The Hidden Mist, Hidden Cloud, Hidden Sand, and Hidden Stone villages successively received news of Uchiha Sasuke's awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan. Their reactions varied—some anxious, others reflective.
Though the Hidden Leaf's new generation was still in the shinobi academy, their astonishing talents were already putting pressure on the other four major shinobi villages.
Hidden Mist Village.
Inside the Mizukage's office.
The Fourth Mizukage sighed softly, "First, there was Kurama Yakumo, keeping us up at night. Now, Uchiha Sasuke emerges, with talent rivaling Uchiha Shisui's in his prime. What a headache!"
Terumi Mei, Kisame, Zabuza, Ao, and other elite Mist shinobi exchanged silent glances.
It wasn't just Yakumo and Sasuke. The Hidden Leaf's academy was brimming with countless other prodigies, some lesser-known students even rivaling the Mist's own talents.
Gathering his thoughts, the Fourth Mizukage asked, "Any news from the Akatsuki?"
Terumi Mei shook her head. "The Akatsuki seems to have gone into hiding. Apart from 'B' briefly appearing in the Hidden Leaf, the other members' whereabouts are unknown."
The Fourth Mizukage frowned. "What about 'Eyes'?"
Terumi Mei replied, "No updates there either. But 'Eyes' identity hasn't been exposed, so we can't yet determine if the plan has failed."
Undoubtedly, the 'Eyes' they referred to was Haku, their operative planted in the Hidden Leaf.
After a moment's hesitation, Terumi Mei said, "Lord Mizukage, 'Eyes' has exceptional talent. If his identity is exposed, our loss would be significant."
Kisame, who had also participated in the Akatsuki's recruitment mission, chimed in, "Indeed, his strength is nearing jonin level, with considerable potential."
The Fourth Mizukage hesitated briefly but shook his head. "I'm well aware of his talent—otherwise, the Akatsuki wouldn't have targeted him. But his role is irreplaceable right now. If he can infiltrate the Akatsuki, he might uncover the Uchiha who once controlled the Third Mizukage with genjutsu."
Terumi Mei tried to persuade further, "But…"
The Fourth Mizukage waved her off. "No need to worry too much. Our relations with the Hidden Leaf have improved. If his identity is exposed, I'll do everything in my power to secure his return."
Seeing the Mizukage's resolve, Terumi Mei relented, "Understood."
The Fourth Mizukage issued a final order, "Keep gathering any leads related to the Akatsuki. As long as they're in the shinobi world, they can't vanish completely!"
The elite shinobi responded in unison, "Yes!"
Hidden Grass Village.
Swish.
A shinobi clad in Hidden Grass's Anbu attire darted through the village, finally landing at the Elder Hall in the heart of Hidden Grass.
This was the seat of Hidden Grass's highest authority.
Stepping into the Elder Hall, the Hidden Grass Anbu immediately lowered their head, taking small steps toward the depths of the hall. Only upon reaching the circular chamber at its core did they kneel halfway, reporting to the figure seated in the main chair, "Leader, we've just received news: Uchiha Sasuke of the Hidden Leaf has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan!"
The Hidden Grass leader asked, "Is the information confirmed?"
The Hidden Grass Anbu quickly replied, "Absolutely certain. After awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Sasuke immediately challenged Kurama Yakumo and, in front of the entire shinobi academy, unleashed his dojutsu, 'Susanoo'!"
A figure seated beside the leader spoke up, "Oh? Who won?"
Without raising their head, the Hidden Grass Anbu answered respectfully, "Elder, Kurama Yakumo emerged victorious. It's said that Uchiha Sasuke's 'Susanoo' was shattered by Yakumo's 'Wood Release'!"
Another voice chimed in from the side, "Interesting. A Mangekyo Uchiha actually lost!"
The Hidden Grass Anbu remained silent.
This circular chamber, representing Hidden Grass's highest authority, held twelve seats for the village's twelve elders.
Hidden Grass had no "Kage." The leader, wielding supreme power, was also a member of the Elder Council, subject to its checks and balances.
Within the Elder Council, two factions existed: the "Fruit of Kusa (Grass)" and the "Flower of Kusa."
Compared to the conservative "Flower of Kusa," the "Fruit of Kusa" faction was more radical and reckless. Their plan to send Karin, who carried Uzumaki blood, to infiltrate the Hidden Leaf—aiming to assassinate the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto and make Karin the new Nine-Tails host to steal its power—was championed and executed by the "Fruit of Kusa."
The "Fruit of Kusa's" aggressive approach attracted increasing numbers of shinobi eager to restore the Land of Grass's former glory. In recent years, their influence had surpassed that of the "Flower of Kusa," becoming Hidden Grass's dominant force.
Of Hidden Grass's twelve elders, ten now belonged to the "Fruit of Kusa," while the two remaining "Flower of Kusa" elders had been sidelined from the village's power center.
Thus, two seats in the circular chamber sat empty.
The leader waved a hand. "You're dismissed."
The kneeling Hidden Grass Anbu bowed, retreating backward with small steps.
After exiting the Elder Hall, the Hidden Grass Anbu cautiously scanned their surroundings, confirming no one was watching. They then darted through Hidden Grass's alleyways, arriving at a secluded grove.
Swish!
A slight, small figure landed and asked the Hidden Grass Anbu, "Big brother, how'd it go?"
The Hidden Grass Anbu started, "Why did the elder send you?"
The small figure puffed out their chest. "I'm ten years old now—a proper shinobi!"
The Hidden Grass Anbu said helplessly, "You're still too young!"
The small figure's mood sank. "Big brother Kono went missing, so the elder sent me to meet you."
The Grass Anbu froze. "What? Kono's missing too? With his strength, how could…"
The small figure hurriedly asked, "Big brother, did you meet the leader today?"
The Grass Anbu nodded, their expression grave. "The elder's suspicions were correct. Something's off about the leader and all the 'Fruit of Kusa' elders!"
The small figure gasped, covering their mouth. "Really?"
The Grass Anbu said, "Have you forgotten our clan's Bloodline Limit? At such close range, my senses can't be wrong. Their chakra has changed—it's as if it's been tainted by something. I felt an instinctive dread just being near them."
The small figure asked, "Could they be under genjutsu?"
The Grass Anbu shook their head. "It doesn't seem like it. But there's one suspicious detail you can report to the elder."
The small figure eagerly asked, "What is it?"
The Grass Anbu replied, "I checked with the Anbu. The leader and the 'Fruit of Kusa' elders haven't appeared in daylight for a long time."
The small figure quickly committed it to memory.
The Grass Anbu thought of something and asked, "Besides Kono, has anyone else gone missing recently?"
The small figure calculated, "Including big brother Kono, six people from our side have gone missing in the past few days!"
The Grass Anbu's heart sank.
If they counted all prior disappearances, the "Flower of Kusa" faction had lost over a hundred members without explanation…