Inside the sealed scroll, the Third Mizukage formally praised Yoru's accomplishments on the battlefield while sternly criticizing Yagura's reckless and shortsighted strategic decisions.
After the usual bureaucratic platitudes, the scroll delivered its true message: with both the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and the Yellow Flash present on the front lines, the Third Mizukage proposed a drastic countermeasure—use a Tailed Beast to combat a Tailed Beast. Specifically, to unleash the Three-Tails against Konoha.
"A crazy plan… but if it works, it might just shatter this stalemate."
Of course, failure would be catastrophic. Not only could they lose a tailed beast, but such a move could also provoke a full-scale retaliation from Konoha.
Still, things had escalated to the point where the Nine-Tails and the Yellow Flash were already deployed. At this stage, "retaliation" was a relative term.
Yoru narrowed his eyes, turning to Yagura with a solemn expression. "Lord Yagura, has the containment vessel for the Tailed Beast arrived yet?"
"It should be here soon," Yagura replied with a nod. "As for the host, we've already selected a candidate."
He pulled a file from the drawer and laid it on the desk. It featured a girl with short brown hair and large chestnut eyes, her most distinct feature being two purple markings on her cheeks.
The moment he saw the image, Yoru silently muttered to himself: Of course.
The girl was none other than the catalyst for everything that spiraled out of control in the original timeline.
Rin Nohara.
"Rin Nohara. Chūnin from Konoha, non-clan civilian background. However, according to intel from the Mizukage himself, her body is unexpectedly compatible with the Three-Tails. Therefore, the plan is to use her as its next jinchūriki," Yagura explained, pointing to the photo. "The only issue is, she's under Minato Namikaze's command. If we want to capture her, we'll need to lure him away first."
"A civilian chūnin compatible with a Tailed Beast?" Yoru raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I know—it's hard to believe," Yagura admitted with a shrug. "But that's what the Mizukage insists. Maybe she has some kind of unique chakra constitution."
Sure, Yoru thought with a twitch of his mouth. Even you don't believe that one.
But he understood the situation. When a direct order came from the Mizukage, there was no room for argument—only obedience.
After thinking for a moment, Yoru said, "Minato has been avoiding direct combat with me. If I move first, it's unlikely he'll show up immediately."
"At that moment, if you, Lord Yagura, can cause a disruption to draw his attention, I should be able to complete the objective without too much resistance."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Yagura replied, nodding with approval. "You may not have space-time ninjutsu like Minato, but your speed is top-tier among Jōnin. Combine that with your strange techniques, and your success rate is the highest of anyone."
"So whether we break this deadlock or not—it's in your hands, Yoru."
"Yes, Lord Yagura."
After accepting the mission, Yoru returned to his personal tent.
On paper, the task seemed simple. But with knowledge of how events were supposed to unfold, Yoru knew better—it was anything but.
Dealing with Rin and Kakashi wasn't the issue. Those two would be easy.
The real threat was the one lurking in the shadows—the emotionally unstable child with a god complex.
And of course… Zetsu.
Specifically, White Zetsu.
Despite often being underestimated, White Zetsu's capabilities were formidable. Setting aside the mess that was Black Zetsu, just the version that bonded with Obito—"Spiral Zetsu"—was already comparable to a miniature Hashirama.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Spiral Zetsu took over Yamato's body and used advanced Wood Release techniques like the Wood Human Technique. That meant his performance while bonded to Obito would be no less terrifying.
Going head-to-head with something like that, even for Yoru, would be a brutal fight.
He unconsciously touched the mask covering his eye.
"…What a headache."
Just then, a voice called from outside.
"Lord Yoru, Lady Yuki Kiyomi is requesting an audience."
"Kiyomi?" he paused, then said calmly, "Let her in."
To his surprise, the ever-elegant and gentle elder of the Yuki Clan, usually seen in pristine white robes, stepped into his tent wearing a full Kirigakure Jōnin flak vest—fully geared for combat.
"Lady Kiyomi… you're in uniform?"
"By order of the Mizukage," she said softly, pulling a scroll from her hip. "I've been assigned to assist you with sealing the Three-Tails jinchūriki."
"This scroll contains the specialized sealing vessel, and a blood-activated curse seal designed by the Mizukage for controlling the host."
Yoru raised an eyebrow and glanced at the scroll, then casually tossed it back.
"I wasn't expecting someone of your stature to join me on this. Normally, something like this would be handled by the ANBU."
"It's a matter involving a Tailed Beast. The Mizukage didn't want to rely solely on ANBU forces."
Kiyomi's excuse was vague, and both of them knew it.
Yoru didn't press the issue. It was obvious what she was trying to do.
This was political.
The Yuki Clan had every reason to try to win him back. A prodigy with Ice Release, an undefeated battle record, and limitless potential—they'd want him back under their banner more than anything.
Too bad some things can't be undone so easily.
"You're already familiar with the mission details, I assume?"
"Capture the Konoha kunoichi, Rin Nohara. Seal the Three-Tails into her. Then, use the blood seal to control her and send her into Konoha's forward base—or even the village itself—to cause massive destruction."
Kiyomi recited it flawlessly. "Besides me, the Mizukage has assigned twelve Jōnin to support you. You're free to coordinate them as you see fit."
"Twelve, huh…"
Yoru recalled how in the original timeline, Obito had wiped out all the Jōnin involved in this operation with a single rampage.
Given Kirigakure's desperate need for manpower, these twelve would be better off reinforcing the front.
But in reality, they weren't just there to assist with sealing jutsu. They were probably also there to monitor Yoru—observe his power, evaluate the mission's outcome, maybe even report back.
So having them stay out of the mission wasn't going to happen.
"I won't be bringing anyone," Yoru said, shaking his head. "Just me."
He paused for a moment, then added with a touch of amusement, "But I am curious—what's the real story behind Rin Nohara? Why would the Mizukage pick a no-name kunoichi as a jinchūriki?"
"Is she secretly descended from the Uzumaki or Senju Clans? Maybe a hidden bloodline finally awakened in her?"
"…Or maybe," he said, narrowing his eyes, "she's like me—abandoned by those clans and later taken in by the Nohara family?"
Kiyomi hesitated.
"…I…"