Dead silence filled the room.
Everyone looked at Ibara Kumaji with complicated expressions. He lay sprawled on the ground, tears streaming down his face. He had never imagined that his lifelong reputation would be completely destroyed by his own son.
Originally, among this group, he possessed outstanding battle achievements and acted with steady judgment, ranking within the top ten. Yet because of his son, he had ended up in such a miserable state.
It was impossible not to sigh at the cruelty of fate.
Mei Terumī stood up.
"Since that is the case, there is nothing more to be said," she said calmly. "Ibara Kumaji, regardless of the reason, you have ultimately betrayed everyone here. Therefore, you cannot escape death today."
Ibara Kumaji nodded slowly. "I understand. But could you please spare my son? He is still just a child."
There was not a trace of softness in Mei Terumī's eyes—only coldness.
"Because of you, everyone here has been placed in danger tonight. You destroyed your own reputation because of your son's gambling addiction," she said flatly.
"If I were to spare your son, have you considered how the others here would feel? What is this supposed to mean—does only your son's life matter, while everyone else's does not?"
"Do you think you're the only one with a family? Who here doesn't have one? Betrayal is betrayal. And because of your betrayal, everyone here is now standing on the edge of danger."
"Ibara Kumaji, you may go now. Your son will follow you soon enough."
Mei Terumī formed hand seals with one hand.
"Acid Style: Acid Mist Technique!"
She spat out a mouthful of corrosive acid.
Elder Genji instantly retreated to avoid the technique, while Ibara Kumaji could only watch helplessly as the acid splashed over his body.
"AAAHHHHH—!"
He screamed in agony as his body was corroded by the violent acid. Flesh and skin hissed and dissolved, exposing white bone beneath.
The skeleton, once touched by the acid, rapidly decomposed as well, until nothing remained but a pool of blood that soon vanished completely.
This act served several purposes.
First, it stabilized morale. A traitor had appeared among them. If such a betrayal were handled leniently rather than with decisive force, it would leave everyone uneasy.
Especially because Mei Terumī was young. If she showed even a hint of softness, people would associate her with weakness.
And as a candidate for Mizukage, weakness was something she absolutely could not afford.
Second, it was a warning.
Regardless of the reason, betrayal was betrayal—and it was unforgivable.
Acid Style ensured a painful death while erasing all traces of the victim from the world, leaving nothing behind.
Third, it was a statement to Elder Genji.
By acting decisively, Mei Terumī showed her recognition of him. Identifying the traitor so quickly was something even she, the future Fifth Mizukage, could not yet do.
This meant Elder Genji had informants spread throughout the Hidden Mist Village—something she lacked and desperately needed.
Mei Terumī understood this clearly. If she wished to revitalize the Hidden Mist Village, intelligence would be indispensable. Thus, she needed Elder Genji's eyes to become her own.
This was precisely why Elder Genji had chosen her and nurtured her—to make her the future Fifth Mizukage.
From the way she handled this matter, Elder Genji knew he had chosen correctly. Mei Terumī possessed both the resolve and the means.
He smiled faintly.
At that moment, an unexpected change occurred.
"Listen up, traitors inside!" a voice shouted from outside. "We are ANBU of the Hidden Mist Village. You are surrounded! Be sensible—put down your weapons and come out to surrender!"
"Lord Mizukage is benevolent and punishes only the ringleaders, not their accomplices. As long as you repent now, Lord Mizukage may show leniency!"
The voice rang throughout the entire house.
Nearby villagers immediately extinguished their lights, afraid of being implicated.
Mei Terumī stood up, intending to go out and fight, but everyone present stopped her at once.
"Lady Mei Terumī, you must not go! Your life is far more important than ours!"
"That's right! We all hope from the bottom of our hearts that you will inherit the position of Fifth Mizukage and lead the Hidden Mist Village back to its former glory!"
"Lady Mei Terumī, you go first—we'll cover the rear!"
Hearing these words, Mei Terumī was deeply moved. Her eyes reddened slightly.
Seeing this, Elder Genji coughed lightly.
"Ahem. Don't worry," he said calmly. "None of you need to die."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone froze.
They all turned to look at him in disbelief.
"Lord Genji, you must be joking!"
"That's right! The people outside are all Yagura Karatachi's lackeys! This is only the vanguard—more will surround us soon!"
"Yagura Karatachi might even be watching us from nearby right now!"
As danger closed in, everyone's thoughts raced.
Elder Genji laughed softly. "Relax. This old man anticipated this day long ago. There is a secret passage in this house—one that only I know about."
"Through it, we can leave the Hidden Mist Village directly and reach the border of the Land of Water. From there, we'll take a boat across the sea to the Land of Fire and seek outside assistance."
He stroked his beard, smiling.
Everyone was stunned—then immediately overjoyed.
Mei Terumī's eyes lit up. She looked at Elder Genji and sighed inwardly. As expected of a veteran who lived through the First, Second, and Third Great Ninja Wars. He truly has countless contingencies.
Compared to him, when facing the Fourth Mizukage's approach, all she could think of was a desperate fight.
She still had much to learn.
Elder Genji seemed to sense her thoughts.
"Mei Terumī, let's go. Everyone will make it out safely."
Mei Terumī nodded. "Lord Genji, you go first. Everyone go first. I'll cover the rear."
Elder Genji did not refuse.
He walked to the center of the hall, lifted the carpet, took three steps to the left and two to the right, then pressed a spot on the floor with his finger.
Immediately, the floor split apart.
"Everyone, hurry down!" Elder Genji said with a smile.
No one hesitated. One by one, they jumped into the passage.
Elder Genji looked at Mei Terumī. "Let's go."
She nodded. Ao glanced at Elder Genji as well.
Elder Genji shook his head slightly. Young people were still too easy to read—their thoughts written plainly on their faces.
He leapt down. The floor slowly closed, the carpet automatically resetting itself as if nothing had happened.
Outside, the Hidden Mist ANBU shouted for half an hour until their throats were nearly raw—but there was no response from inside the house.
Had they been frightened into hiding?
Yagura Karatachi frowned. He released Tailed Beast Chakra to scan the area—and found the house completely empty.
His face twisted with fury. He slapped the ANBU across the face.
"Stop shouting nonsense! There's no one here!"
"What?!" The ANBU was stunned. "Did Ibara Kumaji lie?"
At the mention of that name, killing intent flared in Yagura Karatachi's eyes.
"Go," he said coldly. "Ransack the Ibara household. Leave no one alive."
The ANBU shuddered.
Any lingering resentment over the slap vanished instantly.
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