Simultaneous Time Travel: What Villain? I'm the Protagonist!

Inside the Mizukage's office, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura—or rather, the controlled Yagura—listened coldly to the Anbu's report.

"A collective dream? A god of ascension?" A cold glint flashed in Yagura's crimson eyes. "Have you found out? What kind of illusion is it?"

"This is no ordinary illusion," the kneeling dark squad leader said in a deep voice. "We've examined all possible traces of the spell, but found nothing."

After a moment of silence, Yagura ordered, "Strengthen vigilance, especially border surveillance. Arrest anyone spreading any belief in a god of ascension."

"Yes!" The commander of the dark forces accepted the order and left.

Yagura stood motionless in the empty room. A gust of wind blew by, and Zetsu appeared behind him, looking through the window towards the Land of Bears, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Morihito, it was definitely you who did it."

Meanwhile, in every corner of Kirigakure, the practice of visualization is spreading at an astonishing speed.

Led by Xia Rixing herself, the twenty-four small teams, like twenty-four seeds, quietly took root and sprouted in the barren land of Wuyin. They did not simply teach visualization techniques, but rather combined the real experiences of those saved by Sheng Ren to tell stories of redemption and hope.

In this village where human life is cheap, these stories resonated strongly with the lower classes of Kirigakure.

More importantly, the effects of visualization are real. Those Hidden Mist ninjas who secretly practiced it discovered that not only did their chakra become purer, but the mental trauma from long-term killing also began to heal slowly.

This change cannot be concealed.

A month later, the Hidden Mist Village leadership was shocked to discover that more than 30% of the village's ninjas were secretly practicing visualization techniques.

Even more terrifying is that the loyalty of these people is subtly shifting—they still obey orders, but the lifeless numbness in their eyes is gone. A once-handsome weapon has developed its own thoughts; this is unacceptable.

"We can't let this continue any longer," Yagura said coldly at the high-level meeting. "Starting tomorrow, conduct a thorough investigation of all practitioners of visualization techniques. Anyone found guilty will be executed without exception!"

But this time, he encountered unexpected resistance.

"Lord Mizukage, please reconsider." An elder stood up. "There are too many people practicing visualization techniques now. If we eliminate them all, Kirigakure's fighting strength will suffer a severe blow. Moreover..."

He paused, then forced a smile and said, "Moreover, the visualization method is indeed effective. Many ninjas have seen a significant improvement in their strength and their mental state has also improved considerably. Perhaps... we can try to utilize it?"

"Using it?" Yagura sneered. "Are you sure we're using it, and not the other way around?"

The meeting reached a stalemate.

At that moment, the elite squad led by Night Hawk successfully made contact with the Kaguya clan.

Outside the Kaguya clan's territory, Night Hawk hides in the shadows, maintaining contact with Morihito through a network of faith.

"Sect Master, the situation of the Kaguya clan is more complicated than we anticipated." Night Hawk's voice was transmitted directly to Sheng Ren's consciousness through the faith network.

"Tell me more," Sheng Ren replied.

"The Kaguya clan is indeed extremely dissatisfied with Yagura's rule, and bloodline limit families have suffered the most severe suppression under the Blood Mist policy. However..." Night Hawk paused, "they are also internally divided. One faction, led by the clan head, advocates armed resistance, while the other faction, led by the elders, advocates forbearance."

Which faction do you think is easier to win over?

"The elders," Night Hawk answered without hesitation. "While the patriarchal faction is strongly opposed, they are too radical and may use us as pawns. The elders, on the other hand, while conservative, are more focused on practical interests. If we can prove we have the strength to overthrow Yagura, they will be willing to cooperate."

Sheng Ren pondered for a moment: "Make contact with the Elders, but be careful. The Kaguya clan is known for its warlike nature, and even the Elders are not to be trifled with."

"Understood," Night Hawk replied. "Also, I've discovered another clue—Mei Terumi."

"A candidate for the Fifth Mizukage?" Sheng Ren's eyes lit up.

"Yes." Night Hawk's voice carried a hint of excitement. "Although Mei Terumi is young, she has a high reputation within Kirigakure. She opposes the Blood Mist policy, advocates for reform, and... she has also been exposed to visualization techniques."

"What?" Sheng Ren was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, our intelligence indicates that Mei Terumi began secretly studying visualization techniques three years ago. However, she did not practice them, and no one except her confidants knew about it."

A smile played on Sheng Ren's lips: "Interesting. It seems our future Fifth Mizukage is more cautious than I imagined."

Unfortunately, the visualization method has no flaws whatsoever.

"Should we make contact with her?" Night Hawk asked.

"We can make some indirect contact, that's fine," Sheng Ren nodded.

"What about the Kaguya clan...?"

"Continue to engage with the Elders, but don't reveal too much of our hand. Remember, we're not here to beg for their cooperation; we're here to give them a chance to survive."

"yes!"

After the communication was cut off, Shengren's consciousness returned to the council chamber.

Two months have passed, and there is only one month left before the attack on Kirigakure.

Within the faith network, the number of spiritual points of light in the direction of Mist Concealment has increased to an astonishing level. Although most are still only superficial observers, the base is already enormous.

More importantly, Shengren could clearly perceive that the mental state of the people of Wuyin was undergoing subtle changes.

The heavy feeling of being shrouded in fear and despair for so long is being dispelled by a faint glimmer of hope. Though it is still very faint, it is real.

"The power of faith is stronger than I imagined," Sheng Ren murmured to himself.

He walked to the window and looked towards Kirigakure. At this moment, he could "see" every corner of Kirigakure through the faith network.

A young Kirigakure genin finished a day of training and dragged his tired body back to his simple dwelling. He closed the door, and after confirming that no one was around, he carefully took out a small golden statue from under the bed—a simplified version of Sheng Ren's image, an aid for his visualization practice.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

Golden light appeared in his consciousness, warm and sacred. The fatigue of the day and the numbness brought on by killing slowly melted away in this light. He could feel the chakra within his body becoming purer and more active.

More importantly, he felt a connection he had never felt before—not with his companions, not with the village, but with some distant and great being.

That being had no name, but in his heart, it was the "God of Ascension".

He didn't know if this god truly existed, but he knew the changes this visualization brought him were real. His strength was increasing, his heart was becoming calmer, and he saw another possibility for survival in this blood-soaked village.

"Just hold on for another month..." the young ninja prayed silently in his heart, "Just hold on for another month, and everything will change."

He didn't know where the thought came from, but it naturally appeared in his consciousness during the visualization state.

Similar situations are occurring in every corner of Fog's Shadow.