Upon hearing the name Momochi Zabuza, the Hōzuki family,father and two sons,were all visibly shocked.
"That former rogue leader?!"
Chiba smiled calmly.
"Yes, that's him."
"But his crimes… he was lucky not to be executed immediately."
"How could someone like him become a member of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Mangetsu Hōzuki furrowed his brow.
Chiba let out a thoughtful sigh.
"Zabuza may have been a rogue ninja, but rogue to whom?"
"He had always sought to assassinate the previous Mizukage, to stage a coup and overthrow the old regime."
"His dissatisfaction stemmed from the oppressive policies of the Bloody Mist era in Kirigakure."
"In essence, his goals align with ours."
He glanced at Mangetsu Hōzuki.
"If disloyalty to the previous Mizukage makes one a rogue, then no current Elder Council member would qualify to stand here today."
Mangetsu's expression shifted subtly.
Indeed.
During the tenure of the Yondaime Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, Elder Gen'yū had secretly coordinated with other council members and rising talents like Chiba, devising strategies in secret.
In a sense, that was rebellion too.
Mangetsu hesitated.
"But… the scale is different…"
Chiba's gaze remained calm and resolute.
"Think about it. Why was the rebel army so large?"
"Was it because of Zabuza's personal charm? No."
"It was because, at that time, both Kirigakure and the Land of Water harbored the same frustrations and ambitions as Zabuza."
"In the end, what he did was simply follow the will of the people."
Kōzuki Kōgetsu let out a low sigh.
"Mizukage-sama, when you put it that way, it makes perfect sense.
Though… explaining it to the higher-ups in Kirigakure might be difficult."
Chiba smiled.
"Who do you think the high-ups are? I am the high-up now.
What is there to fear?"
Kōzuki Kōgetsu's eyes widened as understanding dawned. He laughed heartily.
"You're right, Mizukage-sama!"
Mangetsu Hōzuki finally nodded, and without hesitation, handed over the remaining three swords.
Chiba then had Ringo Amayuri escort Yuki and Haku, mother and daughter of the Yuki clan, to Kirigakure.
He reinstated Yoru Yuki as the head of the Yuki clan, responsible for managing the clan.
Even the Mizukage himself was a member of the Yuki clan, so no one dared oppose him.
Chiba handed Nagamaki-Fūhari to Haku.
Her eyes lit up with joy, and she threw herself into Chiba's arms in a big, grateful hug.
Ringo Amayuri chuckled, teasing,
"I never thought my student would rise so quickly to stand among the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen alongside me."
Haku giggled, "Master, do your best! But don't let me surpass you!"
Ringo Amayuri ruffled her small head affectionately.
"Don't worry, little one. I won't lose to you!"
Chiba's orchestration was flawless,each sword had a master chosen not only for skill but for loyalty, potential, and compatibility with the weapon itself.
The new Seven Ninja Swordsmen were not just a revival of legend,they were a living, breathing force for the dawn of a new era in Kirigakure.
The youngest daughter laughed.
Then, Chiba handed Bakuto Shibuki to Chōjirō, the rising talent of Kirigakure.
Chōjirō was naturally filled with gratitude toward the new Mizukage.
Finally, there was the Kubikiri-Hōchō.
Chiba made his way to the prison of Kirigakure.
There, he found Momochi Zabuza.
Even behind bars, Zabuza was aware of what had transpired outside.
"Congratulations… Godaime Mizukage," he said coolly.
Chiba offered a calm smile.
"Thank you."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
"When do you plan to kill me?!"
"Kill you?" Chiba asked, feigning surprise.
"Did I ever say that?"
Zabuza was taken aback.
"You… you're not going to kill me?!"
Chiba chuckled softly.
"Why would I?"
"You were the leader of a rebel army…"
"You betrayed the previous Mizukage, who was under someone else's control," Chiba continued.
"Not Kirigakure… not the Land of Water… and certainly not me, the new Mizukage."
Zabuza froze, utterly unprepared for such reasoning.
"So… what are you going to do with me?"
Chiba's smile widened.
"I'm going to give you a chance to atone for your sins while contributing to the village."
"A chance?"
Chiba produced the Kubikiri-Hōchō, extending it through the bars of the cell.
Zabuza's eyes went wide.
"This… Kubikiri-Hōchō?!"
"You… you're going to give this to me?!"
"That's right," Chiba said calmly.
"You must be joking," Zabuza said incredulously.
Chiba laughed heartily.
"Perhaps. But considering you were once called the Demon of Kirigakure, I think you're hardly in a position to lecture me."
Zabuza ignored the jab.
"You really think Kirigakure would accept me now?
And moreover… as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!"
Chiba's tone remained even, yet resolute.
"I accept you, and the vast majority of the villagers and ninja will too. That is enough."
Zabuza fell silent, pondering the words for a long moment.
"It seems… you truly are different from the previous Mizukage."
Chiba nodded lightly.
"If he were the same, why would we change leadership?"
"But even so… he was under control, so it wasn't entirely his fault,at most, a matter of inadequate ability."
Chiba leaned slightly closer.
"By the way… the one you truly wanted to assassinate wasn't him, but the man behind him, wasn't it?"
"I can give you that opportunity."
Zabuza's chest tightened.
"I… your conditions… are impossible to refuse."
Chiba smiled.
"Of course. I came prepared."
"And what do you want in return?" Zabuza asked cautiously.
Chiba's expression remained calm, unwavering.
"My loyalty… no, your loyalty," he said simply.
Zabuza was silent for a long moment.
Then, resolutely, he gripped the Kubikiri-Hōchō by its spine.
With one swift motion, he drew it across, taking the hilt firmly in hand.
He met Chiba's gaze, his eyes burning with determination.
"You have it," Zabuza said firmly.
"My loyalty… Mizukage-sama."
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