Uchiha Obito, concealed in the shadows, watched Yagura's confrontation with Orochimaru unfold, his mind a storm of calculated malice. No outsider must learn Kirigakure's secrets, he vowed silently, his spiral mask a blank canvas for his festering hatred. If the situation slips beyond my control, everything I've built here unravels. I won't allow it.
His goal was singular: to keep Kirigakure in a stranglehold, its potential crushed under the weight of his vendetta. Every spark of genius, every hint of resurgence, was a threat to his vision of a village eternally mired in despair.
As the battle with Orochimaru concluded, Terumi Mei stepped forward, her voice steady as she addressed Yagura. "Lord Mizukage, I request permission to patrol the village. We can't risk Orochimaru causing further chaos."
Yagura, his purple eyes scanning her briefly, saw no reason to deny her. "Granted," he said, his tone clipped. To him, it was a logical precaution.
But Mei's true motive was far from routine patrol. Her heart pounded with worry for Ye Liangnai, who'd vanished into the village without explanation. On any other day, his absence might've been shrugged off, but Orochimaru's infiltration had raised the stakes to a deadly level. Little Ye, you better be safe, she prayed, her steps quickening as she slipped into the mist-shrouded streets, her senses sharp for any sign of her brother.
Meanwhile, Ye Liangnai strolled back toward home, humming a carefree tune, his demeanor as relaxed as if he'd just taken a leisurely walk. The gravity of his actions—smuggling Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku out of Kirigakure—hadn't dimmed his spirits. He was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in Mei's heart until their paths collided.
The moment Mei spotted him, her worry ignited into fury. Her emerald eyes blazed like twin flames, her voice cutting through the damp air like a whip. "As an ANBU operative, you dare wander the village recklessly? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is, Ye Liangnai? Do you know what you've done wrong?"
Her tone was ice-cold, her face a mask of stern authority, every inch the ANBU commander. The nearby ANBU operatives stiffened, their gazes averted, sensing the weight of her displeasure.
Ye Liangnai froze, caught off-guard by her intensity. His mind raced, but he wasn't foolish enough to challenge her in public. Undermining her authority before her subordinates would be a grave mistake. He lowered his head, his voice meek. "I… I know I messed up, Commander."
In the eyes of the ANBU, they were superior and subordinate, not siblings. He played the part, his contrition polished and sincere. At home, he could bicker with her as a brother, but here, he knew the game. Still, he couldn't fathom why she was this upset. I just took a quick trip around the village. What's the big deal? Is it really worth this lecture?
Mei's expression didn't soften, but his quick submission gave her the leverage she needed. "Hmph. You'd better know," she snapped, her voice still sharp. "Come with me. I'm going to teach you what it means to be a proper ANBU operative."
She gestured to the ANBU at her side, who stepped forward, their grips firm as they escorted Ye Liangnai back home. Their hands weren't gentle, and Ye Liangnai winced, his arms aching from their iron hold. Damn, did they have to be so rough?
At Home
The moment the door closed, Ye Liangnai rubbed his sore arms, his tone half-whining, half-curious. "Sis, what's got you so serious? Did something happen in the village?"
Mei's brow furrowed, her voice a mix of exasperation and relief. "Orochimaru invaded, that's what happened! And you're out there gallivanting like it's a festival. If you'd run into him, do you think you'd still have your head?"
Ye Liangnai's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle, feigning a shiver. "Whoa, that's… yeah, pretty dangerous. My bad, got a bit impulsive."
In truth, he'd known the risk of encountering Orochimaru when he set out to recruit Kimimaro. He'd been cautious, sticking to the shadows, his senses alert. Luck had been on his side—no sign of the Sannin. But if he had crossed paths with Orochimaru, his plan was simple: Hidden Mist Jutsu to obscure and a swift retreat. A shadow-level ninja like Orochimaru was far beyond his current strength.
Mei's eyes narrowed, her voice pressing. "So, what was so important that you risked your life running around out there? Spill it."
Ye Liangnai's grin was sly, his excitement bubbling over as he leaned in, his voice low. "I snagged us some serious talent, sis. Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku of the Yuki clan. Both secured, both loyal."
Mei's jaw dropped, her finger jabbing at him as she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You… you what? That's insanely reckless! If Lord Mizukage finds out you freed Kaguya and Yuki survivors, that's a death sentence!"
Her shock was palpable, her mind reeling at the audacity of his actions. Harboring clan remnants was treason in Kirigakure's current climate, a direct defiance of Yagura's purge.
Ye Liangnai's grin didn't falter, his eyes gleaming with conviction. "Worth it, sis. To change Kirigakure, we need a foundation—our own team. Strength is the only currency that matters here. Without it, we'll never challenge the Mizukage or the Elder Council. They're titans, but we can be too."
His words carried a fire that Mei couldn't ignore. In his gaze, she saw it—ambition, raw and unyielding, a hunger to reshape the village's future. Her breath caught, her own resolve stirring in response.
Ye Liangnai pressed on, his voice dropping further, laced with a quiet intensity. "Sis, don't you think there's something off about Lord Mizukage? Look at what he's done these past years—persecuting our own, gutting the village's strength. No ninja village should tear itself apart like this. If he keeps ruling, Kirigakure's conflicts will only deepen."
Mei's hand shot up, cutting him off, her eyes flashing with caution. "Hush, Ye. That's enough. I know what you're saying, and I'm not blind to it. But the time isn't right."
Her voice softened, but her gaze was fierce, a mirror of his ambition. "When the moment comes, I'll act. But you—next time you pull a stunt like this, you talk to me first. Reviving Kirigakure isn't your burden alone. Got it?"
Ye Liangnai's smile widened, his heart swelling. He saw it in her eyes too—ambition, a shared vision for a stronger, united village. They were in this together, and that was enough.
While the siblings plotted, Orochimaru slunk away from Kirigakure, his mood sour. He'd hoped to exploit the village's chaos, perhaps snag a few valuable assets. Instead, he'd clashed with Yagura, barely escaping with his pride intact. A wasted trip, and to top it off, Ye Liangnai had stolen his prize—Kimimaro—right under his nose.
The Next Day
Ye Liangnai, granted a rare three-day break, was in the courtyard, his katana flashing as he trained, each swing earning Enhancement Points for his system. His focus was razor-sharp—until an unexpected visitor disrupted his rhythm.
Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, stood at the gate, his presence as imposing as his reputation. Ye Liangnai lowered his blade, his tone polite but wary. "Zabuza, sir. To what do I owe the visit?"
Zabuza's eyes, sharp behind his bandages, cut straight to the point. "Your Hidden Mist Jutsu. I want to see it. I can tell your mastery surpasses mine."
His bluntness caught Ye Liangnai off-guard, but he masked it with a humble smile. "You're too kind, sir. I'm just a lowly Genin—hardly worthy of such praise."
Zabuza's brow furrowed, his patience thin. "Don't play coy. You're the real deal. Be a man and give me a straight answer."
Ye Liangnai's grin turned sly, sensing an opportunity. "Alright, I'll show you. But I've always admired your Silent Killing technique, Zabuza. Let's make this a trade."
Without waiting for a reply, he moved, his hands a blur as he unleashed Hidden Mist Jutsu. The fog surged, enveloping Zabuza in an instant, its density suffocating. Zabuza's eyes widened. His seal speed… it's leagues faster than mine.
Ye Liangnai's voice drifted through the mist, ethereal and untraceable. "Careful, Zabuza. Don't trust your senses. Use your 'mind's eye' to find me."
Zabuza extended his chakra, probing the fog, but it was like slamming into a steel wall. His sensory jutsu faltered, blocked entirely. A thrill coursed through him, his lips curling into a rare grin. This kid's mist is something else. I was right to come here.
Ye Liangnai's Hidden Mist Jutsu wasn't just skill—it was a masterpiece, and Zabuza was hooked.