The Third Hokage had already vacated the Hokage Office, temporarily relocating to a smaller side chamber.
The familiar Hokage hat rested quietly on a shelf nearby, awaiting tomorrow's ceremony—when it would be formally passed into new hands.
It was the second time he would relinquish that burden.
The room's desk was still buried under stacks of documents, yet Hiruzen wasn't reading any of them. He stood by the window in silence, pipe in hand, smoke drifting upward and slowly dissolving into the deepening twilight beyond the glass.
A knock sounded.
The door opened, and Roshi stepped inside. Hiruzen did not turn around at once, his gaze still fixed on the village.
"At first," he said quietly, "I wanted to wait longer. Even after the Hyūga were allowed into the Police Force."
"Even if Fugaku managed to suppress the dissent within his clan at the start, with his temperament, that pressure would eventually make him falter again."
"After all… those four were only the beginning."
"As more and more non-Uchiha entered the Police Force, the radical faction's resentment would no longer be something that words alone could restrain."
"And when that moment came… Danzo's existence might once again become 'necessary.'"
"And the final responsibility would once more fall upon me."
His thoughts drifted back to the day after the Chūnin Exams finals—when Tsunade had stormed in to confront him.
"But when Tsunade came to me directly and demanded action against Danzo, I finally understood something."
"If I continued to remain Hokage, I would only become an obstacle to the policies she needed to carry out."
"So after confirming that your plans had taken root—after seeing that the foundation for the future was already laid—I chose this moment to step aside and hand the position to her."
Only then did the Third Hokage turn around. He tapped the ashes from his pipe against the windowsill and walked slowly to his chair before sitting down.
"When Tobirama-sensei passed the title of Hokage to me… I didn't realize then that I was, in truth, an inadequate man."
"It wasn't until I truly sat in this seat that I understood—will alone is not enough to protect a village."
"Enemy ninja from rival nations. The Daimyō of our own land. And the countless conflicting voices within the village itself."
"I was… barely capable of handling the first."
"But against the latter two, I had no real answer."
"Tsunade will be far more decisive than I ever was when facing enemies."
"But when it comes to the convoluted struggles within the village… and the negotiations with the Daimyō's court…"
He paused, eyes lowering slightly.
"I cannot yet see what kind of path she will be forced to walk."
Faint noise drifted in through the open window—the distant pulse of a village preparing for a new era. Inside the room, silence reigned.
"Roshi," Hiruzen said at last, his voice steady and grave, "from this point forward, I will need to rely on you even more."
"Whether it is foreign threats, the pressure of the Daimyō, or the turbulence within the village itself… you have already proven that you possess the strength and judgment to stand at the center of such storms."
"And more importantly—Tsunade trusts you."
He lifted his pipe once more and leaned back into his chair.
"The next era…"
"I place it in your hands."
—
Hidden Mist Village—Land of Water
After finalizing the initial plan with the three young ninja he deemed trustworthy, Elder Genji did not rush to confront the Mizukage about funding. Instead, he continued tending to village affairs as usual—methodical, patient.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the precise moment to strike.
That moment arrived when the Fourth Mizukage summoned him once more.
From behind the heavy ceremonial hat, Yagura's voice rang out coldly.
"How are the funds progressing?"
Genji bowed slightly, his tone as calm and restrained as ever.
"Mizukage-sama, the previous allocation was the absolute limit of what the village can currently spare. As for additional funds—the Daimyō has yet to approve the request."
"The operation can no longer be delayed," Yagura replied impatiently.
"I anticipated that urgency," Genji continued softly. "I personally visited the capital, but the Daimyō was… dissatisfied with my explanation. He believes this year's expenditures have already far exceeded acceptable limits."
He hesitated, as if choosing his words with great care.
"Additionally, overdue departmental expenses and personnel stipends have begun stirring unrest within the village. Mizukage-sama… perhaps—"
"No." Yagura cut him off sharply. "This operation takes priority above all else."
Genji inclined his head, appearing reluctant.
"In that case… the only solution may be for you to visit the capital in person."
"With Mizukage-sama's direct intervention, the Daimyō may better understand the difficulties the village currently faces."
A long silence followed.
At last, Yagura spoke.
"…Very well."
"I will immediately begin preparations for your journey," Genji replied, leaning on his snake staff as he slowly withdrew.
From the shadows high above, Obito watched the exchange in silence.
If circumstances allowed, he would have preferred to enslave Genji directly with his Sharingan—efficient.
But Genji moved too freely between the village's factions. Any irregularity in his behavior would draw attention. And while White Zetsu could perfectly imitate appearances, it could not replicate memory, instinct, or habit. Prolonged substitution was too risky.
The Daimyō of the Land of Water, however…
An ordinary man steeped in luxury and indulgence. One glance from the Sharingan would be enough to turn him into a compliant puppet—and the village's funds would be signed over without resistance.
After leaving the Mizukage's office, Genji immediately began arranging the details of the journey. By protocol, advance envoys were dispatched to the capital to announce the Mizukage's visit.
At the same time, Ao received a quiet reassignment—stationed near the Mizukage Building under Genji's subtle direction.
By Hidden Mist regulations, Ao was strictly forbidden from activating his Byakugan within the village's inner core.
But now, with the plan already in motion—and with Genji's silent endorsement—those rules no longer mattered.
Ao steadied his breathing.
His Byakugan activated.
Its piercing vision passed through walls, ignoring distance and obstruction, locking directly onto the Mizukage's office.
Inside, Yagura sat alone.
Ao narrowed his gaze, focusing on the precise circulation of Chakra within Yagura's body—and in the next instant, his eyes widened in shock.
"This chakra…"
"Why is there foreign chakra inside the Fourth Mizukage's brain?!"
And worse—the nature of that chakra was unmistakable.
No matter how much he wished to deny it, the truth was undeniable.
Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi had been under a powerful genjutsu for a very long time.
A puppet.
In a single instant, countless unanswered questions finally made sense.
Ao did not hesitate for even a heartbeat.
He turned and vanished at full speed, racing toward Elder Genji.
If the Mizukage himself was a mind-controlled puppet…
Then their entire plan would have to change.
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