Amidst the ravaged rainforest, Zabuza approached Juzo Biwa's side, his expression somber. Juzo, impaled against the tree trunk by his own Executioner's Blade, was already lifeless.
Zabuza stepped forward, wrenched the Executioner's Blade free, and addressed Juzo's still form. "Juzo-senpai... I will carry on the legacy of this blade."
Late that night, deep within a vast, highly concealed underground chamber in Kirigakure.
Elder Genshi, Terumi Mei, Gonbei, Ao, and other members of Kirigakure's high council were gathered. At that moment, gazing towards the center of the chamber, a collective sigh of relief passed between them.
In the center of the room rested a large stone platform. Upon it lay two figures: one was the lifeless body of Yagura Karatachi; the other belonged to the hastily selected new vessel for the Tailed Beast. After several arduous hours, they had managed to successfully extract Isobu, the Three-Tails, and seal it within the body of the new vessel.
However, this new Jinchuriki was merely a child, not yet ten years old. It would be a long time before he could mature and potentially control the beast.
"Elder Genshi, what is the village's next course of action? Should we announce the Fourth Mizukage's death?" Terumi Mei asked softly, looking at Yagura's body on the platform.
"We'll hold off for now. Let's wait until the village situation is completely stable," Elder Genshi replied gravely.
"And what about Konoha's ANBU Squad 11?" Mentioning the Konoha team brought a deep wariness to Mei's expression.
"I will meet with them personally in two days. We'll proceed according to the previously discussed terms. The village cannot withstand any more turmoil," Elder Genshi stated, understanding the unspoken concern in Mei's question. He paused, reflecting for a moment before continuing.
The power Tatsuya displayed during the battle was simply staggering. Judging by the sheer force of those two techniques he unleashed, Tatsuya alone could likely level a significant portion of Kirigakure. As things stood, Kirigakure's strength ranked lowest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Their most pressing need was recovery, not fostering animosity with Konoha.
"Understood," Mei responded, bowing in acceptance.
"Sir, what about the position of Mizukage? Who will succeed Lord Fourth?" Gonbei interjected suddenly.
"Mei will succeed him," Elder Genshi decided after a moment's thought.
Mei started in surprise, quickly shaking her head in refusal. "Elder Genshi, you should take the position! I am still too young and inexperienced to assume such a role."
Elder Genshi raised a hand, looking at her seriously. "Mei, there's no need for false modesty. I genuinely intend to groom you as the next Mizukage. I am getting old, and Kirigakure has been chaotic for far too long. I will give you a few more years, but you must grow quickly. Grow into the capable Mizukage our village needs."
"Yes, sir!" Mei's body straightened slightly. Meeting the Elder's gaze, she hesitated only briefly before offering a resolute bow.
While Elder Genshi, Terumi Mei, and the others were convened in the secret chamber, a lone figure slipped unnoticed into the Mizukage Tower. Taking advantage of the lingering unease and consequent lapse in security within Kirigakure, the figure infiltrated the vault where valuable ninjutsu scrolls and precious items were stored.
The major internal conflict within Kirigakure subsided quickly. After returning to the village proper, Tatsuya and his squad waited in their inn for two days before being summoned by Elder Genshi. During those two days, Kirigakure remained outwardly calm, almost unnaturally so. Tatsuya heard no mention of the battle that had occurred; for the average citizen, it was as if nothing had happened.
Led by Terumi Mei, the four members of ANBU Squad 11 made their way towards the Mizukage Tower. Mei was quiet during the walk, her expression somewhat subdued. Sensing her mood, Tatsuya and the others remained respectfully silent, making no attempt at casual conversation.
Entering the Mizukage's office, they met Elder Genshi, the current de facto leader of Kirigakure.
Tatsuya didn't participate in the discussion with the Kiri leadership; he simply sat quietly to the side, letting Kakashi handle the entire conversation with Genshi. However, during pauses in the talk, Tatsuya could clearly feel the eyes of Elder Genshi and his two guards frequently drifting towards him. He paid it no mind.
After exchanging some necessary, if unremarkable, pleasantries, Kakashi led his team out of the Mizukage's office. Whether any specific private agreements were made between Konoha and Kirigakure remained unstated by Kakashi or Elder Genshi during the meeting, and Tatsuya, Guy, and Itachi didn't press the issue.
After returning to the inn and resting for another day, the four members of ANBU Squad 11 departed from Kirigakure, beginning their journey back to Konoha.
However, this time on their return journey, they were joined by two others: Terumi Mei and Ao. Mei would serve as Kirigakure's envoy to Konoha to discuss an alliance between the two villages, with Ao acting as her guard.
Having a beautiful woman—one already showing signs of considerable maturity—join their traveling party naturally pleased Tatsuya. Not that Tatsuya had any intention of flirting himself; he was mainly interested in observing firsthand whether any sparks might fly between Mei and Kakashi. He'd seen plenty of online speculation shipping the two.
As for the impending alliance between Konoha and Kirigakure, Tatsuya couldn't care less. He had been forced to come to the Land of Water for this mission anyway. ANBU Squad 11's mission was complete, and Tatsuya had even managed to acquire a little something extra he'd been after. All in all, his gains had exceeded expectations.
In an unnamed town within the Land of Water.
On a quiet street, the towering figure of Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying the large, bandaged blade Samehada on his back, entered a modest inn. As soon as he stepped into the lobby, Kisame paused.
Standing silently in the center of the lobby was a man wearing a swirling orange mask. On the inn's counter, a man—perhaps the owner or an employee—was slumped over, unmoving.
"Kisame Hoshigaki," the masked man, Obito, addressed him softly. "Where do you plan to go next?"
Kisame shook his head. "I don't know. In this world of lies, I can no longer find any meaning in my existence."
"Indeed," Obito said. "Someone like you, forced to betray your comrades multiple times to complete your missions... you must understand better than most how false this shinobi world truly is."
Kisame's pupils constricted slightly. "It was you... You were the one who revealed Suikazan Fuguki's betrayal of the village to me?"
Obito nodded. "Correct."
"What is your purpose in doing so?"
"I wanted to see what choice you would make, knowing the truth about this world's hypocrisy," Obito replied nonchalantly.
Kisame spoke suddenly, his voice low. "You're the one who was controlling the Fourth Mizukage from the shadows!"
Obito didn't deny it. A powerful dōjutsu flared in the visible eye behind his mask—the Mangekyō Sharingan was active.
"I intend to shatter this false world completely," Obito stated calmly, looking at Kisame. "To create a new one, free from conflict and war. This plan is called the Moon's Eye Plan. Will you join us?"
"No conflict... no war...?" Kisame murmured, his gaze distant. "I would truly like to see such a place."
A short while later, Kisame walked out of the inn. He now wore the black cloak adorned with red clouds, the signature attire of the Akatsuki. On his right hand rested a ring inscribed with the character for "South" (南).
Kisame Hoshigaki, the newest member of the Akatsuki. Codename: South.