Ninja World – Kirigakure
The meeting room was heavy with silence.
Neither the Oni Lan nor the Hui Yoruichi clan heads nor the Kirigakure elders dared to speak. All their eyes landed on Bai Ye, their gazes a mix of fear and disbelief.
Even Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage—newly freed from genjutsu—looked at the man before him with unfiltered shock.
When did the appointment of Mizukage become a matter determined by outsiders?
Yet no one dared to challenge Bai Ye's authority.
Killing the aged elder Genjiro was one thing. But to paralyze Yagura—a Jinchūriki of the Three Tails—without even making a move?
That defied their understanding of chakra.
Though resentment towards Yagura's past actions simmered across the village, none had dared to confront him due to his terrifying strength.
But Bai Ye? He had rendered Yagura completely immobile.
"You… you betrayed the village," Yagura growled at Terumi Mei, his tone filled with fury.
He voiced what many were too afraid to say.
This should've been a strictly internal Kirigakure affair. Yet a man from Konoha was here, standing above them all.
No matter how discontent they were with Yagura, summoning foreign shinobi into village affairs crossed an unforgivable line.
"Even if you kill me and claim the title, no one will acknowledge a traitor as Mizukage!"
Terumi Mei only smiled, relaxed in Bai Ye's presence.
Before this day came, she had made her stance clear to him.
Bai Ye had no interest in Kirigakure's politics. The title, the village's future—it all meant little to him. He only asked for one thing: loyalty to him.
To prove her worth, she had to handle the rest on her own.
And she intended to.
"If my actions are betrayal," Terumi Mei began, "then what do you call years of being manipulated by an external genjutsu?"
Gasps echoed through the room.
Mizukage Yagura... was under control?
It suddenly made sense—the unexplained lockdowns, strange decrees, and brutal executions.
They had long suspected he had lost his way, but the truth hit like a kunai to the heart.
"If a village's Kage can be controlled like a puppet," she continued coldly, "then whose incompetence is that?"
"You—!"
Yagura struggled to speak, but Terumi Mei wasn't done.
Bai Ye gently rested a hand on her shoulder, calming her rising anger.
As the Captain of Konoha's Guard, Bai Ye knew brute strength alone couldn't stabilize a regime. So he had a plan in motion—to back Terumi Mei enough for her to stand on her own.
He faced the crowd and spoke, his voice steady and direct.
"Who supports her? Who opposes?"
All eyes shifted nervously.
Yagura's glare remained defiant.
The rest stayed silent.
Bai Ye laughed softly.
He stood, lifted Terumi Mei onto the Mizukage's chair with care, and muttered, "As expected. The ignorant are always the first to perish."
He turned to her and said calmly, "Yagura... he'll be the scapegoat."
"He lost control of the Three Tails, killed his advisors—he died a hero, saving the village."
Bai Ye leaned down, his fingers lifting her chin with care.
"Hold the seat. Prove you're worth it."
"I will," she promised solemnly.
"Then take my strength."
His Mangekyō Sharingan spun fiercely, illuminating the room with its golden brilliance. Natural energy flowed from his palm onto her forehead, flooding her chakra system with a calm but overwhelming power.
Her eyes widened.
Her chakra flared with a pale golden hue—melding Lava Style and Boil Release, elevated by senjutsu.
She could feel it—Three Tails was within reach.
A bastard turtle like Isobu wouldn't stand a chance.
Bai Ye smiled.
He'd been studying Satoshi's divine possession technique and had evolved it. Rather than channeling divine power, he bestowed it.
A gift, not a loan.
A short burst of immense strength—perfect for turning the tide.
He now had a viable way to empower others temporarily, a power amplification jutsu unlike any other.
Terumi Mei had earned it.
"Now," he said, eyes shifting toward Yagura. "It's your turn."
His Mangekyō locked with Yagura's eyes. In mere seconds, the Mizukage's will was consumed by the illusion.
Isobu stirred inside him.
With a snap of Bai Ye's fingers, the order was given.
"Kill them."
A primal roar erupted!
Yagura's body twisted as Isobu's massive shell tore through the Mizukage building. The beast's massive form rose, sending villagers fleeing in panic.
"Three Tails... rampage?!" someone shouted in terror.
No such event had occurred since the village was founded.
The upper echelons paled.
Bound by Bai Ye's chakra restraints, they were frozen in place—helpless to avoid their fate.
Ants before the storm.
"Thank you," Terumi Mei whispered, and kissed Bai Ye softly on the cheek.
She would end this, and the village would see her as the only one capable of restoring balance.
Bai Ye gave a brief nod and shattered space with his Mangekyō.
"Tell Kisame to find me in Konoha in a month."
He vanished.
To him, village coups were trivial matters.
What mattered more... was getting home to dinner.
Yunjie Mountain.
He arrived with a relaxed smile, welcomed into the arms of his women.
For Bai Ye, Konoha was only a workplace.
This—this was home.
Fire Country – Konoha
While Bai Ye rested, shadows moved in the village he once guarded.
In the dark, Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled softly as he left his prison cell.
"Oof… I shouldn't have had that last drink," he muttered, rubbing his backside.
But his mood was cheerful.
A black-inked token rested in his palm—Danzo's authority.
With it, he could command Root like a puppeteer.
He and Danzo had it all planned.
Tomorrow's riot would make him a hero.
Danzo would be "reluctantly" released to restore order in Root.
Villagers would witness Hiruzen's leadership and courage.
And Hokage's seat? Back on the table.
Whistling, he headed to the Sarutobi compound—ready to rally his clan and Danzo's for the next act.
But...
"Will things really go as planned, Sensei?"
From the shadows, a small white snake slithered free, its golden eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Orochimaru's surveillance never ceased.
"If you want to act… let's make it a full play."
As the snake slipped away, the earth nearby shifted.
A figure in black and white—half Zetsu, half plant—emerged from the soil.
Black Zetsu said nothing for a while.
"Obito might find this interesting…"
The guards were gone. The barrier was weak.
Perfect time to collect intel—and study Uchiha Bai Ye.
With Konoha's current chaos, no one would notice.
"That boy's awakened… and already moving for revenge?"
Black Zetsu smirked.
"No matter. Bai Ye's not here… let them tear each other apart."
In the stillness of night, schemes clashed.
A snake slid into Root's compound.
A masked man replaced a Root member.
Obito himself stood outside Konoha's labor camp, donning a new mask.
This year's festival...
Was going to be anything but peaceful
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