Just as they could no longer contain the fury in their hearts and were about to charge forward, a powerful elderly voice echoed through the scene:
"Everyone, stop. How long do you plan to perpetuate this farce? Look at what you've done to disrupt the village!"
The crowd turned to see an old man holding a snake-shaped cane standing amidst them, unnoticed until now.
The cane's tip was a grotesque snake head with sharp teeth and blood-red eyes, its eerie gaze sweeping over each Hidden Mist Ninja, exerting immense pressure on them.
The cane seemed like a living creature.
This elder was none other than the most revered senior of Hidden Mist Village—Master Moton.
Once a legendary figure of Hidden Mist Village who fought alongside the First Mizukage.
Rumors about him are numerous, yet many cannot be reliably verified.
But it is said that even the Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu placed considerable trust in him.
However, when the Third Mizukage came to power, he gradually withdrew from the political arena, appearing only when significant events occurred, otherwise, he wouldn't meet visitors.
"Master Moton..."
The Third Mizukage gazed at Master Moton with a complex expression.
"How about ending this farce? I, an old man, truly don't wish to intervene."
Master Moton addressed Yagura, offering his suggestion.
The current situation was clear; Yagura held the absolute advantage. The Third Mizukage, having suffered both mental and physical blows, was bound to be defeated sooner or later.
Yet prolonging the fight would only increase casualties with no substantive gain.
Yagura nodded; his goal was merely to delay the Third Mizukage, preventing him from dealing with the reformist ninjas, thus averting unforeseen disruptions to his plan.
Otherwise, he truly would need to ask Hakushi for help in suppressing the Third Mizukage.
However, Yagura was reluctant to resort to the assistance provided by Hakushi unless absolutely necessary.
Now, most of the Blood Mist Faction has been eradicated, leaving only minor remnants, no longer a concern.
The Third Mizukage's position is not as important at this moment.
Besides, he didn't wish to offend Master Moton.
The reformists and the Blood Mist Faction are not the entirety of Hidden Mist Village's forces, for behind the scenes, the conservative faction not participating in the violence subtly shows the influence of Master Moton.
Master Moton's intervention was already tacitly conveying to those present that the position of Fourth Mizukage belonged to Yagura.
"Master Moton, we cannot let Yagura off easily! He is disrupting the peace of the village!"
A senior hastily blurted this out, knowing the repercussions of Yagura's ascension — they, who supported the Blood Mist Policy, would surely face retribution.
As soon as he uttered those words, the snake-shaped cane in Shangsh's hand vanished.
A pale yellow, red-eyed little snake wrapped around the senior ninja at an untraceable speed, biting his neck.
The senior ninja quickly clutched his neck, but to his horror, he felt his body weakening and collapsing to the ground.
He reached out, attempting to call for help, "Master Moton, I..."
His hand began to dissolve, turning into a black oily substance.
Next followed his arm, body, limbs, and head.
The spot where the senior stood was left with nothing but a puddle of sticky black oil and some white bone fragments, emitting black bubbles.
"I'm old, but my eyes aren't blind. You deserve death for conspiring with Hidden Cloud, attempting to usurp control of the village!"
Master Moton grumbled to himself, oblivious to the unsettling stares from the crowd.
The remaining senior officials witnessed this, wordlessly fleeing, fearing even a moment's delay.
A slender shadow darted forth, the yellow and red-eyed little snake accelerated towards them at lightning speed, directly eliminating one, turning his body into thick black oil.
"Stop them, don't let any escape!"
Yagura commanded the surrounding Hidden Mist Ninjas, who surged forward, encircling the remaining Blood Mist Faction seniors. Soon, silence enveloped them.
Facing thousands of Ninja Squad, they stood no chance.
Ultimately, they owed their high positions to seniority, capable but far from the imagined valiance.
Yagura sighed in relief upon seeing the Blood Mist Faction seniors thoroughly restrained.
The gloomy clouds in the sky dispersed, unveiling clear skies that illuminated the village.
Yet observing the majority of the village billowing thick smoke, the stench of blood overwhelming... Yagura felt a headache coming on.
The battle's wanton destruction via large-scale Water Style Ninjutsu and successive Tailed Beast Balls showed little consideration for the environment, promising busy cleanup and restoration efforts.
However, in terms of outcome, it should be deemed successful.
By violently defying the hierarchy to assume the role of Fourth Mizukage, Yagura plunged the entire Hidden Mist Village into an unprecedentedly terrifying civil conflict, albeit only lasting half a day, not without significant sacrifice among Hidden Mist Ninjas.
Yagura already foresaw the infamous reputation he would earn globally.