Yagura was taken away by the Kirigakure shinobi and imprisoned in the village detention facility.
After an emergency council meeting, his position as the Fourth Mizukage was officially revoked, and all of the extreme policies enacted during his rule were announced to be fully overturned.
Inside the council hall.
"In light of the Fourth Mizukage's removal, Kirigakure is currently in a state of severe decline. We must immediately elect a Fifth Mizukage to lead the village's reconstruction."
Ao stood at the center of the hall, acting as the meeting's moderator as he spoke in a steady, authoritative voice.
"I formally recommend Terumi Mei-sama. She possesses Kage-level strength and has been the core leader of the reform faction. There is no one more suitable for the position."
Among those present were the reformists led by Terumi Mei, previously neutral factions, and a remaining group that had once supported Yagura.
"I object."
An elderly shinobi stood up, his expression stern.
"The Fourth Mizukage is the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. He was a perfect Jinchūriki. If someone else were to inherit Isobu, it would take years to stabilize. During that time, who will guarantee the village's safety?"
He belonged to the faction that had unwaveringly supported Yagura. Even after Yagura had been controlled and issued countless disastrous orders, they had carried them out without hesitation.
Now that Yagura had been imprisoned, this faction stood to lose the most.
Once the Fourth Mizukage fell, power within the village would inevitably be redistributed. And considering the families and clans they had suppressed under Yagura's rule, losing authority now would almost certainly mean retaliation.
Knowing the risks, they still chose to gamble.
"With all due respect," Ao said as he rose from his seat, his voice sharp and clear, "the Fourth Mizukage was under control. This is no longer a secret. The majority of the village already knows."
"If we reinstate him, what do you think the villagers will believe? That Kirigakure is a village that entrusts its future to a leader who can be manipulated at will?"
He continued without pause.
"The Fourth Mizukage is already imprisoned. That alone proves he is no longer fit to rule. We must elect a Fifth Mizukage and break this deadlock."
"Or are you suggesting we drag the village deeper into ruin just to cling to a fragment of power?"
Silence fell over the hall.
Everyone knew Ao was right.
No matter how tragic the truth was, Yagura could never return to the position of Mizukage after what had happened.
At that moment, a highly respected elder slowly stood up.
The reason his words carried weight was simple—everyone present instinctively showed him respect.
"Everyone here knows Terumi Mei-sama's strength," he said calmly. "If she leads Kirigakure, the village will not fall."
"I second the motion."
"I agree."
"Seconded."
With the elder's statement, the opposition faction fell silent. One by one, the remaining council members cast their votes.
Under these circumstances, Terumi Mei's ascension to Fifth Mizukage became inevitable.
Kirigakure was different from the other villages.
Traditionally, the strongest shinobi assumed the position of Mizukage.
Terumi Mei possessed two Kekkei Genkai and was widely recognized as the strongest kunoichi in the village. Coupled with her leadership ability, her appointment was well deserved.
Under the encouragement of the council, Terumi Mei took her seat at the head of the hall. Her beautiful eyes swept across everyone present, taking in their expressions.
"Everyone," she said calmly, "I know I may lack seniority. But since you have entrusted me with this responsibility, I will not refuse it."
"Next, I will announce several new policies. I ask for everyone's cooperation in implementing them."
She then outlined her plans for Kirigakure's future development, each decision measured and deliberate.
The council members listened carefully, committing her words to memory.
Ao became Terumi Mei's right-hand man, just as he had hoped.
He was the first elite jōnin to openly pledge allegiance to her, and seeing her seated as Fifth Mizukage filled him with relief.
At the same time, Ao recalled what Namikaze Kirito had said the day before.
The opposition elders were old and rigid, unable to adapt to change. They knew nothing of Kirito's existence.
If anyone else had taken the position of Fifth Mizukage…
Then Kirito's cooperation with Kirigakure would have ended immediately.
The consequences were obvious.
Ao had personally witnessed Kirito's terrifying strength through the Water Mirror Technique.
Who in Kirigakure could stop him now?
Publicly and privately, Terumi Mei had to become Mizukage.
Inside an inn within Kirigakure.
Namikaze Kirito sat calmly, sipping tea.
Across from him stood Kimimaro, head bowed respectfully.
"My lord" Kimimaro asked quietly, "is that woman really trustworthy?"
Kirito smiled faintly.
"She isn't simple. The Fifth Mizukage position was destined to be hers."
"As long as we maintain absolute strength, even if she doesn't want to cooperate, she'll endure it."
Working with intelligent people was always the most pleasant arrangement.
And Terumi Mei was exactly that kind of person.
A smart person understands what can and cannot be done.
If it were someone like Senju Hashirama, compromise would be impossible—no matter how dire the situation, he would still insist that love and justice would resolve everything.
Terumi Mei was different.
After witnessing Kirito's methods yesterday, he knew she would make the correct choice.
Sure enough, it didn't take long before Kirigakure sent someone.
"Namikaze Kirito-sama," the shinobi said respectfully, nearly bowing to the floor, "the Mizukage-sama invites you to the office for a meeting."
He was one of yesterday's witnesses.
He understood just how terrifying the man before him truly was.
"Alright," Kirito replied calmly. "Kimimaro, wait for me here."
He finished his tea, stood up, and followed the shinobi toward the Mizukage Building.
Along the way, villagers smiled warmly at one another.
Official notices had already been issued—past policies were revoked, the new Mizukage had taken office, and compensation was being distributed to civilians and major clans alike.
In the near future, Kirigakure's port would officially reopen to the outside world.
For the villagers, this was nothing short of salvation.
Soon, they arrived at the Mizukage Building.
The once-gloomy atmosphere had completely changed.
Villagers gathered outside, thanking one another. From the upper floors, Terumi Mei could be seen waving to them through the glass.
The moment she spotted Namikaze Kirito below, her eyes brightened—and she vanished from the window.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
A mature, alluring voice echoed from within the office.
Ao opened the door at her command, stepped aside, and gestured respectfully.
After Kirito entered, Ao closed the door behind him and quietly withdrew.
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