At this moment, among the people present, the one who likely felt it the most deeply was the head of the Hozuki Clan.
Kinoshita Yoshiro, who had just been pressuring him, was so easily taken away by the Anbu, without even a sliver of room to resist.
While the people present were shocked, they quickly analyzed the current situation.
Masamitsu was one thing; at most, he held the position of Anbu deputy captain. Although this position was important, there were quite a few people who could replace him.
The real issue lay with Kinoshita Yoshiro. Compared to the strength of an entire clan, Kinoshita Yoshiro's personal power was the least significant.
Even with Elder Yuanshi's methods, handling this matter would likely be quite tricky.
However, precisely because of this, everyone present understood Elder Yuanshi's attitude and determination even more clearly!
On the surface, this matter had two benefits.
One was to hold someone accountable for the Six-Tailed Jinchuriki's defection. After all, two Chunin had died and the Village had suffered losses. Someone needed to be responsible for this, and that person absolutely could not be the Six-Tailed Jinchuriki.
The very existence of a Jinchuriki was a point where the Village's conflicts were quite severe. If this matter were pushed onto the Jinchuriki again, it might have the opposite effect.
The second matter was paving the way for Mei Terumī.
Although Mei Terumī was the Village's Mizukage, a considerable number of people in the Village were not convinced, as other previous Mizukage had achieved great military successes during wartime, while Mei Terumī clearly lacked experience in this area.
However, Elder Yuanshi's presence made the hidden dissatisfaction disappear without a trace. On the surface, Elder Yuanshi's power was a check on Mei Terumī, but this was also a form of balance, with the benefits far outweighing the drawbacks!
If they thought it was only this, then they didn't understand Elder Yuanshi at all. Most of the people present, who could reach this position, were not fools.
After a moment of careful thought, everyone present understood that Elder Yuanshi's true goal was Lord Yūto!
The next moment, a layer of cold sweat appeared on everyone's foreheads.
At this time, everyone realized something: the Kirigakure was no longer the Kirigakure of the past.
The bonds that existed during Lord Yūto's time had long since disappeared with the passage of time.
Even the Minazuki Clan and the Kaguya Clan, which could have been passed down, were annihilated due to the Fourth Mizukage's policies.
As for the surviving Hozuki Clan, this clan's existence had always been relatively neutral. During the reign of previous Mizukage, this clan was like a transparent entity.
Of course, this was also one of the important reasons why this clan could survive until now.
In this era, there was no one or anything that Lord Yūto cared about anymore!
"Cough, cough, I'm old, and my energy isn't as abundant."
Elder Yuanshi coughed lightly a few times, reaching out to rub his shoulder.
At the same time, Elder Yuanshi looked up at Mei Terumī and Yūto, saying with a hint of apology:
"Mizukage-sama, Yūto-sama, if there is nothing else, this old man will head back first."
Gonbei, sitting beside Elder Yuanshi, was startled and quickly got up to support Elder Yuanshi.
Seeing Gonbei's action, a trace of helplessness flashed in Elder Yuanshi's eyes. He had only said that; it wasn't that he really couldn't walk.
"No need, just sit here."
Elder Yuanshi waved his hand, spoke indifferently, picked up the cane beside him, and got up to walk towards the door.
"Elder Yuanshi is old, and I'm a bit worried about him being alone. I'll see Elder Yuanshi back."
Yūto suddenly said with a light chuckle. After speaking, he had already strode over.
As Yūto and Elder Yuanshi walked out of the entire hall, the somewhat heavy atmosphere instantly lightened considerably.
Mei Terumī's expression remained unchanged. Looking at the people below whose eyes were flickering, she said indifferently, "The meeting continues."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"
Everyone's expression became serious, and they spoke in unison.
Most people didn't notice that their voices, without their realizing it, carried a hint of respect that was not usually present.
At this time, the sun had already risen high.
But for the Kirigakure, the sunlight was not so abundant, as the surrounding mist had not completely dissipated.
Breathing the slightly fresher air, Yūto and Elder Yuanshi walked side by side on a street.
Pedestrians occasionally walked by on either side, but no one recognized Yūto and the other man.
There was no need to mention Yūto. Although Elder Yuanshi had a noble status, he rarely appeared before commoners, so naturally, no one would recognize Elder Yuanshi.
"It seems the Village's fish cakes are quite to Lord Yūto's taste."
Elder Yuanshi looked at Yūto, who was holding a bag of fish cakes and eating heartily, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and said with a light chuckle.
Now Elder Yuanshi even suspected that the reason Lord Yūto came out was entirely just to eat fish cakes.
"It's really good. After so many years, the taste is still the same as before."
After swallowing the fish cake in his mouth, Yūto nodded in satisfaction.
Elder Yuanshi smiled, was silent for a while, and then suddenly said:
"Today's matter has made Lord Yūto see something amusing."
"Amusing? Elder Yuanshi's methods have truly impressed me. You've helped this little girl, Mei Terumī, a great deal."
Yūto said indistinctly, chewing on a fish cake.
The Marshal gently shook his head: "I'm not helping her, I'm just helping the Kirigakure, it's just..."
Speaking of this, Elder Yuanshi did not continue, but his expression carried a hint of heaviness.
"Don't worry, what you're worried about will never happen, and there's no need for it to happen."
Yūto said calmly as he walked.
Hearing Yūto's words, Elder Yuanshi's body trembled, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face. His entire body seemed to suddenly relax a lot.
"This old man is suddenly a bit hungry."
Elder Yuanshi glanced at the fish cakes in Yūto's hand and said with a light chuckle.
Yūto rolled his eyes and reluctantly took out a skewer of fish cakes and handed it to Elder Yuanshi.
Elder Yuanshi smiled and took the fish cakes that Yūto handed over, looking exactly like an old fox.
"The Kinoshita Clan is not a small clan. Elder Yuanshi suddenly declared their head a rogue ninja. If not handled properly, it could be a considerable trouble."
Yūto suddenly turned his head to look at Elder Yuanshi and said with a light chuckle.
"For a clan to grow in a short period, normal channels are not feasible. The Kinoshita Clan has too many weaknesses in this old man's hands. This matter is merely a trouble for this old man."
"Since they are disobedient and have become a stumbling block for the Mizukage, let's change the head. However, compared to these, this old man is more curious as to why Lord Yūto spared Kinoshita Yoshiro's life?"
Elder Yuanshi looked at Yūto with a curious expression.
Clearly, Elder Yuanshi did not understand Yūto's action of letting Kinoshita Yoshiro go.
Thank you, a life like a dream, for the reward.