This was the moment when the plan to become Mizukage truly began.
Chiba arrived in Kirigakure accompanied by Mei Terumi and Hōzuki Mangetsu. They moved swiftly through the village, and before long, Mei led Chiba to the presence of the man who stood at the pinnacle of Kirigakure's authority behind the scenes: Elder Gen'yū, the living embodiment of the Mist's Elder Council, Yagura's political anchor.
At this moment, the entire high council of Kirigakure had already gathered. Present were Ao, the sensory ninja with the Byakugan; Baki, a senior jōnin and political hardliner; Gonbei, a veteran elite jōnin; Kisame Hoshigaki, standing silently in Fuguki Suikazan's shadow; Fuguki himself, a former peer of Kushimaru Kuriarare and wielder of Samehada; and several founding-era elders whose names had long been lost to history. So many eyes, so much pressure. A welcome like this… they clearly thought highly of him.
A faint smile surfaced at the corner of Chiba's lips. Mei Terumi stepped forward respectfully. "Elder Gen'yū," she said, "this is Chiba of the Yuki Clan, head of the Snow lineage."
"…'Lord' Chiba?" Elder Gen'yū's gaze sharpened imperceptibly. Mei's respectful address alone carried weight. Interesting… she had already acknowledged his standing. But Gen'yū was a political veteran who had survived three regimes; his emotions never surfaced. "You are Clan Head Chiba, then," he said calmly. "I have heard of the matters you have stirred recently. Truly worthy of the phrase a prodigy among the young. Kirigakure is in dire need of capable youth like you."
Chiba inclined his head slightly. "You honor me, Elder."
Then a cold snort echoed through the chamber. "So," Fuguki Suikazan said grimly, "were Kushimaru Kuriarare and Jūzō Biwa killed by your hand?"
The atmosphere instantly chilled. As one of the three survivors of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen who had escaped Might Duy's Eight Gates Formation, Fuguki held no particular fondness for those two-but survival forged a silent bond. Their deaths left a bitter taste, and toward Chiba, there was not the slightest goodwill.
Chiba looked at him but said nothing. Suddenly, a shuriken tore through the air like lightning, shooting straight toward Fuguki Suikazan. Gasps erupted across the chamber, but the attack was never meant to kill. Fuguki raised his arm and deflected the shuriken with a kunai, rage flaring. In the same motion, his kunai flew back, a lethal counter aimed at Chiba.
But Chiba casually raised his hand. Clink. The kunai landed neatly in his palm.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Fuguki roared.
Chiba smiled faintly. "So you do retaliate when attacked. Then tell me, if those two tried to kill me… if they sought to annihilate my entire Yuki Clan, and I killed them in return… what, exactly, is wrong with that?"
Silence. Fuguki froze. The words struck like a blade to the throat. No rebuttal came. Mei Terumi, watching from the side, nearly laughed. He's good… far too good at this. Manipulative, sharp, mercilessly logical… I like it.
On the other side of the chamber, Kisame Hoshigaki allowed a faint, cold smile to surface as he observed his former superior silenced so completely. Chiba noticed. So it starts here… Kisame's dissatisfaction has already taken root.
Then Gonbei, the veteran jōnin, spoke. "The deaths of Kushimaru and Jūzō can indeed be classified as legitimate self-defense. However," he continued evenly, "Elder Gen'yū later dispatched Hōzuki Mangetsu and Ameyuri Ringo to investigate. So tell us, Clan Head Chiba: why did you detain them as well?"
The room fell silent once more. This was the real opening move of the battle-not steel, not jutsu, but words sharpened like blades.
"And you even demanded that the two submit to your authority?" Gonbei pressed on, his tone sharpening. "Then tell us, Clan Head Chiba, are you attempting to build a private military force? Are you planning to establish an independent power within the Land of Water?"
Chiba glanced calmly at him. So many wolves baring their fangs… Looks like this really is a battle of words against the entire council. But he had anticipated this moment long ago. A faint smile curved his lips as he addressed Gonbei. "You're mistaken. I have no intention of founding an independent faction. Everything I have done has been for the Land of Water and for Kirigakure. As for making them submit to me, that was never about rebellion. It was simply about having them swear allegiance, in advance, to the Mizukage."
Silence. The council members froze, exchanging startled glances. "…The Mizukage?"
Chiba smiled. "Correct. The Mizukage."
A sharp voice cut in. "You mean… yourself?!"
"Of course."
Laughter burst out. Baki, longtime partner of Ao, threw his head back and scoffed. "What a joke! What strength do you have? What qualifications? What accomplishments give you the right to say such a thing?!"
Chiba's gaze shifted to him. "Strength? Does instantly killing two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist count? Does subduing and recruiting prodigies like Hōzuki Mangetsu and Ameyuri Ringo count? Or perhaps," he added lightly, "you believe you could have done the same?"
Baki's laughter died instantly. His mouth opened, then closed. No words came out.
"As for accomplishments," Chiba continued, "uncovering the truth that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, was being controlled by genjutsu. Bringing an end to the era of the Bloody Mist. Forcing the Land of Water into a new age of reform. Does that count as merit?"
Baki snorted coldly. "That was Elder Gen'yū's achievement. And Mei Terumi's. And Ao's. What does that have to do with you?"
Chiba simply smiled. Said nothing.
Mei Terumi cleared her throat. "Actually… the one who first exposed the truth about Yagura-sama… was Clan Head Chiba."
Shock rippled through the chamber. Every elder stiffened. Even Elder Gen'yū frowned deeply.
"Clan Head Chiba," he said slowly, "was it truly you? Then allow me to ask, how did you come to know such a secret?"
At once, all eyes locked onto Chiba-sharp, suspicious, unforgiving. This was no longer a test of strength or status. This was a test of truth, intelligence, and political survival. And Chiba stood at the center of it all, waiting.