"Uchiha Itsuki!"
Genji repeated the name once again.
"Hmm, hmm!"
Itsuki nodded repeatedly with a smile and said, "Lord Elder, don't you remember me? Well, that makes sense. You're in charge of all the big and small matters of Kirigakure. How could someone like you remember a little guy like me?"
He tilted his head slightly, his expression filled with subtle meaning.
Genji gritted his teeth and said, "Forget you? I wouldn't forget you, even in my dreams!"
Itsuki looked Genji up and down and said disdainfully, "You're just an old geezer. Why are you so obsessed with me? Wait... do you know I opened a crematorium?"
Genji, still clenching his teeth, asked, "Have you forgotten what you did to me?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Itsuki's face turned cold as he said, "If Mei were to say that, I wouldn't mind. But you, an old man, making me sick like this? I could kill you in seconds."
"Hmph!"
Genji let out a heavy snort and said coldly, "I had my suspicions, but now I'm certain. You're the one stirring up trouble in Kirigakure, aren't you? Uchiha!"
"You figured that out too?"
Itsuki chuckled sinisterly. "Old man, how does it feel? Do you realize now how dangerous I am? You dared to scheme against me, so I'll wreck your Kirigakure!"
Veins popped out on Genji's forehead.
Did he seriously just admit it?
Does he think I'm an idiot?
Only a madman would believe he's behind all of this.
The timing doesn't even add up.
Besides, Terumi Mei is now the Fifth Mizukage. Itsuki wouldn't go after her unless he'd lost his mind.
Genji, being an old fox, knew full well that Itsuki and Terumi Mei's relationship wasn't something that could be hidden.
The two men stared coldly at each other.
They both found each other annoying.
One thought the other was an eyesore, meddling in everything.
What business do you have in everything, anyway?
The other was furious that Itsuki had charmed his village's most brilliant talent—who was now the Mizukage.
After all, every talented individual is a treasure to their village, let alone someone qualified to be Kage.
"Uchiha Itsuki!"
Genji said coldly, "Why aren't you playing kage in your Hidden Fire Village? What are you doing here in Kirigakure? Do you really think we can't handle you?"
Even though Kirigakure had been isolated, the big players were still aware of the outside world.
The ninja army might have been trapped in the village, but the spies were still active.
"Tch!"
Itsuki scoffed, "Kirigakure can barely hold itself together. What's the point of putting on a front in front of me? For all you know, in a little while, the Hidden Mist Village might not even exist."
Genji responded calmly, "We have a Mizukage. With her leadership, I believe we'll overcome our difficulties."
"Damn it!"
Hearing that, Uchiha Itsuki completely lost his temper.
He growled coldly, "You know full well I didn't want Mei to become Mizukage, but you still pushed her into the position. What's your game, Elder? Do you want to be my enemy?"
Genji smiled with satisfaction.
At over ninety years old, was he afraid of dying?
What a joke!
So, seeing Itsuki so furious—it was worth it.
Genji's face became calm as he said, "Mei is the most suitable candidate, and she herself is willing to become Mizukage."
No kidding!
Who wouldn't want to be the Kage of their own village?
You're giving me this nonsense?
A cold glint flashed in Itsuki's eyes.
He had always believed that the old timers should have been phased out.
That applied to Konoha's elders, and even more so to Genji of Kirigakure.
For years, Kirigakure had been under the control of Genji, with the Mizukage serving almost as a figurehead.
In the original timeline, Itsuki remembered that Genji only passed the Mizukage hat to Terumi Mei because of his advanced age and inability to attend the Five Kage Summit.
What a joke!
Do you even know who's supposed to be Mizukage?
Of course, Itsuki didn't entirely reject all the older generation, but as they aged, wouldn't it be better if they just retired in peace?
The village hadn't mistreated them—they'd been given everything they were entitled to and more.
What more do they want?
Do they have to hold on to power?
How many people in history were glorious in their early years, only to become monstrous later in life?
The idea of balancing their accomplishments with their later misdeeds was nonsense.
Once someone has hurt you, can you really forgive them just because of what they did in the past?
It's like that absurd saying about delayed justice…
Once it's late, how dare you call it justice?
Where did you get the nerve?
"Old man, cut the crap!"
Itsuki spat each word. "Let me ask you once—will you stop Mei from being Mizukage, or not?"
Genji's heart sank, and his expression grew dark.
He knew this was Itsuki's final ultimatum.
If he couldn't appease Itsuki today, then Kirigakure...
Genji spoke slowly, "Uchiha Itsuki, do you think threatening me will work?"
"I'm an old man with no heirs..."
Before Genji could finish, Itsuki turned to leave.
Threaten you?
You're overthinking it!
I'm only giving you a courtesy warning because Mei is Mizukage.
Since you don't seem to want that, I'll just take action directly. We'll see if you regret it later!
Maybe you will.
Maybe you won't.
Either way, Itsuki would achieve his goal.
"Wait, wait!"
Genji hurriedly called after him, "Mei being Mizukage is more beneficial to you. Besides, it's her own choice."
Itsuki didn't stop, continuing on his way.
Genji, now desperate, shouted, "I'll give you a satisfactory answer. I promise!"
Itsuki finally stopped, turned back, and coldly stared at Genji. "Satisfactory for me?"
"Yes!"
Genji sighed and said, "Uchiha Itsuki, I know you care about Mei. For her sake, you wouldn't hesitate to destroy Kirigakure."
His words were full of bitterness.
Kirigakure was already in a terrible state.
If Itsuki decided to step in now, the village might really end up as nothing but history.
Would he dare do it?
Absolutely.
And he wouldn't even let Mei know he did it.
He had too many ways to bring Kirigakure down without leaving any trace of his involvement.
"Uchiha Itsuki!"
Genji said earnestly, "If Mei becomes Mizukage, won't that benefit you as well? I remember Pakura is already Kazekage. If Mei solidifies her position, the three Hidden Villages will be united as one."
"Stop wasting my time!"
Itsuki said coldly, "You know exactly what kind of shape Kirigakure is in. Putting Mei in charge of such a mess—how is that a benefit? I'm already worried enough for her."
Genji gave a bitter smile and said, "It's not as bad as you think. Kirigakure was stabilizing, but recently, we've been facing new problems."
Obito!
Itsuki instantly understood.
So Obito really did show up here.
But why?
Was he gathering Kirigakure's forces to go after Itsuki?
Or did he know about Itsuki and Terumi Mei's relationship and plan to use her against him?
Both seemed possible.
Looks like there's going to be a fight with Obito in Kirigakure.
Though it wasn't his turf...
Itsuki glanced at Genji.
That old man had quite a few cards up his sleeve.
Might as well use them against Obito!
"Uchiha Itsuki!"
Genji said seriously, "Kirigakure will recover, don't worry. We'll handle it. I'll hand over a stable village to Mei."
"Heh!"
Itsuki let out a cold laugh, "Elder, do you even believe that yourself?"
"I do!"
If Genji had anything, it was thick skin.
He smiled slyly and said, "Itsuki, given your relationship with Mei... would you really stand by and do nothing?"
Itsuki's eyebrows shot up. "What? You're trying to use me now?"
"Think of it as an investment!"
Genji said calmly, "Kirigakure will eventually belong to you and Mei. Isn't it natural for you to fight for her?"
Itsuki scoffed, "In this regard, Elder, you're better than Sarutobi Hiruzen. Thicker skin, more willing to take risks, and better at setting traps."
"I'm better than him in every way!"
Genji sneered,
"That monkey Sarutobi Hiruzen was decent back in the day, but look at him now. What a joke he's become."
Itsuki didn't have time for his nonsense and said, "After this is over, don't interfere with the affairs of Kirigakure anymore, or else..."
"After this is over, I'll be about ready to leave anyway."
Genjii suddenly spoke seriously.
Itsuki was taken aback, then snorted lightly, "Where's Mei? What's your plan?"
"Of course!"
Genjii grinned.
He leaned in and whispered a few words into Itsuki's ear.
"You've got guts!"
Itsuki sighed and then vanished.
Watching him leave, Genjii's expression became a bit blank.
It wasn't shock, but more like deep thought.
His entire past flashed through his mind.
At over ninety years old, it was time to leave.
If he didn't leave, how could Itsuki ever be at ease?
How could Kirigakure truly develop?
Terumi Mei was working diligently at her desk, and behind her stood two people.
One of them had long gray-blue hair and one eye: Ao.
The other had short blue hair, black-rimmed glasses, jagged teeth, and was wearing a gray-blue turtleneck with dark blue chest armor—it was Chojuro.
Lately, Kirigakure had been acting strange, so as Terumi Mei's trusted confidants, they stayed by her side constantly.
If something happened to the new Mizukage, Kirigakure would really be doomed.
Although Genji had control over Kirigakure, he was just Elder.
The Mizukage was the true leader of the village.
There was also one undeniable fact.
Genjii was over ninety years old. If he died tomorrow, no one would be surprised.
"Ao, Chojuro, relax!"
Terumi Mei stretched, showing off her graceful figure, her delicate face full of smiles. "Don't forget, I'm the Mizukage, and the Mizukage is the strongest person in Kirigakure."
Ao looked serious and said, "Mizukage-sama, Kirigakure has been unstable recently. Even as the Mizukage, you must be careful. If something happens to you, it would be the greatest loss for the village."
"Yeah, that's right," Chojuro added softly, his face flushing as he struggled to keep his gaze steady.
Seeing his awkwardness, Ao felt a headache coming on and barked, "Chojuro!"
"Y-Yes!"
Chojuro snapped to attention.
"Get it together!"
Ao said sternly, "We are the Mizukage's guards. We must protect her. How can you protect anyone if you can't even take care of yourself?"
"Y-Yes, I'll try my best!"
Chojuro responded quickly.
Terumi Mei smiled lightly.
Every time Ao scolded Chojuro, it was one of their rare moments to relax.
"Mizukage-sama!"
An Anbu operative entered the room.
"Any news?"
"No."
The Anbu's voice was heavy, "That person is hiding deep. Also, many of the ninja clans have strictly prohibited us from entering their homes. We can't find anything."
Terumi Mei wasn't surprised.
Every ninja village was made up of various ninja clans.
Some of the more powerful clans had undeniable influence in the village.
Terumi Mei, as a young, newly appointed Mizukage, wasn't considered qualified by many clans to investigate them.
When she noticed something wrong in the village and suspected outsiders had infiltrated, she tried to use the Anbu to investigate the clans, but it was futile.
They couldn't even get past the doors of those ninja clans, let alone investigate.
"Forget it. You can go."
Terumi Mei waved her hand dismissively, "Assemble all the Anbu and stand by."
"All of them?"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
The Anbu agent bowed and left.
Although Terumi Mei was a new Mizukage, she had been designated as the next Mizukage long ago and had been allowed to form her own Anbu unit.
After all, it had been quite some time since the Fourth Mizukage's death, and Kirigakure couldn't be left without leadership.
Genjii alone wasn't enough!
So, when Terumi Mei took over as Mizukage, she already had a fully formed Anbu unit at her disposal.
"Coo, coo, coo!"
Suddenly, a strange bird call echoed through the room.
Terumi Mei and her two guards immediately became alert.
Did Kirigakure have such birds?
And besides, this was the Mizukage's office. What kind of bird could fly here?
Anything within a hundred meters of this place would be instantly killed!
But then, Terumi Mei seemed to realize something and her expression became odd.
"Ao, Chojuro, leave."
"Leave?"
Both were stunned.
"Yes!"
Terumi Mei nodded seriously, "Get far away from here."
"But..."
Chojuro was about to protest when Ao grabbed him, saying, "Stop talking and come with me!"
With that, Ao dragged Chojuro out.
"Come out!"
Terumi Mei looked around and said, "Is that you?"
A hand reached out from behind her and covered her eyes.
A low voice followed: "Guess who?"
Terumi Mei: "..."
"Danzo Shimura?"
Itsuki: "..."
In what world would you think of Danzo Shimura first?!
"It's been a while, Itsuki," Terumi Mei said, smiling as she broke free from him. "It's rare that you'd leave your cozy paradise and come all the way to this backwater village to see me."
"Wait, you're not here to see me, are you?"
"How could that be?"
Itsuki snorted, "Something happened in Kirigakure, and I was worried about you. So, I rushed over. And you think I came for something else?"
"Well, only you would know if that's true!"
Itsuki chuckled, "My dear Mizukage, standing in this position really changes the way you speak."
"Are you upset?"
Terumi Mei laughed.
"As if! You're the Mizukage, after all!"
Itsuki sneered.
Terumi Mei glanced around with a playful smile, "This is the office, so should we..."
Itsuki paused, then snorted, "I'm a respectable person."
"Well then... mmph!"
(End of chapter)