The situation in Kirigakure was inherently complex.
Obito lacked political skills of his own. Through his control of the Mizukage, he instigated the "Blood Mist" era, massacring clans with Kekkei Genkai and purging opposition. This significantly weakened Kirigakure's foundation to its lowest point in history.
However, he was never able to deliver a fatal blow to Kirigakure.
The main reason was that all his actions had to be carried out through the Mizukage under his control.
This method of control allowed him to implement his plans quickly, but it also had a drawback: he couldn't issue commands that would directly harm Kirigakure too blatantly.
If his actions were too obvious, people would notice. If a Mizukage outright harmed their own village, the subordinates wouldn't hesitate to rebel.
Thus, over the years, Obito could only use excuses like purging dissidents to disrupt Kirigakure, leaving the village barely hanging on.
Many younger ninjas within Kirigakure had started noticing the problems in the village. However, they couldn't imagine that the Mizukage was under someone's control. They simply believed the Mizukage's behavior stemmed from an excessive thirst for power.
Among these younger ninjas, Mei Terumī stood out as a leader. As the strongest of her generation, Mei had long been quietly building her network of allies.
Due to the Mizukage's unpopular actions, a group of loyal followers began gathering around her.
Mei Terumī's goal was to stage a coup. However, she hadn't acted yet because she lacked confidence in defeating Mizukage Karatachi.
After all, Karatachi was a perfect Jinchūriki. Moreover, he wasn't entirely without supporters. While purging clans with Kekkei Genkai, some individuals had benefited and become his staunch backers.
Mei Terumī's faction aimed to save Kirigakure, not destroy it. If they launched a full-scale battle against Karatachi's faction, regardless of who won, Kirigakure's remaining foundation would surely be lost.
In this situation, Mei's faction could only continue to bide their time, hoping to identify the Mizukage's fatal weakness and strike decisively.
Originally, this delicate balance could have held for some time. But one day, the Mizukage suddenly, inexplicably, called for a meeting with the Raikage and the Tsuchikage, proposing an alliance to attack Konoha.
This move left the opposing faction in Kirigakure utterly dumbfounded.
Boss, do you even know what shape our village is in right now? With what resources are we going to fight Konoha? Do you really think the Raikage, that brute, wouldn't take advantage of our weakness to turn on us instead?
But regardless of how they felt, the Mizukage's word was law in Kirigakure. Mei Terumī and her allies were left regretting their hesitation to act sooner.
They understood clearly that if a war against Konoha broke out, Kirigakure would be finished. The Raikage was known for his bandit-like tendencies, while the Tsuchikage was infamous for his cunning and opportunism.
Konoha, on the other hand, was currently flourishing and had made its expansionist intentions clear. Engaging a fully operational Konoha in war was tantamount to courting disaster.
Moreover, Konoha had a military alliance with Sunagakure. While the three-village alliance appeared advantageous on the surface, Kirigakure's weakened state couldn't withstand the strain of a full-scale war.
Thus, regardless of the outcome, Kirigakure would be doomed.
Mei Terumī could understand the desire to curb Konoha's rise strategically. The problem was that Kirigakure simply lacked the capacity to do so.
Furthermore, Kirigakure, isolated overseas, had minimal interaction with Konoha. Even the maritime trade had been ceded. The ones who should be most concerned about Konoha's rise were Kumogakure and Iwagakure, not them.
With these considerations in mind, Mei's faction finally began to suspect that something was seriously wrong with the Mizukage. His decision to lead an attack on Konoha was too senseless.
"But the Mizukage is a perfect Jinchūriki, how could he possibly be controlled?"
"Why not? Even the Nine-Tails has been controlled before. Why would the Mizukage be immune?"
"But... I still can't accept it. He's the Mizukage!"
"Then how do you explain all the irrational actions the village has taken? We need to make a decision quickly. Everyone here should understand that if war breaks out, Kirigakure is headed for destruction."
Mei Terumī saw the situation clearly. However, the forces she commanded weren't strong enough.
Most of those present held a pessimistic view toward a coup d'état.
But just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"Looks like you all could use a bit of help."
"Who's there?" Mei and her group stood up warily, only to see someone they hadn't expected appear before them.
"... Zabuza? You actually dared to come back?"
"And why shouldn't I come back? Be honest, have I ever harmed this village? In fact, I once worked very hard to save it."
Mei stared at Zabuza for a moment, stopping Chōjūrō and Ao, who were about to take action.
"Zabuza, which side are you representing? Kumogakure, Iwagakure, or Konoha?"
"Heh. Whose side I represent is, of course, an important question. But it's a question I'll only answer to the Mizukage. Mei, you don't seem to be the Mizukage just yet, do you?"
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Currently on Chapter 216 - Rinne Rebirth