Danzo walked through the dimly lit underground sewers, his steps echoing against the damp stone walls. He hadn't expected Kirigakure's intelligence network to be hidden in such a place.
It seemed intelligence and assassination organizations all shared the same taste for darkness.
His journey had been smooth so far—traps, sealing techniques, and other security measures were useless against him. Along the way, he dealt with a few unfortunate souls who had crossed his path.
Navigating the maze-like tunnels was a challenge. Only after interrogating a captive did he finally reach his destination.
Deep in the complex sewer system, in an isolated chamber, the only sounds were a twisted chuckle and muffled groans of pain...
...
Footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.
"Do you not know I'm busy right now? Get out..."
The voice belonged to Fuguki Suikazan, who was hunched over a restrained victim, carefully dismantling the man's clavicles.
"Excuse me, is Fuguki Suikazan home?" Danzo's voice was calm and unhurried.
Only then did Fuguki sense something was amiss. His instincts screamed danger—whoever was behind him felt... nonexistent.
"Swish! Swish!"
Without hesitation, he hurled the torture tools in his hand toward the intruder.
Danzo easily sidestepped the attack.
Seeing this familiar figure, memories of their encounter in the Land of Waves resurfaced in Danzo's mind. That battle had left quite the impression.
"Who are you?" Fuguki grabbed Samehada from the side, gripping it tightly while eyeing Danzo warily.
"We're old friends," Danzo replied, raising his palm with a faintly sinister smile.
A crimson chakra shroud enveloped his hand, glowing like a Tailed Beast's cloak in the dim chamber.
"Giii... Giii..."
Samehada's scales rubbed together, twitching as if the sword had come to life.
"Samehada, what's wrong? Damn it..."
Fuguki instinctively flung the weapon away, his palm now dripping with blood from the sudden rejection.
The abandoned Samehada slithered along the ground, moving toward Danzo like a loyal pet, rubbing against his leg in an eerie display of submission.
"What did you do to Samehada?!" Fuguki's face twisted with rage as he watched his trusted blade betray him.
Danzo chuckled. "Weapons choose their masters. It seems you're not worthy. Game over."
Gripping Samehada's hilt, he lunged at Fuguki.
...
Ten minutes later.
Danzo stood over the bloodied remains of Fuguki Suikazan, Samehada still dripping with fresh blood.
"Turns out, I'm quite good with a sword. Don't you agree?"
Silence filled the chamber.
From a nearby passage, Kisame Hoshigaki stepped out of the shadows, his shark-like features barely visible in the dim light.
"Sir, I'd say you're not suited for using a sword at all."
He had watched the entire fight. Danzo hadn't just overpowered Fuguki—he had toyed with him, making resistance seem utterly pointless.
Danzo shook his head, disappointed. "What a dull response. I had set up plenty of measures around here. How did you find this place?"
He flicked the blood off Samehada as he studied Kisame with interest.
"The Hoshigaki clan isn't just known for its large chakra reserves. We also have a keen sense of smell," Kisame replied, glancing down at Fuguki's mangled corpse. "Though, given the outcome, that ability didn't help much this time."
Danzo smirked. "So, do you want to fight?"
Kisame's expression remained calm, but his body was tense, ready to react at a moment's notice. He could feel it—if he made a wrong move, he would die.
Fuguki had been on par with him in strength, yet he had been reduced to this. Kisame had no desire to share that fate.
"No need, sir. I know I'm not your match." His voice was sincere, though his instincts remained on high alert.
Danzo sighed, clearly unimpressed. "How boring. Well then, would you be interested in joining my organization?"
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and dealt the finishing blow to the half-dead prisoner still bound to the torture rack.
Kisame's sharp teeth gleamed in the dim light as he chuckled.
"It would be an honor. I was already planning to leave the village."
Danzo casually tossed Samehada toward him before heading toward the exit. Kisame caught the sword, then followed without hesitation.
...
The two emerged into the village and made their way to a discreet restaurant. Inside a private room, a meal had already been prepared.
"Sir." A waiter respectfully handed Danzo a document.
Danzo slid it across the table to Kisame.
"Three days."
Scanning the list, Kisame's grin widened, making his already fearsome face look even more menacing.
"Understood. I'm quite familiar with this line of work."
For Danzo, Kisame was an unexpected recruit. Even the mission he had assigned him was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
But formalities had to be observed.
...
In just three days, Kirigakure grew eerily silent. The once bustling streets were now deserted, even the ever-present shinobi had vanished.
Within half a month, the Daimyo's official decree was issued—Mei Terumi was named the Fifth Mizukage, tasked with stabilizing the village.
As for Kisame Hoshigaki, he had become the new leader of Kirigakure's intelligence network.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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