"What exactly are you trying to do, Zabuza?"
Genji slammed his cane down angrily, his voice booming with authority as he barked the question.
Beside him stood Terumi Mei,
who also looked at Zabuza with a deeply confused expression.
She had known about this:
How Zabuza had opposed the 'Bloody Mist Policy' enforced by the Fourth Mizukage and even challenged Yagura himself, leading a failed coup before fleeing.
In fact, many like-minded ninja in the village were also aware of it.
Some secretly offered help, maintaining contact and providing intel on Anbu movements.
Fuguki Suikazan was one of them.
So was Terumi Mei herself...
After all, if it were just Zabuza alone, there was no way he could have escaped Kiri's relentless Anbu pursuit for all these years.
That's what confused Mei the most.
Why would Zabuza return to the village at precisely this moment—essentially walking into certain death?
Did he really believe that just himself, plus the few foreign ninja behind him, could rival the entire Hidden Mist Village?
...
Zabuza took one step forward, his eyes locked firmly on Genji as he declared solemnly:
"Master Genji. I've returned specifically to challenge the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura!"
"Though I once led a rebellion that failed... forcing me into exile..."
"But I am still a ninja of the Hidden Mist!"
"You all remember what life has been like under the Fourth's rule, right?"
"What has our village become? Has it grown wealthy? Has it flourished?"
"Not at all!"
"On the contrary, for years now tyranny has reigned, our numbers have dwindled, and everyone lives in fear..."
"If this continues, the Hidden Mist will surely perish!"
"And today, I've come to overthrow the Fourth and rebuild the Hidden Mist!"
With one sweeping motion of his massive cleaver, Zabuza declared his resolve without hesitation.
He wasn't much of a speaker.
But these words had been buried deep inside him for years.
Today truly felt like the time to finally let them out.
Even if doing so might cost him his life...
...
Upon hearing this,
the hundred or so Kiri ninja standing around fell into quiet unease.
As citizens of the Mist, how could they fail to notice the changes happening across the years?
Yet most simply remained silent out of fear—intimidated by the harsh policies of both the Third and Fourth...
Now, seeing Zabuza openly voice those truths,
remembering the better days of the past, their hearts ached and they fell silent.
...
Meanwhile, watching how Zabuza single-handedly deflated half the enemy's morale,
Shimoku couldn't help but be impressed.
Man, that [Kutogen] really works!
"Tsk tsk tsk. Didn't know you had it in you, Zabuza—you've got real talent for speeches!"
"But talk won't do much good here."
"Can we start fighting already?"
"I haven't even finished dinner yet. Let's finish up quickly so I can eat."
Urging action impatiently, Shimoku was clearly eager.
They'd spent the whole day traveling by boat.
He was starving.
Zabuza's face tensed slightly—he muttered to himself, *This kid really thinks he's got it all figured out.*
However, he wasn't entirely wrong.
No matter how much she argued, in the end, only force could settle this.
Without defeating the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, everything else was meaningless talk.
"Cough cough—"
"Zabuza, I understand your feelings."
"Unfortunately, the path of rebellion you've chosen is a mistake!"
"And besides, as a rogue ninja, the village can no longer tolerate your presence. Surrender quietly..."
Elder Genji suddenly coughed twice and kindly advised.
But before he could finish speaking—
"Whoosh—"
With a sharp sound cutting through the air,
another figure abruptly leapt into the crowd,
facing Zabuza's group head-on.
Undoubtedly, it was the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi, who had barely arrived in time.
As soon as Yagura appeared, his cold and overwhelming aura pressed down on all the Kiri ninja present, leaving them momentarily breathless.
At the same time, he merely glanced at Zabuza and the others standing far beyond the village gates.
Then, without wasting a single word,
he issued a cold command:
"Kill them!"
The moment the Fourth Mizukage gave the order,
more than a dozen Anbu ninja hidden in the shadows around the area rushed out.
Without hesitation, they charged toward Zabuza and his companions.
The battle erupted instantly.
...
Seeing the fierce fight break out at the village entrance,
Terumi Mei and the others quickly moved to shield Elder Genji while retreating slightly.
"Gonbee, go evacuate the villagers immediately!"
"And notify the Barrier Division to come set up defenses!"
"This fight doesn't look like it'll end easily..."
Elder Genji hurriedly gave orders.
"At once!"
Gonbee acknowledged respectfully before rushing off to carry out the evacuation.
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei, standing nearby,
couldn't help whispering softly:
"Elder, this might be our chance!"
"Should we intervene as well?…"
"Not yet."
"Not yet—"
"The situation remains unclear. We'll act only if Zabuza's reinforcements truly have the strength to defeat Yagura!"
"If not, any premature action will ruin everything we've built!"
Genji whispered hoarsely, murmuring secretly to Mei beside him.
In truth,
as an old relic over 80 years old, Genji had witnessed the birth and growth of Kiri from its very beginnings.
He had a deep understanding of every single Mizukage that had ever ruled.
Therefore, how could he possibly miss
how both the Third Mizukage and the current Fourth Mizukage Yagura drastically changed overnight, enforcing the brutal policies of the 'Blood Mist Village'?
Thus, he had long suspected something was wrong with the Fourth Mizukage.
But pressured by Yagura's overwhelming power and his position as the Mizukage,
and bearing the fate of the entire Hidden Mist on his shoulders,
he had always held back, unwilling to act recklessly.
That's why he bided his time all these years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike against Yagura's tyranny!
As for whether now was truly the crucial turning point,
it all depended on how determined and capable Zabuza and his team really were.
After all, that man must have some serious backing if he dares to challenge the entire village.
"Fine! Then let's wait a little longer!"
Mei bit her lip and nodded decisively,
then quickly turned her eyes back to the battlefield.
...
Right now.
Dusk spread like ink, mist flowing like water.
The attack launched by dozens of Mist Anbu ninjas was just like a torrential downpour.
Covering the sky and darkening the earth, leaving nowhere to hide.
The flurry of ninjutsu was dazzling, impossible to evade or counter.
Even Zabuza and Riyō felt slightly uneasy watching this.
Obviously, before obtaining absolute power,
a sufficient number of attacks could still overwhelm the enemy. There's truth in the saying "strength in numbers."
But this time—unfortunately for them—
there was someone with absolute strength among their group.
[ Susanoo ] — Activate! "
Shimoku activated Susanoo without hesitation.
In an instant, that crimson skeletal figure of Susanoo rose once again from the ground.
And immediately, flesh and clothing formed from chakra wrapped around the skeleton as it transformed into its second form,
enveloping Shimoku, Riyō, Zabuza, and others within its protective frame.
"Boom! Boom! BOOM..."
Countless jutsu, kunai, shuriken...
poured down on the Susanoo like relentless rain.
Yet all these attacks failed to even scratch it.
They shattered on impact like glass smashed against stone.
[ Susanoo ]: The strongest defensive technique in the Ninja World—it wasn't a boast.
Especially now, strengthened by abundant chakra and Hashirama cells, Shimoku wielded Susanoo nearly effortlessly, far more skillfully than before.
"Done yet?"
"My turn now!"
Shimoku chuckled lightly.
Controlling Susanoo, he swung its massive arm, conjuring forth another great chakra blade.
Of course, he didn't use the Spiritually transformed Dragon-Weaving Blade—otherwise, the enemies might truly die from the blow.
In the next moment,
Susanoo gripped the sword and swung fiercely, sending waves of wind crashing outward—
this time, striking with the flat of the blade.
"Smack! Smack—"
Three Mist ninja were hit directly in succession.
Instantly, they flew backward like shot marbles, soaring dozens of meters before collapsing into several buildings, crumbling walls and knocking themselves unconscious on impact.
Luckily, Shimoku had full control over his strength.
Otherwise those three would've been reduced to pulp.
This brutal, violent scene stunned countless Mist Anbu ninja, making them freeze in place.
"Come on, come on! Bring more!"
"Don't stop attacking!"
...
"One strike—that's half a million!"
"One slash—two million!"
"That hit—five million!"
"One blow—ten million!"
"Hahaha!"
"I'm raking it in! I'm getting rich!"
In the misty drizzle,
a boy clad in the towering form of a god-like Susanoo swung wildly, striking down foes, laughing maniacally amidst the chaos.
As if he wasn't striking enemies at all—but smashing open barrels overflowing with gold!
Watching this spectacle, countless Mist ninja shivered, scalps tingling with dread, legs shaking uncontrollably.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>