The Eight-Tails Gyūki stared at the sword in Killer B's hand, feeling deeply uneasy.
It was an instinctive fear, as if it had encountered a natural predator.
So, with a tentative mindset, it tried communicating with the young Killer B.
"Can you throw away that sword?"
Killer B was startled at first by the sudden voice, but he quickly realized—
This must be the octopus sealed inside me.
"This one?"
"No."
"This one?"
"Not that either. The third one next to it."
"Oh."
Killer B casually tossed the sword away.
"…Kid, you…"
Gyūki hadn't expected its new jinchūriki to actually do that.
"If you don't like it, then I won't keep it. After all, we're one and the same."
"…You're unexpectedly decent."
"Huh? Are you praising me?"
Gyūki didn't reply.
I am the mighty Eight-Tails, Gyūki. How could I act like some clingy flatterer?
You have to beg me—only then might I reluctantly respond.
...
Land of Water.
Inside a hidden underground fortress, Karatachi Yagura had gathered a large number of elite Mist shinobi.
Among them were the young Terumi Mei and Ao, the prodigy of the Hōzuki clan, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen: Fuguki Suikazan, Raiga Kurosuki, Jinin Akebino, Jūzō Biwa, and the current wielder of Hiramekarei (whom Mangetsu had been eyeing for a long time, wanting to kill and take the blade for himself).
There were also many other elite Mist shinobi present.
As for Jinpachi Munashi and Kushimaru Kuriarare—those two were lunatics, impossible to communicate with, and already on the purge list.
Karatachi Yagura spoke first.
"Since everyone is here, I assume you're all deeply dissatisfied with the Mizukage."
Jūzō Biwa said, "Yagura, cut the nonsense. If we're all here, it means we think the same. The Third Mizukage is old—it's time for him to step down. What do you think?"
As expected of the wielder of the Executioner's Blade—every generation was this straightforward and fierce.
Jinin Akebino said, "Let's be direct, Karatachi Yagura. Can you kill the Third Mizukage?"
Yagura replied, "Not right now."
The current wielder of Hiramekarei turned to leave.
"Coral Palm."
"You—!!!"
Karatachi Yagura disarmed him and tossed the twin blades to Hōzuki Mangetsu.
"I've fulfilled my promise to you."
Mangetsu slung the blades onto his back.
"That was unnecessary. I could've killed him myself."
"It would've only taken a moment either way. Whether you did it or I did it, what's the difference?"
"Tch."
Mangetsu clicked his tongue disdainfully and said nothing more.
Yagura scanned the remaining people.
Fuguki Suikazan and Jinin Akebino had already gripped their swords tightly.
"Relax. Think about it—we're planning a rebellion. If he left just now, wouldn't he have reported us? Besides, I may not be able to defeat the Third Mizukage alone, but all of you are my strongest support."
The tension in the room eased slightly, though no one let go of their weapons.
"I have this."
Yagura took out a black object.
Samehada on Fuguki Suikazan's back began trembling uncontrollably.
He immediately realized—
"That's something from the Three-Tails."
"Correct. My father was the Three-Tails' jinchūriki—you all know that. Not long ago, he fully mastered it. Now tell me—are you still afraid of the Third Mizukage?"
A basic truth of the shinobi world: Tailed beasts are on par with Kage-level power.
"Then speak. We'll follow your lead. How do we overthrow the Third Mizukage?"
"Yagura-sama, we'll follow you."
Voices of agreement echoed throughout the underground chamber.
Of course, there were exceptions.
"Yagura-sama, after overthrowing the Third Mizukage, what kind of village do you intend to build for the Hidden Mist?"
Ao stepped forward, staring directly at Yagura as he questioned him.
"Damn brat, where did you come from?"
"Yagura-sama, I'll take care of him for you."
"Enough. Everyone, listen."
Yagura calmed the crowd and stepped to a position where all could see him.
"I have a dream. I want the children of the Hidden Mist to grow up healthy."
"I have a dream. I want the Hidden Mist to be strong enough to protect every one of its people."
"I have a dream. I want the people of the Land of Water to see the Hidden Mist as their guardian—not an executioner."
"I have a dream. I want our shinobi to never again die by the blades of their own comrades."
"I have a dream. That when people speak of the strongest shinobi village, the first name that comes to mind is the Hidden Mist—not Konoha."
"Is that answer satisfactory, Ao?"
Yagura looked at him quietly.
Ao replied, "I am willing to die for you, Yagura-sama."
The others echoed in unison—
"We are willing to die for Yagura-sama."
"We are willing to die for Yagura-sama."
The young Terumi Mei's eyes sparkled.
In her heart: A true man should be like this.
...
Konoha.
Hatake residence.
Five-year-old Kakashi entered and saw his father sitting there, completely dejected.
"Father."
"Oh, Kakashi. How was your training today?"
"It went well. Father, you…"
"Oh, I'll go cook for you right away."
After that, the father and son exchanged no words.
They silently finished their meal.
After washing the dishes, Kakashi looked at his father, still lost in thought, and felt a pang in his chest.
Suddenly, he thought of those five older boys who always teased him—
Aburame Shiken, Uchiha Kamito, Inuzuka Ryoha, Senju Hideki, and Hyūga Hiyasu.
(Minato is no longer fun—they've already gotten bored of him. Besides, who could resist little Kakashi?)
They must have a solution.
Why them?
Because he had already gone to Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza—and it was completely useless. Three idiots.
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza: ???
Kakashi hurried out onto the street.
Then he ran into a very important question—
Who should he go to?
Shiken? No. He can always find others, but no one can ever find him.
Ryoha? No. He has a girlfriend now. It's already night—they're probably doing that kind of thing.
Hiyasu? No. He's a troublemaker—who knows where he's off having fun right now.
Hyūga Hiyasu: Achoo—nonsense! I'm clearly at home!
Hideki? No. I haven't seen him in a long time, and I have no idea where he is.
Kamito… it's you.
The Police Force can definitely find you. Even if you're not there, they can contact you.
Uchiha Kamito: See? That's the advantage of having a job—you can always be found when it matters, and you're reliable.
The only response he got was four middle fingers.
Kakashi quickly ran to the Police Force headquarters.
After asking around, he learned—
Kamito just happened to be in the captain's office.
So Kakashi forcefully pushed open the office door—
And then—
"Huh???"