Naruto: Deidara’s Struggle

"Impossible!"

That was Mei Terumī's first reaction. The claim that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, was under genjutsu control was simply inconceivable. After all, Yagura was a perfect Jinchūriki. Could the Three-Tails inside him have been controlled as well?

Deidara didn't argue the point. Even as someone who knew the storyline as a transmigrator, he found it hard to believe, let alone expecting others to accept it easily.

"Let's set that aside for now. But don't you think the Fourth Mizukage's behavior has been highly unusual?" Deidara asked.

Unusual? Of course, it was unusual!

Before becoming Mizukage, Yagura was known as a kind and gentle person. Then, his personality suddenly underwent a drastic change. Naturally, this raised suspicions—but not enough to warrant serious doubt.

After all, in this world, there were plenty of people who masked their true nature for the sake of ambition. Once they achieved their goals, they would shed their facade.

This was how most in Kirigakure viewed Yagura—an ambitious opportunist who revealed his true colors after gaining power.

"Isn't this something you should bring up openly, not in secret?" Mei questioned while unleashing another Lava Release technique.

"It's because one of my companions is directly involved in this matter, so I had to avoid their watchful eyes," Deidara explained.

Without hesitation, Mei asked, "Kisame Hoshigaki?"

Deidara didn't deny it but instead revealed his true intentions.

"I hope you can leak the details of our mission to the higher-ups of the anti-blood mist faction. Ideally, this will lure out Yagura. If he's truly under genjutsu, that Byakugan user of yours will see it immediately."

"Even if Yagura doesn't show himself, we can still take the opportunity to eliminate some of his supporters."

"In any case, you won't lose anything."

This statement contained two key points.

First, the Mizukage Building was equipped with various defensive measures, including anti-sensory barriers. After all, they couldn't allow just anyone to uncover the secrets of their headquarters—that would be foolish.

This was why Ao had yet to discover Yagura's condition with his Byakugan. Yagura rarely appeared in public, and when he did, Obito ensured he avoided sensory ninjas.

Second, in addition to the Hōzuki Clan's rebellious faction seeking to defect, there was another group in the village striving to restore order. This faction was led by the elder Genshi, a living relic from the Warring States period, who had chosen Mei Terumī as his successor.

After a moment of contemplation, Mei quickly agreed. "Alright!"

"If the opportunity arises, we'll also take action that day."

Whether or not Yagura was under control, his crimes were unforgivable. Overthrowing him was beyond question.

As for the possibility of Deidara and his group being overpowered when the blood mist faction learned of their plans, Mei wasn't worried at all.

The pretty boy in front of her might have three mouths, which was a bit odd, but his strength was undoubtedly reliable. Not to mention, he had three capable companions.

With their conversation concluded, the probing battle came to an end as well. Together, they walked out of the training ground, which now resembled the surface of the moon—covered in countless craters, making its already devastated state even worse.

"Let's go, Chōjūrō, Ao," Mei called to her two subordinates. Before leaving, she suddenly turned back and blew Deidara a kiss.

"Looking forward to our next meeting, pretty boy!"

"Deidara, you're quite the ladies' man, huh?" Sasori teased, clearly annoyed. It wasn't jealousy but rather the fact that, ever since arriving in Kirigakure, everyone seemed to be showing off, while he felt like the least noticed person around. For someone as proud as Sasori, this was deeply frustrating.

After this brief interlude, nothing unexpected occurred. When the agreed time arrived, Deidara's group met with a gathering of anti-Yagura faction leaders at the bottom of the lake in Training Ground No. 7.

During a cordial discussion, everyone expressed their eagerness to defect. "We can't live like this anymore!"

"The sooner, the better! Let's do it tonight!"

"Everyone, gather at the western edge of the village. We'll rendezvous with you there."

For ninja, relocating wasn't like ordinary civilians who had to move with their families and belongings. Most ninja families, even with elders and children, possessed superior mobility and didn't need to carry heavy possessions. As long as they survived, they could always earn money through missions.

Kirigakure

In the northern part of the village stood a luxurious mansion belonging to a high-ranking member of the blood mist faction. Fearing riots and assassination attempts, the mansion was heavily guarded by his loyal subordinates, who formed the foundation of his power within the faction.

It was akin to a criminal gang, where each leader had their own underlings. The number and quality of these subordinates determined the leader's influence.

That day, the mansion's owner received intelligence suggesting that the opposition factions within the village had united and were planning a major operation.

Initially skeptical, he soon received confirmation from an undercover agent he had planted among the opposition.

The opposition factions had indeed united, and they were planning a mass defection! The sheer number of defectors was shocking.

Unacceptable!

He immediately stood up. This had to be reported to the Mizukage!

Their current privileges and power were built on the oppression of others. If the opposition factions escaped, who would they exploit in the future? Exploit each other? That would lead to internal chaos within the blood mist faction.

Rushing to the Mizukage Building, he found it already filled with familiar faces, with more arriving by the minute.

Clearly, the defection plan involved too many people to keep it under wraps. Even without Mei Terumī leaking the information, the blood mist faction would have discovered it.

At that moment, a man with a scarred face emerged from Yagura's office. The gathered crowd immediately surrounded him.

"Lord Jushu, what did the Mizukage say?" The scarred man, Daihashi Jushu, was Yagura's right-hand man and a figure of considerable power in Kirigakure.

"The Mizukage said he's aware," Jushu replied.

Aware? The crowd exchanged bewildered looks. What kind of response was that? What was the plan?

But Jushu offered no further explanation. He turned and re-entered the office, ignoring the commotion outside. The office door remained firmly shut.

Inside the Office

Obito sat in the Mizukage's chair, with Yagura and Jushu standing respectfully by his side.

Zetsu was also present, hanging from the ceiling.

Obito was troubled. He had considered letting the opposition factions escape, but he hadn't anticipated their numbers being so large, causing such a massive uproar.

"What should we do, Obito?" White Zetsu asked.

"Even if you don't act, those blood mist faction members won't be able to resist taking matters into their own hands," Black Zetsu added, equally frustrated.

The blood mist faction was composed of opportunists, ambitious individuals, and scoundrels. Obedience wasn't their strong suit, and they certainly wouldn't stand by while their "assets" escaped.

Even if Obito issued a strict order forbidding interference, it wouldn't work.

"We'll have to play it by ear. If it comes down to it, Yagura will have to make an appearance," Obito said.

"But before that, we need to eliminate that Byakugan user, Ao. Otherwise, he'll undoubtedly uncover the truth."

"That threat should've been dealt with long ago," Black Zetsu agreed.

"He's a core figure in Genshi's faction. Taking him out lightly would provoke a massive backlash," Obito explained.

"But given the urgency of the situation, we can't afford to worry about that now," Yagura added.

Though under genjutsu control, Yagura's basic reasoning abilities remained intact.

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