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The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, stood silently nearby, watching the scene unfold before her with a sense of numbness. Her mind drifted back to her original purpose for becoming Mizukage.
She had wanted to improve the Hidden Mist Village — to create a place where its villagers could live peacefully and happily.
But now that she had the title, what had really changed?
Everything she did now seemed focused on stabilizing her own position as Mizukage, no matter the cost. Even if it meant sacrificing the everyday lives of the Hidden Mist villagers, she justified it all as necessary for the village's future.
Yet, what was the truth?
What had she truly accomplished so far?
"Mizukage-sama…"
Ao, the Byakugan user, approached cautiously, ready to speak, but Mei Terumi cut him off sharply.
"No need to say more."
Ao fell silent, knowing better than to press further.
"Send people to secretly ambush and monitor the movements of the major clans in the Hidden Mist Village. If anything unusual occurs, report to me immediately."
Mei Terumi's tone was firm and cold.
With the recent upheaval, things had become almost irreversible. All she could do now was attempt damage control, trying to lessen the fallout as much as possible.
She wondered what these major clans—those who opposed her rise to Mizukage and resisted the Uchiha clan's entry into the Hidden Mist Village—would do next.
...
Five or six days passed.
On the surface, Kirigakure seemed calm and peaceful, as if the earlier incident had never occurred.
But beneath that calm, another matter was stirring up much noise and excitement.
It was the Kirigakure Police Department.
Since the head of the department, Uchiha Haru, had executed a senior advisor in public on his very first day and made a stern announcement, many villagers realized that this Police Department was different from past organizations.
Slowly, some began reporting all the injustices and abuses they had suffered in recent years, encouraged by the department's promise to investigate and respond, no matter how old or small the case.
Under Haru's direction, every complaint was meticulously recorded, and villagers were assured that they would receive explanations and justice.
The people of Kirigakure were filled with joy and relief. After enduring so much suffering, finally, they saw a chance for accountability.
They lamented why such an institution had never existed before, knowing how many tragedies could have been prevented if it had.
Meanwhile, acceptance of the Uchiha clan throughout the village visibly grew.
As head of the Police Department, Uchiha Haru's name became well-known and respected.
Even Mei Terumi, newly appointed Fifth Mizukage, earned praise for bringing such sweeping change so swiftly. Many saw a promising future for Kirigakure, and the entire village began to celebrate the prospect of emerging from the shadow of the Fourth Mizukage's dark, bloody reign.
...
Inside the Office
Ao reported the latest situation to Mei Terumi.
"What's the current status?"
She asked, referring to the reactions from various factions following Haru's public execution of the senior advisor.
During the Fourth Mizukage's period of control under the masked man, Kirigakure had been shrouded in darkness.
Many officials likely behaved as corruptly as the executed advisor—if not worse.
But the difference was the scale of their crimes.
Now, with Uchiha Haru's Police Department acting like a sword hanging over their heads, Mei Terumi feared these corrupt figures might act rashly out of desperation.
Ao replied, "The major clans and high-ranking officials have made no visible moves, but they frequently communicate in secret."
"They speak so quietly that we don't know the details, but I fear their plans won't be good for us."
He sighed deeply.
"We acted too impulsively. Perhaps we could have handled this more gently, but…"
"Stop talking!"
Mei Terumi interrupted sharply, then inhaled deeply, her voice heavy with thought.
"Maybe he's right."
"After all, isn't my goal the same as his?"
"To protect Kirigakure and make it stronger."
"But…"
Ao frowned.
Older than Mei Terumi, and having always treated her like a sister, he felt free to express his honest concerns.
"I understand Haru's intentions are probably good. Everything he does is what we want."
"But his approach is too rash. If we're not careful, Kirigakure could spiral into chaos… even war. How many will die then? Has he considered the consequences of his actions?"
Mei Terumi said nothing, but her expression darkened.
Indeed.
If his methods weren't so radical, why would she be this worried?
Uchiha Haru had been too impulsive this time.
As this thought crossed her mind, a sudden realization struck her.
They had known each other for a long time.
What kind of person was Uchiha Haru? Was he really someone who acted without thinking?
Clearly, no.
From their first meeting to the time they met Elder Genji, through the great aid from the Kaguya clan and the elder's temporary betrayal, it was Haru's careful planning and control that had allowed her to become Mizukage.
No matter how dangerous the situation, he always ensured their safety.
Someone capable of all this could never be recklessly impulsive.
This time's action couldn't have been a momentary lapse.
"I am helping you…"
Mei Terumi recalled Haru's calm words, and her doubts grew stronger.
She had to meet Uchiha Haru and discover the truth behind all this.
"Mizukage-sama…"
Ao spoke again, sensing her resolve.
White-eyed ninja Ao's mind suddenly went blank for a moment, then cleared quickly. He hurriedly said, "Lord Mizukage, something major has happened!"
"Earlier, Uchiha Haru, for reasons unknown, unexpectedly sent invitations to all the high-ranking officials of Kirigakure, stating he wanted to invite them for tea."
"As far as I understand, this may be connected to the recent reports and exposures submitted by the villagers of Hidden Mist Village!"
"What?!" Mei Terumi's eyes widened in shock.
"Why are you only telling me this now?"
"Tea?" As the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village, she certainly wasn't naïve enough to think this was a simple social call.
This had to be a reckoning.
"I…I…" Ao faltered.
The white-eyed ninja looked miserable, as if tasting bitter medicine, unable to explain his own plight. "I just didn't remember it until I zoned out a moment ago."
"I don't know either…"
This matter was critical. If Ao had reported it earlier, Mei Terumi might have been able to intervene.
Yet he had forgotten. He couldn't help but blame himself.
Seeing this, Mei Terumi's reaction was instantaneous.
An illusion!
That's why Ao had forgotten the invitation temporarily.
Only now did the memory return.
"Who exactly was invited?" she asked seriously.
"There were too many to count," Ao replied. "Nearly every senior leader in Kirigakure was summoned."
"Not just the opposition—many of our own supporters were called as well."
"Damn it!" Mei Terumi frowned, a dark premonition settling over her.
Having lived in the Hidden Mist Village since childhood, she was well aware of the corruption and factionalism in the 693rd floor, even if she didn't know every detail.
Her gut told her that Uchiha Haru planned to liquidate all these people, just like he had done with the senior advisor.
This could not be allowed.
While the killing of the senior advisor had been impactful, it was still somewhat manageable.
Now, nearly every senior leader of Hidden Mist Village was to be wiped out?
How would the village function? Who would serve her administration?
No.
Absolutely not.
Such a massacre must be prevented.
"Gather the Anbu. Deploy them to the Police Department immediately," Mei Terumi ordered sharply.
With a blur, she exited the Mizukage's office.
Ao rushed to mobilize the Anbu shinobi.
Meanwhile, inside the interrogation room of the Police Department, the highest-ranking officials of Hidden Mist Village had been summoned.
Standing before them was the head of the Police Department, Uchiha Haru.
"I have called everyone here today for an important matter."
"Recently, villagers from Hidden Mist Village have continuously reported and exposed various incidents to me. Many of these reports may concern those present here."
Haru lightly tapped the table with one hand, eyes gleaming with a subtle challenge as he gazed at the assembled high officials.
Hearing this, their expressions shifted uneasily.
None of them wanted to be here.
But after Haru had publicly executed the senior advisor, everyone understood the kind of man he was—and the price of provoking him.
Faced with a crowd so large, their only real options were surrender or resistance.
Resistance, however, took time to prepare.
Without preparation, resistance was just courting death.
Thus, gritting their teeth, they came to gauge Haru's intentions—at the very least to buy time to stabilize the situation and prepare countermeasures.
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