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

Misty Village, a rainy night.

Fine raindrops tapped against the windowpane, and the candlelight flickered in the study, casting swaying shadows on the walls. Mei Terumi sat behind her desk, toying with a small golden statue in her hand, her gaze fixed on the continuous rain outside the window.

The door opened silently.

A figure emerged from the shadows, a white robe gleaming faintly in the dim candlelight. His face was excessively young, yet his eyes possessed a depth beyond that of a youth.

"You're late." Terumi Mei said without turning her head.

"I ran into a little trouble on the way." Sheng Ren walked to the table and sat down naturally. "A few spies were following us, and it took me a while to shake them off."

Mei Terumi then turned around and took a serious look at the legendary "God of Ascension" for the first time. He looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate features, even somewhat childish. But his composed demeanor and his all-knowing gaze instantly dispelled her contempt.

"Let's get straight to the point," Mei Terumi placed the statue on the table. "What did you want to discuss when you asked to meet me?"

"Cooperation," Sheng Ren said succinctly. "Three days from now, the Feathered Immortal Sect will attack Wuyin. I hope that you and your faction will remain neutral at that time."

The room was quiet for a few seconds, with only the sound of rain pattering down.

Mei Terumi laughed, a mocking laugh: "Do you know how many ninjas Kirigakure has? Tens of thousands. Do you know what the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are? Do you know about the Mizukage—"

"I know Yagura isn't himself anymore," Shengren interrupted her, his voice calm as if stating a fact. "From the moment the Fourth Mizukage took office, he was controlled by Madara Uchiha using his Sharingan. All the bloody policies of Kirigakure over the years have been manipulated by them behind the scenes."

The candlelight flickered suddenly.

Mei Terumi's smile froze. She stared at Morihito, trying to find any trace of a lie on his face, but there was nothing. His eyes were too clear, so clear it was unsettling.

"Where's the evidence?" She heard her own voice sound a little dry.

"Three years ago, during a mission on the border of the Land of Wind, Yagura had a half-hour gap in his schedule. Two years ago, when dealing with the Minazuki clan, he issued three contradictory orders. One year ago..."

With each word he spoke, Mei Terumi's face paled a little more.

These were all top secrets of the Hidden Mist Village, some of which even she, a near-high-ranking member, only knew fragments of. Yet this young man before her knew them all like the back of his hand.

"You can verify it," Shengren said. "Use your channels to find out who was around Yagura at those times. You'll find that every time an anomaly occurred, a person wearing a spiral mask appeared."

Mei Terumi's face paled, and after a long silence, she slowly spoke: "Even so... you want me to betray Kirigakure?"

"It's not betrayal," Sheng Ren shook his head. "It's salvation. Three days from now, regardless of who wins or loses, it will be a good thing for you and your people."

He leaned forward, the candlelight flickering in his eyes: "To eliminate Uchiha Madara who controls Yagura is the only true loyalty to Kirigakure."

Mei Terumi closed her eyes. The horrific scenes of Kirigakure over the years flashed through her mind: children forced to kill each other, clans wiped out, ninjas turned into emotionless killing machines… If all of this really was just a game played by the mastermind behind it all…

"Why should I believe you?" She opened her eyes, her gaze sharp. "What if you're just another person trying to control Kirigakure?"

Sheng Ren smiled, a smile with an air of detachment: "If what I wanted was power, I wouldn't have publicly displayed the visualization technique, allowing everyone to practice it. If what I wanted was conquest, at least half of the Kirigakure ninja would have secretly defected by now."

He stood up and walked to the window: "What I need is change. The ninja world needs change, Kirigakure needs it even more, and you..."

He turned around, his gaze sharp: "You're a smart man; you know which choice is best for Wuyin."

Mei Terumi remained silent for a long time. The sound of rain filled the silence.

Finally, she slowly nodded: "Alright, I agree. Three days from now, I and my people will not side with either side. But you must also promise me—after we win, you are not allowed to slaughter Kirigakure ninjas and civilians."

"This is exactly my philosophy," Sheng Ren said solemnly. "In the campaign to punish the wicked and bring justice to the people, only the ringleaders will be executed, and after the deed is done, you will be the next Mizukage."

"I am the Mizukage, then what are you?" Mei Terumi stared intently at Morihito, trying to discern something from his face.

She was disappointed.

"I am the master of the Feathered Immortal Sect, and the ruler of Star Ninja Village and Mist Village," Sheng Ren said without any hesitation, revealing his true thoughts.

Mei Terumi closed her eyes and remained silent, biting her red lips tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably. After a long while, she finally spoke:

"it is good."

An agreement has been reached.

Before Shengren left, Mei Terumi suddenly called out to him: "One last question—how did you get such strength at such a young age?"

Sheng Ren paused at the door without turning around: "That's because you lack experience. If you understood the history of the ninja world, you would realize that age has never been a standard for measuring depth."

The door closed, and the study returned to silence.

Sheng Ren walked into the stone house. Rainwater slid down his white robe but did not leave a single water stain on the ground.

"The plan has been moved up." Sheng Ren sat down in the chair opposite Kisame. "Three days from now, the Feathered Immortal Sect will launch a full-scale attack on Wuyin. Also, what's the latest news from Jue's side?"

Kisame Hoshigaki stopped wiping his Samehada, his shark-like eyes fixed on Sheng Ren: "Obito Uchiha has returned from Konoha, but he's severely injured. Black Zetsu is now personally controlling Yagura." Kisame stood up and gazed out the window. "Furthermore, Black Zetsu has sensed your threat and has summoned the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, preparing to ambush and kill you."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist... The current Seven Ninja Swordsmen are not at the level of Suigetsu Fuguki. Besides me, there are six others: Biwa Juzo, Kurosuki Raiga, Kurihara Kushimaru, Tsukusano Erito, Murashi Jinpachi, and Ringo Ameyuri. Each of them has the strength to stand alone."

"I know," Sheng Ren nodded. "That's why I came to you. In the big battle three days from now, I need you to betray me at the crucial moment."

The room fell silent, save for the faint buzzing sound emanating from Samehada.

"good!"

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside the Hidden Mist Village, on the border of the Bear Kingdom, the army of the Feathered Immortal Sect has been assembled.

More than a hundred Jonin, a thousand Chunin, and tens of thousands of ninjas who had practiced visualization techniques—this was the largest military operation since the founding of the Feathered Immortal Sect.

Sheng Ren stood at the front of the army formation, his golden wings slowly unfolding behind him, radiating a sacred light in the morning glow.

"Gentlemen," his voice resonated through the faith network into the consciousness of every participant, "today, we will begin a war unlike any other. But remember, we are not here to conquer, not to slaughter, we are here to save."

"The people of Kirigakure have struggled in the blood mist for far too long. They need light, they need hope. And we are the ones who will bring them light and hope."

"Three things to keep in mind during combat: First, do not kill those who surrender; second, do not harm civilians; third, focus your attacks on those who implement the Blood Mist policy."

He paused, his voice becoming even more resolute: "This battle will change the history of the ninja world. And each and every one of you will become a creator of history."

"Now—let's go!"

Golden light shot into the sky, and the army of the Feathered Immortal Sect surged towards the direction of the Hidden Mist like a golden torrent.