The Land of Hot Water—famous for its hot springs.
But its geography was… awkward.
It sat wedged between two giants: the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.
On the map, the whole country looked like a long, narrow corridor—perfectly squeezed into the gap between those two powers.
And because of that, whether it was the last war, the one before that, or even as far back as the Warring States Era…
the Land of Hot Water had repeatedly become a battlefield whenever Lightning and Fire went to war.
Now that both countries were restless again—and war looked inevitable—merchants had almost entirely avoided Hot Water.
Even the local civilians were fleeing if they had the means.
Only the poor who couldn't move remained, keeping a few scattered hot spring inns running.
Wearing a straw hat and a black cloak, Uchiha Sogetsu looked at the desolate streets.
Shop after shop had shuttered. The whole street looked dead.
He clicked his tongue, mildly regretful.
"Mm. Bad timing. I was hoping to actually enjoy Hot Water's springs."
The Cloud shinobi and Konoha ANBU still scouring the Land of Lightning for him…
would never imagine it.
The man who had just rampaged through Kumogakure and bisected the Third Raikage in public…
had calmly come to the Land of Hot Water.
And he even wanted to experience "hot spring culture."
Meanwhile, Konoha was probably on fire—panicking itself sick.
Danzo had dispatched wave after wave of people, trying to locate the "missing" Uchiha Sogetsu before Kumogakure did.
And what happened?
The real target wasn't even in the Land of Lightning.
He was in Hot Water.
Eventually, thanks to Sogetsu's persistence, he actually found a hot spring inn with a hanging sign boasting a century-old reputation.
Probably because of the looming war, there were basically no guests.
The owner dressed plainly—very old, but still sharp-eyed. The moment he saw a customer, he hurried over, all smiles and warmth.
Not long after, Sogetsu was soaking in Hot Water's signature spring.
Steam rose thickly.
The temperature was perfect.
The water was clear, rich with minerals, and carried a faint sulfur tang.
Sogetsu leaned against the edge, eyes closing in comfort.
"A century-old place really is different."
"Sogetsu-sama~"
A green onion head popped up with a gurgle from the spring.
White Zetsu.
Sogetsu didn't even bother opening his eyes.
"What is it?"
"Sogetsu-sama, something huge happened in Konoha!"
White Zetsu sounded frantic.
"Hiruzen collapsed during a public speech—suspected poisoning. He's unconscious."
"He appointed Danzo as acting Hokage. That woman joined with multiple clans to pressure Fugaku… and they're planning to sell you to the Cloud to calm Kumogakure down!"
"So Fugaku bowed his head?"
Sogetsu didn't sound surprised at all. He asked lazily, as if the news was expected.
"You're not angry?"
White Zetsu blinked. That reaction wasn't what it anticipated.
"Why would I be angry?"
Sogetsu lifted his lids halfway, the corner of his mouth curling in ridicule.
"Isn't that normal? With Fugaku's personality, this day was always coming."
"Sogetsu-sama… don't tell me you already knew Hiruzen would be poisoned and appoint Danzo as acting Hokage?"
White Zetsu stared at him suspiciously.
"This is huge news, but you're not shocked at all."
Sogetsu smiled faintly.
"You guess."
"…I don't get it. It's too complicated."
White Zetsu scratched its head helplessly.
"But Sogetsu-sama—Danzo and Fugaku reached an agreement to hand you over to the Cloud."
"In my opinion, you should just not go back. Defect. Leave the village."
"Why wouldn't I go back?"
Sogetsu's smile turned playful.
"I'm not only going back—"
"I'm going back when Konoha is at its most dangerous… as a savior."
"But if you do that—even if you solve the crisis—Danzo won't let you go."
White Zetsu tilted its head, completely confused.
"And with your strength now, why do you insist on staying in Konoha?"
"Because I still need Konoha."
Sogetsu leaned back against the spring edge, enjoying the warmth.
"As for Danzo targeting me afterward…"
"Isn't that exactly what I want?"
He needed a perfect moment to "exit the stage"—
to end this grand performance.
Letting Danzo burn her last little bit of light was perfect.
"Want me to go cause him trouble, Sogetsu-sama?"
White Zetsu's loyalty was unquestionable. It could infiltrate anywhere—become Sogetsu's "eyes."
"Heh. Not yet."
Sogetsu kept his eyes closed, speaking softly.
"Let Danzo be happy a little longer."
"She likes playing these games, doesn't she?"
"She calls herself the 'Root' in the shadows…"
"Then let her experience it too."
"What it feels like…"
"When ideals betray you—"
"When everyone abandons you."
White Zetsu understood and sank back into the water, disappearing soundlessly.
Time passed.
After a nap, Sogetsu felt refreshed. He rose from the spring, put on his clothes, and walked out.
"How was it, honored guest?"
The owner came over eagerly, rubbing his hands.
"We've prepared a meal for you. Please follow me."
Sogetsu looked at the nervousness on the old man's face.
Draped in a pale moon-white kimono, hands tucked into his sleeves, he studied him for a second… then smiled and nodded.
"Alright. Let's see."
The owner led him into a room.
When the door opened, a lavish spread filled the table.
Sogetsu sat down, glanced at the food, then looked at the old man—still rubbing his hands, still tense.
He chuckled lightly.
"Owner—are you sure a few thousand ryō gets me a table like this?"
"This isn't a black shop, is it?"
"W-what? Of course not!"
The owner stiffened, then forced a smile.
"You misunderstand. War's coming. We haven't had guests in ages."
"I saw that you and I had fate. The food would go to waste otherwise, so I brought it out for you."
"This is a century-old establishment—how could it be a black shop?"
"Oh—so it's not a black shop."
Sogetsu put on an exaggerated look of relief and patted his chest.
"Lucky me."
"You're actually pretty nice."
"Then thank you for the hospitality."
He truly relaxed and dug in, eating with enthusiasm.
"Hehe… please enjoy, honored guest~"
The owner bowed and backed out, closing the door behind him.
The moment the door shut—
He lifted his head.
The submissive smile vanished.
In its place was a twisted, bloodthirsty cruelty, eyes glowing with a feral red light.
"Heh heh… idiot."
"Go on. Eat."
"Eat more… heeheehee…"
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