Having hidden his ambitions beside the Third Mizukage for many years, and secretly grasping the Three-tailed within the village, Yagura, through his rigorous self-discipline, has become a Perfect Jinchuriki despite the Hidden Mist's incomplete research on tailed beasts.
All these actions indicate that Yagura is an even more terrifying ninja compared to Suikazan Fuguki.
However, all his radical thoughts were previously concealed by his innocent-looking face.
If it weren't for Yagura instigating a coup this time, it would have been hard to believe there was such an exceptional 'ninja' in Hidden Mist.
Failing to detect Yagura's plan earlier and focusing solely on the Blood Mist faction, Genji believes this was his oversight.
Otherwise, he would have been able to negotiate with Yagura earlier and use a more gentle approach to overturn the Blood Mist faction's ninjas.
"Being directly monitored by the most respected elder of the village, indeed puts tremendous pressure on me. However, this is a result I brought upon myself. As for the next Mizukage, I already have an outstanding choice in mind. Actually, I'm aware that my term as the Fourth Mizukage won't last long, and I won't be able to retire at the age of seventy like the Third."
No matter how well it's covered, being improperly appointed always brings criticism.
There's even a question of whether one can hold the position of the Fourth Mizukage until the age of forty.
"Who is it?"
Genji slightly opened his eyes, staring at Yagura's youthful, innocent smile.
"Terumi Mei from the Anbu; she is absolutely loyal to Hidden Mist and hasn't been influenced by the negative atmosphere of the Blood Mist faction. She is proficient in four Chakra attributes: fire, lightning, earth, and water, and possesses both Corrosion Style and Boil Style Kekkeigenkai. With focused nurturing, she could become the solid foundation of the village."
Yagura recommended this choice to Genji.
Genji slightly nodded; he was familiar with Terumi Mei, a rare Dual Kekkeigenkai ninja in the Ninja Realm, who had become a Jonin in the village at a young age with significant strength.
In fact, he paid great attention to the younger generation of Hidden Mist ninjas.
Originally, he intended to leave the Fourth Mizukage position vacant, steering Hidden Mist himself, gradually squeezing out the Blood Mist Policy, while nurturing the younger ninjas, waiting for the right opportunity to elect the Fourth Mizukage.
However, all these plans were disrupted by Yagura, forcing him to change course.
"I will personally nurture her."
Genji leaned on his serpentine cane, projecting an attitude that tolerated no dissent.
"Of course, having you personally nurture her is her honor. I believe she will become an excellent Mizukage in the future."
Yagura smiled slightly.
He stood up from his seat, indicating the end of the conversation, and walked towards the outside.
"Has your arm fully recovered?"
Genji's voice came from behind.
Yagura paused his steps, nodded, and replied without turning back, "Yes, a good friend of mine healed it."
"Is Ringo Ameyuri included?"
"Yes."
"It seems you have many secrets yet to be revealed. According to my informant, a storm of thunderclouds mysteriously appeared over the sea just outside the village yesterday, encircling five hundred elite Hidden Cloud Village ninjas. After the thunderclouds dissipated, those five hundred ninjas vanished into thin air, leaving only traces of battle behind."
Yagura merely nodded silently, saying nothing more.
It's not yet the time to reveal his hand to Genji. If the collaboration with Hakushi were exposed, Genji would certainly oppose it due to Hakushi's renegade ninja status, forcing Yagura to abandon his plans to secure the Fourth Mizukage position.
Once he has fully grasped the village and revitalized the Hidden Mist's power, he would then reveal everything to Genji.
Even if Genji wished to oppose it at that time, it wouldn't shake his position as Mizukage.
"Let's not discuss your friend's matters further, but don't provoke Konoha as Suikazan Fuguki did. That village's strength is beyond what we Hidden Mist can reach."
Genji's tone revealed rare reluctance and avoidance.
Many institutions within the Hidden Mist Village, such as the important Ninja School and Anbu system, were modeled after Konoha, boosting Hidden Mist's military power.
The more so, the clearer Genji was about Konoha's strength and fearsome power.
Merely imitating them allowed Hidden Mist's power to soar, so one can imagine the power of Konoha, the founding village of the Ninja School and Anbu system.
If war breaks out, it would certainly end in Hidden Mist's devastating defeat.
Hidden Sand, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Cloud serve as examples.
Every ninja village that fought against Konoha ended up losing, with Konoha's position as the top in the Ninja Realm remaining unshakable.
"Don't worry, Hidden Mist currently needs recuperation, and there's no substantial internal conflict requiring external war to divert attention."
At least for now, Konoha will not be targeted.
Future matters will be left for the future to judge.
The prospect of ending the era established by the God of Ninja—a one nation, one village era—also sounds quite exhilarating, Yagura thought silently.
Genji was already old, his thoughts overly conservative despite his considerations for Hidden Mist's overall interests.
However, Yagura was different; he was still young, with ample time to develop Hidden Mist.
Instead of making meaningless, grandiose statements, Yagura preferred to demonstrate his power with tangible actions.
If even the shadow loses ambition for progress, Yagura felt this would be the real source of Hidden Mist's sorrow.
On this point, he admired Hidden Cloud's relentless search for strength and improvement.
"That's best. The Third has retired, don't act against him anymore, let him enjoy his twilight years peacefully. I'll have people keep an eye on him, ensuring he won't affect you."
Due to previous events, deep conflicts existed between the Third Mizukage and Yagura. With the Third losing significant support from Hidden Mist ninjas, he had become a solitary figure in the village, causing Genji concern that Yagura might secretly plan something against the Third Mizukage.
"That would be best, I don't wish to bear the guilt of killing a superior."
Yagura left this statement behind and exited the room.
Outside, clad in the Anbu uniform, Terumi Mei had been waiting for some time.
"Lord Yagura."
"Is the damage assessment completed?"
Yagura inquired.
"Yes. Over two thousand three hundred individuals died in battle, over six hundred were severely injured, and there are more than three thousand with minor injuries. As for damaged facilities... countless."
Terumi Mei answered truthfully.
Upon hearing these figures, Yagura fell silent.
"Once I succeed as the Fourth Mizukage, I will visit the Daimyo. Hidden Mist Village suffered such severe destruction; some gesture should be made. Have all materials been prepared?"
Terumi Mei nodded; all correspondence between the Blood Mist faction and Daimyo of the Land of Water, along with other evidence, had been prepared.
Not only physical evidence, but many prominent figures were also apprehended.
With Hidden Mist Village now needing revival, the recovery funds would only be obtained through unsavory means of extortion from the Daimyo's side.
The ninja village and country rulers, supposedly mutually cooperative, now resorting to extortion for funds—this was truly a sad state.
Terumi Mei believed that the relationship between Hidden Mist and the Land of Water had completely entered its twilight phase, with darkness looming not far behind.
"But what if they deny everything?"
Terumi Mei worriedly asked.
"At this stage, whether they admit it or not no longer matters. I don't need their admission, only that they keep quiet and continue to provide funds to Hidden Mist. I'm different from the Third, I won't indulge them."
Yagura's eyes flashed with a murderous intent.
Seeing this, Terumi Mei had no doubt that when the time was ripe, Yagura would personally lead the Hidden Mist ninjas to the capital of the Land of Water, severing the heads of the Daimyo and nobles interfering with Hidden Mist's internal affairs.