Chapter 19: Terumi Mei: Do You Know How Difficult This Is for Me?
"I've never tried using the Mangekyō Sharingan to control a Jinchūriki or a Tailed Beast."
Itachi, listening to the approaching sounds, suddenly thought of this question.
"You don't need to use your Sharingan. We can just help out normally. Trust the Kirigakure Village ninjas' own strength."
Shiromo waved his hand, "Don't even talk about whether you can control Yagura. Even if you do, the most likely outcome is that the Kirigakure Village people will turn from attacking him to attacking you."
The main purpose of coming to the Kirigakure Village in the Land of Water was to establish connections with the Land of Waves, the Akatsuki organization, and the Amegakure Village. Even if Shiromo and the others hadn't come, the Kirigakure Village could have handled it themselves.
As for Yagura, he was indeed a pitiful person.
From his conversation with Naruto, it was clear that Yagura was not a bloodthirsty person. Among the Jinchūriki, he was one of the most cheerful. However, according to records, the source of the Blood Mist was not Yagura himself, but rather that he popularized it. This indicated that Yagura was already controlled by Madara before later being controlled by the masked Obito.
This also explained why Madara could easily control the Three-Tails of Kirigakure in his scheme against Obito, ordering Kirigakure ninjas to hunt down Kakashi and Rin. If Madara controlled Yagura to issue the orders, it wasn't surprising.
Furthermore, this explained why Yagura, the so-called "perfect Jinchūriki," could be controlled by genjutsu.
According to Killer Bee's later explanation, perfect Jinchūriki are immune to genjutsu, essentially having two consciousnesses within their bodies. When a Jinchūriki is caught in a genjutsu, the Tailed Beast can simply help dispel it.
Yagura was different. He had been controlled before becoming a Jinchūriki, and later the Three-Tails had been first controlled with the Sharingan before being sealed inside him. Two beings controlled by the Sharingan naturally wouldn't conflict, creating the conditions for a "perfect Jinchūriki."
However, this situation was truly tragic.
It became clear why Shiromo didn't let Uchiha Itachi use the Sharingan to control Yagura and then dispel the genjutsu. Once Yagura was controlled by Itachi, the Jinchūriki and the Tailed Beast would no longer be under the same control. After regaining consciousness, Yagura, given his originally sunny and cheerful personality, would have mentally collapsed in an instant upon realizing all the perverse things he had done. At best, he might commit suicide to atone, or remain calm but die in despair. Otherwise, his consciousness could be taken over by the Three-Tails' chakra, causing him to go berserk.
In either case, Kirigakure would view him as having been killed.
Besides, considering Itachi's physical condition, he had died the only time he used Susanoo while alive, using his abilities recklessly to control Yagura would have been ridiculous.
---
"Ha! We've finally arrived! Everyone, give it your all! Water Release…"
The Kirigakure ninjas finally leaped out of the forest. One by one, they formed hand seals in mid-air, drawing upon the seawater to unleash Water Release techniques.
Now it was clear why they had been rushing this way. Water Release ninjas unleash their full power in the presence of water. The stronger ones can even spray water themselves, while weaker ones, or those with less mastery of Water Release, like the future Sixth Mizukage Chōjūrō, can only activate Water Release by relying on water drawn from the ground.
These Kirigakure ninjas gradually shifted the battlefield to the coast to reduce the gap in strength. Yagura's strength would also increase near the beach, but their numbers meant the overall advantage still lay with them.
"Ao, check around. There shouldn't be any villagers nearby, right?"
"No… wait, no villagers, but there are two unfamiliar ninjas… uh, it should be one ninja, he's very powerful. The other one is strange, but he has no chakra."
Ao, with his Byakugan activated, scanned the coastline and noticed Shiromo and Itachi.
"I'll keep an eye on them. Ao, coordinate with the others to help the Fourth Mizukage dispel the genjutsu as soon as possible."
Thud.
Terumi Mei, with waist-length reddish-brown hair, landed in front of Shiromo and Itachi, her expression wary.
"Fifth Mizukage, don't be nervous. We're here to help, and to discuss a collaboration."
Before Terumi Mei could speak further, Shiromo interrupted.
"Fifth Mizukage? Who?"
Terumi Mei paused, taken aback. However, she quickly understood the rest.
"Help? Collaborate? If you want to help, please stay here. If you want to collaborate, show your sincerity and tell your partners your identities."
Terumi Mei sensed that Shiromo didn't seem hostile, but she remained vigilant.
On the other side, Itachi, hearing Shiromo call him "Fifth Mizukage" and seeing the confused look on her face, knew Shiromo was doing it on purpose. It seemed Shiromo was about to tell her something.
"Since the Mizukage has said so, Itachi, you don't need to intervene. Just watch. If anyone's life is in danger, help them." Shiromo raised his hand.
"Yes."
Itachi vanished in a flash.
"Itachi? Uchiha Itachi? That S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha?"
Terumi Mei was surprised to hear this name from Shiromo. After seeing Itachi disappear, she quickly turned back and saw that he was indeed observing from a distance, following Shiromo's orders. She immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she remembered Shiromo's orders to Itachi…
This was too strange. A rogue ninja from Konoha, here to protect Kirigakure ninja? And who was this person who could command Uchiha Itachi?
"Who exactly are you? What are your purposes?" Terumi Mei calmed herself and questioned further.
"Didn't I already say my purpose? To help and cooperate. As for your identity… how about the explanation of a stranger from the future who wants to change the fate of the ninja world, Mizukage-sama?" Shiromo smiled.
"The Mizukage of Kirigakure is Yagura-sama. I don't understand what you're saying. And coming from the future… Do you expect me to believe that?"
Terumi Mei placed her hands in front of her chest, forming a hand seal, ready to attack at any moment. If someone suddenly tells such a fantastical tale, then the so-called help, cooperation, and friendship are likely fake.
"Don't rush. I have proof, but it's somewhat confidential. Mizukage-sama, you must promise not to get angry before I show it to you."
Shiromo took out a scroll from his pocket.
"Proof?" Terumi Mei loosened her grip, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Could what he said really be true?
"Okay, I promise. Show me your proof."
Terumi Mei ignored Shiromo's words, "Don't be angry," completely baffled as to what proof could possibly make her angry.
"Okay."
Shiromo unrolled the scroll and pulled out a photograph from a stack. But instead of showing it immediately, he took out a recorder.
Click.
Playback, "Ugh~ Handsome guy, do you know how tough it was for me back then~ My opponent was the legendary Uchiha Madara, and my four teammates… hiccup! One was a freak who could disintegrate twenty-five Susanoo into atoms. One was a fearless psychopath who dared to slash Susanoo coated with Amaterasu with a hand chop. One was a female psychopath who could survive being stabbed and cut in half. One was a young psychopath who died once and was resurrected, and never sleeps. Me? I'm just an older single woman who can spray water…"
Terumi Mei: "…."
(End of this chapter)