Naruto: Starting as a Defector in The Hidden Mist Village

A special thank you to all my patrons.

The List of My "Wandering Reader":

-[ ]

-Lord_Clamiral

-Cain

-Shahzaam

-Goha21

-Splendid

-Jacob Mooe

-Nathan king

-Mp Gaming

-Paul Panzer

-Austin Levy

You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.

P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos

(just replace the "@" with "a")

ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!

-------------------------------------------------------------

"Him?" Ogaki Yuu wore a puzzled expression. 

It wasn't that he didn't believe Midorima was capable of such a thing, but how could someone who had only been a ninja for a year possibly have the opportunity to collude with outsiders? 

"That's right. I suspect his father was a missing-nin, and he's simply following in his footsteps. Of course, that's just speculation, but there's no doubt he's a traitor. Isn't that right, Mizukage-sama?" Igawa Takeshi said. 

Regardless of what others thought, Midorima's guilt had to be set in stone. 

Not only did Igawa have a personal reason to kill him, but Midorima was also a key witness to the entire incident. And now, with him missing—neither alive nor dead—the situation was far too dangerous. 

If he were to suddenly reappear one day, Igawa would be in a very precarious position. 

Now that the Mizukage was under genjutsu, Igawa felt somewhat more confident. 

From now on, with the Mizukage at the forefront and himself operating in the shadows, no one in Kirigakure would dare oppose him! 

"That's correct," Yagura stated expressionlessly, confirming Igawa's words. 

Ogaki Yuu still had his doubts, but since even Yagura said so, at the very least, Midorima's status as a traitor was indisputable. 

"And the Third…?" Ogaki glanced at the unconscious Third Mizukage slung over Igawa's shoulder. 

"He's lost his memory… doesn't recognize anyone. That bastard Midorima repeatedly tried to control him. He only managed to escape today when he happened to encounter foreign ninjas meeting with Midorima to gather intel… The Third is the true hero of this operation." Igawa didn't feel the slightest bit of shame as he spoke. "Someone take him. Since he's lost his memory, he'll need proper care." 

Igawa had initially planned to kill the Third outright. 

The man was still incredibly powerful, but his mind was no longer functional—who knew what kind of trouble he might cause someday? However, the masked man had given him a reason to keep the Third alive. 

"What if someone sees through the deception? With just you and the Mizukage, could you suppress any rebels?" 

"That depends on the rebels' strength," Igawa had replied. 

"What if you're completely isolated?" 

Igawa shook his head. Even with the Three-Tails, Yagura would likely be at a disadvantage if he had to face the entire village alone. 

"That's where the Third comes in. With both the Third and Fourth under your control, no one in Kirigakure will dare oppose you." 

The masked man's argument had convinced Igawa completely. 

Now, with both the Third and Fourth Mizukage as his trump cards, Igawa could hardly contain his glee. 

The Seven Swordsmen? Ogaki Yuu? Bloodline limits? 

None of them stood a chance against the combined might of the Third and Fourth. 

"However… that bastard Midorima escaped. A traitor who used the Third and attacked the Fourth—we absolutely cannot let him get away. What do you think, Mizukage-sama?" 

"Igawa, you're in charge of this matter. Make sure he's captured," Yagura ordered. 

"Understood." A faint smirk tugged at Igawa's lips. 

This had been prearranged. 

Since Midorima knew about Igawa and the masked man's involvement, letting anyone else capture him was too risky. If Midorima survived long enough to talk, Igawa would be in serious trouble. 

Killing Midorima himself would be ideal. But even if he did escape, issuing a bounty later wouldn't be too late. 

"Igawa, you've already worked through the night. Shouldn't the task of capturing Midorima be left to me?" 

This was a rare opportunity to gain the Mizukage's favor, and Ogaki Yuu was eager to seize it. 

"Chief, have you forgotten? That bastard Midorima killed my son!" Igawa clenched his fists, his voice trembling with rage. 

Ogaki fell silent. He had forgotten about that. 

In that case, both logic and sentiment dictated that the task should go to Igawa. 

After a moment of hesitation, Ogaki finally lowered his head in reluctant acceptance. 

---

On a distant mountaintop… 

As she watched the group disappear into the distance, Konan couldn't help but ask, "Why are we interfering in Kirigakure's affairs?" 

"Conquering the world isn't something that happens overnight. By taking control of Kirigakure now, we'll have one less enemy in the future," Obito replied. 

"Wouldn't it be better to just destroy them? With both the Third and Fourth Mizukage under our control, wiping out the village wouldn't be difficult," Konan pressed. 

"Believe me, I want to destroy Kirigakure more than anyone," Obito's voice seethed with suppressed fury. 

If not for Kirigakure, Rin would still be alive. He and Rin would still be together. 

But revenge wasn't just about delivering a single, fatal blow. Sometimes, the true pleasure came from watching the target suffer slowly, bit by bit. 

"Even weakened, Kirigakure is still one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. If an entire village were to be annihilated overnight, the others wouldn't ignore it. The Akatsuki would be exposed, and right now, do you think we're strong enough to take on all five?" 

Konan and the Deva Path remained silent. They couldn't deny the truth in his words. 

"With the Third and Fourth Mizukage under genjutsu, Kirigakure will rot from within—unless someone breaks the illusion. Let's just sit back and watch, shall we?" Obito murmured. 

---

Meanwhile… 

"What? Midorima is a traitor? Impossible!" Terumī Mei slammed her hands on the table, glaring at the messenger. 

Being woken up in the middle of the night would put anyone in a foul mood. Even someone as level-headed as Mei couldn't suppress her irritation. 

And now, hearing Midorima labeled a "traitor," her anger flared beyond control. 

"This is an order directly from the Mizukage." 

"I need to speak with the Mizukage myself!" Mei insisted. 

"Due to your close association with Midorima, you are forbidden from leaving your residence until your own involvement is cleared." 

Mei's fists tightened. "Does the ANBU not already know whether I'm involved or not?" 

"This order comes from both ANBU division leaders. Until you're cleared, leaving will be treated as treason—same as Midorima." The messenger turned and left without another word. 

Mei followed him to the door, only to find six or seven ninjas stationed outside. 

Their cold, scrutinizing gazes made her skin crawl. 

She shut the door and returned to the living room, where her mother—also awakened by the commotion—stood waiting. "What's going on with Midorima?" 

Mei shook her head. "It's… I don't… No, it's nothing. Go back to sleep." 

A traitor? How? 

Before his first mission, Midorima had never even left the village, let alone made contact with outsiders. How could he possibly be a missing-nin? 

Besides, he had already advanced to the second round of the Chunin Exams' finals. Two more wins, and he'd become one of the Seven Swordsmen, securing a respected position in Kirigakure. Why would he risk everything to betray the village? 

A chilling realization settled over Mei. 

If Midorima was a traitor, then his deception had been flawless—so perfect that even she hadn't noticed. But if he was being framed… then the situation was far more dangerous. It meant someone powerful was willing to sacrifice him to cover up the truth.