Beheading the Daimyo's Envoy

Rumble. Rumble.

Kisame stood atop the head of the wooden Buddha, controlling the hundred-meter-tall giant as it took long strides forward until it reached Katsuyu’s true form.

At this altitude, he could finally look the slug sage in the eye on equal footing.

"Thank you, Katsuyu. I am deeply grateful that you so generously shared the power of senjutsu with me, and I will certainly repay this kindness in the future."

Kisame expressed his gratitude to Katsuyu with a solemn expression and made a promise.

"Lord Kisame, you were at a critical juncture in your senjutsu training just now, which is why I did not disturb you. Something has happened in the Hidden Mist Village, and you are urgently needed back to take charge..."

Katsuyu said with a hint of anxiety.

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Kisame furrowed his brows.

He had originally intended to use this opportunity to converse a bit more with Katsuyu and deepen their mutual understanding, but it seemed the timing was not right.

"I understand."

With that thought, Kisame nodded and formed hand seals to release the Wood Release: Wood Human Technique.

Whoosh.

He descended from the sky, controlling his momentum just before hitting the ground to land lightly.

Not far away, Tsunade seemed to have been stunned by the wood giant Kisame had summoned, standing there blankly and still recovering her senses.

Seeing this, Kisame took the initiative to walk over, gave her shoulder a pat, and offered a few words of encouragement:

"Keep it up. I'm sure you can master senjutsu too—I'm still waiting for you to challenge me. There's a matter at the village that requires my attention, so I won't keep you company for now. I'll head back first."

Tsunade was momentarily startled, but quickly snapped out of it and rolled her eyes:

"So full of yourself. Who wants your company? Get lost already and stop ruining my mood."

"Haha."

Instead of getting angry, Kisame let out a hearty laugh. After all, having just mastered senjutsu, he was in a wonderful mood.

He reached into his pocket, retrieved a jutsu scroll, and then, amidst Tsunade's startled shriek, grabbed her wrist and shoved the scroll into her palm.

"Aunt Tsunade, stop shouting; I'm not going to eat you. This is the scroll for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. Learn it before you begin the second stage of your senjutsu training, and it will save you a lot of time. Just remember: know your limits."

After giving Tsunade these parting instructions, Kisame released her wrist, formed a single hand seal right in front of her, and vanished from the Shikkotsu Forest with a soft "poof."

Damn it, the guy is showing off.

Tsunade rubbed her reddened wrist, looking indignant. However, upon opening the scroll, she realized Kisame hadn't been teasing her—it genuinely contained the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

"The relationship between Lady Tsunade and Lord Kisame is really wonderful."

At that moment, a tiny slug crawled onto Tsunade's shoulder and said in a gentle, melodic voice.

Hearing this, Tsunade nearly jumped and hastily denied it:

"Katsuyu, don't talk nonsense! Where on earth did you get the idea that I have a good relationship with that jerk? I wish I could punch him into next week."

"Lady Tsunade is still in denial as always, giggles."

The tiny slug chuckled softly, behaving just like Tsunade's best friend as it began to gossip earnestly:

"Though I am not human, I can tell that even though the two of you are always bickering and fighting, you aren't true enemies. Instead, you look rather like... a couple in love."

Tsunade’s expression turned utterly bizarre upon hearing this. She fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking Katsuyu:

"What is your impression of that guy Hoshigaki Kisame? It's just the two of us here, so feel free to speak your mind. I won't tell him."

"Lord Kisame... is wonderful. He is only fifteen years old, yet he is already a demigod of the shinobi world, even more formidable than Lord Hashirama was at his age. It is truly astonishing."

Katsuyu sighed with emotion, holding Kisame in extremely high regard.

Then, it twitched its pair of antennae and curiously pressed Tsunade further:

"Lady Tsunade, could it be that you actually... like Hoshigaki Kisame?"

Having lived for thousands of years, Katsuyu had little concept of age. Yet it knew that in human terms, Tsunade was old enough to be Kisame's mother; if the two of them were to be together, they would surely face immense societal opposition.

Still, true love knew no bounds of age.

Ever since the death of her first love, Kato Dan, Tsunade had spent more than a decade in despair, sealing herself off and living a lonely existence in this cruel world.

Katsuyu had witnessed all of this.

Therefore, as Tsunade's friend, it dearly hoped that Tsunade could break free from her past, bravely pursue romance, and embark on a brand-new chapter in life.

Tsunade had no inkling of Katsuyu's train of thought; had she known, she would likely not have known whether to laugh or cry.

"Katsuyu, actually, that guy Kisame... you..."

Tsunade looked at the tiny slug on her shoulder, which was tilting its head with an innocent expression, attentively listening to her words.

She trailed off, hesitating, and ultimately decided against telling Katsuyu that Kisame had no interest in human women and was instead infatuated with her.

"Sigh, we'll talk about it next time."

Tsunade sighed, shook her head, and stripped off her outer robe, walking toward the nearby hot springs.

Anyway, with her keeping an eye on things, Kisame presumably wouldn't be able to act recklessly. Besides, perhaps after some time, his wild fantasy about "cross-species romance" would fade away.

Until then, it was better not to let Katsuyu know about this to avoid causing her unnecessary distress.

Hidden Mist Village.

"Elder Ameno, this is terrible! The Daimyo's envoy has been shouting since early this morning that he wants to leave the village. Terumi Mei is trying desperately to persuade him, but she won't be able to stall him for much longer. You had better go take a look."

A Mist shinobi burst into the office in a panic, bringing the bad news.

Hearing this, Ameno's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly stood up, grabbed his cane, and rushed toward the inn where the Daimyo's envoy was staying.

Just as he arrived outside the inn, he saw a large, boisterous group of people filing out of the first-floor lobby toward the exit, led prominently by the Daimyo's envoy holding a folding fan.

"My Lord, why are you suddenly leaving? Are you not comfortable with your accommodations here? Please feel free to mention any issues, and we will correct them immediately to ensure your satisfaction."

Terumi Mei followed closely beside the envoy, adopting a deeply humble posture out of fear of displeasing him.

"Hmph, this wretched inn is simply not fit for human habitation. The air here is musty and damp, just like a basement. It's utterly unbearable. If I don't leave now, I'll fall ill sooner or later."

The envoy looked utterly disgusted, using his fan to cover the lower half of his face as if he were severely allergic to the air in the Hidden Mist Village.

"But this is already the finest inn we have here."

Terumi Mei said in a soft, aggrieved tone.

As Ameno's assistant, her task over the past few days had been to cater to the daily needs of the Daimyo's delegation, only to be subjected to endless nitpicking and ordered around like a mere maidservant.

For the sake of the village, she had silently endured it all.

Just as Terumi Mei was at her wit's end, Ameno finally arrived to save the situation, smiling as he addressed the Daimyo's envoy:

"My Lord, you haven't even met the Fifth Mizukage yet. Why are you in such a hurry to return to the Daimyo's court?"

"Old fool, you actually have the nerve to ask me?"

The envoy sneered.

"I've already given the Hidden Mist Village a chance, but you didn't cherish it and simply wasted my time. Since the Mizukage is hiding and refuses to see me, I am returning right now to report this to the Daimyo. Prepare yourselves for the full might of the Land of Water's army to crush the Hidden Mist into dust."

Faced with this blatant threat, the surrounding Mist shinobi turned pale with shock.

"Lord Envoy, if a war breaks out between the Daimyo's court and the Hidden Mist Village, it will benefit neither side and only cause massive, senseless casualties. Furthermore, once the Land of Water falls into civil war, it will invite the covetous eyes of other great nations and hidden villages..."

Terumi Mei persisted, desperately trying to reason with the envoy.

However, before she could finish, the envoy delivered a sharp "slap" across her face, leaving five red finger marks and a burning sensation of pain.

"A mere little girl, making such a racket here."

The envoy said with utter contempt. With that, he shoved Ameno aside and strode toward the inn's exit.

"Elder Ameno, what do we do now? Should I take some men and tie these guys up first, and wait until Boss Kisame comes back?"

Hozuki Mangetsu watched the envoy's retreating back and asked eagerly, having reached the limit of his patience with this arrogant fellow.

"Mangetsu, don't be rash. If you do that, matters will truly pass the point of no return."

Ameno hastily halted Mangetsu's reckless impulse.

After all, this envoy represented the Daimyo of the Land of Water. Laying a hand on him meant directly offending the dignity of the Daimyo.

That alone would give the Daimyo ample justification to dispatch an army and annihilate the Hidden Mist Village.

At that moment, the envoy had already stepped outside the inn.

However, the moment he cleared the doorway, he felt his vision darken, and before he could react, he crashed headfirst into someone with a loud *thump*.

"Who walks without looking where they're going?"

Dizzied by the impact, the envoy immediately broke into a furious tirade.

Glancing up, he found himself facing a man nearly two meters tall, whose massive frame blocked the inn's doorway like a mountain.

As their eyes met, the man’s mouth split open into a brilliant smile, his two rows of sharp, gleaming teeth flashing ominously in the light.

"Wh-who are you..."

The envoy trembled violently, his momentum instantly deflating. The sight of the man triggered a primal fear within him, as if he were being hunted by a ferocious beast.

"I am the Fifth Mizukage, Hoshigaki Kisame. I heard you were looking for me?"

The man spoke, his voice sounding unexpectedly youthful, even a bit tender.

Learning that the man was the Mizukage initially startled the envoy, but recovering his composure, he quickly puffed himself up again.

"So you're Hoshigaki Kisame! You actually have the nerve to show your face? Do you realize your actions have infuriated the Daimyo? You and the entire Hidden Mist Village are facing absolute ruin..."

He planted one hand on his hip while pointing a finger at Kisame's nose, listing the latter's supposed crimes from beginning to end.

Kisame narrowed his eyes, gathering from the tirade that the Daimyo of the Land of Water was deeply dissatisfied with him as Mizukage and demanded that the Hidden Mist reopen negotiations with Konoha to extract greater concessions for the Daimyo's court.

"So it's just such a trivial matter. Why make such a grand fuss over it?"

Kisame interrupted the chattering envoy, saying with profound meaning:

"Rest assured, Lord Envoy, I will set out for the Daimyo's court immediately. Once I see the Daimyo, I will have a warm and friendly discussion with him to resolve this matter perfectly."

"Glad to see you know what's good for you."

The envoy let out a cold snort. He wanted to continue chewing Kisame out, but something about the man's gaze radiated malice, sending a shiver down his spine.

Unwilling to spend another second in the Hidden Mist Village, he barked harshly at Kisame:

"Step aside! I am returning to the Daimyo's court at once to report this. If you delay my schedule, the Hidden Mist Village will bear the full consequences!"

"Hold on, no need to rush."

Kisame let out a chuckle, reaching out to block the envoy's path.

"Is there something else?" The envoy frowned, sensing danger and letting his bluster slip.

"Did you just strike my subordinate?"

Kisame looked down at the envoy with a half-smile, gesturing for Terumi Mei to step forward.

"Tsk, tsk."

Noticing the bright red handprint on Terumi Mei's cheek, Kisame reached out a large hand to gently stroke it, shaking his head as he muttered, "To lay a hand on such a gorgeous young maiden—are you even human?"

As Kisame spoke, a warm surge of chakra flowed from his palm onto Terumi Mei's cheek, rapidly soothing the redness and swelling.

"Lord Mizukage, I'm fine." Warmth flooded Terumi Mei's heart, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Hearing Kisame insult him, the envoy lost whatever restraint he had left, leaping up to snap back:

"So what if I hit her? You ninja are nothing more than a bunch of lowly tools. Dirtied my hands just touching her."

As a noble of the Daimyo's court, relying on the supposed nobility of his bloodline, this envoy fundamentally looked down upon shinobi like Kisame.

The very next second, however, he paid the price for his words and actions.

Slap.

Without a second word, Kisame raised a massive hand and delivered a savage backhand slap across the envoy's face.

Blown away by the sheer force, the man spun through the air like a top several times before crashing clumsily to the ground, completely disoriented.

"Audacious!"

The envoy's retinue shouted in outrage, preparing to rush forward and rescue him, but before they could move, a single glare from Kisame released a wave of tangible pressure that froze them in their tracks.

"Hoshigaki Kisame, you're finished! I am an envoy of the Daimyo's court! How dare you treat me this way—the Daimyo will never let you get away with this!"

The envoy lay on the ground, clutching his face in agony as he shrieked.

Heh.

Kisame smiled grimly, grabbed the envoy by the collar, and hoisted him up like a helpless chick.

"Don't worry, you *will* return to the Daimyo's court. The only difference is that the Daimyo will be looking at your corpse."

With those words, Kisame applied pressure with his hand. A crisp *crack* echoed through the air as he snapped the envoy's neck.

The man's eyes bulged with sheer terror and disbelief before his breath faded entirely, leaving him dead with his eyes wide open.

Almost simultaneously with Kisame's kill:

"Take them!"

At Hozuki Mangetsu's shout, several Hidden Mist Anbu operatives moved in unison, subduing the envoy's entire entourage and leaving no room for escape.

"Lord Mizukage."

Ameno and the others gathered around. Though they were well-acquainted with Kisame's ruthless style, seeing him execute the Daimyo's envoy without a hint of hesitation still shocked them to the core.

"Boss, what's our next move? Are we going straight to war with the Daimyo's court?" Mangetsu asked eagerly.

"Leave that problem to me to solve. You all stay put in the village and wait for my good news."

As he spoke, Kisame tossed the envoy's corpse straight into the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

"Lord Mizukage, the Daimyo of the Land of Water is notorious for his foul temper. You've killed his envoy; he will certainly not let this rest," Ameno said gravely, deeply pessimistic about Kisame's upcoming journey.

Hearing this, Kisame flashed Ameno a smile:

"Don't worry, Elder. If I can't solve the problem, I'll simply solve the person who presented the problem. That way, there won't be a problem anymore."

The moment the words left his lips, a pair of black feathered wings sprouted from his back, and he shot straight up into the sky.

*Solve the person who presented the problem? Could it be...*

As the Hidden Mist members processed the implications, they exchanged bewildered, terrified glances.