Ringo Ameyuri had thought the message she sent would, at best, bring a regular jonin.
She never expected the one who came would be none other than Ao, the Mizukage's trusted confidant!
Ao appeared, gave her a glance, then bowed respectfully to Yuto.
"My lord!"
"I've walked enough. Take me to the Mizukage's office. Little Haruna, Ringo Ameyuri-san, goodbye."
Yuto spoke lightly to Ao, then turned to the sisters, waved, and smiled.
Ringo Ameyuri watched as Ao's figure, standing deferentially behind Yuto, vanished from sight.
It was a long while before the shock faded from her face. Who exactly was that young man?
In all of Kirigakure, fewer than ten people could claim higher status than Ao, and with him being Mizukage Mei's confidant, his position was even greater.
Yet the respect he'd shown to that man…
Glancing down at Haruna, her lips still shiny with grease, Ringo Ameyuri wondered if she had made a mistake somewhere.
———
On the way to the Mizukage's office, Yuto's expression turned faintly grim. Though Ringo Ameyuri had been cautious, giving him only simple information about the village, that was precisely what he wanted most.
As for classified details, whether she knew them or not didn't matter. If he wanted them, he could just ask directly.
Even from those basics, Yuto had already pieced together a picture of Kirigakure's current state.
Sensing her lord's somber mood, Ao grew solemn himself, careful not to speak needlessly.
"What's the situation with the elder—Genji?"
Yuto asked without looking back, his voice flat.
During their walk through the streets, he'd noticed that both civilians and shinobi held Mei and Elder Genji in high regard.
That alone meant Genji was truly devoted to the village, not like Konoha's scheming Danzo. Otherwise, he wouldn't be respected so broadly.
But therein lay the problem. Whether or not he was well-meaning, two voices of authority in one power structure inevitably created restraint and conflict.
It wasn't about good or evil—it was simple balance of power.
And the position of "elder" was originally his idea. Back then, it had been intended only as an advisory role, never one to check the Mizukage.
Ao trembled at the question. As expected of Yuto-sama—just a short stroll through the village, and he had already identified the hardest issue to resolve.
"During the Fourth Mizukage's rule, a certain incident occurred. After that, the elder was granted authority to suppress the Mizukage's power, to prevent anything similar from happening again."
Ao spoke in embarrassment, his head bowed.
What had happened under Yagura was shameful to every shinobi of Kirigakure—especially in front of the First Mizukage himself.
Though Ao gave no detail, Yuto knew more than anyone.
For a moment, murderous intent burst from Yuto, then vanished just as quickly.
Ao's forehead beaded with sweat. It had lasted only an instant, but his back was already soaked.
"Let's go," Yuto said calmly.
Ao quickly fell in step.
———
Mizukage's office.
Yuto lounged on a sofa, casually flipping through files.
Chojuro, clutching a stack of documents, looked at him with unconcealed admiration.
"Yuto-da… da-sama, these are the files you asked for."
He had already learned of Yuto's identity from Ao. Having admired him since childhood, Chojuro could barely contain his excitement.
Yuto smiled lightly. "Thank you, Chojuro. No need to be nervous."
Chojuro shook his head quickly. "I-I'm not nervous."
Yuto chuckled but said nothing further. From the documents Chojuro had brought, he could roughly confirm the timeline.
One file from Konoha mentioned that in three months, they would hold the Chunin Exams. This year was Konoha's 60th—meaning the story had just begun.
He found it amusing. The timing of his awakening was neither early nor late.
Tap—tap—
Hurried footsteps approached, and the office door burst open. Mei entered, slightly out of breath.
"Yuto-sama, you've returned—why didn't you inform me?"
"With Ao and Chojuro here, it wasn't necessary. Besides, you're Mizukage. You have plenty to handle. I imagine they've already told you everything important."
Yuto smiled.
Mei nodded, but her voice carried a trace of killing intent.
"Elder Genji is fine, but some of the smaller clans are showing resistance."
Yuto's expression didn't change.
"That's to be expected. My presence disrupts the current balance of the village. Naturally, most won't welcome it."
Knock! Knock!
The sudden knock made both Yuto and Mei exchange a look of surprise.
Chojuro hurried to open the door. A shinobi entered, face anxious, and dropped to one knee before Mei.
"Mizukage-sama! The Six-Tails jinchuriki, Utakata, has defected!"
"What!!"
Mei's face twisted in shock and disbelief.
Yuto, however, remained calm, his gaze on the shinobi.
"When did the Six-Tails defect?"
The ninja blinked, glanced at Mei, then answered quickly:
"Based on timing, early this morning. Two chunin on duty were already killed. The Six-Tails should have been gone for half a day. However, he likely hasn't yet left the Land of Water's borders. Should we send a pursuit force?"
Yuto looked at Mei's grim face, shook his head lightly, and said:
"Inform all of Kirigakure's upper ranks. We meet tomorrow morning."
Boom!
A sudden wind surged through the office, and in the next moment, Yuto's figure vanished.
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