Hearing Shuimu's question, Yan Liu smiled strangely.

"In fact, I don't know the consequences of my actions. It doesn't matter what conspiracy someone is plotting. But don't you think this is a good opportunity? Look, I found the target of revenge so easily. Whether it is the guidance of fate or someone deliberately arranged it, it has nothing to do with me. As long as I can kill those two people, it will be fine."

The unexpected answer made Shuimu frown.

"Can you tell me more about it?"

"This is not a secret, so there's no harm in talking about it. From the beginning, I knew someone wanted to use me, but it's still unclear who will use whom in the end!"

Yan Liu, who was a little tired, took a breath and then continued.

"A week ago, two of my subordinates suddenly showed me some very special intelligence and tried their best to encourage me to do something. I was very surprised. Maybe they were controlled by someone, or they were spies. Originally, I just wanted to watch the show and see what they wanted to do, but the result was unexpected..."

"So you just go with the flow and come to assassinate the envoy of the Hidden Rock Village with this attitude?"

"That's right. I have carefully considered the matter. Their target is not the Hidden Mist Village, and I, except for a sword, have nothing to covet. I am just a pawn that plays a role in threading the needle. I am insignificant at all. As long as I can kill a few ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village, it doesn't matter if I am used."

"You really sound like the Mist Ninja is supreme. It seems that the people from other villages, including allies, are insignificant as well?"

"Anyway, everything has been planned. I don't know what their purpose is! Oh, by the way, since you've shown up, are you the one they want to deal with?"

Shuimu had guessed without Yan Liu's explanation that this guy was just a bait thrown out. The assassination, intelligence, and winning over were all for the purpose of catching the big fish Shuimu.

"I'm confused. Just because of a momentary anger and impulse, you take such a big risk to do such a thing. Don't you think it's not worth it?"

"Not worth it?" Yan Liu sneered and replied, "It is worth it. The bait will not be dangerous before it catches a fish. Unfortunately, I was still a step late and you found it first."

As he spoke, he seemed to recall some past events.

"Actually, killing the ninjas from the Hidden Rock Village is only the first goal. I have other ambitions."

"What?"

"I want to see who is behind this. It's called Akatsuki, right? A powerful organization that even Hoshigaki Kisame is a member of. I want to see who they are trying to deal with after all the trouble they've put in. Maybe I can do something about it. I'm confident in my swordsmanship."

In response to these slightly arrogant words, Shuimu shook his head and said, "It's still a little weak."

He was defeated without even being able to force Mizuki to use his Sage Mode. Even though it was the result of an ambush by Mizuki hiding in the dark, losing is still losing. Yan Liu's weakness is too obvious. His close combat is powerful, but he can be easily dragged to death by kite flying.

Of course, if the ninja is really chased and attacked at close range, a ninja like Deidara who is good at long-range explosions will be chopped into pieces within a few rounds.

"Weak? That's really a pity. A few years ago, I was powerless. A few years later, I still can't do anything. I can only watch others fight to death."

"It sounds like a good story. I still have time. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Although it is a shame for our Kirigakure, I guess you in Konoha already know about it."

Yan Liu smiled self-deprecatingly.

"Yakura, our Fourth Mizukage, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, is the one with the highest hopes in the whole village. He is the most reassuring Mizukage in history! He is young, powerful, and can perfectly control the power of the tailed beasts. He is also an optimistic, cheerful and loving person. Everything about him is perfect. Everyone regards him as the hope to end the closure and bloody rule of the Hidden Mist Village. But suddenly one day, everything changed. Can you imagine the despair that the contrast between the Son of Hope and the Demon Lord of Dread brought to the village? How prestigious is the reputation of the Blood Mist Village..."

Yan said with an infinitely mocking smile, "Do you think we want to? The Mist Ninja struggling in the vortex of blood and slaughter can't extricate themselves. Once the killing starts, it is difficult to stop. As long as you stop the dancing sword, you will be regarded as weak and powerless and targeted. With curses and abuses all over his body, Yagura led the Hidden Mist Village to gradually sink. Until that day, we found out that the mastermind behind the scenes had actually controlled Yagura and our Mizukage. Do you know the horror and shame that kind of feeling?"

"Well, although it's not that serious, I can still understand it a little bit!"

The Third Hokage was killed by a traitor in public. This was the first time in the history of the ninja world that such a thing happened. Konoha seemed to have brought great shame upon itself.

"So, even though the hope is slim, I also want to see. The one who is targeted like this should be a master that they are afraid of. Besides venting their anger on the Iwagakure Village, they might also do something to make the Akatsuki organization unhappy."

"You seem to overestimate your strength."

To seek trouble with the Akatsuki organization alone, should we say that he is ignorant and fearless, or he is too arrogant. He is not a good target for seeking the skin of a tiger.

Mizuki had guessed something about this guy's actions. He wanted to test Mizuki's strength as soon as they met to see if it was worth it for him to take the risk or if he should kill the messenger from the Hidden Rock Village and stay away.

But unfortunately, after the test, Shuimu didn't want to play with him anymore.

"Just stay here and wait for your compatriots to come and take you back to the Hidden Mist Village. I have something else to do, so I won't accompany you any longer."

As they spoke, they formed seals and released their shadow clones.

…

Shuimu didn't want to stay on the forest path for a moment. Since he knew that the enemy's target was him, he had forgotten all about the mission.

"After the Samsara Eye was exposed, another coveterian came to the door!"

They went through such a long detour just to lure Shuimu into the ambush circle here. It was so far away from Konoha Village that by the time they knew the details, it would be too late for rescue. Among the strong men nearby, only Yan Liu could be considered a helper, but that was all. So it would be better to escape. Anyway, the others were not targets and should not be in any danger.

Everything had been going smoothly so long that Mizuki had forgotten that the test from the "Akatsuki" that didn't catch the tailed beasts, or more precisely, from Uchiha Obito and Zetsu, was about to begin.