"What exactly is your intention in capturing me?" Nagato asked, having tried and failed to escape.
The Third Mizukage had subdued him with ease, sealing his power and carrying him under his arm. They were now heading toward Kirigakure.
"You don't need to know," the Mizukage replied calmly. "I will help you master the power of these eyes. It's a good thing for you."
"I don't need it. My Sensei will come and save me," Nagato said firmly, his eyes resolute. He had no doubt that as long as he was alive, his Sensei would come for him.
"Haha~"
"I admit Kawakaze Hatake is somewhat powerful," the Mizukage said with a slight sneer. "But do you truly think he is the equal of Hashirama Senju?"
To the Mizukage, the answer was obvious. Aside from Hashirama and himself, who else could single-handedly overpower an entire village?
"You will regret this," Nagato said, his anger rising at the Mizukage's dismissive tone. To him, there was no doubt that his Sensei was on par with Lord Hashirama, even if Hashirama was the God of Shinobi.
"I'll be waiting," the Mizukage said, ending the conversation.
With that, he darted through the forest.
A few days later, the Third Mizukage arrived in Kirigakure with Nagato.
During his absence, even more ninjas had defected from the village. However, the Mizukage didn't seem to care, as long as the village itself remained intact.
He brought Nagato to the Mizukage Building and ordered someone to summon Genji, a village elder.
Genji, once a powerful figure in Kirigakure, had long been suppressed under the Mizukage's rule.
"Lord Mizukage, you went out for several days just for this child?" Genji asked, his tone tinged with subtle accusation.
He couldn't understand—was a boy like Nagato worth the Mizukage's personal intervention?
"It's not up to you to question me," the Third Mizukage said coldly. "Take this child away and keep a close eye on him. Don't hurt him."
He had no intention of explaining himself further. Once he gave his orders, his only goal was to send Genji away. If Genji hadn't been useful in handling certain matters, it was doubtful he would have survived this long.
"Lord Mizukage," Genji began, his tone heavy. "Three more Jōnin have defected from the village. This is the price you've paid for bringing back this child. Was it worth it?"
The Mizukage waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, it won't happen again," he said, his words carrying a faint sign of weakness.
"I hope you can keep your word," Genji said after a moment's pause. With a sigh, he led Nagato away.
As they walked, Genji couldn't help but feel deeply worried about the future of Kirigakure. If things continued like this, what would become of the village?
The Third Mizukage, pretending not to care, remained seated leisurely for a long time before eventually rising and returning to his quarters.
Nagato followed Genji to a hidden cage in Kirigakure.
"Kid, you guys are quite capable," Genji said, his tone laced with sarcasm. He already knew that Nagato was from Konohagakure. After so many days, it would have been absurd if he hadn't figured out who his enemy was.
"It's not that we're capable—it's that your Kirigakure is weak," Nagato retorted bluntly, showing no intention of sparing Genji's pride.
"Heh, what arrogance," Genji said, anger flashing across his face. If it weren't for the Mizukage's instructions, he would have made sure Nagato understood what it meant to neither live nor die.
"Whether it's arrogance or not, you know best," Nagato shot back. Though he was typically less confrontational, today he was unusually defiant.
"I..."
Genji's hand was already raised high, ready to deliver a heavy slap to Nagato's face.
Nagato, however, held his head high, his defiant expression making him seem like a completely different person.
"Are all of you from Konoha this arrogant?" Genji sneered. "Let's see how long you can keep this up."
He knew all too well the methods of the Third Mizukage and was certain Nagato wouldn't meet a good end. All Genji had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
"Then don't trouble yourself," Nagato replied calmly, continuing to follow Genji forward.
"Go in," Genji ordered, stopping in front of a prison cell covered in seals. The seals were designed to effectively block a ninja's sensory abilities.
"You will pay for this," Nagato said with a slight smile, stepping into the cell without hesitation.
"What? Still hoping someone will come to save you?" Genji scoffed. "Do you really think Kirigakure is so weak? Anyone who dares come here is a dead man."
Having dealt with countless prisoners, Genji could tell that Nagato still had plenty of fight left in him.
"We'll see," Nagato replied simply, lying down on the bed and saying nothing more.
Genji shook his head, laughing as he walked away. What a fool.
Clop, clop, clop...
With each step, Genji grew farther away, leaving Nagato to begin his life in captivity.
The next day, meals were delivered three times, and the food was surprisingly decent.
However, Nagato's confusion grew.
He couldn't have imagined that his Rinnegan was considered a mere charity and that he was only a vessel.
Kawakaze had also never told him that once Madara Uchiha was eliminated, the eyes would truly become Nagato's own.
...
After leaving Konoha, Kawakaze headed straight for the Land of Water. Although he didn't have a Flying Thunder God Technique seal along the way, his speed was extraordinary.
Upon reaching the border of the Land of Fire, Kawakaze chose not to take a ship, as it would be far too slow for him.
Traveling rapidly across the sea was a simple task for someone of his abilities.
As long as he could sense the Flying Thunder God Technique mark on Nagato's body, he could rescue him instantly.
However, Kawakaze also sought revenge—and if he could locate Madara Uchiha through the Third Mizukage, all the better.
With these plans in mind, he entered the territory of the Land of Water.
He made no effort to hide his presence and didn't linger along the way, only stopping briefly in towns to rest. Whether or not he was discovered didn't matter—his confidence stemmed from his strength.
As he approached Kirigakure, Kawakaze still couldn't sense the Flying Thunder God Technique mark on Nagato's body.
By now, he already had his answer: he would have to force his way in.
"Is this it?"
Kawakaze looked down from a mountain, muttering to himself.
Through the thick fog, he could see glimpses of a large village below.
"What a beautiful place. No wonder tourism could develop here," Kawakaze said with a slight smile.
With that, he leapt off the mountain, charging directly toward Kirigakure.
Each of the five major ninja villages had its own barrier system, designed to detect intrusions by external enemies. It wouldn't take long for his presence to be noticed.
Before long, Kawakaze arrived at the gates of Kirigakure.
He briefly compared them to the gates of Konoha, finding them somewhat shabby by comparison.
Walking forward slowly, lightning began crackling around him.
"Let's knock, shall we?" Kawakaze raised his hand, then slammed his fist down.
Bang!
With a deafening crash, the gate of Kirigakure, along with the surrounding walls, was obliterated.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
A Kirigakure ninja shouted, and signal flares shot into the sky one after another. The alarm bells across the village began to sound.
How many attackers could be bold enough to assault Kirigakure directly?
Whoosh!
Kunai, shuriken, and other ninja weapons rained down toward Kawakaze like a storm.
But enveloped in his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Kawakaze didn't flinch.
As the dust settled, his figure became fully visible to the Kirigakure shinobi.
"What? One person dares to attack Kirigakure?"
The Kirigakure ninjas were stunned at the sight. Was this man insane?
The thought of a single individual challenging an entire village was beyond their comprehension.
"Kawakaze Hatake."
"He's Konoha's Kawakaze Hatake!"
"Requesting backup immediately!"