Correction

"Is this the escort you provided? If I hadn’t been cautious and hired a powerful bodyguard myself, I would have been done for this time! Did you do this on purpose because you wanted to pocket my money?"

Xu Yue was furious, spittle flying as he slipped into a strange mode.

His face plainly said, You’re definitely trying to harm me.

He berated the Hidden Mist ninjas who had come forward to explain until they were utterly drenched in spit.

Yet the more Xu Yue spoke like this, the more drastically their expressions changed, and they desperately tried to placate him.

For an official ninja village, reputation and credibility were its true lifeblood.

Only with a good reputation could they receive a steady stream of missions. That was the goose that laid the Golden Egg.

Just like after the Konoha Collapse Plan, when Konoha had gritted its teeth and forced every jōnin to work overtime while desperately taking on every commission.

Intercepting and killing their own employers was the sort of thing rogue ninjas did. Even some minor ninja villages would not do it.

But this time, they had let him seize upon a real weakness, and they truly had no way to argue back.

An assassination had taken place within Kirigakure’s territory, yet Kirigakure had failed to notice it.

No matter how they explained it, the responsibility lay with Kirigakure.

This was also a major merchant who had already begun making quite a name for himself. Especially since he was such a penny-pinching miser, they needed to treat him even more carefully.

Most importantly…

Some force had actually managed to make such a large-scale move within Kirigakure!

Five assassins capable of eliminating the Hidden Mist Anbu assigned as guards were not people just anyone could produce.

Under such circumstances, the fact that he had hired a bodyguard was nothing worth mentioning.

They even had to thank this exceptionally powerful bodyguard. If he had not turned the tide, the trouble would have been truly enormous.

"Rest assured, we will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."

Mei Terumi spoke to Xu Yue with a grim expression.

Her protection mission should have ended once they arrived at the village. She had just said she wanted to ease the tense atmosphere within the village, yet the moment she left, the big boss was assassinated.

That was a real slap in the face!

Still, she had no idea when this fellow had found himself such a powerful bodyguard. Someone who could deal with those five enemies was likely no weaker than she was.

If it had been anyone else, she would certainly have become suspicious of the bodyguard’s identity and motives and investigated him.

But since it had happened to this miser, it did not seem like much of a surprise.

His wealth did indeed qualify him to hire such an expert.

And precisely because this assassination had occurred, the Hidden Mist could no longer conveniently investigate the bodyguard’s true identity.

Just as Mei Terumi herself had escorted him to Sunagakure and Konoha, private bodyguards were entirely permitted so long as they were not taking escort jobs away from merchant caravans.

"Rest assured, as compensation for our mistake, we will definitely provide you with sufficient recompense. I will also personally lead the investigation and give you an explanation."

After much persuasion, Mei Terumi finally calmed Xu Yue down and gave him a solemn promise.

Hearing that there would be benefits, Xu Yue’s expression eased as well.

"That’s more like it. Where is your Fourth Hokage? Why hasn’t he shown himself personally over something this serious?"

"The Fourth Mizukage has official business at the Great Name’s residence in the Land of Water. He will return in a few days, and he will certainly pay you a personal visit then."

Mei Terumi made the decision on behalf of the Fourth Mizukage. Given Xu Yue’s current status, after suffering such an incident, he was qualified to receive a personal apology from the Mizukage.

"Oh, is that so? Fine, then. Just remember to investigate quickly and drag those people out. Don’t leave me constantly worrying about my safety."

Having obtained the information he wanted, Xu Yue did not persist. He went back inside and waited for news of the procurement…

According to the normal plot progression, the Fourth Mizukage’s trip to the Great Name’s residence should have been because Akatsuki had accepted an inheritance-related mission from some high-ranking official of the Land of Water and caused trouble.

Then they would run into the Fourth Mizukage.

He still needed to get involved and interfere with this matter a little.

Itachi had his movements sealed by Coral Palm, and Jūzō Biwa had relied entirely on blocking a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Now that Jūzō Biwa had been killed by him, there had better not be any mistakes…

"We’ve run into troublesome people."

Kisame, with his shark-like face and a bandage-wrapped greatsword on his back, darted through the forest alongside Itachi. He seemed to have sensed that wary, ominous presence following them.

Samehada had also sensed that familiar, immense Chakra and was stirring with anticipation.

After Jūzō Biwa disappeared, Kisame had entered Akatsuki ahead of schedule.

Itachi, meanwhile, still wore that indifferent expression, as though nothing in the world mattered to him.

"The mission is complete. Let’s shake them off if we can…"

"Fine."

Water Release: Mist Technique

As Kisame formed hand seals, thick mist began spreading through the forest.

Even without a nearby water source, he used his enormous Chakra to create an exceptionally dense fog.

Wind Release: Typhoon Passage

Yet in the next instant, a surge of energy even denser than Kisame’s Chakra swept across the entire forest.

As if a typhoon had passed through, all the thick mist was completely dispersed!

Then a figure small enough to be called petite landed before the two of them, blocking their path.

The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura!

And the Three-Tails Jinchuriki after Rin!

Several figures wearing Hidden Mist masks then landed around them, forming a pincer encirclement.

"Isn’t this Lord Fourth Mizukage? It has been a long time."

Kisame looked at the small, adorable boy in front of him and grinned, exposing his sharp shark teeth.

Judging from his attitude, Obito had apparently not controlled the Fourth Mizukage and brought him into Akatsuki as in the original plot. When he saw the Fourth Mizukage, he felt only vigilance and fighting spirit, unaware of the Fourth’s actual circumstances.

"I never expected you to appear in this country again, Kisame. This time, you won’t escape."

Yagura’s small face was filled with coldness. Though he looked like a child, he was already a perfectly legal boy.

"Escape? No, I don’t think that will be necessary."

Gripping Samehada on his back, Kisame seemed utterly fearless.

Itachi beside him also prepared for battle.

Xu Yue, who had only just caught up and arrived nearby to observe, could not help feeling somewhat surprised.

Kisame had joined Akatsuki a little early.

With Kisame and Itachi working together at this point, the Fourth Mizukage was going to get wrecked.

Jūzō Biwa’s Kubikiribōchō had been of no help against a Three-Tails Jinchuriki. Instead, it had been broken by a Tailed Beast Bomb, leading to his death.

Samehada, however, was completely different. Among the Seven Ninja Swords, it was one of the weapons most capable of restraining tailed beasts. Kisame himself was also a notch stronger than Jūzō Biwa; he had fought the Four-Tails Jinchuriki alone.

Not to mention that Itachi was right beside him.

Though the Fourth Mizukage’s side had several Anbu and held the numerical advantage, no matter how Xu Yue looked at it, they seemed doomed.

In the original plot, he had ultimately been severely injured by Amaterasu. Why did it feel like he was about to die this time…

Moreover, judging from the conversation and his mental state, the Fourth should currently be acting under his own will. Obito likely controlled him only when he needed to act or make use of him. After all, he was the leader of a village.

But that also meant Obito was not nearby and could not step in to stop it.

Fine. He had originally come to look after Itachi, but now it seemed he really needed to take care of this young Mizukage instead.

Being badly injured was fine. Just do not die…

Both updates complete.

Tomorrow, I’ll fix the computer. This ancient laptop is terrifying to use.