May I touch your great sword?

Just as Kisame and his companions stepped out of the venue, Torikusa Yaejin approached, shouldering the Blunt Blade, Kabutowari.

"The Mizukage has already returned to the hotel to rest. You brats get two days off—enjoy yourselves, but don't cause any trouble. We'll depart at dawn the day after tomorrow to return to the village."

After conveying the Mizukage's instructions, Torikusa glanced at Kisame with a smile. "Come with me. The Mizukage wishes to see you."

Envious stares followed from the other Hidden Mist genin as Kisame left with Torikusa.

On the way, Torikusa was noticeably warmer toward Kisame than before. He confided that upon their return, Kisame would likely be promoted to the ANBU, and the two of them might soon be colleagues.

"Really?" Kisame feigned surprise, chatting amiably on the surface while secretly eyeing the Blunt Blade on Torikusa's shoulder.

As they walked, a figure suddenly darted out from the side and blocked their path.

"Hello, gentlemen! My name is Yamamoto, and I'm a film director. I'd like to have a word with Mr. Kisame Hoshigaki, if I may?"

Director Yamamoto beamed, speaking rapidly.

"Hey, you must be mistaken," Torikusa said in astonishment, then waved Yamamoto off as if shooing a fly. "Kisame is a Hidden Mist shinobi, not an actor. Move along, don't block our way!"

"Who says a ninja can't be an actor?" Yamamoto grew anxious and quickly produced a large bill, pressing it into Torikusa's hand. "Sir, please, just give us a moment. I'll only take two minutes of Kisame's time, I swear I won't pester him!"

Oh?

Torikusa eyed Yamamoto, satisfied, pocketed the bill, and said to Kisame, "I'll wait up ahead."

He slung the blade over his shoulder and walked on.

Kisame stared at Yamamoto. "I recognize you."

He remembered now—that day when he first saw Tsunade in the street, this was the man clinging to her side.

"You have a great memory, Kisame," Yamamoto said, giving a thumbs-up before launching into an enthusiastic pitch. "Here's the thing: I'm preparing to shoot a film, and I'm still missing a male lead. The moment I saw you, I knew you were perfect. Our crew was already planning to film on the coast of the Land of Water. The pay is a million ryo, and you'd get to co-star with Princess Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin! Are you interested in sitting down somewhere so I can tell you more?"

"Sorry, Director Yamamoto, I'm not interested. I have other matters to attend to." Kisame politely declined, and before Yamamoto could reply, he strode away.

He was busy; there was no time to dabble in acting. Even if it meant meeting Tsunade, it did Kisame no good.

In his eyes, even a rough fellow like Torikusa was more appealing than Tsunade—at least by getting close to Torikusa, he might find a way to get that shinobi blade.

Yamamoto was dumbfounded.

He hadn't expected Kisame to reject such a lucrative offer so decisively.

Kisame caught up with Torikusa.

"So, did you accept the director's offer?" Torikusa asked curiously.

"Of course not. My acting is terrible; I couldn't do it," Kisame replied, shaking his head.

Torikusa burst out laughing, clapping Kisame on the shoulder. "You know, you really do look honest—definitely not the type for show business."

"My former teammates and superiors used to say the same thing." Kisame smiled.

Soon, they returned to the hotel, walked through the corridor, and stopped outside the Mizukage's room.

"Go on in," Torikusa said, nudging Kisame's shoulder and signaling the two ANBU guards at the door to open it.

Creeeak.

Kisame entered and saw the Third Mizukage.

Just as Torikusa had said.

The Third Mizukage, upon seeing Kisame, promised him many rewards: elevating the status of the Hoshigaki clan in the village, admitting Kisame to the ANBU, and so on.

As a Hidden Mist ninja, Kisame's treatment in the village would improve significantly, but—

It would only be a promotion from a common laborer to a higher-class laborer.

Throughout the conversation, Kisame discreetly observed the Mizukage's eyes.

He finally noticed that the Mizukage's eyes were not fully closed; a narrow slit allowed him to peer out.

Kisame surmised that this odd habit was likely meant to hide his Sharingan.

Those deeply manipulated by high-level Sharingan genjutsu would have their eyes take on the pattern of the Sharingan.

However, according to information from Mangetsu Hozuki, the Third Mizukage was lucid most of the time, only occasionally acting strangely.

This suggested that Madara Uchiha had not fully controlled the Mizukage, but instead exerted influence only over key decisions or gave direct orders.

Such as the "Bloody Mist" policy.

Kisame had thought that the Third Mizukage, manipulated by Madara, would play Orochimaru's role in the original story during the Chunin Exams in Konoha—launching a destruction plan to provoke all-out war between Konoha and the Hidden Mist.

After all, destroying Konoha was Madara's goal.

Kisame was ready to flee at any moment.

But nothing happened.

On reflection, it was likely because Madara was old, frail, and had given his Rinnegan to Nagato. He now used a second-hand Sharingan, far inferior to the original.

Hiding in the Mist, trying to control the Mizukage from such a distance, even Sharingan genjutsu would barely work.

"If there's nothing else, you may go," the Third Mizukage said.

"Yes." Kisame bowed slightly, maintaining the posture as he retreated to the door and exited.

"Congratulations, Kisame Hoshigaki," Torikusa greeted him as he emerged, clapping him on the shoulder once more. "I have high hopes for you. Work hard, and aim to join the Seven Ninja Swordsmen one day."

He saw Kisame's potential and wanted to bring this genius into his own faction.

"Thank you for your guidance and care, sir. Without your advice, I wouldn't have taken first place." Kisame was humble, continuing to build rapport.

"Hahaha, don't call me 'sir'—call me 'big brother' from now on," Torikusa said cheerfully. He was a convivial man, with many friends in the Hidden Mist who called him brother; one more like Kisame was no trouble.

At once, Kisame feigned delighted surprise and said earnestly, "Big brother! I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am at your service."

"Good!" Torikusa was pleased, slinging an arm around Kisame's shoulder. "Come, big brother will treat you to dinner. I heard there's a place in the hot springs district famous for its grilled meat and sake. If you come to Konoha and don't try it, it's as if you never visited at all!"

Kisame readily agreed.

As evening fell, the two arrived at the restaurant and booked a private room.

Torikusa not only ordered food and drink, but also called for two young, attractive hostesses to accompany them.

"My, what a strong and dashing ninja you are," one of the women exclaimed upon seeing Kisame, her eyes lighting up as she pressed herself to his side like a supple water snake.

Kisame, without a word, gently pushed her away.

"Hey now, this is my little brother—he just turned thirteen. Don't be handsy with him," Torikusa scolded, pulling the hostess into his own embrace and draping an arm around each woman.

And so the night wore on, filled with food and drink.

As the evening progressed, Torikusa's consciousness grew hazy—not from the alcohol, but from the potent sleeping agent Kisame had slipped into his cup, acquired from Shizune and put to use at the first opportunity.

When the time was right, Kisame instructed the two hostesses, "You may go now."

Once they had left, Kisame narrowed his eyes at Torikusa across the table and, as if hesitantly, asked,

"Big brother Torikusa, may I… touch your great sword?"