In the Hidden Mist Village, in a secret room within the Mizukage's building, Terumi Mei stared at Utakata's unconscious and wounded body with a frown.

  Specifically for the defined abs, but not because she was a pervert, but because the seal that should have been there had disappeared.

  Terumi was beyond confused, as were all the elders in the room.

  -How is this possible? Where is the Six-Tails?- one of them shouted in shock.

  -Of course it's not with him anymore! But how is he still alive?!- another continued.

  ...

  The group argued constantly, as if their words could bring the six-tailed beast back.

  -Mizukage-sama, this... what should we do?- They finally remembered the silent Mizukage, asking in confusion.

  Mei didn't answer, looking at Utakata with a still furrowed brow. No one spoke anymore, waiting for Mei to say something.

  It was only minutes later that Mei looked away, she couldn't figure it out, so let's ask directly.

  -Wake him up.- She said, turning to one of the elders.

  The man paused for a moment, his face filled with apprehension, but he nodded and approached.

  His hand quickly sealed the knot, placing his chakra-infused finger on Utakata's head, then calmly stepping back.

  Utakata seemed to have woken from a long dream, only to come face to face with Terumi Mei and the elders.

  He recognized Mei, not as Mizukage, but as a former elite Jonin from the village.

  -Utakata, welcome back.- Mei said, without any real joy.

  Utakata sighed, shifting his body slightly. He saw that he was completely bound and his chakra sealed. He could only sigh wearily before slowly adjusting himself to get a little more comfortable.

  -So I got caught, now what?- he asked, seemingly unconcerned.

  -Where is the six-tails?- Mei went straight to the point.

  Utakata gave a soft, slightly mocking chuckle, but whether the mockery was directed at them or at Utakata himself, even he couldn't tell.

  -it was taken.- Utakata replied simply.

  One of the elders, filled with rage, shouted. -Idiot! We can see that! But who took it?!

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  -Otogakure.- Utakata replied simply. He saw no reason to lie, even if he lied now, they could still extract the information from his head, it would just take time and effort, he probably wouldn't end up well, so he went straight to the point.

  The group seemed shocked, incredulous and confused, then they began to discuss again in hushed voices.

  Mei, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes as she sensed things had become more complicated.

  A year ago, Otogakure could have been described as just a small village that could be destroyed at will.

  After Orochimaru became involved, most would prefer not to get involved, after all, Orochimaru is infamous throughout the world as an insidious snake, it was better to keep the snake in its hole than to let it roam freely.

  Finally, Jugo, who took Otogakure to a new level.

  Months were enough to see the changes: stronger ninjas, more focused, several Rank S characters as subordinates and Jugo himself was said to have Wood Release.

  When other villages encountered the Sound ninjas in combat, they rarely gained the upper hand and could even die. The number of ninjas in Otogakure was already sufficient to make it a large village, the only real difference was the territory and the title.

  But Otogakure didn't expand or seek fame, they grew slowly in the shadows.

  Their alliance with the Sand Village was firm, so in the end, Otogakure was left in peace, but for how long?

  Could figures like the Third Tsuchikage or the Fourth Raikage stand idly by for long while watching such a prosperous village progress?

  Mei thought not, the Fourth Shinobi World War might be on the horizon, but Mei was too busy dealing with the aftermath of the Blood Mist, she didn't want to concern herself with the outside world.

  Unfortunately, it seems that this time she will be unlucky.

  -Be more direct.- Mei said to Utakata, her irritation growing.

  Utakata sighed, then spoke lightly about what had happened.

  In the months that passed after he lost the six-tails, his mind, clouded by rage, seemed to find an outlet.

  He thought a lot about his master, about the things he had left behind, he felt that what his master wanted to do was not kill him, but help him get rid of the six tails.

  The thought was formed and the anger dissipated.

  Thus, Utakata no longer felt anger, but was more melancholic, after all, his master had died trying to help him.

  Utakata was no longer bound by hatred, he felt connected to Kirigakure once more.

  -It's just that...- He thought of the irritated red-haired woman, but he quickly shook his head, after all, they were different positions. Just as Tayuya chose to hand him over to have the six tails removed, he would still choose his village.

  After hearing everything, Terumi Mei was both irritated and exasperated, she thought she had recovered an ace up her sleeve, but in reality, she had only managed to create more problems.

  The elders behind her were already arguing again, completely enraged and most were ready for war.

  -War...- Mei let out softly, confused and irritated. She didn't want this, but perhaps there was no other choice.

  Kirigakure is not purely about her voice, besides, the village's weakness was evident, both physically and spiritually.

  Perhaps they weren't much better off than Sunagakure right now, but luckily their living environment was better and the geography was also in their favor, after all, the Land of Water was disconnected from the continent, only accessible by water.

  Shaking her head, she turned to the elders and said. -Let's try negotiating first.

  The group was clearly unhappy, negotiating? With a small village?

  Most of them were a bunch of old men still clinging to past glory days, and besides, Otogakure was just a small village, only about ten years old. What right did they have to steal their tailed beast?

  Thus, their deception was flawed from the start, only a few could see the problem. Otogakure is not easy to deal with.

  Mei hopes she can reach an agreement with the leader of Otogakure, Jugo, otherwise...