In the hall, as Hōzuki Mangetsu's words echoed, Mei Terumī's heart tightened. She glanced at Ren, bit her lip, and shouted, "He has nothing to do with this!"
"Does it even matter if he's involved?" Mangetsu shook his head, his eyes—numb from too much killing—glancing coldly at them. "You know the duty of a Hunter-nin."
Mei took a deep breath, her brow furrowed. The Hunter-nin were the most brutal squad in the Mist, and currently the most dangerous faction in the Land of Hot Springs.
"I don't know why the Third wants to kill Yagura Karatachi, the Jonin Commander," Mangetsu said flatly. "But that's how it is in the Mist. We are all just tools and pawns for those above us. We only need to follow orders. That is the meaning of our existence."
Mei clenched her fists. "No! That's just a cover for the Third's failures. The bloody graduation exams, the reign of terror where one wrong word means death, the 'tools' theory that abandons comrades for efficiency... none of this is right! There must be a better way for the Mist!"
Mangetsu tilted his head. "Then where is this 'way'? You lot holding onto 'Great Justice,' what have you done better?" He sneered. "The Third is indeed the sinner who pushed the Mist to the edge. But what will you do? In a village with no missions and no funds, how will you manage once you have power?"
Mei fell silent. She had no answer. Since the Second Mizukage gambled the village's future against Iwagakure and lost, the Mist had been in a downward spiral. The Daimyo didn't trust the Third and had been cutting funds while planting his own spies.
"Tragically, any radical move will cause this rotten village to collapse," Mangetsu said, drawing his sword. "It seems you have no answer either. You are just a tool for the Elders and Yagura. And I... I will not stop until I have his head."
As Mangetsu drew his blade, Mei began to tremble. She knew how powerful he was—a true "Prodigy." But she couldn't accept her will being denied. "The Mist... can get better!" she argued, remembering Ren's words under the moonlight. "If we don't try, there is no future!"
Mangetsu shook his head. "I don't need useless comfort."
Suddenly, Mangetsu dissolved into a puddle on the floor. The next second, he erupted behind Mei, swinging his blade at her neck! She couldn't even react. How is he so fast?!
CLANG!
Sparks flew. Two crimson Sharingan ignited as Ren Uchiha intercepted the strike. "Stupid woman! He's been a Water Clone this whole time—he used the rain to sneak under your feet!"
Ren kicked Mei's backside, sending her flying to safety, then grinned savagely at the masked Mangetsu. "With these eyes, I can see every move you make! 'Prodigy'? You're just a cheap assassin!"
Mangetsu remained silent. He used his Great Hydrification Technique, swelling his arm to massive proportions, and threw a punch straight at Ren's face!
BOOM!
Ren was sent reeling, but Mangetsu frowned. The kid's face is as hard as diamond.
Ren spat out some blood and laughed. "You wanted an answer? Let me tell you how to save the Mist!"
Mangetsu sneered, stepping forward for another strike. "You, an Uchiha, are going to teach me?"
But Ren's next words stopped the punch inches from his face.
"You've been talking all this 'tool' nonsense just to bait her into giving you an answer you like. You're waiting for someone to tell you: You can start now!"
Ren stared directly into Mangetsu's purple eyes with his Sharingan, peeking into the hidden madness beneath the mask. "Hōzuki Mangetsu... isn't the one who wants the 'King's' head the most... YOU? The tool sacrificed for a tyrant?"
Ren's grin widened like a demon's. "Why not follow your deepest desire? Take the first step. Launch a coup. Assassinate the Third Mizukage! Reach for that future you crave—the Kirigakure rising from the ashes of your own fantasies!"
Next to Ren, a subtitle popped up:
[Hōzuki Mangetsu is deeply shocked. He thinks your brain was eaten by a dog.]
In the shadows of the hall, an old man and a white, plant-like creature watched the scene with "What the hell am I watching?" expressions.
Uchiha Madara nearly leaned his cane the wrong way. He raised an eyebrow, looking at the puppet-like Third Mizukage standing behind him.
"Hmm... now that is interesting."