At the Hidden Mist Hospital, Shigure looked at the Medical Ninja with a puzzled frown.
"How is she?"
The Medical Ninja glanced around, then respectfully lowered his voice.
"Lord Shigure, please follow me."
Still confused, Shigure stepped into the ward—only to find the bed empty.
He blinked.
From a side room, Mei Terumī appeared, casually sipping a cup of water.
"What happened to you back there?" he asked.
Mei shook her head lightly. "Nothing serious. I think I was just… a little dizzy."
Just dizzy?
Shigure sighed. "As long as you're alright. But if you're fine, what are you still doing here? You're Mizukage—there's a lot that needs handling."
The village had suffered an attack tonight.
Shigure had saved all the injured shinobi… but the dead could not be brought back.
There were consequences to face. Orders to give. Families to speak with.
Yet Mei suddenly shook her head.
"Isn't this… the perfect opportunity?"
"Opportunity?" Shigure echoed, surprised.
Then it clicked.
She wanted to use this situation to push him forward—to make him Mizukage.
It was true.
The Mizukage had been injured and rendered unable to perform duties. In a crisis like this, the elders could appoint a temporary or even a new Mizukage outright. Although Mei was very much alive, her condition—combined with tonight's events—created a legitimate justification.
Mei met his gaze.
"Tonight, your power has completely overwhelmed the shinobi of Kirigakure. You've proven yourself. Isn't this the ideal moment… for you to become Mizukage?"
She remembered his bold declaration—
he said he would become Mizukage within a year.
And yet, not even a year had passed.
How long had he been in the Hidden Mist?
And in that short time, he had already changed the future of the village more drastically than she had over years.
A Kage did not need overwhelming strength alone.
Power was a shield—not a guarantee of progress.
But Shigure possessed both:
Strength that could shake nations.
Vision that could uplift a village.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—reborn.
The Tailed Beast—recovered.
The overall military power of Mist—vastly improved.
A decisive victory against the Cloud—achieved.
Compared to his contributions…
Mei's own achievements felt small.
He was qualified—unquestionably.
Yes, some elders and higher-ups might still feel uneasy because Shigure's time in Kirigakure had been short.
But after tonight— the lower ranks worshipped him.
With their support, the momentum was unstoppable.
Mizukage…
Shigure looked at Mei.
This was the chance he needed—a single opportunity to shift everything.
And it had come from the Akatsuki's unexpected attack.
A wounded Mizukage.
A hero who saved the village.
It was a perfect political transition.
"…Will the elders agree?" Shigure asked quietly.
Mei nodded. "Most likely. I don't see major obstacles."
She didn't guarantee success—Hidden Mist politics were too unpredictable for that.
"Still… if the elders oppose it, things could become difficult."
"True," she admitted. "But they already hold high expectations for you."
That changed everything.
If the elders supported him…Shigure would not refuse.
A Kage didn't just decide their own fate— they shaped the lives of everyone in the village.
"So… you plan to feign illness?" Shigure asked, raising a brow.
Mei only smiled in response—
which was answer enough.
If so… Ao would need to be summoned.
"Then let's begin preparations," Shigure said calmly.
He didn't need to prepare himself—
the village was already prepared for him.
The next morning, the elder sat quietly as reports from the previous night were delivered.
"A mysterious shinobi infiltrated the Hidden Mist Village. Lord Shigure was ambushed by an unidentified assassin. Additionally, two unknown ninja attacked at the port."
The elder nodded slowly as the report continued.
"Fortunately, Lord Shigure arrived in time and eliminated both enemies with ease."
"Good. Well done," the elder said approvingly.
But the reporting shinobi's expression shifted.
"However… Elder, Lady Mizukage has been severely injured and is currently unconscious."
"What?"
The elder's eyes, previously shut in tired contemplation, snapped open—shocked.
Could their enemy have been so powerful as to seriously wound Terumī Mei?
"Lady Mizukage was not defeated in direct combat," the shinobi clarified quickly.
"She was poisoned by underhanded means."
Poison.
Many shinobi had witnessed Mei being struck, but her injuries were minor. If that alone counted as 'severe injury,' half the village would be bedridden. But a delayed poison? Combined with her sudden collapse… the explanation seemed believable.
"Hmph. Poison. How disgraceful."
The elder scowled, but his concern shifted almost immediately.
"With Lady Mizukage incapacitated, who is currently handling village affairs?"
"Lord Shigure has taken responsibility."
Shigure?
The elder paused, recalling the previous night: the monstrous whirlpool, the ocean bowing to a single shinobi's command. His contributions in recent days had already revitalized the Mist.
"…And how is he managing things?"
"The families of our fallen have been properly supported. Several sons of deceased shinobi have requested to become ninja—Lord Shigure has personally agreed to instruct them in ninjutsu."
That was impressive. Mature. Compassionate.
At twelve years old, the boy had already shown the heart and strength of a Mizukage.
"Elder," the shinobi continued, "with Lady Mizukage unconscious, the Hidden Mist must rely on you…"
The elder shook his head.
"I am too old. The village needs new strength. Summon Shigure—now."
"Yes, sir."
Shigure soon arrived at the elder's chamber.
He pushed open the final door, stepping inside with calm composure.
The elder studied him closely.
A twelve-year-old child should not look this composed… this resolute.
Becoming Mizukage no longer felt like a stretch—it felt inevitable.
"Do you have confidence in leading the Hidden Mist Village?" the elder asked.
Shigure bowed slightly.
"Elder, you may rest easy."
"And your view of Konoha?" he asked next, his voice cautious.
"It no longer concerns me," Shigure replied plainly.
The elder smiled faintly.
No hatred. No attachment.
Exactly what he wanted to hear.
"Lady Mizukage is gravely incapacitated. The village requires a pillar to support it. Are you willing to shoulder that burden?"
Shigure answered without hesitation.
"I am a shinobi of the Hidden Mist. Of course I am willing."
The elder's decision solidified.
"Good. Then from this moment forward, you are—"
...
TN:
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