Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village

"You're still as smart as ever."

The Third Hokage walked to his desk, took out an intelligence scroll, and pushed it in front of Yoru: "This is the latest situation on the Iwagakure battlefield. Iwagakure and Konoha have broken out into a full-scale war, and both sides have brought out all sorts of trump cards in order to win on the battlefield."

"I think... if you were to join the battle now, with your unique and extraordinary Ice Release, could you help Kirigakure win this war when both Iwagakure and Konoha are exhausted?"

“Since Yagura has already reported the entire situation at the front to you, you should know very well what is happening there.” Yoru sighed and shook his head, saying, “With Kirigakure already suffering such losses, is war still all you can think about?”

"It is precisely because of the heavy losses suffered by the Mist Shadows that we need a great victory to dispel the gloom of our current defeat!"

The Third Mizukage's words became somewhat hurried, his tone filled with intense excitement: "Just think about it, the strongest village in the ninja world, Konoha, and the second strongest village, Iwagakure, were both defeated by Kirigakure. Vast amounts of land and resources from the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire were taken into Kirigakure's possession... Expanding territory and dominating the ninja world... That will be the supreme glory and honor for you, Mizuki Yoru, and for the entire Kirigakure!"

"And then, the moment I do that, the entire village is blasted to smithereens by a Tailed Beast Ball or Dust Release?"

Ye sneered, "Fine, let's just pretend they don't exist."

"Under my leadership, Kirigakure perfectly defeated Konoha and Iwagakure, successfully swallowing up the two vast territories of the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire. So, I would like to ask the Third Hokage, what happened after that?"

"The number of ninjas in our village... no, even if you add up all the civilians, Kirigakure at this moment only has 10,000. Let alone managing the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, we can't even manage the islands of the Land of Water."

"In this situation, we will inevitably have to absorb a large number of outsiders to fill our own ranks, thus turning Kirigakure, a village that belongs to everyone, into a combination of parasites and traitorous spies, and in two years it will evolve into a dilapidated and crumbling empty building?"

Night's eyes revealed undisguised disappointment with the Mizukage. Clearly, this 'Kage,' who had survived from the Warring States period to the present day and was from the same era as Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, had not learned any lessons from history. In his decaying mind, besides war, there was only one thought left: how to destroy Kirigakure as quickly as possible.

"Third Hokage, if you continue to be obsessed with leading the village to its destruction... then I'll have no choice but to take the village from you and the guy behind you!"

"Wha, what?!"

The Third Mizukage's eyes showed obvious panic and confusion: "What do you mean, 'the person behind this'? What are you talking about? Are you planning a rebellion, Mizuki Yoru?!"

“Even the ‘Kage’ who has survived since the Warring States period can only succumb to endless genjutsu… I really can’t imagine who else in the ninja world, besides that guy who was expelled from Konoha, could do that.”

Ye Danran's words echoed in the Mizukage's office. He could clearly sense the unusual chakra emanating from the Third Mizukage through the three tomoe in his right eye—a power that shared the same origin as the Sharingan.

Clearly, Ye's earlier conjecture was entirely correct.

Before the Fourth Hokage was controlled by Obito, the Third Hokage of Kirigakure was also a Sharingan-controlled puppet. Otherwise, Kirigakure would not have made such brainless strategic moves in the Third Shinobi World War.

And he is the only person who can do this and is capable of doing it.

"Uchiha...Madara."

"..."

The unusual name caused the Third Mizukage's expression to freeze noticeably. He wanted to say something, but Yoru removed the mask from his right eye.

The crimson three-tomoe Sharingan kept spinning.

A vast amount of ocular power poured out, and the Third Mizukage's figure suddenly stiffened, then he clutched his head in excruciating pain.

"Aaaaaah!! How could this be, aaaaaah!!"

……

Meanwhile, inside a dimly lit underground cave...

Madara Uchiha, who was instructing Obito within the genjutsu, suddenly trembled and fell out of the genjutsu.

Crimson tears of blood streamed down Madara's face as he swayed precariously. Fortunately, White Zetsu reacted quickly and caught him.

What's wrong with these spots?

Obito withdrew from the genjutsu space, somewhat reluctant to leave, and frowned as he looked at Madara, who appeared extremely weak: "As expected, your body can no longer hold on."

"Don't joke around, it's not because of my health!"

Madara Uchiha took two deep breaths, clutching his left eye socket, which was stinging and felt like it was about to burst: "It was my genjutsu, which was forcibly broken by that guy, Mizuki Yoru..."

"Wh-what?" Obito was a little confused.

"It's Shisui's eye!" Madara suppressed the backlash from the genjutsu in his pupils: "Incomprehensible eye power, no, that's definitely not an ordinary three-tomoe eye, White Zetsu, what's going on!"

"Ahhh, I don't know what happened either, Lord Madara! I'll go check on Uchiha Shisui right now!" White Zetsu shouted, quickly pulling his head back into the ground.

"Madara, do you mean that Minazuki Yoru broke your illusion using Shisui's eye?"

Obito Uchiha frowned deeply: "But that eye only has three tomoe!"

"Have you ever seen a three-tomoe pearl whose eye power is in no way inferior to the kaleidoscope in your eyes?!"

Chapter 84 The Tragic Village

“You may not know it, but White Zetsu saw it.”

"At the same time that you evolved the Mangekyou Sharingan, the two-tomoe Sharingan in Kakashi Hatake's eye also evolved into the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Looking at Obito Uchiha, whose face stiffened upon hearing a certain name, Madara Uchiha said in a deep voice, "When chakra, ocular power, emotions, and other factors erupt at the same time, the two eyes will evolve synchronously even if they are in the eyes of different people. This is the Sharingan's synchronous frequency!"

"That kid Uchiha Shisui has most likely evolved the Mangekyou Sharingan as well. Because of the power of the Sharingan, Mizuki Yoru's eye has also gained this terrifying ocular power."

"But didn't you just say he only has three tomoe?"

Obito asked, puzzled.

"That's because of the lack of certain conditions, so his eyes are still at the three-tomoe Sharingan stage."

Madara Uchiha slowly sat down in the seat of the Ten-Tails, and said in a deep voice, "The Mangekyou Sharingan is a power that the Uchiha could only awaken after experiencing tremendous negative emotions. Even though he gained a certain level of ocular chakra due to the Sharingan's resonance, after obtaining that eye, he swept through everything in his path, and his strength skyrocketed. He probably didn't have much negative emotion in his heart, so it was impossible for him to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"So, the Sharingan in Mizuki Yoru's eye socket right now is a three-tomoe Sharingan with the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"You seem relieved?" Madara Uchiha sneered. "Don't forget, your left eye, that genuine Mangekyou Sharingan, is still in Mizuki Yoru's hands!"

Obito Uchiha's expression froze, and a hint of embarrassment and annoyance appeared in his eyes.

He never imagined that the eye he gave to Kakashi, the eye that symbolized the entrustment of his emotions, would end up in the hands of Minazuki Yoru.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have pulled that stunt at Kannabi Bridge. Now, not only is Kakashi gone, but his eyes have become Mizuki Yoru's spoils of war, turning into aid to the enemy…

What can I do? I am desperate too!

"Your genjutsu on the Third Mizukage has been broken. What about the original plan?"

"What an amazing kid. In this way, I'll have to give up the Kirigakure base I prepared for you." Madara said in a deep voice. He didn't expect Obito to be able to defeat Mizuki Yoru in his current state.

That kid's growth rate is terrifying. This war caused him to devour too many souls, directly propelling him into the ranks of the strongest ninjas in the world!

Although Obito awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, with only one eye, he was unable to unleash its true power and could not contend with Mizuki Yoru.

Fortunately, Kirigakure was basically half-dead by him. Under these circumstances, even if Minazuki Yoru took over as the Fourth Hokage, he could only enter a period of stable development for now...

Otherwise, Madara was genuinely worried that if Minazuki Yoru continued to grow like this, by the time his plan was fully implemented and he was resurrected, that kid might actually grow to a level that could threaten him!

"I never expected to hear the word 'give up' from your mouth."

Obito Uchiha chuckled and said, "What should I do next? Go straight to Nagato's side?"

“You definitely need to go to Nagato’s side, but without a base of support for you, things will be extremely difficult…” Madara Uchiha said in a deep voice, ignoring Obito’s sarcastic tone: “Go to Sunagakure. They’ve just been defeated and are in dire need of rebuilding. The newly appointed Fourth Kazekage isn’t very strong, and with your eye power, you should be able to control him easily. Moreover, his special bloodline limit can provide you with a good starting capital.”

"Magnetic Escape?"

Obito Uchiha's expression was somewhat strange. Even though he had been training in this dark and sunless underground for a long time, he had heard of the Fourth Kazekage's reputation as a mining master.

"What about over in the Hidden Mist area..."

"Don't worry, my methods are not that simple. Besides, that village, which is rotten to the core, cannot be cleansed just like that."

……

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!"

A piercing scream escaped from the Third Mizukage's mouth as two completely different eye powers clashed repeatedly in his mind, the intense pain feeling as if it were tearing his brain apart.

The once mighty leader of a village was now looking like a pathetic mad dog, and for a moment, even Mizuki Yoru couldn't help but feel a little pity for him.

"What are you doing, Mizukiyo?!"

Yagura's figure appeared on the lamppost outside the Mizukage's office window. Upon seeing this, his pupils contracted instantly, and he shouted sharply, "Stop right now! Are you trying to rebel?!"

"boom!"

At the same time, the door to the Mizukage's office was flung open, and several members of the Mizukage's direct subordinates filed in, cautiously guarding against the night. Among them, an old figure leaning on a cane slowly walked in.

"Using the Sharingan's power to control the Mizukage without authorization, attempting to reverse the Mizukage's will and thus control the entire village... I never imagined that someone as a war hero would do such a thing."

The master's deep voice rang out, and the gazes of the Mizukage's direct subordinates toward Mizuki Yoru grew increasingly cold.

"I know you want to become the Fourth Hokage as soon as possible. I've also said that with your strength and achievements, as long as you wait patiently, the Fourth Hokage will be yours sooner or later."

"But I never expected that you couldn't even wait this little bit of time, and instead committed such a treasonous act... Night, you have disappointed me greatly."

"...You have indeed disappointed me, teacher."

Feeling the cold gazes and chilling killing intent directed at him from all directions, Ye's gaze fell on Yuan Shi, a hint of sorrow appearing in his eyes.

"Are those powers and interests so intoxicating that they have completely limited your vision and magnanimity, causing you to succumb to them?"

"I've said before that no one can rise to the top in one step, Night."

The master remained expressionless, while the Third Mizukage, who had been wailing and screaming incessantly, gradually calmed down, his eyes lifeless, like a puppet.

Yoru sighed deeply and drew the Hyōrinmaru from his waist.

"I think I've already told you this, teacher."

"Thousands have already died on the front lines for this war. If a few more people die in the village, it won't make much of a splash."

"Since you want to play this game, willing to disregard the village's future for your own selfish desires, for power and your inner lust, even if it means completely destroying the entire village..."

"Then I can only speak according to the rules of the First Generation."

Chapter 85 Jiraiya, Who Cannot Be Reviveed, and the Great Toad Sage's Prophecy

Unlike the outside world, which is ravaged by war and filled with death, sorrow, and pain, this mountain range is bathed in ever-gentle sunlight, and peace and harmony are its eternal themes.

In the distance, there are buildings that look like houses, and a waterfall cascades down the mountain peak. The rushing water drowns out the chirping of insects. The water is murky, but it doesn't feel dirty. Instead, it looks more like some kind of natural oil.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the toad lying on them rolled over comfortably, continuing to dream its own sweet dreams in this idyllic paradise.

This place is one of the three holy lands in the ninja world.

Mount Miaomu!

"You've finally arrived, Minato."

In the tallest and most magnificent building in this paradise, the sage Fukasaku, wearing a cloak, said to Minato Namikaze, who had just returned to Konoha and rushed to Mount Myōboku without stopping: "The development of things has really exceeded our expectations and has become quite serious."

"what happened?"

"follow me."

Fukasaku the toad led Minato toward the highest mountain cave. As soon as they entered, Minato saw an old toad, as large as a small mountain, staring silently at the ground below.

"The Great Toad Sage has actually awakened from his slumber." Minato Namikaze glanced at the Great Toad Sage, while on the flat ground, Toad Shima Sage looked solemn, and beside her was a figure that Minato Namikaze knew all too well.

"Jiraiya-sensei..."

Seeing his teacher again caused Minato Namikaze to tremble slightly. Jiraiya was covered in a layer of oil, and the wound on his throat had healed. Rich natural energy permeated his body, as if trying to revitalize his physical body.

But his body remained motionless on the ground, like a living but soulless puppet...

"We're trying to save Jiraiya."

The Great Toad Sage, Fukasaku, explained in a deep voice, "Although Jiraiya has already died in battle, the Great Toad Sage is able to revive him if conditions permit."

Resurrecting the dead...

This particular term caused Minato Namikaze to pause slightly, but he didn't utter any foolish or thoughtless words. To revive someone who had already died in battle and reverse life and death would inevitably require a huge price to pay, so it was best not to think about unrealistic things.

"So now... has the resurrection failed?"

"Yes, it failed."

The Great Toad Sage spoke slowly, his tone unhurried. His weakened state made it seem as if even opening his eyes was extremely difficult, his eyes cloudy, like those of an ordinary old man: "To be precise, his resurrection was only halfway done before it was forcibly stopped."

"The Great Toad Sage healed Jiraiya's dead body. According to the rules, with the body restored and the mind stimulated, Jiraiya's soul should automatically be drawn back from the Pure Land of the Dead," the Toad Sage Fukasaku said in a deep voice. "But the result was not so. Jiraiya's soul is not in the Pure Land of the Dead, and not only Jiraiya's soul, but the souls of all those who died under Minazuki Yato have not returned to the Pure Land of the Dead."

"what?!"

The consensus in the entire ninja world is that after a person dies, their soul returns to the Pure Land of the Underworld to rest in peace. This rule has led many people to have wicked thoughts about the souls in the Underworld, creating many forbidden techniques.

But the current situation completely breaks with convention!

"What exactly happened, Jiraiya-sensei? And the souls of those who died by Minazuki Yoru's blade... could it be that Minazuki Yoru took them away?"

Minato Namikaze couldn't help but speak up, and a whole host of ideas about Kirigakure's research into forbidden soul techniques even surfaced in his mind!