Mangetsu Hōzuki's expression shifted, and after a brief silence, he let out a quiet sigh. "…Once, it was indeed possible," he admitted. "Even now, the clan still wishes for me to compete. But I chose to withdraw."
Chiba regarded him calmly. "Why?"
Mangetsu answered without evasion. "I was outmatched," he said. "I lost to you. And with that defeat, I lost the confidence I once had. A man like that is unfit to become Mizukage."
Chiba placed a hand on Mangetsu's shoulder. "As a shinobi, that mindset won't do," he said. "Victory and defeat are the norm in war. How can someone abandon everything over a single loss?"
Mangetsu fell silent, bitterness flickering in his eyes. You're really one to talk, he thought. Chiba chuckled softly, then added, "The members of the Hōzuki Clan must hate me quite a bit, then."
Mangetsu shook his head. "You're wrong. In fact, quite the opposite."
Chiba's brow lifted in genuine surprise. "Oh?"
"My father, the current head of the Hōzuki Clan, said this," Mangetsu continued. "At the moment when our clan stood on the brink of extinction, you were the one who stepped forward. You slaughtered our enemies without hesitation. You saved the Hōzuki Clan. A man who can do that," he said firmly, "deserves the respect of every clan and every shinobi. And as for your strength, there was never any doubt about that."
Chiba exhaled slowly, impressed. "The Hōzuki Clan truly lives up to its reputation as one of Kirigakure's great noble houses. With such clarity of thought and long vision… it's no wonder your clan has endured for generations."
Mangetsu nodded. "There's more. I have already sworn my loyalty to you. And when I give my word," he said seriously, "I never take it back. So now, not only I, but the entire Hōzuki Clan… will fully support you in your bid to become Mizukage."
Chiba's heart stirred. Originally, he had subdued Mangetsu through sheer, overwhelming strength. Yet now, both Mangetsu and the Hōzuki Clan followed him willingly. From another perspective, this was also a calculated gamble. If Chiba truly became Mizukage, the Hōzuki Clan would rise alongside him—a clan that had survived for generations did not make such choices lightly. They were betting on the future.
With the Hōzuki Clan's backing, Chiba's influence within Kirigakure expanded instantly. The Yuki Clan was his true foundation, but it lay outside the village. Here, within Kirigakure, the Hōzuki Clan became his anchor.
Mangetsu made his stance clear and then asked, "So when do we move?"
"Mei Terumi and Fuguki Suikazan have already begun their operations," Chiba replied, his gaze sharpening. "Have you learned anything about their plans?"
Mangetsu shook his head. "Detailed plans are impossible to obtain. But the two of them appear to have chosen very different approaches."
The mist thickened around them. Three candidates. Three paths. And only one seat at the summit of Kirigakure.
Mangetsu Hōzuki reported to Chiba, "Mei Terumi is trying every possible way to draw out Momochi Zabuza. Clearly, she intends to capture the leader first, to take the thief by the head. As for Fuguki Suikazan, he seems to believe that approach only treats the symptoms, not the root of the problem. He wants to rally his forces and confront the rebel army head-on."
Chiba nodded slowly. "Both of them have their merits and their flaws."
"And what about us?" Mangetsu asked.
Chiba smiled faintly. "We wait."
Mangetsu frowned. "Wait? At this rate, all the credit will go to the other two."
Now that Mangetsu and the entire Hōzuki Clan were committed to Chiba's cause, he could no longer remain indifferent.
Chiba answered calmly, "Nothing is clear yet. No matter how anxious we become, it won't change anything. Relax. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Mangetsu let out a sigh. Though uneasy, he trusted that Chiba had his own calculations. He could only nod.
Meanwhile, in Mei Terumi's camp, she was meeting with her supporters, the jōnin Ao, Bi, and others, discussing their next move.
"Ao, how is the plan to lure Zabuza progressing?" Mei asked.
Ao shook his head. "Zabuza isn't a fool. He knows Kirigakure is mobilizing against him. Without sufficient preparation, he won't show himself."
Bi nodded in agreement. "When Zabuza finally appears, it will likely be with his entire rebel force gathered. He'll be aiming for a decisive, all-or-nothing battle. If that happens, Fuguki Suikazan will hold a massive advantage—more men, more forces. All the credit will go to him."
Mei frowned. "That's true. We've never been stronger than him in sheer numbers. That's why drawing Zabuza out personally is still our best option."
Ao nodded. "Yes."
Mei hesitated, her cheeks tinged faintly red. "…And what about the other side?"
Ao blinked. "The other side?"
Mei cleared her throat. "I mean… Chiba."
"Oh, him? He doesn't seem to be doing anything at all," Ao said casually.
"What?!" Mei's eyes widened. Based on what she knew of Chiba, he was decisive, direct—a man who acted the moment a path was clear. And this was the battle for the Mizukage seat. How could he possibly be doing nothing?
Ao, despite possessing the Byakugan, was famously slow when it came to reading emotional subtleties. Bi, however, was different. He glanced at Mei, understanding dawning in his eyes, and coughed lightly.
"Ahem… Mei-sama. Our goal is the Mizukage's seat. We must not let personal feelings cloud our judgment."
Mei's face flushed instantly. "I-I won't!" she protested.
Ao scratched his head, completely lost. "Feelings? What feelings?"
Mei fell silent.
Meanwhile, at Fuguki Suikazan's camp, he was gathering his subordinates, including Kisame Hoshigaki, to finalize their strategy. His plan was brutally simple, almost crude, but undeniably effective. Most importantly, it promised a complete and decisive resolution.
There was only one word to describe it: war.