Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

The genjutsu had not only shown him the massacre of his loved ones but made him relive it in an unending loop. Every shadow in the corners of his mind morphed into the accusing faces of his wife, children, and loyal servants, their whispers a haunting chorus: "You failed us." Even in waking moments, the daimyo's eyes held the distant glaze of someone staring into a private abyss.

Kaito had left the daimyo alive, but only barely. His body functioned, his voice obeyed, yet his will had been shattered beyond repair. To the untrained eye, he appeared to be mourning a tragedy too great to bear. But to Kaito and the Mist Village's elite, he was a puppet, perfectly conditioned to follow every order.

Terumi Mei, disguised among the shinobi in black, led a small contingent of loyal guards to check on the daimyo's condition periodically. They moved like shadows through the estate, their steps silent and precise. The guards stationed at the mansion's perimeters had been carefully replaced with Mist shinobi, loyal only to Kaito and the village's cause.

During one such visit, Mei entered the daimyo's private chambers under the guise of a trusted servant. Her cold gaze swept over the dimly lit room. The daimyo sat at a low table, staring blankly at untouched food. His lips trembled, forming words no one could hear. Mei watched for a long moment before stepping forward and addressing him softly.

"Lord Daimyo," she said with a bow. "Do you remember your duties?"

The daimyo turned his sunken eyes toward her, his once-bright lustre extinguished. Slowly, he nodded.

"Good," Mei murmured, though her voice carried no warmth. She stepped closer, her kunoichi instincts on high alert. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she spoke with an edge of warning. "You understand what will happen if your loyalty falters?"

The daimyo shuddered, his head bobbing in frantic agreement. He did not need to be reminded of what Kaito could do—his nightmares ensured that.

***

The matter had been resolved. The leading man in black stepped out of the daimyo's chamber, his figure cloaked in shadow, followed closely by his subordinates. Blood still lingered in the air, a silent witness to the grim events of the night.

The man reached up to remove his mask, revealing the sharp features of Terumi Mei. Her piercing eyes scanned the surroundings before she turned to the remaining operatives. "I'm heading back to the Hidden Mist Village to report to Mizukage Sama ." Her voice was steady, but the weight of the night's actions was clear in her tone.

"The daimyo's security is your responsibility now," she continued.

Another figure stepped forward, removing his own mask to reveal Kaito's loyal lieutenant, a shinobi whose Sharingan still glowed faintly in the dim light. He nodded with calm assurance. "You need not worry. The daimyo is firmly under my control." His Sharingan had ensured that the daimyo's mind was locked in a cage of Kaito's making, his will irreparably shattered.

Satisfied, Terumi Mei gave a final nod and signaled to her team. With fluid grace, she and her group disappeared into the night, heading back to the Hidden Mist Village. The others, nearly forty shinobi loyal to Kaito's cause, remained behind, blending into the shadows as they assumed their positions.

By dawn, the Land of Water issued a proclamation. The daimyo's official statement declared that the mansion had been attacked by a mysterious group of rogue ninjas. While the guards had valiantly repelled the invaders, it was with great sorrow that the nation learned of Lady Daimyo's tragic demise during the battle. The statement ended with a promise: the culprits would be hunted down, and justice would be served, no matter the cost.

However, the truth of that night remained hidden. The daimyo's mind was no longer his own, his every thought shaped by the dark genjutsu placed upon him. Any attempt to resist or deviate from Kaito's commands would be met with an overwhelming mental onslaught, dragging him back into the abyss that Kaito's Sharingan had created.

As Terumi Mei approached the gates of the Hidden Mist Village, the first rays of sunlight bathed the fog-shrouded streets. She wasted no time, heading straight for the Mizukage's office. Kaito was waiting for her, seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustle of papers and the distant hum of village activity.

Kneeling before him, Terumi Mei delivered her report:

"He's compliant, but fragile. I've stationed loyal shinobi to watch for any signs of interference."

Kaito's eyes, still faintly reflecting the crimson of his Sharingan, narrowed thoughtfully. "Good. But do not underestimate the power of desperation. Even a broken man can lash out when cornered. Ensure the daimyo's condition is maintained—if the illusion weakens, I will personally intervene."

Kaito's crimson eyes regarded her intently. "And the people?"

"The official narrative has been accepted. There's no indication of unrest, and the citizens remain unaware of the full extent of the changes. For now, the Land of Water is stable."

Kaito leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Good. You've done well, Terumi Mei. And the mansion?"

"The construction team reported that your residence will be completed within three days," she added.

"Perfect." Kaito's gaze shifted to the window, where the mist rolled thick over the village. "The pieces are falling into place. Soon, the Hidden Mist Village will not just recover its strength—it will surpass every other village in the ninja world."

Terumi Mei allowed herself a brief moment of relief. The tension from the mission, the weight of Kaito's expectations—it all seemed to ease under his praise. But just as quickly, Kaito's voice pulled her back to focus.

"Your next assignment," he began, his tone sharp, "will require the same level of precision and loyalty. The council within the Hidden Mist Village must also be brought fully under my influence. Any dissent, no matter how small, must be extinguished."

Terumi Mei straightened, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Understood, Mizukage-sama. I won't fail."

Kaito nodded, a rare flicker of approval crossing his features. "See that you don't."

As Terumi Mei exited the office, the village outside bustled with cautious optimism. Whispers of Kaito's impending rise to power filled the streets, but for many, his name already inspired both awe and fear. The shinobi of the Hidden Mist had witnessed his power firsthand, and they understood one thing clearly: with Kaito as Mizukage, the Hidden Mist Village was on the brink of an era unlike any other—for better or for worse.