Universal Pull!
Uchiha Shin extended his hand, and the kneeling Yagura Karatachi was instantly yanked into his grip, his body weightless against the overwhelming force.
Staring into the eyes of the Fourth Mizukage, Shin's voice was cold and indifferent.
"You made the wrong choice. You could have lived."
Yagura's eyes widened, his body convulsing as he struggled against Shin's iron grip, his lips parting as if to say something. But Shin had no interest in hearing his pleas. The reason for capturing him was simple—harvesting the power of the Rinnegan and stealing the secrets of his Jinchūriki abilities.
"Mind Reading Technique"
A mere moment later, Uchiha Shin sifted through every fragment of Yagura's memories. Useless recollections were discarded instantly, leaving only the valuable knowledge of Kirigakure's most guarded Water Release techniques.
The [Water Mirror Technique] intrigued him—an advanced technique capable of mirroring an opponent's actions in perfect symmetry. Yet what truly piqued Shin's interest was the [Hydrification Technique].
A technique capable of liquefying the user's body. If expanded upon, in theory, it could evolve into elemental transformations beyond Water Release—Fire, Earth, Lightning… a complete mastery of nature transformation at the cellular level.
"Hmm. You're useless to me now."
Shin sighed, almost disappointed, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed Yagura's dying body aside. The moment the Mizukage's limp form descended, black flames ignited, consuming him in Amaterasu's eternal fire.
A brief scream.
Then, nothing but ash.
The chakra and lifeforce of a Kage-level shinobi were drained into Shin's body, fueling his ever-expanding power. Though minimal, it was still nourishment. Even the smallest scraps of meat are sustenance.
With their leader dead, the remaining Kirigakure elites—the highest-ranking elders and shinobi clans—crumbled. Any lingering thoughts of resistance vanished.
Shin, however, stayed his hand. He had no intention of reducing Kirigakure to rubble. A simple [Chibaku Tensei] or [Shinra Tensei] would have left nothing behind but ruins, yet that was not his goal.
Instead, his [Kagemusha Corps] moved in, their silent, armored figures systematically subduing the remaining forces. One by one, the bound and broken shinobi knelt before him. Among them were elders, strategists, and clan leaders—all once proud warriors of the Blood Mist Village.
And then there was Terumi Mei.
Unlike the others, she was singled out, still bound, her body trembling. Her pride, shattered. Her face, stained with the remnants of battle and humiliation.
Yet, oddly, she no longer radiated pure hatred. Instead… submission? Acceptance?
Shin smirked inwardly.
"Stockholm Syndrome…" he mused.
He had seen it before. Back in Konoha, when he had conquered the clans, many had shifted from resistance to reverence. Once defiance was crushed, submission followed naturally. The weak sought protection, even from their conqueror.
If he let them live, they would be grateful.
If he spared their families, they would worship him.
Shin's gaze swept over the assembled shinobi, his voice a blade of cold steel.
"I don't need to explain how this works, do I?"
The response was immediate.
"We are the Hōzuki Clan!"
"We are of the Kaguya bloodline!"
"We belong to the Yuki Clan!"
A chorus of voices declared allegiance, each more desperate than the last. Shin was mildly impressed. Despite the slaughter, Kirigakure housed just as many powerful bloodline clans as Konoha, perhaps more.
Among them, the ones that truly caught his interest were the [Yuki Clan], the [Hōzuki Clan], and the remnants of the [Kaguya Clan].
The Ice Release kekkei genkai of the Yuki Clan intrigued him. But more interestingly…
Why were all the Yuki Clan members standing before him women?
Elegant. Poised. Beautiful. Their gazes filled with fear, yet also… expectation? The clan head, a stunning figure, knelt with dignity, her warriors mirroring her.
Curious.
Then, there was Terumi Mei. Her voice broke the tension.
"Uh… I don't belong to any clan. What should I say?"
Her once-defiant spirit now carried a mix of shame and nervousness. Being the only one still bound, she stood out like a sore thumb.
Shin scoffed.
"Just say your name."
The shadows at her wrists receded, releasing her. She exhaled sharply, relieved yet wary.
"Master Uchiha Shin…" she began, her voice softer than before, "…my name is Terumi Mei. I am a Jōnin, wielding the bloodline limits of Lava Release and Boil Release."
She studied his face for any reaction, searching for validation, pride—anything.
Shin simply nodded. No amazement. No awe. Just cold acknowledgment.
That stung.
Mei, who had always been proud of her rare Kekkei Genkai, found herself lowering her head in embarrassment.
Shin turned to the gathered shinobi, his voice devoid of mercy. "What will it be? Will you die like the others?"
A wave of panicked voices erupted.
"No, no, we surrender!"
"We pledge loyalty, Lord Shin!"
A chorus of desperate affirmations followed, their fear palpable. None dared test him.
Shin sighed. "Count the casualties," he ordered coldly, before turning his attention back to Mei. "Terumi Mei, you are now the Fifth Mizukage. You will oversee all restructuring."
Silence.
Mei's eyes widened.
"Me? I'm the Mizukage?"
Shin arched an eyebrow. "You object?"
"N-no! I wouldn't dare!" she stammered.
"Yes! Terumi Mei is perfect for the role!" someone chimed in immediately.
"She's strong, smart! A perfect choice!"
"Yes, yes! A worthy Mizukage!"
A wave of nervous agreements spread among the shinobi. It was obvious—whoever Shin appointed was a mere puppet. It didn't matter if she was only fourteen. It was better than death.
Yet Mei herself was still in shock.
Shin smirked. "When I was twelve, I killed Sarutobi Hiruzen the Hokage. You're not that much younger. I believe in you."
He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. She shivered slightly.
A puppet was still a Mizukage. Even if she was a figurehead, she had power.
And power was addictive.
Mei's expression shifted. The initial confusion faded, replaced with something else.
Purpose.
Though she may be a pawn, she was a Mizukage. And she would ensure that title meant something.
Shin observed her closely. She was young. Impressionable. Moldable.
With the right conditioning, she would become exactly what he needed.
A weapon.
As the dust settled over the battlefield, Kirigakure's fate was sealed.
And its future was his to shape.
Support my Patreon 🫡
--------
Dear Readers
Join Patreon for Complete Novel (240 Chapters) and 100 Early Chapters
https://www.patreon.com/dd44
--------
Bonus Chapter - 100 Power Stones