice ice-cold.

Kirigakure. Kakashi returned to the inn, his expression grave. Upon returning, Kakashi was surprised to find Tatsuya, Guy, and Itachi gathered together. Seeing Kakashi return, an odd look appeared on Tatsuya's face. Kakashi was startled by this. Before he could speak, Tatsuya handed him a message scroll.

Kakashi took it and read it. It was unexpectedly a message sent by someone from the mission requester who had asked Konoha for help, requesting a meeting in three days. After reading the message, Kakashi became thoughtful.

After a short pause, Kakashi finally asked the other three, "What do you make of this?"

Tatsuya thought for a moment and said, "This mission is crucial. The other party has likely been observing us secretly for the past few days. Arranging a meeting now probably means they're preparing to make their move." This was the consensus Tatsuya, Guy, and Itachi had reached after discussing it before Kakashi returned.

"Mm! The meeting request is likely genuine! Then let's prepare ourselves first and head to the designated meeting place punctually in three days," Kakashi nodded, agreeing with the others' assessment.

After settling the matter of the meeting, Tatsuya then asked, "You looked grave when you came in just now. Did something major happen outside?"