As Elder Gen's words fell, the once noisy meeting hall fell silent once more.
Everyone present cast complicated glances at both Elder Gen and Terumi Mei.
With their insight, how could they not see that behind Yuto's appointment as Elder, the decision wasn't just Elder Gen's idea—Terumi Mei also had the nerve and boldness to push it through.
That alone made many quietly reevaluate her in their hearts.
"Lord Yuto, regarding your appointment as Elder… do you have any concerns?"
Terumi Mei turned to Yuto, her expression calm, but a flicker of nervousness glimmered beneath it.
She hadn't been anxious before announcing this, but now, she couldn't help but worry a little.
Yuto rolled his eyes at her. Now you're asking if I have any issues? You could've asked before you announced it.
But in truth, this move didn't hurt him at all. On the contrary, it resolved the awkwardness of his current status—officially binding his influence to the village.
Without this position, he could still wield the Hidden Mist's power, but it would seem like he was overstepping.
As an Elder, however, he could openly mobilize resources—and no one would dare question it. That was the Elder's right by definition.
Yuto looked at Elder Gen and inwardly chuckled. Not bad, old fox. This not only helps me, but also cements Terumi Mei's standing—smart.
Seeing Terumi Mei waiting nervously for his answer, Yuto's lips curled into a faint smile. "No problem, Mizukage-sama."
The use of that honorific made Terumi Mei's tense shoulders relax ever so slightly—though a faint flush of embarrassment crept up her neck.
Behind her, Elder Gen, who had been quietly observing, let out a nearly imperceptible breath of relief. Truthfully, he hadn't been entirely sure if Yuto would accept.
But judging from the outcome, things had gone far smoother than expected.
"Before Lord Yuto officially assumes the role," Elder Gen spoke up again, "allow this old man to issue one last order—and Mizukage-sama, I'll need your help with it."
Terumi Mei didn't respond verbally, only gave him a small, crisp nod.
"From this moment," Elder Gen announced coldly, "ANBU Vice-Captain Tsuchida Masamitsu and the Kinoshita Clan Head Kinoshita Jirō are hereby judged as rogues.
For allowing the Six-Tails Jinchūriki Utakata to defect—resulting in the deaths of two Chūnin—and for their hidden collusion with outside forces, they shall be executed as traitors. Mizukage-sama, carry out the sentence."
What?! Impossible!
Tsuchida Masamitsu stood frozen in place, eyes wide with disbelief. Then, fury contorted his face as he roared, "Elder Gen! How could you?! You'd kill me with just a word?!"
Kinoshita Jirō also shot to his feet, voice shaking with rage. "I am a clan head! You dare brand me a traitor?! Do you think the Kinoshita Clan will sit by and let you do this?!"
"Hmph—shut your mouth!"
Terumi Mei's icy snort cut through the air as she stepped forward.
Her chakra flared—like a flash flood bursting through a dam—instantly closing the distance between her and Tsuchida Masamitsu.
His face went pale. He hadn't expected her to move so decisively, without even a word of negotiation.
With trembling hands, he yanked out a kunai and flung it toward her before retreating in a panic.
Hands blurred in a rapid series of seals. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A massive barrier of earth surged up before him. He wasn't trying to stop her attack—only to buy a precious second to flee.
But just as he prepared to bolt, a faint, mocking whisper rose on the mist.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique."
A wave of thick, white mist burst out, instantly engulfing the earth wall—and within seconds, the stone crumbled like rotting wood, dissolving into sludge that sizzled and hissed.
Tsuchida Masamitsu barely had time to scream. His figure, swallowed by the mist, melted to the bone—then to nothing at all.
In the blink of an eye, the powerful ANBU Vice-Captain had vanished from existence.
Yuto watched silently, a faint chill running down his spine. Terumi Mei's Lava Release and Boil Release—these are nothing to laugh at. They can eat through even Susano'o armor if she wants.
On the other side of the table, Kinoshita Jirō turned and bolted at once, face drained of color.
But the moment he saw the figure blocking his path, despair washed over him.
Standing there—arms folded—was Yuto.
Trying to run from him? Impossible.
Terumi Mei stepped forward too, but Yuto casually raised a hand to stop her.
"By the way," Yuto asked, almost conversationally, "is everyone in the Kinoshita Clan blond like you?"
The absurd question made Jirō's jaw twitch—but seeing that he was still alive, he stammered out an answer through his fear.
A small mercy: if Lord Yuto was asking questions, it meant he might not die immediately.
"Oh? All golden hair, huh…" Yuto chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if a bad idea had just occurred to him.
Before Jirō could blink, Yuto's figure flickered—appearing behind him in a heartbeat.
The clan head's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious to the floor.
"Take him to the prison," Yuto ordered flatly. "Keep him under heavy guard. And have someone monitor the entire Kinoshita Clan. Any suspicious move—kill on sight."
His voice echoed off the silent walls.
The corner of the meeting hall shifted slightly as two masked ANBU stepped out from the shadows.
They bowed deeply to Yuto, lifted the limp Jirō, and vanished like ghosts.
Yuto returned to his seat in the same instant.
Only then did the other council members fully grasp what had just happened—many sat frozen in their chairs, faces pale, sweat trickling down their backs.
Just moments ago, two high-ranking elites had been sitting beside them—one now a pile of vapor, the other dragged off in chains.
The message couldn't have been clearer: Rogue nin—execute without mercy.
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