Naruto :Madam, You Don’t Want Anything To Happen To Sasuke, Right?87.88%

Chapter 116 : Resolving Differences

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Bonus Chapter

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"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Mei Terumi didn't get the answer she wanted, so she took the initiative to ask, "I understand that once I take office, a power struggle is almost inevitable. But the Hidden Mist Village is currently weak. If a conflict erupts like this, the entire village will inevitably suffer. How can the Hidden Mist Village recover and regain its strength under such circumstances?"

The head of the Kaguya clan responded thoughtfully, "A change in power is only the first step. Only after the power structure at the top is solidified can the lower ranks stabilize."

"If the existing hierarchy remains unchanged, with division between the upper and lower levels, the Hidden Mist Village will never recover."

"Moreover, although those clans have ostensibly agreed to you becoming the Fifth Mizukage, it doesn't mean they are truly convinced."

"At this very moment, they might be gathering to plan how to resist us."

"As the saying goes, the first strike is the strongest. We must act swiftly and decisively before they're ready, completing the transfer of power before they have a chance to prepare."

"Waiting until they're fully organized to resist will only bring regret."

As a clan patriarch, he had seen too many battles for power and knew the stakes intimately. He could point out things Mei Terumi had overlooked, based on experience alone.

Listening carefully, Mei Terumi understood that her previous thoughts hadn't been thorough enough. If she didn't take control now, others would seize the opportunity to deal with her instead.

Major change was inevitable. And the longer it was delayed, the more dangerous it would become. When that time came, the Hidden Mist Village would suffer even heavier losses.

She had indeed failed to consider this fully before.

Mei Terumi nodded solemnly to the Kaguya clan leader, silently acknowledging his words.

The clan leader returned a faint smile.

At first, he hadn't thought highly of Mei Terumi as the fifth Mizukage candidate. After all, as the head of the clan, how could he hold much respect for a younger generation ninja? He also wondered why Uchiha Haru would back Mei Terumi when there were presumably more suitable candidates.

But over time, as he grew closer to her, he gradually saw her strengths. He came to understand why Uchiha Haru chose Mei Terumi.

Because she was truly a capable ninja, with potential.

She deserved to be their partner, and qualified to be the fifth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village.

Seeing the two individuals he personally selected — Mei Terumi and Uchiha Haru — they showed no resentment or alienation despite their disagreements.

Instead, they respected each other and worked harmoniously.

Uchiha Haru nodded quietly to himself.

Disagreements and differing opinions were natural, but what mattered was the attitude with which they were handled.

Conflict shouldn't arise simply because opinions diverge.

This was crucial.

After all, he couldn't stay in the Hidden Mist Village forever.

He didn't want a time to come when he left, and Mei Terumi immediately clashed with the Kaguya clan leader, turning the Hidden Mist Village into a battlefield of ruin.

What he wanted was someone reliable, who could help manage the Hidden Mist Village without errors and stand with him in crucial moments.

So far, none of his worries had come true.

After a brief pause, Uchiha Haru said, "Mei Terumi, I've thought carefully about what you said, and I already have a response."

"Oh?"

Mei Terumi and the Kaguya clan leader exchanged surprised glances, then looked at Haru expectantly.

In their minds, they believed that power struggle and recuperation were mutually exclusive — that only one could happen at a time.

But now Haru claimed he had a solution.

They were both curious.

Especially Mei Terumi.

Though she understood from the Kaguya clan leader's words that power consolidation was the priority, part of her still hesitated.

She had become Mizukage to lead Kirigakure into a brighter future, not to dive into endless internal battles right after taking office.

If there was a way to avoid this, she was willing to try.

Haru spoke calmly, "My solution is tied to the third point I want to bring up."

"I want the Uchiha clan to officially join the Hidden Mist Village."

"The Uchiha clan joining the Hidden Mist Village."

Mei Terumi and the Kaguya clan leader were moved.

Suddenly, the significance of Haru's words became clear.

Currently, the power struggle is dangerous because both sides are nearly evenly matched.

Though Mei Terumi's rise to the fifth Mizukage gives them some advantage, it's still not decisive.

A fierce conflict between two equally powerful forces would bring great turmoil.

But if the Uchiha clan formally allied with them?

That would be a massive weight tipping the scales heavily in their favor.

The pressure on their enemies would grow exponentially.

This would greatly alter the balance of power.

When the power difference is so great, one side could complete the transfer of power unchallenged.

As for the feared major conflict?

What fight is there when an elephant crushes an ant?

The concerns would vanish naturally.

The next day, Mei Terumi summoned the top leaders of Kirigakure and the heads of the major clans to discuss village affairs.

This was the first meeting of the Fifth Mizukage, and it was far from smooth.

The meeting was scheduled to start promptly at seven in the morning.

Yet, the heads of major clans and their staunch vassals were conspicuously absent.

It wasn't until nearly eight that they finally trickled in—late for the first meeting.

Of course, this wasn't truly a matter of tardiness.

It was a deliberate power play.

A clear message to Mei Terumi: don't think you can control Kirigakure with impunity just because you are Mizukage.

Kirigakure still belonged to them.

Mei Terumi's expression turned icy with anger—her fury plain to see.

Yet she held back.

Nearly half of the attendees were missing. She couldn't just announce her policies outright.

This scene confirmed Chief Kaguya's earlier warning: securing firm control early was critical. Taking power swiftly and completely was essential before addressing other matters.

Though angry, Mei Terumi was increasingly eager for what was to come.

The meeting, scheduled for seven, didn't start until eight.

At first, Mei Terumi said little, proceeding as if nothing had happened.

The clan leaders arrived with confident, almost triumphant smiles—like generals fresh from battle.

What did this mean?

They wanted to show Mei Terumi that becoming Mizukage didn't grant her absolute control.

The waters here were deep and treacherous—hardly something a newcomer could command.

They were late on purpose to show defiance and provoke Mei Terumi's anger.

Despite the change in Mizukage, the Hidden Mist was still theirs.

At the meeting's outset, Mei Terumi announced two things.

First: an end to the dark, bloody policies enacted under the Fourth Mizukage's control.

Instead, she would implement gentler policies from the past—focused on recovery, healing the village's deep wounds, and gradually restoring its strength.

This was uncontroversial. After the Fourth Mizukage was manipulated by the masked man, Kirigakure needed time to recuperate.

No one disagreed.

Then came the second announcement: rewards.

Two people were singled out.

The first was Elder Genji.

His reward had two parts.

One was for his contribution in exposing the Fourth Mizukage's control by the masked man.

The other was Mei Terumi's gratitude—after all, her rise to Mizukage was closely tied to Elder Genji's recommendation.

Genji smiled superficially but felt uneasy inside.

All of this... it was a miserable existence.

He could see this was Mei Terumi's attempt to win him over.

So what should he do?

Should he respond and side with Mei Terumi and the Kaguya clan, or bide his time?

In the end, Genji chose to wait.

The situation was still too uncertain.

Though Mei Terumi had become Mizukage, her base was fragile. Among her supporters, only the Kaguya clan was truly dominant.

On the other side, the opposing clans had decades of entrenched power. It was unclear who would prevail.

So Genji would wait.

Wait for the situation to clarify or simply avoid choosing sides.

With his status, no matter who won, he would remain essential to stabilizing the village.

This was his unique position.

As for the reward from the Kaguya clan leader, it was simpler.

Everyone present knew that the Kaguya clan had aligned with Mei Terumi.

With her ascension, the Kaguya clan would ride the rising tide of power.

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