Just a minute after they left, a squad of Cloud ninjas arrived.
Seeing Asakura Masa and the others dead, they fumed with frustration.
They'd finally secured three talents defecting, only to be one step too late.
How were they supposed to explain this back home?
"Damn Mist ninjas, so fast!"
The leader cursed bitterly.
The thought of the Raikage's fury made their scalps tingle.
They considered chasing the Mist team, hoping to claim their heads to appease the Raikage.
But Sky Armor's team had erased their tracks too well, leaving no chance for pursuit.
"Defeated, they went back to face the Raikage's wrath."
Meanwhile, Yoru Ryo's condition was dire.
Despite emergency treatment—stitching, hemostatics, and anti-inflammatories—the relentless march was tearing his wounds open.
His face was as pale as wax paper.
Yet Sky Armor never ordered a stop, only instructing Hawk to carry him onward.
"I swear, I'll reform medical protocols someday!"
"This feeling of being injured with no proper care—it's hell!"
Carried by Hawk, Yoru Ryo clenched his teeth, vowing silently.
…
They reached Kirigakure a day later.
Yoru Ryo didn't know how he'd endured with such stubborn will.
The moment they arrived, he collapsed, unconscious.
In Kirigakure's medical ward:
"Little Ryo, please don't die! Our plans haven't even started—you can't leave like this!"
Terumi Mei, tears in her eyes, stroked Yoru Ryo's cold, pale face, praying silently.
His injuries were so severe his vital signs were nearly gone.
If not for Mei's insistence on treatment, he might've been written off.
In his state, most would've deemed him beyond saving.
Even so, his condition remained grim.
The medical ninja's words were blunt: "Whether he wakes depends on fate."
"Thanks to his emergency stitching, he survived this long."
"With a shattered heart artery and that blood loss, it's a miracle he's still alive!"
Yoru Ryo's tenacity was a marvel in itself.
In the Mizukage's office:
"Single-handedly killed Yoshiguchi Mitsuta, huh? This Yoru Ryo's got skills."
"Hmph, looks like he's worth cultivating!"
After Sky Armor's report, the Fourth Mizukage flashed a cold smile.
Once alone, he muttered, "By treating Yoru Ryo unfairly, I'll spark Terumi Mei's outrage."
"Pitting her against the Mizukage will weaken Kirigakure perfectly. Brilliant!"
"Yoru Ryo, your timing's impeccable, giving me this inspiration!"
"Let's proceed with this plan!"
This wasn't Yagura's voice, but Uchiha Obito's, pulling the strings.
"Now, what's the next mission for him?"
"Hmph, such a delightful problem!" 'Yagura' mused, a chilling smile on his lips.
Elsewhere:
"Heh, how convenient, Terumi Mei. Medical ninjas fall under my control!"
"Want to save Yoru Ryo? You'll need my approval!"
"Saving him without a price? No such luck!"
Senta Yasu smirked in his office.
Last time, Mei and Yoru Ryo humiliated him. Now, he'd settle the score.
He was sure Mei would cave—unless she didn't care about Yoru Ryo.
He ordered Yoru Ryo's medications cut by half, demanding Mei meet him to restore them.
"Sir… isn't this… a bit risky?"
A medical ninja hesitated, eyeing Senta Yasu.
Terumi Mei was one of Kirigakure's three powerhouses, with immense influence.
Her allies, many high-ranking ANBU, were not to be trifled with.
Angering her could spell disaster, dragging the medical team into the crossfire.
"Risky? Are you defying me?"
Senta Yasu's gaze turned icy.
"No, no, I just… meant…"
The ninja shivered, caught between Mei's wrath and Senta Yasu's authority.
"If you're not defying me, get to it! Botch this, and you'll answer to me!"
Senta Yasu's voice dripped with menace. The ninja, sweating, scurried off.
"Hmph, Terumi Mei, I'll finally taste you!"
"A mature woman like you—playing with you must be exquisite!"
Senta Yasu had lusted after Mei for ages, and now he saw his chance.
He wasn't worried about her retaliation.
No matter how powerful Mei was, could she outweigh his father, Elder Genryu?
With that backing, Mei wouldn't dare to act rashly.
Or so he thought.
"Senta Yasu, you're courting death! You think I wouldn't dare touch you?!"
The next day, Mei's fury was a storm unleashed when she learned of Yasu's sabotage. Interrogating the medical ward's head, she extracted the truth with a grip on his throat, her eyes blazing with murderous intent. Without hesitation, she stormed Senta Yasu's compound.
"Lady Mei, please stop!" A squad of ANBU and guards scrambled to block her path, their voices urgent but wavering. Mei's aura was suffocating, her killing intent a palpable force that made the air heavy.
"Move, or don't blame me for turning on you!"
She was like a vengeful Asura, her killing intent chilling.
When the ANBU didn't budge, her eyes turned cold. "So, you choose to be my enemies!"
Gulp!
The ANBU swallowed hard.
As ANBU, they knew Mei's strength—she could face three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen without faltering.
Opposing her was daunting.
"Terumi Mei, you dare invade the Elders' Council? You're finished! No one can save you now!"
Senta Yasu appeared, gloating.
He berated the ANBU: "You idiots, what are you waiting for? Seize her! if you let this criminal escape, then I'll have your heads!"
The ANBU's eyes shifted.
Under pressure, they had no choice but to obey.