'So, in the end, Shibuki still isn't truly qualified…'
Mizuno Satoru sighed inwardly.
But matters had already reached this point. Even if Shibuki truly lacked the qualities required to lead, there was no longer anyone else capable of taking his place. Mizuno Satoru himself was already over seventy years old, and his body had begun to fail him. Even if he somehow managed to survive another few years, would Takigakure really be able to produce a more suitable successor?
That was the greatest tragedy of Takigakure.
Ever since the internal conflict decades ago, the village had steadily declined. Once renowned among the hidden villages for its secret techniques and the power of the Hero Water, Takigakure had gradually lost its former influence. It could no longer dream of rivaling the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and in recent years, it had even begun falling behind smaller hidden villages such as Amegakure and Kusagakure.
If not for the existence of Fū, the Seven-Tails jinchūriki, Takigakure's position would have become even more unstable.
"Shibuki."
Mizuno Satoru slowly raised his head and looked toward the young village leader before him.
"Life and death are part of every shinobi's fate. I've already lived long enough. There is no need for you to look so troubled." His voice became sterner. "You are the leader of Takigakure now. A village leader cannot reveal weakness so easily. Do you understand?"
Since there was no alternative, all he could do was guide Shibuki as best as he could.
At the very least, the boy's gentle nature prevented unnecessary conflict within the village. Most of the neutral factions still supported him precisely because he lacked arrogance or cruelty.
Even so, Mizuno Satoru knew this was merely comforting himself.
"Yes… Elder Mizuno. I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Shibuki lowered his head apologetically.
Seeing that timid expression only deepened Mizuno Satoru's disappointment. He wished Shibuki could become stronger, more decisive, more dependable. A leader of a hidden village could not afford to hesitate at every critical moment.
Still, none of those thoughts appeared on his face.
Instead, Mizuno Satoru gently placed a hand on Shibuki's shoulder.
"You've already done well. Don't blame yourself too much." After a short pause, his expression turned serious once again. "More importantly, what about Suien? Have there been any updates while I was unconscious?"
Suien.
A former Takigakure jōnin who had defected from the village.
No one understood Suien's personality better than Mizuno Satoru. If the missing-nin was not dealt with quickly, Takigakure would inevitably fall into greater chaos.
"Please don't worry, Elder Mizuno," Shibuki replied immediately. "We already tracked down Suien's location. I sent Akaboshi and several shinobi to pursue him. Unless something unexpected happens, they should be able to capture him soon."
"Oh?"
Mizuno Satoru's eyes sharpened slightly.
"That's good… but listen carefully, Shibuki." His tone became ice-cold. "If Suien resists, eliminate him immediately. Do not hesitate."
"K-Kill him directly?"
Shibuki froze.
Even now, he still hoped the matter could be resolved peacefully. Suien had once been a respected shinobi of Takigakure, and their relationship had not been entirely hostile before his defection. Besides…
Fū was also involved.
Shibuki still wanted to believe there was room for negotiation.
"Shibuki!"
Mizuno Satoru's stern voice interrupted his thoughts.
"This concerns the stability of the entire village. You cannot afford indecision!"
A leader's kindness could inspire loyalty, but excessive softness would only invite disaster.
Suien had already betrayed Takigakure. Regardless of his motives whether resentment, ambition, or dissatisfaction with the village leadership—he had crossed the line. Once someone became a missing-nin, sentimentality became dangerous.
If Shibuki could not understand that, he would never become a true leader.
Under Mizuno Satoru's severe gaze, Shibuki swallowed the words at the tip of his tongue.
After several moments of silence, he finally nodded.
"…I understand, Elder Mizuno. I'll pass down the order."
"That's better."
Mizuno Satoru gave a faint nod of approval.
"You are Takigakure's leader. You must learn when to be compassionate and when to act decisively. Never allow personal feelings to cloud your judgment."
"Yes."
Shibuki straightened slightly.
"I won't let you down."
Mizuno Satoru finally relaxed a little.
"The shinobi world is entering an unstable period," he continued gravely. "The Five Great Nations are maintaining peace for now, but tensions beneath the surface are growing. Takigakure must proceed carefully during times like these."
"Yes, Elder Mizuno."
After hearing Shibuki's firm response, Mizuno Satoru nodded again.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"How exactly was Suien's location discovered?"
"Oh that was because of Fū."
Shibuki answered naturally.
"Suien tried approaching her secretly, probably hoping to persuade her to leave the village with him. But Fū noticed something was wrong and fought back. Suien was injured during the confrontation, and Fū immediately sent a messenger back with information about his escape route. That's how we were able to organize the pursuit."
At first, Mizuno Satoru merely listened calmly.
But the moment he fully processed those words, his expression changed dramatically.
"What did you say?"
Shibuki blinked in confusion.
"E-Elder Mizuno?"
"You said Suien personally went to meet Fū?"
Mizuno Satoru's voice had become unusually sharp.
Unlike Shibuki, he understood both Fū and Suien far better than most people in the village. Although he possessed no concrete evidence, a dangerous possibility instantly surfaced in his mind.
A possibility serious enough to shake the foundation of Takigakure itself.
"Yes… Is something wrong?"
Shibuki could not understand why Mizuno Satoru's expression had suddenly become so grim.
"Tell me everything."
Mizuno Satoru stared directly at him with unprecedented seriousness.
"Every detail regarding Fū and Suien. Leave nothing out."
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