socalfunplaces Chapter 121 Execution of the Pufferfish Demon, The Controlled Mizukage
Chapter 121 Execution of the Pufferfish Demon, The Controlled Mizukage
Chapter 121 Execution of the Pufferfish Demon, The Controlled Mizukage
Goji Makoto's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a huge uproar among the crowd.
After a brief silence came a volcanic eruption of ecstasy and clamor!
"We won! We won!"
"Lord Cheng is mighty! Long live Kirigakure!"
"Those bastards from Konoha are finally gone!!"
The guards were so excited that their faces turned red. Some couldn't help but raise their arms and shout, while others even cried tears of joy.
The huge weight that had been pressing on my heart for days was completely lifted with Makoto Goji's nonchalant remark that we had won!
The villagers watching from the street in the distance were also in an uproar.
Some rushed out of their homes, others climbed onto rooftops, cheering and shouting in the direction of Goji Berry, their faces beaming with unprecedented excitement and hope.
The war is over!
Even though their relatives, friends, and loved ones died on the battlefield, their sacrifices were worthwhile.
Because we won.
Looking at the vibrant and hopeful scene before him, Makoto Kojiri smiled from the bottom of his heart.
That's more like it.
Fighting to the death, isn't it all for the sake of protecting this noise and peace?
He waved his hand, signaling the excited guards to calm down, while also noticing the ANBU ninja who had already arrived in an instant from the side.
After nodding slightly, Makoto Karatachi patted the young Chunin guard beside him who was so excited he was wiping away tears: "Alright, everyone, stop blocking the entrance. Those who need to patrol, patrol; those who need to rest, rest. Although the war has come to an end, vigilance inside and outside the village cannot be relaxed."
"Yes, Lord Cheng!"
"Lord Cheng, you are our hero!"
"Yes, you are our great hero, the hero of Kirigakure, Makoto Karatachi!"
"No."
Makoto Kujira shook his head, looked at everyone present, and solemnly declared, "You are the true heroes!"
Amidst the reverent gazes of the guards and the spontaneous cheers of the villagers along the way, Makoto Karatachi slowly walked through the gates of Kirigakure.
Perhaps it was because of the news that Makoto had defeated Konoha on the front lines in the past day or two, but the scenery on the streets seemed completely different from the previous days.
Although many injured people and damaged buildings can still be seen on the streets, people's faces are more smiling and more lively.
The children even started chasing and playing, and the vendors' shouts rang out again, as if the whole village had woken up from a long and heavy nightmare overnight!
Gouju sincerely felt grateful that he had sent the intelligence back in advance when he arrived at Water Blue Island, otherwise the village he saw now might look like something else entirely.
He walked straight to the Water Shadow Building, located in the center of the village.
In the plaza in front of the building, a number of ninjas and civilians who had rushed over upon hearing the news had already gathered. When they saw Makoto Karatachi appear, they immediately erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers and applause.
Gouju Cheng nodded to the crowd and, without lingering, went directly into the heavily guarded building.
The large conference room on the top floor of the Water Shadow Building.
When Gouju Cheng pushed open the door and entered, the conference room was already full of people.
The Third Mizukage sat in the main seat, his face still aged and dignified, but his eyes held an undisguised weariness and relief.
Yagura sat to the lower left of the Mizukage. When he saw Makoto Karatachi enter, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and a hint of relief and inquiry flashed in his eyes.
In addition, the heads or representatives of major ninja clans such as Hozuki, Kaguya, Yuki, Terumi, Hoshigaki, and Ringo, as well as Jonin from some important departments within Kirigakure, also gathered together!
All eyes were focused on Gouju Cheng, who had just entered the room.
"Why make such a big fuss?"
Makoto Koji grinned, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Everyone, I'm back!"
The meeting room fell silent for a moment after Makoto Gojibana announced, "I'm back." But this was quickly followed by shouts and questions mingled with excitement, disbelief, and ecstasy!
"Makoto! What's going on at the front lines?!"
"Kazama Kazuya is really all alone—"
"Where are Konoha's troops? Where are Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"You really crushed them?!"
Before Makoto Koji returned, they had pieced together some shocking fragments from the broken intelligence sent back to the village, but it was so unbelievable that no one dared to fully believe it.
No matter how strong a ninja is, how could he possibly defeat thousands of Konoha's elite troops single-handedly, and even make the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Yellow Flash look terrible, and even change the entire battlefield situation?
But now, Makoto Kuraki is standing right in front of them, admitting victory himself!
Gouju Cheng walked to the empty seat reserved in the center of the conference room, but did not sit down immediately.
He glanced around at the familiar and unfamiliar faces, the true pillars and decision-makers of Kirigakure, and grinned, revealing a wicked smile befitting a dragon king, exuding an undeniable aura of arrogance.
"Don't rush, don't rush, take your time."
"The main force of Konoha's eastern front, including its commanders Danzo Shimura and Homura Mitokado, as well as Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, has been defeated by me in Kazama and Kazuya. Their remnants have retreated into the heart of the Land of Fire and are unable to organize a large-scale offensive in the short term."
"The Kazama-Kaya defense line, along with several important strongholds and supply depots within it, has been completely destroyed in our battles with Konoha forces. From a strategic perspective, Konoha's offensive forces against Kirigakure in the east have been essentially neutralized."
Although everyone was mentally prepared, when Makoto Gojiba confirmed it in person, a chorus of suppressed gasps and whispers still filled the conference room.
He single-handedly defeated Konoha's main forces, including the Yellow Flash and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
What an incredible achievement!
It's simply like a myth!
"Makoto, tell me in detail what exactly happened." The Third Mizukage asked in a deep voice, "Yagura just told me about the retreat, how exactly did you—"
Yes, facing the almost unbeatable combination of Flying Thunder God Technique and Tailed Beast Ball, they really couldn't think of any power to counter it. Even if the Third Mizukage personally took action and Kirigakure mobilized the entire village, they probably still wouldn't be able to do anything to the other side.
How to counter the ultimate output combined with the unpredictable Flying Thunder God Technique?
But Gouju Cheng won.
Seeing the many curious gazes, Makoto Koji nodded.
"Indeed, I was helpless at first when faced with the combination of Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I could only maximize the destruction of Konoha's defenses in order to achieve a lose-lose situation."
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
In war, a lose-lose situation is always better than a win-win situation, and Makoto Koji's approach is undoubtedly the most correct.
Moreover, judging from Yagura's report, they did encounter enormous pressure and suffered huge losses at the beginning of the process of breaking down the operation into smaller parts.
But after a period of time, the pressure suddenly decreased.
In retrospect, this is likely the reason why Makoto Karatachi caused such massive damage to Konoha's territory, forcing Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to return to defend.
"After that, perhaps because they wanted to restrict me, or perhaps because my destruction caused great trouble for Konoha, Minato Namikaze found me with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but instead he was controlled by my Mangekyou Sharingan."
"I used the power of the Nine-Tails combined with the Mangekyou Sharingan to completely defeat Konoha."
Goji Cheng spoke casually, almost bursting into laughter at the end.
"Actually, I was indeed in trouble with Minato Namikaze back then. After all, I didn't have much chakra, and my Mangekyou Sharingan, which is a space-time eye technique, was also on cooldown. If Minato Namikaze had come alone, I'm afraid I would have really been defeated by that guy."
"But he brought the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which allowed me to turn the tide!"
What does this mean?
The people in the Mizukage's office looked at each other, completely puzzled.
Gouju smiled mysteriously.
"My God Hand replicated three bloodline limits. In addition to the two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan, the third bloodline limit is Dark Release."
The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the conference room froze.
Escape!
This name was not unfamiliar to most of the high-ranking members of the Fog Shadow Sect present.
This is an extremely rare bloodline limit, which many people believe to be lost. Its ability is to absorb chakra ninjutsu and convert it into one's own chakra reserves!
Legend has it that those who possess Dark Release can become the bane of ninjutsu. As long as the nature and intensity of their chakra do not exceed their absorption limit, any ninjutsu attack will be ineffective and will instead replenish their power.
But this is just a legend. For more than ten or even several decades, there have been almost no known users of Dark Release in the ninja world.
But now, Makoto Karuta says that the third bloodline limit copied by his God Hand is Dark Release!
"Ming Escape——"
A glint flashed in the Third Mizukage's eyes, as if he had figured something out.
Yagura also seemed to be deep in thought.
The others exchanged bewildered glances, shocked but also vaguely grasping at some key point.
"Indeed, it is the Netherworld Escape Technique."
Makoto Kujira nodded and continued, "I used Dark Release to absorb the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's chakra, and then used the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which is how I turned the tide."
Everyone suddenly realized.
The Dark Release, capable of absorbing and converting chakra, is combined with the Mangekyou Sharingan, which allows control over tailed beasts.
This combination is practically tailor-made to deal with Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts, no wonder he was able to turn the tide of battle!
"Good! Good! Good!"
The Third Mizukage uttered three "good"s in succession, his aged face radiating a long-lost glow, as if all the fatigue of the past few days had been swept away.
He stood up, walked up to Makoto Koji, and patted him hard on the shoulder.
"Makoto Karatachi, you have rendered unparalleled service to Kirigakure! In this battle, you deserve the greatest credit!"
The Mizukage's gaze swept across the entire area, his voice booming and authoritative: "From this moment forward, announce to the entire village! A great victory on the eastern front! Konoha's main force has been routed by my Kirigakure hero, Makoto Karatachi, and the remnants have retreated! We have won the war!"
"At the same time, Makoto Kuraki is awarded the highest honor of Mizukage, the title of 'Blade of the Water Shadow,' and granted the right to attend meetings of the Elders' Council!"
"Thank you, Lord Shuiying!"
A chorus of congratulations filled the conference room.
The heads of various clans stepped forward to congratulate Gouju Cheng, their tone filled with unprecedented enthusiasm and respect.
Goji berries accept this with sincerity and equanimity.
Based on his battle achievements, let alone an elder, he is even qualified to be the Mizukage. He is fully deserving of this honor!
In the following days, Kirigakure was completely engulfed in a sea of celebration.
News of the great victory on the eastern front was like the most potent stimulant, injected into this village that had suffered so much from the war.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and people's faces were filled with heartfelt smiles. The taverns were full of celebrating ninjas and civilians, and everywhere you could hear praise and legends about Makoto Karatachi and the Mist Blade Squad.
However, Makoto Goji himself lived a secluded life.
He needs time to digest the gains from this major battle, adjust his mindset, and at the same time—handle some follow-up matters.
For example, Suigetsu-yama Fugu-oni.
Earlier, Fuguki had been temporarily relieved of his post as deputy head of the intelligence department and placed under house arrest in the inspection office in the eastern part of the village, awaiting further investigation and final trial after the war.
Now that the war is over, the pufferfish demon's kill line has rightfully arrived.
"Captain, you wanted to see me?"
Qing's voice rang out from behind.
Makoto Kuraki turned to his most capable deputy: "How's the interrogation of Fugu-ki going?"
A hint of disgust appeared on Qing's face: "He's very stubborn, insisting that he's innocent, and claiming that all the evidence pointing to him is a divisive tactic by Konoha or a frame-up by others."
"However, we also found some original coded documents and transaction records from his secret locations, showing his communication with Konoha, especially with Danzo's 'Root' organization. The evidence is irrefutable."
"After discussing with Lord Yagura, the Mizukage has decided to formally sentence the pufferfish demon to trial!"
Makoto Koji nodded; he wasn't surprised by the fate of the pufferfish demon.
Traitors, especially those who betray the enemy during wartime, are committing an absolutely unforgivable crime and are sentenced to death in any ninja village.
What's more, the pufferfish demon betrayed Makoto Karatachi's information; that guy is doomed!
"Has the execution time been set?"
"The execution is tentatively scheduled for noon tomorrow, in the village's central square," Qing said in a deep voice. "Lord Mizukage's intention is to use this opportunity to deter all those with ill intentions, boost morale, and announce the arrival of a new era."
Gouju truly understood the profound meaning of the water's reflection.
Executing a traitor of the Seven Ninja Swordsman level not only cleanses the internal scourge but also demonstrates Kirigakure's determination and strength in purging its internal forces to the entire village and even the whole ninja world.
At the same time, this is also paving the way for the new era that Makoto Kariju, the Kariju clan, and Yagura are about to usher in.
Old symbols are eradicated, and new heroes rise.
It's old-fashioned, but very effective.
"Okay," Makoto Koji waved his hand. "I'll be there then."
"By the way, Qing, you'll be coming with me. If nothing unexpected happens, my cousin and Shuiying will both be there for the execution. Could you give Shuiying a look with your Byakugan for me?"
"what?"
a000g0
The following day at noon, in the central square of Wuyin Village.
The crowd was bustling, a dense, dark mass that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Ninjas, civilians, merchants, children—almost everyone who could come gathered here.
A temporary platform was erected in the center of the square, where the Third Mizukage sat, flanked by Yagura and several Kirigakure elders.
As the absolute hero of this battle, Makoto Karatachi was also invited to sit slightly below the Mizukage, a position that itself represented supreme honor.
Directly in front of the platform, a specially made wooden rack has been erected.
Before the rack, Suigetsu Hobuki was tightly bound by thick chakra metal chains and knelt there.
His once bulky body now looked extremely disheveled, his hair disheveled, his clothes torn, and his face bruised and battered, clearly indicating that he had been subjected to considerable mistreatment in the detention center. Yet, in his small eyes, there still flickered resentment, bitterness, and a last vestige of will to live.
Shuiying slowly rose and walked to the edge of the platform.
He did not use any amplification equipment, but his aged voice clearly resonated throughout the square, demonstrating his profound control over the aura.
"Suikyouzan Fuguki, one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the vice-minister of the intelligence department."
"Upon investigation, it has been confirmed that during the Third Shinobi World War, he abused his position to repeatedly sell classified information about Kirigakure to the enemy country of Konoha, especially to the Root organization led by Danzo Shimura of Konoha. This included information on frontline deployments, supply routes, and commanders' information, resulting in the unnecessary sacrifice of many Kirigakure ninja and seriously endangering the safety of the village. The evidence is conclusive."
"His actions constitute the crimes of betraying the village, colluding with the enemy, and endangering war; he shall be punished for all of these crimes concurrently."
Shuiying's voice suddenly turned cold, like ice that had been frozen for millennia.
"Sentenced to death! Executed immediately!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the square fell silent for a moment, then erupted into deafening cheers and curses.
"Kill him!"
"Traitor! He deserves to die!"
"Avenge our fallen comrades!"
The pufferfish demon's body trembled violently. He suddenly raised his head and roared hoarsely, "I'm innocent! It was Makoto Karatachi! He framed me! Mizukage-sama, please investigate! It was Konoha's divisive tactic! It was them—"
His screams were drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
The executioners from the Hidden Mist Division did not give him any more chances.
A masked ANBU ninja stepped forward, his ninja sword flashing coldly.
puff!
Bloodshed ensued.
The roar of the Watermelon Pufferfish Demon abruptly ceased, its head rolling to the ground, its small eyes wide open, still holding the last traces of terror and disbelief.
The obese body collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The crowd erupted in even louder cheers.
The traitor has been executed, which is a great relief to the people.
Goji Makoto watched this scene quietly, his face expressionless.
This fat bastard sold him information; killing him with a single blow was already an act of mercy.
Moreover, he was more concerned about something else than this guy.
After the execution ceremony, the crowd dispersed.
Gouju Cheng, however, turned his gaze to Qing.
Qingxin understood. Although he didn't know why the captain had asked him to use his Byakugan to observe the Mizukage, he didn't ask any further questions out of absolute trust in Makoto Karatachi.
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the blood vessels near his temples on both sides of his forehead were slightly bulging.
White Eye Activation!
Qing's white eyes penetrated through numerous obstacles, like a high-precision scanner, taking in every detail inside and outside the distant water shadow.
Bones, meridians, internal organs, chakra flow—
As an experienced Jonin, especially an elite with the Byakugan, Ao is extremely familiar with human anatomy and chakra states.
He first gave a cursory glance and confirmed that the Mizukage's physical condition did not seem to be in any major problems. He was in the normal state of an old man, with some organs showing signs of aging. Although his chakra reserves were still enormous, their quality and activity had declined compared to his peak.
Just as Qing was about to look away and report to Gojima that everything was normal,
His eyes suddenly narrowed!
wrong!
Within the 360-degree unobstructed view of Byakugan, he caught a very subtle, almost imperceptible anomaly.
That was in the flow of chakra in the Water Shadow's brain region.
The flow of chakra in ordinary people, even ordinary ninjas, especially in intricate areas like the brain, is complex but harmonious and natural, following a certain life rhythm.
But at this moment, deep within the Mizukage's brain, in a tiny area near the pineal gland, the flow of chakra exhibited an extremely subtle inconsistency.
Like a grand symphony where an instrument occasionally produces a barely audible, slightly off-key note.
It was very slight and perfectly concealed by the main body's massive and stable chakra flow.
If it weren't for Ao's careful observation, if it weren't for his extreme sensitivity to chakra flow, if it weren't for Makoto Karatachi's special instructions—
He probably won't even notice!
"This is--"
Qing's brows furrowed tightly, and the veins on his forehead throbbed slightly from continuous high-precision observation.
The discordant chakra area gave him an extremely strange feeling. It didn't seem like a disease, nor did it seem like a natural disorder caused by aging. Moreover, it was quite different from the Third Mizukage's own chakra.
This reminded him of some extremely insidious curse seals, or—
Some kind of illusion!
But is that even possible?
That's the Third Mizukage! The highest leader of Kirigakure! A Kage-level shikigami!
What kind of illusion or curse could deceive his own perception and defense, and remain hidden in the core area of his brain for a long time without being detected?
Moreover, the abnormal area gave Ao the feeling that it wasn't something that had been applied recently, but rather something that had existed for a considerable period of time, with some of its chakra even having merged with the Third Mizukage's own chakra.
It would be impossible to detect without extremely careful observation!
Qing's heart began to race uncontrollably.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, and pushed his keen observation skills to the limit, scrutinizing the anomaly even more closely.
The Third Mizukage and Yagura seemed to have noticed something as well, looking towards Ao with some confusion.
Qing felt a chill run down her spine, but she pretended to remain calm on the surface.
Upon seeing that it was Qing, the two did not think much of it, nodded to Qing, and then looked away.
The trial of the pufferfish demon was a major event, and there were many people in the square. As the only Byakugan user in Kirigakure, it was quite reasonable for Ao to use his Byakugan to observe his surroundings and guard against any unexpected events.
A moment later, the crowd dispersed, and Makoto Koji came to Ao's side.
"team leader."
"How is it?"
"Lord Mizukage—"
Ao took a deep breath and transmitted his voice using chakra: "Lord Mizukage's physical condition is basically normal, but—deep in his brain, near the pineal gland, there is an extremely subtle chakra abnormality."
Qing didn't say anything more, but those words alone were enough to make Gouju Makoto's eyes narrow.
really--
It turned out exactly as he had predicted.
There was indeed a problem with the water shadow, and it wasn't just a short-term issue; it was a long-term, latent influence!
Only one person can do this.
Madara Uchiha!
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