Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 284: The Mizukage’s Death

’Why is she here?’

Sora’s heart tightened. He instinctively thought his infiltration had been discovered. His body tensed slightly, ready to retreat at any moment.

Mei Terumi walked straight to the counter and ordered. Then, her gaze swept across the dining area, finally landing on the quiet corner by the window where Sora was sitting.

Carrying her tray, she very naturally sat down in the empty seat opposite Sora.

"You don’t mind sharing a table, do you?"

Mei Terumi put down her tray and gave Sora a polite, pleasant-sounding smile.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Sora showed a hint of awkwardness and surprise on his face and nodded.

"No, it’s fine."

Mei Terumi looked Sora over, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes.

This youth before her, though plainly dressed, had delicate, handsome features and clear eyes. He seemed somewhat different from the others in this oppressive village.

"I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Did you just move here?" Mei Terumi asked casually while taking small bites of her food.

Sora answered vaguely.

"Ah, yes. My family and I just moved here not long ago."

"I see. How do you find the village?"

"It’s... alright. It’s just a bit too foggy."

"Yes, it’s like this all year round."

Mei Terumi smiled, feeling somewhat emotional.

She was smart enough not to talk about village policies or the current situation. She only chatted about innocuous topics like the weather or food.

While responding, Sora secretly sighed in relief.

Fortunately, the current Mei Terumi was still young, far from the mature older sister in the original story who would ask everyone "Would you like to marry me?" Though her personality was a bit more cheerful than her peers, it was still within the normal range.

Sora quickly finished the ramen in his bowl. Then he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said politely to Mei Terumi.

"I’m finished eating. Please take your time."

Mei Terumi nodded and smiled.

"Alright. Goodbye."

Sora didn’t linger. He got up, paid the bill, and quickly left the restaurant.

Mei Terumi watched Sora’s departing back and sighed softly.

"He really was quite a good-looking young man..."

Then, she shook her head, pushed this little chance encounter to the back of her mind, and continued thinking about those troubling matters in the village.

...

Three days later, outside Kirigakure, inside a hidden cave.

Boom!

A massive fireball, infused with "Boro Breath," completely engulfed the final target who was putting up a desperate last stand.

"Done."

Sora released the hand seals. Looking at the results before him, he let out a soft sigh of relief.

’This guy really knew how to hide. Hiding in a place like this, with so many concealment and trap barriers set up. It took three days to find him.’

He skillfully stepped forward, rummaged through the corpse’s remains, and retrieved a ninjutsu scroll that had been specially protected. After confirming it was correct, he sealed it, along with a portion of the remains serving as proof, into a storage scroll.

’Three million ryo secured. Added to what I had before, it’s enough for Sister and the others to purchase that batch of equipment.’

Sora calculated in his mind, preparing to head to the nearest exchange post to hand over the mission.

However, just as he stepped out of the cave and was about to leave, his brows suddenly furrowed!

Within his perception range, which now covered eight li, several extremely conspicuous chakra sources had suddenly intruded!

One of these chakra signatures was cold and powerful, far surpassing that of an ordinary jonin.

More importantly, within this chakra, there lurked an even more violent, chaotic, and negativity-filled terrifying aura!

’This feeling... a Tailed Beast! The Three-Tails, Isobu?!’

Sora instantly judged. ’To possess this chakra, with the Three-Tails sealed inside... is that Yagura?!’

Apart from this most conspicuous chakra, there were several other strong chakra signatures nearby.

One was at Kage-level, but it seemed somewhat hollow and weak on the outside. Sora guessed it was the Third Mizukage.

The others were at elite jonin level.

What drew Sora’s attention more was that, in a slightly more distant location, several other chakra sources lay quietly hidden. One carried an aged yet steady aura, with guards beside it.

’Genji? He’s here too?’

Sora’s eyes moved slightly.

’The Third Mizukage, Yagura, Genji, Kirigakure elites... So many high-ranking officials and top members gathered in a remote place outside the village? It seems something major is happening.’

He originally didn’t want to complicate matters. With his stealth abilities, he could completely avoid these people and leave directly.

But the current lineup clearly involved the succession of Kirigakure’s highest authority. An opportunity to personally witness an unknown part of the original story’s plot was truly rare.

’Let’s go take a look! Be careful, and there should be no problem.’

After brief consideration, Sora made his decision.

He suppressed all his aura and quietly approached the source of the chakra fluctuations.

Soon, he reached a high mountain not far from that area. Using the cover of dense trees, he looked down.

Below was a massive lake.

On the open ground by the lake, figures stood in confrontation.

On one side was the short-statured Yagura, holding a strange hook-ended staff. Behind him stood several masked Kirigakure Anbu, their auras sharp and capable.

Sora could clearly sense that the chakra containing the Three-Tails was emanating from Yagura’s body.

On the other side was a middle-aged man with black hair and a gloomy expression, wearing the Mizukage’s formal robe. It was the Third Mizukage.

He stood there alone, facing Yagura and the others, his presence seemingly suppressed.

’It’s indeed him. The most forgettable Kage in the original story.’

’All we know is he participated in the Third Great Ninja War, was a black-haired man, and died under unclear circumstances... It seems today is his end?’

Right at that moment, Yagura spoke.

"Mizukage-sama, even now, you still refuse to admit the error of the ’Village of the Bloody Mist’ policy?"

"It is precisely because of your cruel rule that the village is suffering severe internal strife, with ninja constantly defecting, and consecutive losses in external wars!"

The Third Mizukage’s face turned ugly. He retorted.

"Yagura! What do you understand! Only an iron-fisted policy can forge the strongest ninja! This temporary decline is just growing pains!"

"Growing pains?"

Yagura sneered.

"If your policy wasn’t wrong, then why are we, the ones who have come to end this mistake, the only ones standing by your side today?"

"Why have the clans and jonin in the village who once supported you all chosen to remain silent now?"

"Even Elder Genji is here!"

The Third Mizukage’s body shuddered. His gaze sharply turned towards Genji and his group in the shadows of the distant trees. His voice carried a tremble.

"Genji... even you..."

Genji, holding his snake-headed cane, slowly walked out. His aged voice sounded.

"Mizukage-sama, Kirigakure has now reached a critical juncture of life and death."

"In external wars, we have suffered defeat after defeat, with heavy losses of our elite forces. Internally, the Bloody Mist policy has caused widespread panic and a continuous stream of defectors."

"Most importantly, the ’Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist,’ symbolizing Kirigakure’s martial power, have all died in battle. Even the seven legendary swords have disappeared without a trace..."

"The village can no longer bear more losses and instability."

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