Outrageous!
Kaguya Kotsubara's face twisted in fury as the Mizukage berated him without restraint.
His face flushed red.
His teeth ground audibly.
He was on the verge of losing control.
"Suido, don't push it too far!"
The Kaguya Clan had always been arrogant by nature.
Once they entered battle—
They were complete madmen.
In that sense, they weren't so different from the Uchiha.
The only difference—
They were even more reckless.
If rebellion was on the table—
They wouldn't hesitate.
They would charge headfirst.
Even if it meant annihilation.
Better to die standing—
Than live kneeling.
And now—
Being humiliated like this in front of others…
With alcohol fueling his temper—
Kotsubara no longer cared about Suido's status.
Mizukage?
So what?
If it came to a fight—
He wasn't afraid.
At worst—
They both died here.
The pride of a bloodline clan—
Would never bow.
"You think you're so great?!"
"You think you're noble?!"
"It's our bloodline clans that built Kirigakure!"
"What are you?!"
"If we acknowledge you, you're Mizukage!"
"If not—you're nothing!"
"You think we don't know what you've been doing behind our backs?!"
"You take us for fools?!"
"That rumor in the village—was spread by you, wasn't it?!"
Kotsubara exploded.
Every ounce of resentment poured out.
Suido's expression darkened instantly.
He hadn't expected—
Such open defiance.
Talking behind his back was one thing.
But this—
Was outright confrontation.
"Good… very good."
Suido laughed coldly.
So this was how they saw him.
His authority—
Meant nothing to them.
"I see."
"You truly intend to betray Kirigakure."
"You're the one betraying Kirigakure!"
Kotsubara shot back immediately.
"Slandering bloodline clans is unforgivable!"
"Even the First Mizukage wouldn't dare say such things!"
"Who do you think you are?!"
"You're destroying the village!"
The atmosphere exploded.
Both released chakra simultaneously.
Kotsubara's body began to sprout bones—
Sharp spikes gleaming with killing intent.
"Stop! Don't fight!"
"Please, no infighting!"
"Mizukage-sama, calm down!"
"I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding!"
Hyuga Yama suddenly shouted—
His voice amplified with chakra.
The entire compound heard it.
"Shut up!"
Suido's face turned ugly.
He had been so focused on Kotsubara—
He forgot Yama was still here.
If Kotsubara attacked first—
He would have justification to kill him.
Crush him.
And use it to suppress the bloodline clans further.
But now—
That chance was slipping away.
"Everyone, don't fight!"
"Bloodline clans are the foundation of a village!"
Yama continued shouting—
While subtly restraining Kotsubara.
Suido hesitated.
If he struck first—
The situation changed.
And with a Hyuga present—
Konoha would be involved.
He couldn't act recklessly.
Within moments—
Kirigakure shinobi flooded the area.
"What's going on?!"
"A fight?!"
"Who's fighting the Mizukage?!"
They gathered rapidly.
The words alone—
Were too explosive.
"Mizukage-sama, please calm down!"
"Kotsubara only drank too much!"
"He didn't mean it!"
Yama spoke first—
Framing the situation immediately.
Drunken nonsense.
Nothing more.
It worked.
The Bloodline clan quickly gathered around Kotsubara.
Internal conflicts aside—
Against the Mizukage—
They stood united.
If he could attack a clan leader over drunken words—
Who would be next?
Suido realized it instantly.
This—
It was a setup.
"Mizukage-sama… care to explain?"
Hōzuki Taiyū stepped forward.
His tone was sharp.
No respect.
The Hōzuki Clan—
Never respected Suido.
"Explain?"
Suido sneered.
"This man plotted rebellion."
"Is that not enough?"
"Where's the evidence?"
Taiyū pressed.
You couldn't just declare rebellion—
And make it so.
Suido froze.
Evidence?
He had none.
He couldn't repeat those words publicly.
"Seems you have none."
"How impressive, Mizukage-sama."
"Just took office—and already framed your own shinobi?"
"What's next—killing whoever you please?"
Taiyū's sarcasm cuts deep.
Suido's anger surged.
"Kaguya Kotsubara just said he'd tear me apart!"
"I'm the Mizukage—would I lie?!"
"Pfft—"
A laugh broke the silence.
"…Sorry."
"I just thought of something funny."
"Not directed at you, Mizukage-sama."
Suido trembled.
Barely holding himself back.
"Kaguya Kotsubara."
"You dare say it—but not admit it?"
"Is that what you call a man?"
"I…"
Kotsubara hesitated.
Admitting it—
Was suicide.
Denying it—
Hurt his pride.
"Ah…"
Yama sighed.
"Kotsubara had too much to drink."
"What he meant was—"
"He wants to tear apart the one spreading those rumors."
"Kotsubara… right?"
"…Right!"
Kotsubara immediately caught on.
"That bastard spreading rumors deserves to be torn apart!"
"Disgusting! Filthy! Inhuman!"
Suido's face twisted.
He was the one spreading them.
And now—
He couldn't deny it.
"Mizukage-sama…"
Kotsubara stared straight at him.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
"That rumor-spreading bastard…"
"Is scum?"
Silence.
…This was worse than killing.
This was psychological torture.
"…Yes."
The word came out—
Heavy.
Bitter.
He had lost.
Completely.
"Mizukage-sama."
Taiyū stepped forward again.
"Care to explain now?"
"Framing shinobi."
"Allowing rumors."
"Can you truly lead Kirigakure?"
Suido clenched his fists.
"…Kotsubara, you know what you said."
"You're lucky this time."
"As for the rumors—"
"I'll deal with them."
He turned—
And left.
Immediately.
Everything had collapsed.
His plan—
Ruined.
What should've been suppression—
Turned into humiliation.
Staying longer—
Would only worsen things.
Endure.
Endure for now.
Once back in the village—
He would deal with them.
As long as he remained Mizukage—
The bloodline clans couldn't overthrow him.
After he left—
The tension vanished.
Ordinary shinobi dispersed quickly.
Only the bloodline clans remained.
Then—
Laughter erupted.
Loud.
Unrestrained.
It felt like a festival.
Hyuga Yama exhaled quietly.
Mission complete.
The conflict—
Had escalated beyond repair.
What came next—
Would be far more dangerous.
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Ren watched from the shadows.
Clapping silently.
Perfect execution.
Other villages—
Observed.
Watching the chaos unfold.
Let them fight.
Weakening Kirigakure—
Strengthened everyone else.
Inside his room—
Suido smashed everything in sight.
He wouldn't sleep tonight.
Neither would the leader of Yugakure.
When he heard what happened—
He shot upright in panic.
"Were they fighting?!"
If a battle broke out—
His village would be finished.
After confirming—
No fight had occurred—
He finally relaxed.
But sleep?
That was impossible tonight.
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