Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Seiki simply shook his head. "Sometimes, sealing isn't the solution to everything."

Mui frowned with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Seiki reasoned out loud, "Even though the guesthouse is filled with Iwagakure people, you still resorted to using a cipher to contact someone outside. Seems like your role as a spy involves multiple layers, doesn't it?"

Suddenly realizing what Seiki was up to, Mui figured out he was trying to crack the code's meaning on his own. While shocked inside, he still couldn't resist arguing back, "That doesn't prove anything, does it? Maybe the host was just away and you had no choice but to contact him through birds?"

Shaking his head slightly, Seiki replied, "I eavesdropped when I sneaked in earlier. The person in charge here goes by Heiguang—it might be an alias—but he left just over an hour ago, yet you had already arrived two hours before his departure."

Mui's lips parted slightly, but he remained silent.

Though bound by the seal and unable to voice or write down the caster's secret, even this slight reaction revealed enough.

"Which village does the second person you contacted belong to?" Seiki cocked his head thoughtfully. "I'm guessing… still Iwagakure?"

Mui's pupils constricted violently, his expression filled with astonishment.

Seeing this reaction, Seiki couldn't help but smile. "Looks like I got it right!"

Waving his arm furiously, Mui snapped, "This makes absolutely no sense! Who solves puzzles like this anyway?"

"Well," Seiki rubbed his chin, "when I cast Genjutsu on you earlier, I actually tested whether it could bypass the seal. Honestly, I didn't have high hopes at first, but the result surprised me greatly. Without considering protection for your brain, I can completely break through this seal."

Perhaps because of Seiki's previously displayed strength, Mui didn't doubt his words. He merely asked with a complex expression, "Then why didn't you do it? Whether a spy lives or dies has no impact on your side, right?"

Seiki's gaze remained calm. "Because I saw longing in your eyes—the kind of longing for a future and real change."

Mui felt his mind reel, his thoughts spiraling into confusion.

Seiki continued, "It was precisely because this seal was so rudimentary that my suspicions arose. If you aren't skilled in seals yourself, why not call upon the Sealing Team?"

Looking awkward, Mui thought: Even if the person who sealed him really wasn't skilled in sealing techniques, he was still a Jonin! How did Seiki make it sound so primitive?

Unbothered by Mui's strange look, Seiki pressed on, "That probably means he dares not contact the village's Sealing Team. Which leads me to suspect—he's likely another agent from Iwagakure, perhaps even the true leader of this entire operation!"

Mui's amazement now exceeded all bounds. Based solely on information collected within minutes, how could this person reach such conclusions?

Next to Seiki, Mui couldn't help but wonder if he was cut out to be a ninja at all.

Seiki wasn't satisfied with this analysis and continued, "Being able to lead so many ninjas on an operation suggests that person must be a Jonin deeply trusted by Iwagakure. If even someone like him has ulterior motives, ordinary temptations wouldn't work."

"Based on what I've dug up over the past few days, perhaps only the legends surrounding Hozuki Castle could stir such temptation!"

Mui couldn't help but ask, "Hold on, I've been watching your movements lately. How come I didn't notice you checking into Hozuki Castle?"

Seiki waved his hand with a smile, "Your reaction that day was too abnormal, so I became interested in gathering information. As for you, when knowing you're a spy, is it hard to deliberately avoid detection?"

Mui stared in disbelief, "You already knew I was a spy?"

Seiki corrected, "To be precise, we all knew from day one."

Guess I'm just not cut out to be a ninja... Mui lowered his head, drowning in humiliation and doubt.

"The Wish-Granting Casket that fulfills people's desires—that's probably the only thing capable of stirring forbidden thoughts within an Iwagakure Jonin! And the reason why you're willing to work for him must also be to fracture Iwagakure!"

"How observant indeed," Mui slowly raised his head, his eyes slightly frenzied. "Exactly—Iwagakure and Konoha both need to burn!"

"If that's your mentality, then this cipher isn't difficult to figure out," Seiki nodded slightly. "Although Iwagakure actively prepares for war, they wouldn't want to be the first pulled into conflict. If I were you, naturally I wouldn't let them have their wish—I'd probably hope Konoha and Iwagakure fell into battle early on, preferably allowing one of the other three villages to seize advantage and wipe them both out!"

"And what you could do is stir the desires of that tempted Iwagakure Jonin, prompting him to attack us first! Therefore, this cipher likely means something like—the more gifted the person, the stronger the power drawn from sacrificing them to the Casket!"

After finishing, Smiling faintly, Seiki looked at Mui and asked, "Master Mui, did I get it right?"

Mui silently stared at the other man, inexplicably feeling fear rising within.

Though he had previously been shocked by Seiki's strength, deep down he had still held some dismissive thoughts.

Is it just raw talent? If I had that kind of gift, I could've done the same too!

But now, he no longer entertained such thoughts at all.

"Talent, strength, temperament, intellect—terrifyingly powerful in every aspect. Does such a perfect person truly exist in this world?"

Mui couldn't help thinking further, If he belonged to Kusagakure, maybe everything really could change.

With a weary shake of his head, Mui shut his eyes tight, saying, "Since you've figured everything out already, I'm of no further use—do it already!"

Shaking his finger side-to-side, Seiki replied, "While senior cannot reveal anything about that Iwagakure Jonin, surely you can tell us about Iwagakure's other plans and the infiltrated forces within Grass Country?"

"That's true, but why exactly should I tell you?" Mui said coldly, his gaze indifferent. "Don't forget—I sincerely wish to see both Konoha and Iwagakure destroyed completely!"

"Seiki wasn't angry. He simply stared into the other's eyes. 'But have you considered what will happen if war breaks out? Grass Country will most likely become the battlefield again! You're dragging them all back into hell!' 

'No!' Mui snarled. 'Kusagakure has no future left! Only by pulling Konoha and Iwagakure down into destruction can we possibly rise anew from the ruins!' 

'You're wrong!' Seiki shook his head slowly. 'Kusagakure still has hope!' 

'Do you mean the [Wish-Granting Casket]?' Mui scoffed. '[That thing is nothing but a bottomless pit that can never be filled!]'

'I've never believed in something as intangible as wishes,' Seiki replied calmly. 'The hope I'm talking about...' He pointed at himself, 'that's me.'

Mui glared. 'You?'

Smiling, Seiki asked, 'What kind of man do you think I am?'

After a moment's silence, Mui admitted, 'I've never encountered anyone quite like you before, even from an enemy's perspective. Those arrogant men of Iwagakure aren't even worth mentioning compared to you.'

Unfazed by the compliment, Seiki continued calmly, 'Then tell me, do you think I could become Hokage—the leader of Konoha?'

A spark lit Mui's eyes momentarily before dimming again. 'Even a Hokage cannot change Iwagakure's decisions.'

'Then surpass the Hokage!' Seiki declared confidently. 'Make our voices heard by all who don't understand the meaning of peace!'

Something deep within Mui began stirring. If it was this man, perhaps he really could accomplish such a feat.

'Dreamers walk only under moonlight—and their reward, or punishment, is always seeing the dawn first!' Seiki smiled invitingly. 'So… will you stand by my side when it comes?'

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