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That battle likely left Obito severely injured; he probably wouldn't be able to come cause trouble in these places for a short while.
"Well, let's leave it at that for now. His matter isn't urgent anyway."
Hatake Kuroshi showed a refreshing smile. Shisui was currently still staring down the large turtle.
These are newly replaced eyes; don't let him strain them blind.
...
"Cough...!"
Obito coughed up blood raggedly, his black clothes tattered and covered in wounds.
The half of his body repaired by Hashirama cells showed a circular piercing wound; that attack had directly blown off his arm.
The moment Obito saw that small sphere, the dazzling light rushed straight towards him.
There was absolutely no chance to react; Red directly pierced through half his body.
Regardless, at least I've witnessed this guy's abilities.
Next time we meet, I'll have countermeasures.
It's just a pity about that puppet Mizukage Yagura. Now Kirigakure is completely out of control.
Obito frowned tightly, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and staggered into the darkness.
...
Three days later, inside the Mizukage Tower.
A group of people sat around a long table.
Genji and Ao still wore bandages, neither looking particularly well.
Whether Kirigakure's ANBU or Genji's own subordinates, both factions suffered heavy casualties and were severely weakened in the events from days ago.
Genji's power was greatly diminished. Now, forget about wanting Shisui's Sharingan... whether they even had a say in appointing the new Mizukage was another matter entirely.
The commotion that day was so huge, basically everyone in Kirigakure witnessed Hatake Kuroshi's power firsthand.
Appointing the Mizukage would inevitably become that guy's one-man show.
To find ways to gain even a little bit of say, they had been constantly holding meetings and discussing strategies these past three days.
Shisui, after staring down the Three-Tails, slept furiously for two days and nights. Today, he finally appeared in the Mizukage Tower, sporting messy bed hair.
Mangetsu Hozuki, as the hero who severely injured Yagura Karatachi, was also called to participate in the meeting.
His height, sitting in the chair, was barely level with the table; from afar, it looked like just a head hanging above the table.
Only after everyone had arrived did Hatake Kuroshi push open the door, holding a paper bag.
"Oh, everyone's waiting for me?"
Several heads turned together towards Hatake Kuroshi at the door.
Shirt and casual clothes, holding a paper bag from a sweet shop.
He didn't look like a participant coming to select the Mizukage, but rather like a tourist who wandered in by mistake.
"Lots of people gathered outside. Seems like they're waiting for the new Mizukage selection results."
"Didn't expect that in just a few days, feels like your Kirigakure suddenly has a lot more living people."
His timing was also quite precise. Although a few minutes late, it wasn't enough for anyone to reprimand him for being tardy.
"No, we only just arrived a few minutes ago!"
"There aren't that few people in the village! It's just that the atmosphere was tense before, so they didn't dare go out."
"Now everyone knows about the Fourth Mizukage's situation and has relaxed, so it looks like there are more people outside."
Mangetsu Hozuki leaned over the chair, enthusiastically educating Hatake Kuroshi.
"Morning, Kuroshi."
Shisui also propped up his head, waving at Hatake Kuroshi.
He came from the medical bay, hence taking a different route than Hatake Kuroshi.
Hatake Kuroshi was practically a walking rule-breaker. Although Ao still somewhat disapproved, he had obediently learned the art of language.
Don't speak rashly in front of a powerhouse far exceeding human limits.
Otherwise, you'll inevitably be the one embarrassed sooner or later.
"Appointing a new Mizukage, huh—"
Hatake Kuroshi pulled out a chair, distributing the double-honey red bean cakes from the paper bag to Shisui and Mangetsu Hozuki.
Ao and Genji just watched as Hatake Kuroshi finished distributing, then sat down, completely ignoring the two of them.
If not for his strength, someone with this personality wouldn't survive in the workplace at all!
Ao complained silently in his heart; he really didn't get along with this kid.
"Him. I think he's quite suitable."
Hatake Kuroshi pointed towards Mangetsu Hozuki sitting beside him, who was just about to start eating.
"Eh!?"
"Hm?????"
"?"
Even Genji couldn't quite figure out what Hatake Kuroshi was planning.
Mangetsu Hozuki, a kid in his teens, hasn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Making this kid the new Mizukage?! What kind of joke is this!
Mangetsu Hozuki, innocently nominated as Mizukage, also looked somewhat blank, glancing left and right at the people beside him, then fixing his gaze on Hatake Kuroshi's outstretched finger.
Good grief, a Mizukage title falling from the sky!?
"What, you don't want to do it?"
Hatake Kuroshi pursed his lips, looking at Mangetsu Hozuki.
"Of course not! It's just a bit hard to believe! If sensei wants me to do it, I'll definitely do it!"
Mangetsu Hozuki immediately reacted, looking at Hatake Kuroshi with sparkling eyes.
Whether admiration for the strong or Mangetsu Hozuki experiencing care from a teacher figure for the first time... in short, this kid was completely bought over.
"I don't see any problem either. Currently, there isn't a more suitable candidate than him in Kirigakure, right?"
Shisui's expression wasn't too surprised; he even echoed Hatake Kuroshi's words.
From the beginning, Shisui noticed Hatake Kuroshi paid special attention to Mangetsu Hozuki... even single-handedly reversing this kid's worldview.
Cultivated along Hatake Kuroshi's path, Mangetsu Hozuki's only drawback was perhaps his age.
Although Hatake Kuroshi cultivated talent, almost every step, every person, was a candidate he meticulously placed.
Though Hatake Kuroshi didn't purely use people, even helping everyone... his every action, every thread, was definitely not a whim or spur-of-the-moment decision.
He seemed to have some huge, unrevealed scheme; he was just silently laying out his plans now.
The longer Shisui stayed by Hatake Kuroshi's side, the stronger this feeling became.
He was somewhat curious about Hatake Kuroshi's ultimate goal, but also felt it was difficult for ordinary people to see through his grand game.
"Mangetsu Hozuki's age is too young, and his strength isn't necessarily sufficient to bear the responsibility of Mizukage."
Genji carefully chose his words, tentatively refuting a couple of points. These two points were indeed factual.
Ao thought for a long time beside him, unsure where to even begin addressing this issue.
At least, from his normal person's perspective, he felt somewhat unable to participate in this discussion.
Ao always felt Shisui was at least a normal person. Now, seeing him leaning towards Hatake Kuroshi's eccentric path... Are these two spies sent from Konoha?
"It doesn't matter. Isn't he the hero who severely injured the previous Mizukage? That's enough proof."
Hatake Kuroshi paused, swallowed the last bite of red bean cake, and folded the paper bag and bamboo skewer.
As if remembering something, he turned his head with a grin and reminded them.
"Ah, right! The Three-Tails that Shisui and I pushed into the lake... I heard it has fully transformed, but currently isn't making any movements at the bottom of the lake."
"Although restrictions have been set up around it, and ANBU are monitoring nearby 24/7..."
"But, if something were to happen, with your current abilities, it would be very difficult to resist~"
This was practically blatant coercion.
After a long pause, both Genji and Ao remained silent.
They knew full well that once Mangetsu Hozuki became Mizukage, the true controller of the entire Kirigakure would directly become Hatake Kuroshi.
But they had no way to refuse.
By the time Hatake Kuroshi and Shisui subdued the Three-Tails, they had already lost control of the entire village.
"Don't dawdle over this kind of thing. It feels annoying."
"Yosh, decided! Mangetsu Hozuki will be the Fifth Mizukage."
Hatake Kuroshi draped one arm over the back of the chair, turning his head to look at the ANBU hidden and eavesdropping.
"You've been listening for a while. Time to do some work?"
The masked ANBU members briefly glanced at Genji. Although Genji hadn't agreed, he showed no intention of refusing either.
"Hai."
The ANBU members lowered their heads and departed, acknowledging. They would relay this matter beforehand.
Genji originally had them hide to gather useful or useless information. Now, splendidly, they ended up helping Hatake Kuroshi with propaganda.
These people in Kirigakure, down to their bones, admired the strong.
Of course, not to the extent of liking war like those Kaguya clan psychopaths, but they just really liked strong people... After all, only the strong could protect them.
Hatake Kuroshi's grand display yesterday basically swayed the entire village's sentiment towards him.
Whatever outrageous decision he made now could potentially pass unanimously.
However, it wasn't necessarily without a chance for change.
Genji narrowed his eyes slightly, looking towards the office door.
There were still some people who would definitely come to debate this result.
As expected, just as Hatake Kuroshi and the others were preparing to stand up and leave... urgent knocking sounded from outside the office door.
"Making a brat the Mizukage is too much of a joke!"
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