Chiba had conquered Mei Terumī, fulfilling the wager between them.
From that moment on, Mei became utterly devoted to him.
In front of others, she was the formidable captain of Kirigakure's Bright Division,a powerful woman standing one step below the Mizukage, commanding thousands.
But before Chiba,
She became a shy, tender woman, her strength softened into warmth.
That contrast…
Was undeniably intoxicating.
…
After bringing Yuki and Haku of the Yuki Clan to Kirigakure, Chiba personally arranged their residence.
Ringo Ameyuri, acting as Haku's mentor, chose to live there as well.
Later, the Tsuchigumo Clan girl, Hotaru, was also settled in the same compound.
For a time, it truly looked like a gilded sanctuary.
Of course,
Aside from Yuki, Chiba had not crossed any lines.
Ringo Ameyuri was a proud tsundere,clearly fond of him, yet stubbornly refusing to admit it.
And the other two were still children.
…
With matters of the inner court settled, the Mizukage faced his next trial.
That trial was Yagura Karatachi, the former Yondaime Mizukage.
Though his mind had long since collapsed, he had once been the leader of Kirigakure.
How to deal with him,
That decision awaited Chiba alone.
To address this, Chiba convened a high-level council meeting.
Present were veterans like Elder Gen'yū, Kenpachi, and Chūjō.
Alongside them sat the new generation: Mei Terumī, Ao, Ao's subordinate Ao, Kisame Hoshigaki, Mangetsu Hōzuki, and even Momochi Zabuza.
At Chiba's invitation, Utakata, the Rokubi's Jinchūriki, also attended.
This matter concerned him deeply.
Chiba spoke first.
"Regarding the former Mizukage,what are your thoughts?"
Ao was the first to answer.
As the man whose Byakugan had uncovered the genjutsu, his voice carried weight.
"…Honestly, even if the Yondaime Mizukage did nothing at all, he likely doesn't have much time left."
"The genjutsu lasted too long. That kind of mental erosion destroys the will entirely."
"What remains is little more than a walking corpse."
Silence fell over the room.
Everyone knew Ao was right.
Elder Gen'yū nodded slowly.
"Yes. We will care for him with dignity. Even if there is no hope… he will pass in peace."
"He intensified the Bloody Mist,but he himself was manipulated."
"In the end, he was also a victim."
Mei Terumī spoke next.
"However, the greater issue is this,"
"The Yondaime Mizukage contains the Sanbi."
"If he dies naturally, the Tailed Beast will perish with him."
"And when it reincarnates… there's no guarantee it will return to the Land of Water."
"We could lose the Sanbi entirely."
That was the core of the issue.
Yagura Karatachi was beyond saving.
But the Sanbi was not.
Kisame Hoshigaki gave a low chuckle.
"If no one wants to say it, I will."
"The solution is obvious."
"We extract the Sanbi' chakra and seal it into a new Jinchūriki."
"But doing so would kill the former Mizukage."
"That's why no one wants to speak, isn't it?"
Utakata's expression tightened.
He thought of his own master and let out a quiet sigh.
Chiba had already told him the truth,that his master wanted him freed from the Jinchūriki's fate.
Still, such wounds did not heal easily.
The room fell into heavy silence.
Then,
Momochi Zabuza spoke.
"I'll do it."
All eyes turned to him.
"I was already trying to assassinate him before."
"No one is better suited to bear that sin than me."
Chiba smiled faintly.
If that were how things ended, the irony would be bitter.
A man who failed to assassinate the Mizukage as a rebel,succeeding only after returning to the village.
But at that moment,
A new voice spoke.
"Konoha,no… Mizukage-sama."
It was Karatachi Izumo, head of the Karatachi Clan.
And Yagura's son.
"If it must be done…"
"Then let me do it,as his son."
Chiba looked at him quietly.
Izumo was unremarkable in strength or talent.
Known more for his lineage than his achievements.
Mangetsu Hōzuki reacted immediately.
"Are you insane?!"
"You'd carry the sin of patricide for life!"
Izumo hesitated.
"I,"
"That's enough."
Chiba raised his hand, ending the argument.
"If it must be done, then the one who acts will be me."
"Zabuza,you cannot kill him in front of the Karatachi Clan."
"Izumo,you cannot kill your own father."
"Only the new Mizukage is suited to bear this responsibility."
The room erupted in shock.
But Chiba silenced them with a calm gesture.
"It's decided."
"What matters more now,"
"Is choosing the next Sanbi Jinchūriki."
The room fell silent once more.
Everyone understood.
Chiba had already made his choice.
And the next decision,
Would shape the future of Kirigakure.