Chapter 11 – Complete Subjugation: The Path to Mizukage Begins
Submit… or die.
In the shinobi world, there was no ultimatum more absolute.
Mangetsu and Ringo struggled with every ounce of strength left in their bodies. It was useless. Their limbs were locked in ice, nerves screaming as the cold gnawed at their bones. Worse than the pain was the suffocating stillness. They could not breathe. Their faces flushed crimson, veins bulging, eyes widening as desperation swallowed their pride whole.
Under Chiba's calm gaze, anger melted into something far more humiliating: powerlessness.
Hōzuki Mangetsu was the first to yield. His resistance faded, and he gave a slow, silent nod.
Ringo Ameyuri clenched her teeth, fingers trembling against the frozen steel surrounding her. She hated it. Hated the fear. Hated the submission. Hated herself for hesitating. But death loomed too close, and in the end, survival won. She nodded.
Chiba smiled.
"Good. You know how to read the situation."
With a casual lift of his hand, the ice encasing the council hall shattered violently with a deafening crack. The sound echoed through Kirigakure like a signal flare. Frozen shards collapsed into mist as Mangetsu and Ringo crashed to the floor, gasping for air, lungs burning, bodies trembling as warmth slowly returned.
Chiba looked down at them, indifferent.
"Since you've submitted, do not betray me. Otherwise… you already know the outcome."
Neither Mangetsu nor Ringo dared respond. Silence was their obedience.
Chiba then turned to retrieve the two ninja blades he had seized earlier: Kubikiribōchō and Kiba. The legendary weapons radiated a quiet, imposing presence of their own.
"I am a reasonable man," he said calmly. "Merit is rewarded. Faults are punished. You have yet to earn merit, but since you've sworn loyalty, I will not withhold my sincerity."
He turned toward Ringo, extending the blade.
"Kiba belongs to you."
Ringo froze. Then her eyes widened in disbelief, shock, and finally uncontrollable joy. She had coveted that blade for years. A master of swordsmanship, a natural lightning chakra user-Kiba had been made for her. As long as Black Lightning Raiga had lived, it had been untouchable. And now… it was hers.
The humiliation she had endured moments earlier evaporated instantly. Her grip tightened around the hilt, eyes gleaming with renewed fire. Chiba observed her reaction and chuckled inwardly. Despite her jagged teeth and ferocious demeanor, Ringo Ameyuri was astonishingly straightforward-simple, almost pure in her ambition. No wonder she had once been deceived by nothing more than a piece of candy in the original flow of history.
And now… she belonged to him.
The first step toward the Mizukage's throne had been taken.
Chiba then turned and handed the Executioner's Blade to Hōzuki Mangetsu.
"You've always wanted to collect all seven ninja swords, haven't you? The Twin Blades Hiramekarei, the Longsword Nuibari, the Blunt Blade Kabutowari, the Explosive Blade Shibuki-they are all already yours. Now, the Executioner's Blade is yours as well."
Mangetsu froze. For a brief moment, he simply stared at the massive weapon in disbelief before instinctively reaching out to take it.
"You… you're really giving it to me?"
"I never take back my word," Chiba replied calmly.
Mangetsu accepted the sword, his expression trembling between shock and joy. Although both he and Ringo had been forced into submission only moments ago, something had changed. Gratitude surfaced-genuine and undeniable. This was not complicated strategy. It was simple: authority reinforced by fear, loyalty sealed by reward.
Only then did Yuki Yoru and the elders of the Yuki Clan dare approach. They bowed deeply.
"Congratulations, Clan Head, on subjugating two outstanding and powerful shinobi."
Chiba smiled faintly.
"I said I would resolve this once and for all. The most effective way is simple. I become the Mizukage. When that happens, no one will ever dare raise a hand against the Yuki Clan again. To achieve that goal… it can be difficult, but it can also be very simple."
Mangetsu spoke up.
"The first step is spreading the truth about the Fourth Mizukage being controlled."
Chiba nodded.
"You're sharp. As long as Yagura Karatachi remains in power, nothing truly changes. Kirigakure has already been pushed to the brink by his rule. At times like this, hesitation is poison. We must cut away corruption swiftly and decisively."
Mangetsu and Ringo exchanged glances. Only now did they fully understand: Chiba had never spoken recklessly. His ambition was backed by preparation, clarity, inevitability. For the first time, the thought crossed their minds-following such a leader might not be a mistake, especially now that they had obtained the ninja blades they had long desired.
Still, Ringo Ameyuri was not one to submit quietly. Proud, sharp-tongued, stubborn to the bone, she snorted lightly.
"Even if the Fourth Mizukage steps down, it won't automatically be your turn. Among the elders, there's Genji-sama. Among the core forces, there's Kisame Hoshigaki and Ao with his Byakugan. And among the new generation, there's Mei Terumi and others."
She paused briefly, realizing her previous point no longer applied-Mangetsu had been subdued.
Chiba nodded.
"You're right. Genji is respected, but too old. Kisame is a traitor by nature-useful, but unfit to lead. Ao's Byakugan is valuable, but his individual strength is lacking. Kisame thrives in bloodshed; he can command the ANBU, but not the village. I have only one true rival. And that is Mei Terumi."