Realizing the vast gap in strength between himself and Karin, Ryuzetsu decisively conceded.
Karin said nothing, releasing the 'Adamantine Sealing Chains.'
Even without the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan in her eyes, her mastery of Wood Release and the Uzumaki clan's secret techniques was enough to overwhelm most Jonin.
Ryuzetsu wasn't weak. Even Jonin from the Hidden Leaf Village or other major shinobi villages, without sufficient intel, would likely falter against Karin.
After stretching his body slightly, Ryuzetsu stared at Karin with a complex expression, deep in thought.
He knew Karin's age. To defeat him so easily at such a young age meant her future potential was limitless. Moreover, Karin was indeed a shinobi of Hidden Grass Village, and according to Mizawa, the elders had deliberately sent her to the Hidden Leaf for specialized training. Thus, handing the leadership to Karin was justifiable both emotionally and legally.
"Sigh!" Letting out a soft sigh, Ryuzetsu said, "Karin, I… I'm willing to nominate you as the village's next leader."
Karin nodded lightly. "Thank you!"
Mizawa let out a long breath of relief.
When the ramen shop owner first suggested vying for the leadership, Mizawa thought he was insane. Yet, after all their maneuvers, they had actually succeeded!
Ryuzetsu proposed, "In that case, Karin, come back to the village with us!"
Karin shook her head. "I need to stay in the Hidden Leaf for now."
"What?!"
Ryuzetsu frowned.
If the village's newly elected leader didn't reside in the village, Hidden Grass would become a laughingstock in the shinobi world.
Karin explained, "There's still much I need to learn. If I return to the village now, my growth will stagnate."
"But…"
Ryuzetsu hesitated.
But upon reflection, he found Karin's words reasonable. At just ten years old, Karin was at a prime age for learning. Studying in the Hidden Leaf Village, the foremost shinobi village, was clearly better than returning to Hidden Grass.
Karin stated calmly, "So I hope you'll act as the interim leader in my place!"
Before Ryuzetsu could respond, Mizawa blurted out, "Karin, what are you saying?"
Karin glanced at Mizawa, her gaze sweeping over the Jonin Masahiko and Yoshino before settling on Ryuzetsu. In an unwavering tone, she said, "Publicly, you'll assume the role of leader and handle the village's daily affairs. I'll continue training in the Hidden Leaf, aiming for greater strength. Only this way can Hidden Grass Village survive!"
Ryuzetsu was visibly surprised and fell silent.
Karin continued, "Masahiko, Yoshino, Mizawa, from now on, you're promoted to elders and will assist Ryuzetsu in managing the village's affairs."
"Yes!"
Masahiko and Yoshino immediately agreed.
To them, whether Karin or Ryuzetsu was the leader made little difference. Securing an elder's position was enough to satisfy them.
Mizawa was reluctant, but seeing Masahiko and Yoshino nod, he grudgingly followed suit.
After weighing his options, Ryuzetsu said, "Alright. But, Karin… Leader, when will you officially return to the village?"
Karin replied, "It won't take many years."
After discussing some details, Ryuzetsu, Masahiko, and Yoshino left the cave together.
Once they were gone, Mizawa approached Karin. "Karin, Ryuzetsu is from the 'Grass Flower' faction. If you let him act as the figurehead leader for too long, I'm afraid we won't be able to control him!"
Karin shot Mizawa a cold glance. "Then who should be the leader? You?"
"This…"
Mizawa was momentarily speechless.
Karin said, "I've already elevated you to an elder. If you want to climb higher, you'll need to prove yourself with results! Investigating the 'Box of Ultimate Bliss' is the opportunity I've secured for you. Seize it, and I might consider letting you take the leadership!"
With that, Karin said no more and vanished from the spot.
Just moments ago, in front of Ryuzetsu and the others, she had assigned Mizawa the task of investigating the 'Box of Ultimate Bliss.'
After Karin left, Mizawa, now alone in the cave, wore a grim expression.
He had thought he could manipulate Karin to seize ultimate power in the village, but things had unfolded far differently than he'd expected.
Karin, this ten-year-old girl, was clearly not as easy to fool as he had imagined.
A few days later, Hidden Grass Village's conference to elect the new leader officially began.
With the combined efforts of Ryuzetsu, Masahiko, Yoshino, and Mizawa, the election conference concluded smoothly. Ryuzetsu was pushed to the forefront, officially becoming Hidden Grass Village's new leader.
The news quickly spread across the shinobi world, landing on the desks of the leaders of the major shinobi villages.
Ryuzetsu's name was now formally recognized by the major shinobi villages and the daimyo of various nations, establishing him as Hidden Grass Village's legitimate leader.
As the village's public leader, Ryuzetsu honored his promise, following Karin's instructions. He allocated a portion of the funds for rebuilding Hidden Grass Village to secretly construct a highly secure underground laboratory near the Hidden Leaf Village.
The laboratory's specifications were exceptionally high, requiring significant expenditure.
In private, Ryuzetsu met with Karin, attempting to persuade her to reduce the laboratory's budget, but Karin firmly refused.
Fund allocation was the leader's prerogative, so Ryuzetsu ultimately complied.
To ensure secrecy, the laboratory's construction—from fund transfers to equipment procurement, site selection, and building—was conducted with the highest level of confidentiality.
Each segment's overseer was responsible only for their specific task, with no overlap. Even Ryuzetsu, the public leader, didn't know the laboratory's exact location or purpose!
...
Outside the Laboratory's Underground Complex.
Uchiha Shinji surveyed the surroundings, nodding with satisfaction.
Though close to the Hidden Leaf Village, the location was in the mountains, rarely visited, making it an ideal hidden spot.
Stepping into the underground passage, Shinji soon arrived at the laboratory.
Gently running his hand over the equipment and instruments, procured at great expense from across the shinobi world by Hidden Grass Village, a look of delight crossed his face.
Compared to this, his private laboratory in the medical team was embarrassingly rudimentary.
Shinji smiled. "With this laboratory, many of my plans can proceed more smoothly and discreetly!"
This was why he had gone to such lengths to have Karin seize the leadership of Hidden Grass Village.
The financial resources of a shinobi village, even one recently ravaged like Hidden Grass, far surpassed what Shinji could muster alone.
And once Hidden Grass Village was fully operational, funds would continue to flow in steadily…