Ninja World: I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am no longer human!

I felt as if I were standing on the edge of a bottomless cliff. One step forward, and I would either transform into an eagle soaring into the sky, or I would fall into an abyss, never to return.

He spoke slowly, appearing clear-headed and calm, not losing himself despite his immense power.

It should be said that Kisame, as a self-proclaimed villain, was cautious from beginning to end. The better the situation, the more careful and cautious he became.

After all, the main villains are usually overconfident and about to reap the rewards of their victory when the protagonists stage a dramatic comeback and end up losing miserably.

Therefore, Kisame decided that instead of worrying about the impending crisis and unforeseen changes, he should take the initiative. He wanted to stage a scene in front of the entire ninja world where the villain was defeated.

"you……"

After listening to Kisame's long speech, Tsunade was stunned and speechless for a long time.

Just as she was stunned, the enormous head of the Kun slowly sank into the sea, and Kisame walked over, patted Tsunade on the shoulder, and said:

"I'm leaving now. For the next year, my true form will enter a deep sleep and will not be able to wake up. So, I'm entrusting the village to you. Please protect the Yuki-onna and the children for me. I beg you. In return, whatever you want, I will give it to you the day I return."

As soon as he finished speaking, he brushed past Tsunade and walked out of the Shikkotsu Forest.

"Oh, right."

As Kisame was about to leave, he remembered something and turned to add, "After I leave, spread Gamamaru's prophecy far and wide. It would be best if the entire ninja world knew about it. After all, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy will be the key to my faking death."

After saying that, he smiled, and then with a "pop," he turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, so everything was planned by you? You really are... a terrifying man."

Tsunade gazed in the direction Kisame had disappeared and muttered to herself.

She truly hadn't expected that Kisame would be able to use the Great Toad Sage's death prophecy to meticulously plan a fake death, deceiving everyone in the ninja world.

In this way, Gamamaru actually did Kisame a big favor.

After leaving Shikkotsu Forest, Kisame returned to Kirigakure first.

This shadow clone of his had actually been meticulously prepared for a long time. It not only possessed nearly half the chakra of his original body, but was also made from the flesh and blood of a Kun, making it even more realistic.

He was no different from an ordinary person; even Nagato's Rinnegan couldn't detect anything amiss.

Of course, Kisame also paid a heavy price to create this shadow clone.

As he told Tsunade, his true form, Kun, had consumed too much energy and would fall into a deep sleep, with the date of his awakening to be delayed to some extent.

"Lord Mizukage."

At this moment, Yekura hurriedly appeared and reported to Kisame about the unusual behavior of the Snake Princess, also mentioning that it was Tsunade who reminded her to keep a close eye on the Snake Princess.

"Oh? Where is she now?"

Kisame was slightly surprised, but not at all unexpected. Orochimaru was inherently disloyal, and besides, he, like Tsunade, knew about Kisame's death prophecy.

Therefore, it would be abnormal for Orochimaru not to be eager to make a move when he learned that Kisame was going to the Five Kage Summit.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I've led people to search the entire village, but we haven't seen any trace of the Snake Princess."

Yecang lowered her head, her face full of self-reproach, and speculated, "It seems that what Lady Tsunade said is true. The Snake Princess was plotting something, and after Tsunade exposed her, she fled the village and went into hiding."

"It's not your fault, don't blame yourself."

Kisame patted Yekura on the shoulder to comfort her and chuckled, "The reason the Snake Princess is hiding is probably because she's afraid I'll make her my bodyguard. Being my bodyguard on this trip will be extremely dangerous, and she might not even return alive."

"I am willing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Cang volunteered, his expression resolute.

Although she didn't quite approve of Kisame attending the Five Kage Summit, since he had already made the decision, all she could do was to help him to the best of her ability.

Loyalty, selflessness, and dedication—that's the essence of the ninja, Yekura.

You can't go.

To Yekura's disappointment, Kisame immediately shook his head and rejected her self-recommendation.

He's going to his death this time. If Yekura goes with him and dies in the Land of Iron, it might make his fake death plan seem more realistic, but Kisame won't do that.

He wants to be a villain who is loyal and devoted to his friends and subordinates.

“However, I have another, even more important task for you,” Kisame said suddenly, noticing Yekura’s dim eyes and low spirits.

"Please give the order, sir!"

Ye Cang snapped out of his daze, knelt on one knee, and prepared to accept the order.

That evening.

"Is everyone here?"

In a secluded room, Kisame turned around and looked at the four people in front of him. They were Yoruichiro, Hozuki Mangetsu, Ringo Ameyuri, and Terumi Mei.

"The four of you will form a team to carry out a top-secret mission, with Phoenix as the team leader. Do the other three have any objections?"

Kisame's gaze swept over the four of them, and he said in a deep voice, "Phoenix is ​​Ye Cang's code name in the Anbu."

"No."

The three people besides Yekura answered in unison. At the same time, they were also wondering what kind of top-secret mission would make the Mizukage take it so seriously.

"Your mission is to infiltrate Amegakure and seize the four Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts!"

Kisame succinctly revealed this shocking and unexpected plan.

He figured Nagato should have already left Amegakure by now. Once Nagato left Amegakure, the remaining Akatsuki members and Amegakure ninja wouldn't be able to stop Pakura and her group.

If they can find the Jinchuriki who were captured by Nagato and brought back to Amegakure, then Kirigakure can officially gather all nine Tailed Beasts.

Kisame's "Nine Pillars" plan was thus completed.

"What's wrong? Nobody's talking. Are you lacking confidence?" Kisame asked with a smile when he saw that Yekura and the other three looked shocked.

"Your subordinates will swear to complete this mission, even at the cost of your lives!"

Yecang snapped out of his daze and responded firmly.

"This is so exciting! I'm already getting excited. Boss, just wait for my good news." Hozuki Mangetsu rubbed his hands together, eager to show off his skills.

Yuri and Mei Terumi exchanged a glance, seeing the excitement in each other's eyes, eager to try.

"Very good, it seems your fighting spirit is high. In that case, let's set off immediately under the cover of night."

Kisame nodded in satisfaction, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and gave the order.

"Yes!"

The four agreed in unison, then left the secret room. After disguising themselves, they quietly left Kirigakure under the cover of darkness.

The next day, accompanied by Tsunade, Yuki-onna, and a group of Kirigakure ninjas and villagers, Kisame set off alone for the Land of Iron without any guards.

The show is about to begin.

225. Arrival at the venue

The Land of Iron is not far from Kirigakure; it lies on a peninsula in the north, just across the sea to the west.

A hundred meters in the air, Kisame, dressed in a dark blue suit and carrying the broad, heavy Samehada on his back, had a pair of black wings unfurled behind him, propelling him at breakneck speed. He arrived in the Land of Iron within a single day.

Early winter in November.

While other parts of the ninja world were just entering winter, experiencing only a drop in temperature and a bit of cold, the Land of Iron was already blanketed in heavy snow and biting winds.

Looking around, all that could be seen was a vast expanse of white.

In fact, just like the Land of Rain, which is rainy all year round, the Land of Iron is a country that is perpetually snowy and extremely cold. Long before winter arrives, it is covered in snow.

After Kisame entered the Land of Iron, he landed on the ground and intentionally slowed down.

There were only three days left until the deadline for the Five Shadows Conference, but if all the people from each village arrived, the meeting would start and end earlier.

It will take Yekura's team exactly three days to reach Amegakure.

Under Kisame's orders, they will launch an operation in Amegakure while the Five Kage Summit is being held, to find the four Jinchuriki.

Therefore, in order to buy time for Yekura and the others, Kisame strolled leisurely and slowly toward the venue.

three days later.

Crunch. Crunch.

Kisame walked through the pine forest covered in snow, leaving a trail of deep footprints in the snow. After emerging from one grove of trees, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

Not far away, three large mountains appeared, like three wolf heads raised and roaring at the sky, standing silently in the wind and snow.

That's Mount Sanrou, the main base of the Land of Iron.

For hundreds of years, the Land of Iron has stood in the ninja world with its unique status as the "only neutral country." It possesses its own independent culture, independent authority, and considerable military strength.

Long ago, ninjas from various countries made a pact: no matter what wars or conflicts occurred, they would not attack the Land of Iron, because this country did not have a single ninja, but was protected by a fighting group called samurai.

Before the rise of ninjas during the Warring States period, samurai were the most prestigious group of people, employed and trusted by the daimyo of various states.

Although samurai were eventually replaced by ninjas and faded from the stage of history, this does not mean that they were a group of pushovers who could be bullied at will.

The last samurai gathered together and came to the Land of Iron. Weary of war, they established a peaceful and tranquil nation there.

The number of samurai in the Land of Iron currently exceeds several thousand, comparable to the number of ninjas in any major ninja village, making them a force to be reckoned with.

It was precisely because of its powerful manpower, its declared neutrality, and its icy, resource-scarce natural environment that all countries had no interest in attacking the Iron Country.

Therefore, the Land of Iron was able to maintain its neutrality from beginning to end, safely avoiding one Shinobi World War after another, and standing firm.

Kisame walked through the snow and arrived at the outer entrance of Sanrou Mountain.

The place is heavily guarded, with burly warriors patrolling and standing guard everywhere; not even a fly could get in. Of course, in this freezing weather, there are no flies either.

Kisame noticed that the samurai of the Land of Iron wore standard silver layered armor, metal masks or helmets, and each of them carried more than two katana at their waist.

Although they were not ninjas, they had learned how ninjas used chakra, and were skilled at concentrating chakra into their katana, combining it with sharp swordsmanship to defeat their enemies.

It is a fighting style similar to ninjutsu.

"stop!"

A sharp shout rang out, and two samurai placed their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists, approaching the stranger, Kisame.

Kisame remained calm, took out his blue Mizukage hat and put it on his head, then instructed the two, "I am Kisame Hoshigaki, the Fifth Mizukage, and I have come to participate in the Five Kage Summit. Please lead the way."