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Igawa Bu followed the two Anbu ninja to the most secure prison cell in Kirigakure.
This place was usually used to interrogate the most heinous criminals. Now, Igawa was using it to detain the unconscious ninja.
This was his trump card.
Ever since "Madara Uchiha" took control of the two Mizukage, Igawa had clearly felt his position changing.
As the Akatsuki's representative in Kirigakure, he had almost gained control over the entire village.
Yes, "almost."
The Third and Fourth Mizukage would obey his commands—provided no "outsiders" were involved.
The so-called "outsiders" referred to the Akatsuki.
Initially, Igawa believed the Akatsuki needed his cooperation to control Kirigakure. Therefore, he focused all his energy on consolidating his own status and power.
Since Ōgaki Yū was the Anbu Commander and the person most likely to clash with him, he sought ways to eliminate Ōgaki Yū.
After that, he set his sights on the Hōzuki clan.
On one hand, the Hōzuki clan had once produced a "Mizukage," giving them considerable prestige among Kirigakure's ninja. Secondly, the Hōzuki clan possessed a Kekkei Genkai. If they seriously resisted, even with the support of the two Mizukage, he would feel pressured.
Thus, after killing Ōgaki Yū, he began plotting against Hōzuki Mangetsu. The method was nothing new: poison, to finish off Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Simultaneously, the issue of "Kekkei Genkai" was placed before him.
Holding two aces, having eliminated Ōgaki Yū, and now moving against Hōzuki Mangetsu...
Within the ninja ranks, there was almost no one left with sufficient prestige to oppose him. But what if all those with Kekkei Genkai rebelled against him together?
After all, Kirigakure was a major ninja village, home to many Kekkei Genkai users.
However, some smaller settlements held a discriminatory attitude towards "Kekkei Genkai," because if "those people" lost control, they could easily harm ordinary civilians.
All these factors intertwined, leading Igawa to a decision—he used the Fourth Mizukage's name to issue an order: persecute the "Kekkei Genkai" users within Kirigakure.
Just as the "persecution storm" swept through Kirigakure, he suddenly remembered something: Mei Terumī also possessed a "Kekkei Genkai."
By then, however, Genji had already placed Mei Terumī under his protection.
Subsequently, the escape of Hōzuki Mangetsu and Hōzuki Suigetsu made him feel he was losing control over Kirigakure. At the same time, another problem surfaced.
That's right, everything he had done so far was to consolidate his own power. But the premise of this power's existence was that the Third and Fourth Mizukage obeyed his orders.
Yet, there was no direct subordinate relationship between him and the two Mizukage. On the contrary, if the Akatsuki found someone more obedient, more willing to "toady" in Kirigakure, then he too could be replaced.
Because he had no power of his own to resist the Akatsuki.
Once he grasped this, Igawa seemed to become a different person.
His focus was no longer on how to eliminate "Kekkei Genkai" users, but on finding ways to cultivate his own loyalists. At the same time, he needed a trump card powerful enough to rival the Third and Fourth Mizukage.
After much deliberation, only one person met his criteria: Utakata.
Kirigakure possessed two Tailed Beasts: the Three-Tails, Isobu, and the Six-Tails, Saiken.
The Fourth Mizukage was the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. For Igawa to ensure his own safety, he also needed a Tailed Beast Jinchūriki.
Thus, Utakata became his ultimate target.
Utakata had long become a rogue ninja. Igawa had to dispatch a large number of ninja to track Utakata's whereabouts. After confirming his location, he sent the Anbu, accompanied by the Third Mizukage, to capture him.
Seeing Utakata with his own eyes, Igawa's heart soared.
After all, this was the trump card that would give him the capital to stand up to the Akatsuki.
The two Anbu members secured Utakata to the wall. Then, Igawa performed a sealing technique to suppress the Tailed Beast within Utakata.
Once they were alone, Igawa splashed a basin of water onto Utakata's face.
Soon, a groan escaped Utakata's nostrils. His body struggled, trying to free his arms, only to realize they were restrained.
Utakata instantly woke up, hurriedly lifting his head. Seeing Igawa before him, he looked utterly astonished.
"Long time no see, Utakata." Igawa adjusted his collar, forcing a smile.
"Who are you?" Utakata asked, baffled.
"I am Igawa Bu, Commander of Kirigakure's Anbu. This is Kirigakure." Igawa spread his arms, a sense of pride swelling within him.
"Liar! Igawa Bu was a lean, sturdy ninja. Not a fatty like you!" Utakata retorted angrily. "I've been away from Kirigakure for a long time, but I'm not blind."
"..."
A vein bulged on Igawa's forehead. He clenched his fist, took several deep breaths to calm himself.
"I, the head of a department, shall not stoop to your level."
If he didn't need Utakata, that single sentence would have been enough to warrant a hundred deaths.
Utakata snorted coldly. "Why did you capture me?"
"No, this isn't capture. It's an invitation," Igawa corrected.
"You 'invite' people like this?" Utakata sneered.
"Apologies. I didn't want to, but if I didn't 'invite' you this way, would you have returned to Kirigakure?" Igawa countered.
"Do you know why I haven't returned?"
Igawa shook his head.
"Kirigakure wanted to kill me. I had no choice but to flee... So, I lost my trust in Kirigakure long ago," Utakata said.
"Things are different now. As long as you follow me, I guarantee no one in Kirigakure will dare lay a finger on you." Igawa took two steps forward, standing right before Utakata. "I need you."
"Are you the Mizukage?" Utakata asked.
"No."
"Then there's nothing to discuss." Utakata shook his head. "Even if you were the Mizukage, I might not be willing to return."
"Silence!" Igawa suddenly roared, cutting Utakata off. "Do you think I'm speaking to you so deferentially because of you? Wrong! It's because of the Six-Tails! I need its power. Before, perhaps there really were people in the village who meant you harm, but that had nothing to do with me. I advise you to be smart. Cooperate obediently. I promise, not only will you survive, but you'll also become one of the most respected people in the entire village."
"And if I refuse?" Utakata sneered.
"I told you, I need the Six-Tails' power. As for you... your life or death means nothing to me! If you disagree, I'll extract the Six-Tails from your body. At that point, no one will care whether you live or die. So, I strongly advise you to behave..." Igawa grabbed Utakata by the hair.
"Ptui!"
Utakata spat a mouthful of saliva directly into Igawa's open mouth.
Caught completely off guard, Igawa swallowed it.
"What did you just spit?!" Igawa demanded.
"Spit."
"..."
Igawa covered his mouth and ran out of the interrogation room.