Terumi Mei's face flushed bright red. She wished she could find a hole and crawl into it—what she'd just done was completely unbecoming of a Mizukage.
"Ahem… ahem…"
Yuto cleared his throat lightly, pulling everyone's attention away from Terumi Mei. He continued, "The reason I'm saying all this isn't to blame anyone. I just want everyone to understand the Hidden Mist's current situation. I don't want to see anyone tripping each other up."
As he spoke, Yuto turned his gaze toward the still-unconscious Utakata at his feet.
Everyone present instantly understood—Lord Yuto was clearly displeased about the Six-Tails Jinchūriki's defection.
Yet amid the stiff atmosphere, two people silently breathed a sigh of relief. From Yuto's words and expression, they realized he didn't plan on holding them personally responsible—at least not yet.
Seeing how the mood tensed up again because of his words, Yuto chuckled. "That's enough serious talk for today. I'll leave the rest to the Mizukage. After all, this is her domain."
With that, Yuto pushed the scroll he hadn't opened back toward Terumi Mei.
Though he hadn't read its contents, he could easily guess it was likely just some official decree.
Terumi Mei was momentarily stunned when she saw Yuto put the scroll back. Of course, she understood he was deliberately leaving it to her so as not to undermine her authority.
A sly smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Looks like Lord Yuto underestimates me. She hadn't risen to the position of Mizukage just because of raw strength—she'd long learned how to maneuver and plan.
Especially since this matter also had Elder Gen's backing.
Glancing discreetly at Elder Gen, Terumi Mei's eyes glimmered with a trace of playful anticipation. When he sees what I'm about to do next… even Lord Yuto will be surprised.
She could already imagine his startled face—and the thought made her heart beat faster with a small, inexplicable thrill.
"Cough, cough… cough!"
Just then, Elder Gen, who'd been sitting half-dozing with his eyes closed, suddenly let out a series of hoarse coughs, drawing everyone's attention.
A middle-aged man beside him—his trusted aide—instantly put on an expression of deep grief, his tone heavy with forced emotion as he turned to address the room:
"Elder Gen's health has been worsening by the day. If this continues, I'm afraid…"
His voice trailed off dramatically.
The more perceptive shinobi in the hall immediately sensed something odd.
Yuto, seated nearby, raised a brow and shot the man a sidelong glance. He recalled from Terumi Mei's dossier that this man's name was Kanbei, Elder Gen's loyal confidant.
What puzzled Yuto was how Kanbei seemed to be saying this for his benefit.
"Cough… yes, I'm old now… my body can't keep up anymore…"
Elder Gen played along with a sigh, nodding as if lamenting his own decline.
BANG!
With a light thud, Kanbei suddenly stood up—everyone except Terumi Mei looked utterly baffled.
"Mizukage-sama," Kanbei said solemnly, "you know my master's health best. I hope you will make a prompt decision for the village's future."
He sat back down, eyes filled with dramatic concern, as if Elder Gen were about to join the previous Mizukage in the Pure Land at any moment.
Yuto nearly choked on his own breath at the sight. This acting… it's ridiculous!
Sure, Elder Gen was old, but Yuto could see perfectly well from his life force alone that this wily fox had another three or four years in him, no problem.
A faint sigh slipped from Terumi Mei's lips. She straightened her back, looking at Elder Gen with a respectful yet determined gaze.
"Back when you first took up this duty, you helped our Hidden Mist through countless trials," she began sincerely. "But now, with your health in mind, you should retire with the honor you deserve. Let others shoulder this burden."
Everyone present realized in an instant—something big was about to change in the Hidden Mist Village.
"From today onward, Elder Gen will step down from his position," Terumi Mei announced steadily. "At the same time, Elder Gen has recommended Lord Yuto as our new Elder. This scroll contains his letter of recommendation, along with my own official signature."
She unrolled the scroll as she spoke, displaying the crisp ink at the bottom—two names: Elder Gen and Terumi Mei.
In the nomination section, one name stood out unmistakably: Yuto.
Shock spread across the room like ripples in water.
Even Yuto couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment. So that's what this scroll was?
He couldn't help but let out a helpless laugh. He'd worried his return might weaken Terumi Mei's standing as Mizukage—but clearly, that was unnecessary.
Not only had this sharp little fox found a way to use his presence to stabilize her power base, but now, by appointing him as Elder, she'd officially anchored him within the village's leadership structure.
In a way… he'd just become her subordinate!
Across the table, Kinoshita Jirō and Tsuchida Masamitsu both looked ashen.
This was a bombshell. Elder Gen had done this behind their backs—without so much as a hint!
Both men thought the same thing: We've been abandoned.
A flicker of ruthless calculation flashed in Tsuchida Masamitsu's eyes. As a council member, he technically had the right to object.
But before he could open his mouth, Elder Gen let out a mild cough, then rose unhurriedly to his feet.
He turned to Yuto and Terumi Mei, nodding lightly before addressing the room with a calm, steady voice:
"The position of Elder is unlike any other. Anyone who holds it must have unmatched status, seniority, and unwavering loyalty to the Hidden Mist. Right now, there is no one more fitting than Lord Yuto."
With those words, even Tsuchida Masamitsu's intended protest died on his lips.
Status? Lord Yuto was the First Mizukage. No one outranked him.
Seniority? He was older than even Elder Gen himself.
Loyalty? The Hidden Mist's very existence was because of Yuto.
There was no grounds for dissent.
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