As Suikazan Fuguki landed another punch on the Three-Tails' head, the Sharingan mark in the giant turtle's single eye finally dissipated, and Yagura Karatachi's consciousness returned.
Subsequently, the once-massive Tailed Beast began to shrink, eventually revealing the Mizukage's figure. His eyes bore a trace of fatigue and exhaustion as he propped himself up against a large rock behind him, half-slumped.
Although he had barely managed to break free from the Genjutsu, Yagura Karatachi had also exhausted a significant amount of physical and mental energy. He appeared listless now, largely due to the mental shock that left this Fourth Mizukage feeling as if he were on the brink of collapse.
"Cough, cough, cough... Fuguki? You did well," Yagura Karatachi said, blood trickling from his mouth. He looked at Suikazan Fuguki, who had already deactivated his transformation, his voice and gaze turning slightly gentler.
"Thank you for pulling me out of that nightmare and saving Kirigakure from the brink."
"Lord Mizukage, who exactly placed you under a Genjutsu?"
Suikazan Fuguki frowned and asked immediately. The Kirigakure Ninja who had arrived also shared this question, all holding their breath with solemn expressions.
Although they had seen the Sharingan symbol, it was more convincing coming from the victim himself. Yagura Karatachi gave a bitter smile:
"To be honest, I never saw his true face. I only know he is an Uchiha who excels in Space-Time Ninjutsu, wears a swirl-patterned mask, and possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan!"
The Kirigakure present looked grim. A Village's Kage being controlled without anyone noticing, and not even being able to confirm the manipulator's identity, was like a stinging slap to the face of every Kirigakure Ninja.
"Regardless, Konoha must be involved in this!"
Ao said through gritted teeth, "We must make Konoha pay!"
"Indeed! Damned Konoha Ninja! This is all their plot!"
"This is a provocation! We cannot let Konoha get away with this!"
The Kirigakure were incensed. Already under the high pressure of the Bloody Mist, their nerves were frayed. Combined with the damage from the Tailed Beast's rampage and the humiliation of the Mizukage's manipulation, they felt they had finally found the source of the blood mist policy. Naturally, they directed all their fury toward Konoha.
"Enough!" Yagura Karatachi waved them off. As the Mizukage, even though everyone knew his tenure was ending, he still commanded respect, and the Ninjas fell silent.
"We will settle the score with Konoha eventually, but there are more pressing matters: adjusting the blood mist policy and deciding the next Mizukage!"
Silence followed Yagura Karatachi's words. The Kirigakure exchanged looks before their eyes settled on Suikazan Fuguki.
At this time, Kisame and Mei Terumī had not yet fully matured. The exceptionally gifted Hohzuki Mangetsu was even younger, and Ao was merely a support Ninja with average combat strength.
In terms of age and prestige within Kirigakure, Suikazan Fuguki was indeed second only to the Mizukage.
Previously, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist's past in the Land of Fire was a major stain. Furthermore, Suikazan Fuguki's strength was still quite far from the Kage-level. Unless there was no other choice, the position would never have been his.
But this time was different. Being able to go toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast proved his eligibility for the Kage position to some extent.
Aside from Konoha and Iwagakure, the other Three Great Ninja Villages required their Kage to handle Tailed Beasts. The Third Raikage had suppressed the Eight-Tails, the Fourth Raikage was brothers with a Jinchuriki, and Gaara of the Hidden Sand Village was the Kazekage's son—similarly, only the Kazekage could suppress a rampaging Tailed Beast.
Kirigakure was even more direct: the Jinchuriki and the Mizukage were the same person. Suppressing a Tailed Beast was essentially seen as a prerequisite for becoming Kage.
In Konoha, the Nine-Tailed was too overpowered; only the First Hokage could truly suppress it. The first two Jinchuriki were the Hokage's wives. In Iwagakure, Ōnoki's techniques weren't suited for suppression, and his relationship with the Jinchuriki was poor, making them a negative example.
By exposing the plot and demonstrating strength against a Tailed Beast, Suikazan Fuguki's performance was stunning. Based on both merit and power, he was the sole candidate for Mizukage.
Seeing the gazes of the Kirigakure Ninja, Yagura Karatachi felt a mix of emotions. Being a man of action, he reached for his head, found it bare, and realized his Mizukage hat had been lost during the fight.
Not one for formality, he struggled to his feet and rested his iron staff on Suikazan Fuguki's shoulder. "Suikazan Fuguki, I entrust the position of the Fourth Mizukage to you!"
The transition went smoothly. Regardless of the manipulation, Yagura's initiation of the blood mist policy was an undeniable fact.
As a Kage, being controlled by Genjutsu was a failure. If he remained, what if it happened again?
Prestige is hard to build but easy to lose. Once trust is gone, even a Mizukage must step down.
Suikazan Fuguki's inauguration was modest. Kirigakure wasn't like Konoha; the Bloody Mist's influence wouldn't vanish easily, nor would the Ninjas' cold nature.
Moreover, it wasn't a proud moment. The Third Mizukage being controlled and the Tailed Beast's rampage leading to the Fourth's emergency appointment would make other Villages mock them.
It was a simple affair: putting on the hat, consulting with elders and clan heads, a general assembly for Ninjas, and a private briefing for the Jonin.
Suikazan Fuguki's first act wasn't revenge against Konoha, but dismantling the blood mist policy.
The blood mist policy didn't just refer to the Kirigakure graduates killing each other; it included many cruel rules, like Kisame silencing potential captives or death for mission failure. These blood-soaked terms collectively formed the blood mist policy.
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