Chapter 46: The Mizukage Is Assassinated, Chaos Erupts in the Hidden Mist!
"Bad news, Elder Genshi!"
"The Fourth Mizukage has been assassinated!"
As Genshi and Mei Terumi were deliberating strategies to save the Hidden Mist Village from its current crisis, a panicked voice called out from outside the room.
"Honestly, making such a fuss—can't you be a little more composed?"
Genshi sighed but allowed the messenger to enter.
The door opened, and a young Mist ninja shuffled in. He offered a polite smile to everyone, but his expression quickly shifted to one of seriousness.
"Elder Genshi, news just arrived from our scouts!"
"Someone has attempted to assassinate the Mizukage!"
"And the identity of the assailant... it's someone we all know. Want to guess who?"
The young ninja smirked, teasingly trying to create suspense.
"Have you been slacking off lately? Is your skin itching for punishment?"
Smack!
Before he could finish his sentence, a small but fierce fist struck his head, leaving him dizzy and seeing stars.
"Ah, it hurts! Mei-senpai, why do you always hit so hard?"
"I…" Mei glared at him, fist raised threateningly.
"Alright, alright, I'll talk! No need to hit me again, or I might 'forget' the intel!"
Cowardice quickly won over mischief as the young Mist ninja recounted the details.
---
"The assassin... it was none other than Zabuza Momochi!"
Mei and the others were shocked.
"What?! Zabuza Momochi?! But why…?"
Chojuro's youthful face was full of confusion. He couldn't understand why someone like Zabuza, once respected, would try to kill the Mizukage.
To him, the Mizukage represented strength, unity, and protection. Attempting to assassinate the Mizukage seemed like an unforgivable betrayal.
---
"Ah, Zabuza… what a tragic case," Genshi sighed.
Though Zabuza's actions were shocking, Genshi quickly discerned his motives. The elder's deep understanding of the village's turmoil allowed him to piece together the likely reasons for Zabuza's attempt.
"Zabuza is a talented ninja, but he's taken the wrong path, one that's far too extreme," Genshi lamented.
---
The elder's calm analysis made it clear that Zabuza's efforts were doomed from the start. The strength gap between the two was simply too great.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was not only a powerful ninja but also a perfect jinchuriki. No amount of cunning or stealth could overcome that.
Even if Zabuza's attack had been well-planned, success was unlikely.
Yet, while the assassination attempt failed, it left behind a dangerous aftermath.
In the Hidden Mist Village's current volatile state, Zabuza's actions were like a spark thrown onto a powder keg.
---
"Let's go," Genshi said after a moment's thought.
"The real trouble is only beginning."
With that, Genshi led the group toward the Mizukage's office, Mei and the others following close behind.
Before leaving, Genshi whispered a few words to Ao, who nodded solemnly and went off alone, seemingly on a separate mission.
---
News of the assassination spread quickly through the Hidden Mist.
For Kaguya Shika and his faction, this was an opportunity too good to miss.
With the political landscape already unstable, the attempted assassination gave them the pretext they needed to act.
Gathering their forces, they marched toward the Mizukage's office, determined to press their advantage.
---
Before long, the three main factions of the Hidden Mist—the Mizukage's loyalists, Kaguya Shika's rebels, and Genshi's moderates—converged in front of the Mizukage's office.
The tension was palpable, with each group eyeing the others warily. No one dared to make the first move, but the situation was a hair's breadth away from exploding.
---
"What's this? A gathering?"
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, emerged from his office, his expression calm and composed.
He looked as if he hadn't just survived an assassination attempt.
"Just thought we'd check in, Mizukage-sama," Genshi said, his tone carefully neutral.
"We heard about the attack and wanted to see if you needed any assistance."
---
"Ha! That's rich!"
One of Kaguya Shika's followers sneered loudly.
"Yagura, are your precious ANBU so useless that an assassin could waltz right up to you?"
"If you're too weak to protect yourself, why not step down and let Kaguya Shika take over? He's more than qualified to be Mizukage!"
"Kaguya Shika has what it takes to lead this village!"
The mocking words struck a nerve, not only with Yagura's loyalists but also with Kaguya Shika himself.
Though the Kaguya leader had been planning a rebellion, this public declaration was premature and uncoordinated.
---
"What are you doing?!" Kaguya Shika hissed, glaring at his subordinate.
"We haven't finalized our plans yet! Do you think rebellion is some kind of game?"
But the damage was done.
Yagura's expression darkened, and a cold smile spread across his face.
---
"So, you're saying you want to overthrow me?" Yagura's voice was icy.
"Does that make all of you traitors to the village?"
"And the assassin who attacked me earlier—was he sent by you?"
---
As Yagura spoke, his loyal ANBU operatives appeared, surrounding the rebels.
Though Kaguya Shika's faction had greater numbers, Yagura's elite forces were far more skilled. And with the Mizukage himself on their side, the balance of power tipped heavily in their favor.
---
"In the name of the Mizukage, I hereby declare all of you as traitors to the Hidden Mist!" Yagura announced.
"Capture them all!"
With that, the ANBU attacked, moving swiftly and decisively.
---
"He dares?!" Kaguya Shika was stunned by Yagura's boldness.
Caught off guard, he had no choice but to order his followers to fight back.
The battle began in an instant, plunging the village into chaos.
---
On the sidelines, Genshi and his group found themselves in an awkward position.
Neither Yagura's loyalists nor the rebels seemed interested in seeking their aid.
Likewise, Genshi's group was hesitant to pick a side.
For now, they could only watch as the Hidden Mist descended into war.
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