Terumi Mei finds it embarrassing. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are discussing a single name, but in truth, it's about forming Mizukage's exclusive Anbu unit. So now the Executioner's Blade is involved, which means she's involved.
After all, the one who currently wields the Executioner's Blade is part of the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Wait a minute.
Terumi Mei suddenly realizes something. The rebellion within Kirigakure is gathering. The current wielder of the Executioner's Blade is none other than Momochi Zabuza, a traitor of Kirigakure.
As the future Mizukage, she has two goals — revive the village and address the rebellion. However, this isn't just any rebellion. Kirigakure fell into chaos during the Blood Mist era, and many insightful shinobi defected. These traitors aren't just powerful — they had valid reasons for leaving.
Kirigakure is weak right now. If she can bring some of these people back, it would replenish the village's strength. But capturing traitorous shinobi is incredibly difficult — they're masters of concealment.
Wait a minute. Zabuza. Isn't he nearby?
She's ecstatic. Could it really be this easy? Searching far and wide, only to stumble across him now.
Mizukage Candidate Terumi Mei has gone offline
Children and Grandchildren Chat Group
Namikaze Minato: ??
Mizukage Candidate Terumi Mei has come back online
Terumi Mei: Sorry, I'm still getting used to the group. Please ignore me, seniors.
Namikaze Minato: Oh…
Minato nodded. The group's existence is astounding — even he is surprised. But through it, he can communicate with former Hokage and see his son again. That's enough for him.
Meanwhile, back in Kirigakure
Mizukage's Office
As a top-tier ninja and Mizukage candidate, Terumi Mei lifts her face from the table. She's been experimenting. Dual-tasking isn't her forte. But as the next Mizukage, she's been practicing, and as long as she's not immediately thrown into battle, she can split her focus between the chat group and the real world.
She slaps the table.
Ao. Come in. Call Chojuro.
You're coming on a mission with me, Terumi Mei said.
Eh?
You want to leave the office?
Jonin Qing enters swiftly, but his brows knit together. There's still a mountain of paperwork.
You can handle it, she says curtly. I've just received intel — Zabuza's been spotted. I'll handle the capture myself.
Really? Then maybe I should come too, Ao offered. I'm more experienced than Chojuro.
No, you can't. Terumi Mei shakes her head firmly. Besides, you've been visiting the elder a lot lately. He's getting old — go look after him.
Eh?
Ao freezes.
As a veteran from the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, Ao should be one of her trusted elites. But now he's not only being excluded from the mission — is she even pushing him out of the village?
The elder lives quite far from the center.
This is an important assignment, Terumi Mei says seriously. The elder's role is vital to the village.
I trust you enough to send you there.
Oh… Ao nods slowly.
Then she adds, Also, unless necessary, try to stay away from the Mizukage's office building.
Is he being sidelined?
But why?
What Ao doesn't know is that his right eye is a Byakugan — stolen from the Hyuga Clan of Konoha. And while the chat group insists it's not a Konoha-exclusive space, it's filled with Hokage and allied figures. Terumi Mei has chosen to be diplomatic, but Ao's presence could cause problems.
His Hyuga eye may stir trouble.
Terumi Mei has already made her choice. She's seen a possible future for Kirigakure.
Catching Zabuza so easily was pure luck… but what about the long-term vision for the village?
She's in the group, but remains quiet. She's the strongest in Kirigakure, but compared to the First and Second Hokage, what chance does she have?
So should she just give up?
Not necessarily.
What does Kirigakure need most? Time to heal and grow.
Purge the influence of the Blood Mist. Rebuild from within. But for that to happen, others need to stop interfering. She needs to buy time for growth.
How?
Simple.
She sees it clearly now.
Kirigakure's only hope lies in one figure.
Whether the dead Hokage can reappear isn't important. What matters is that everyone in the group places their hopes on Kitahara Hitoshi.
The younger generation chat group is named after him. That proves his significance.
So… if Kitahara Hitoshi is someone who can shift the tide of the shinobi world — even if he's not Fifth Hokage — then she needs to move fast.
While he's still approachable, cling to him.
Her diplomacy isn't for the Hokage of the past — it's aimed at Kitahara Hitoshi.
And this is the village's new direction.
Konoha may have less than 3000 shinobi… and how many does Kirigakure have?
Even fewer.
So…
Fight.
Terumi Mei made up her mind.
She's talented. She's focused. She assassinated the Fourth Mizukage, then was forced into government duties. All of it made her feel like a tool.
But she's still a woman. Though betrayal and violence consumed Kirigakure, she's not lacking in charm.
So…
Terumi Mei pulls out a hair clip from her drawer and exposes the eye usually hidden behind her bangs. She ties her hair into a single ponytail.
She gently touches it.
This… Mizukage candidate… you…
Jonin Qing pales.
Because Terumi Mei, the workaholic, actually dressed up.
Time to grab a man.
Make a good impression, Terumi Mei says bluntly. If I'm lucky, I'll win him over. If not, I'll still leave an impression.
And then, Kirigakure will have hope.