The man atop the heights was none other than the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi!
Or rather, a masked imposter pretending to be Yagura Karatachi!
He sat in a chair above the staircase, casually leaning against the armrests.
Though he appeared lazy and emotionless, his mere presence was enough to silence the brutal ANBU from Kirigakure below, leaving them afraid to even breathe.
"After all this time, you still don't know where he is?"
His voice was low, carrying a tone that mixed wickedness and amusement.
Still, no one dared speak up.
Because of yesterday's dream, 'he' was in a bad mood.
With a simple raise of his hand, he killed a Kirigakure ANBU.
The ANBU collapsed silently, and the others lowered their heads even more.
"Within ten days, I want to hear news of Zabuza's death."
The Mizukage issued his deadly order.
If news of Zabuza's death didn't come within ten days, the people here would be the ones to die.
This kind of relentless, night-and-day tyranny had already pushed Kirigakure to its breaking point. They had sealed the borders of the Land of Water, keeping the outside world from learning about their internal struggles.
How much longer the village and the Land of Water could hold out like this, they didn't know.
Mei Terumi and Ao stood outside the Kirigakure Tower, their expressions grim.
...
Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke had achieved great success with their mentor swap today. What they had planned to spend four days learning—chakra tree climbing—was completed in just one!
On Obito's side, he could now use his Sharingan to dodge all of Kakashi's shuriken.
While Rin was teaching Sakura Medical Ninjutsu, she discovered that Sakura had a rebellious, violent alter ego known as "Sakura Uchiha".
While discussing chakra control, Sakura not only grasped the basics of Medical Ninjutsu, but also helped Rin discover how to focus all chakra into a single point for a powerful strike.
When they watched a tree three times thicker than Rin's waist get smashed to pieces by Sakura's punch, both Obito and Kakashi were left utterly stunned...
Shocked by her own strength, Rin recovered and confidently punched the air toward Kakashi and Obito. "Next time, I won't hold you guys back!"
Obito shook his head, his expression like a bobblehead.
He never thought of Rin as holding them back. In fact, it was always Rin's Medical Ninjutsu that saved them from their reckless actions.
Minato Namikaze was also taken aback by Rin's progress. Her habit of always accommodating Obito and Kakashi, of leaving the spotlight for them, had made even him overlook her potential.
She, along with Kakashi's student, Sakura Haruno, were both perfectly suited to Tsunade-sama's method of training as both Medical-nin and combat ninja!
But now…
"We've got some time before dinner. Let's go see if the client needs any help."
Technically, they were all staying at Uncle Tazuna's house. Besides acting as bodyguards, Minato figured he could check if there was anything else they could do to help.
When they arrived, they happened to find another worker asking Tazuna for leave.
"Well… I've been thinking a lot lately…"
The man started.
"Tazuna, we've been friends for many years, and I truly want to help you build this bridge. But… the current situation just isn't allowing it! Our family's being targeted by Gatō! And if you're killed too, wouldn't that be even more of a loss? I… I really think you should give up on this. It's just too dangerous!"
Naruto and the others stood nearby, listening to their conversation.
He hated hearing people tell him to give up. He'd heard that too many times growing up, but he would never quit! Especially not his dream of becoming Hokage. No matter what, he would never give it up!
Tazuna: "I can't give up."
Naruto: "That's the spirit, Uncle Tazuna!"
Just as he lunged forward, Sasuke grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
"Read the room, you super-duper idiot!" Sasuke whispered in Naruto's ear.
Tazuna: "Only by building this bridge can we bring more opportunities to enrich the resource-poor Land of Waves. That's why I've gathered everyone in the town to help build it. I'm sure you understand that."
"But! If we lose our lives in the process…"
"Forget it. You won't have to come back after this."
The conversation ended on a sour note.
Only then did Sasuke release Naruto, who immediately ran over to Tazuna. "We're done with training for today," he said. "I'll help build the bridge."
Tazuna didn't hesitate and quickly put Sasuke, Obito, young Kakashi, adult Kakashi, and Minato to work.
Naruto, still fuming at Gatō's ruthless tactics, muttered, "How could someone as strong as Zabuza help that kind of monster?"
Kakashi: "It's said that the tyranny in Kirigakure began under the Third Mizukage. We hoped things would get better after the Fourth took power, but for some reason, the oppression only grew worse. Many ninja who couldn't stand it became Missing-nin, but Kirigakure's methods for dealing with deserters are extremely brutal..."
Minato Namikaze thought for a moment. "I've had a few dealings with Yagura Karatachi. From what I remember, he looks like a child, and his mind is rather simple. He can be a bit stubborn, but overall, he's a gentleman."
"Then why would he implement even stricter tyranny, Minato-sensei?" Obito, who loved helping the elderly, was working hard alongside Naruto.
It was likely due to his A-rank mission impersonating the Fourth Mizukage that he needed more intel on Yagura Karatachi.
Minato Namikaze shook his head. Fourteen years had passed since he was in this world, and to get more information, it was better to ask Kakashi, who was now twenty-six.
Kakashi spoke up. "For many years now, Kirigakure has enforced a policy of sealing its borders. Even when the Third Hokage sent some ANBU to investigate, only a few of them made it back, and those who did brought back little useful information."
"Then what about the intel you had on Zabuza before, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.
Kakashi: "That information came from a few renegade Kirigakure Missing-nin who managed to escape. But typically, they either got killed by us during missions, or they vanished without a trace afterward."
Vanished without a trace...
Nine times out of ten, they were silenced by that Fourth Mizukage.
Obito, carrying a stone block for the bridge, wiped the sweat from his brow at the construction site.
He looked up at the clear blue sky of the Land of Waves. "Why did that mission scroll insist I impersonate someone like that? My dream is to be Hokage—not some Fourth Mizukage!"