Cherreads

Chapter 177 - Chapter 177

The sky gradually darkened as the afternoon sun faded behind the budding treetops. Slender willow branches brushed against the stone lion statues outside the hall, and the air was filled with the fragrance of blooming spring flowers and the rich scent of damp earth.

It should have felt refreshing.

But inside the hall, all the major power-holders of the Hidden Cloud Village sat in silence. The soft sound of people nervously swallowing was the only noise. No one dared to speak, making the atmosphere thick and oppressive.

Sitting at the head of the room, Yugito Nii calmly finished writing a new agreement and handed it to her newly appointed Raikage secretary, Samui, to distribute.

The content was short—just a few sentences—but those sentences would completely reshape the future of the Hidden Cloud Village.

To prevent any single faction from gaining too much power and staging another rebellion, all positions on the Council of Elders would now be equally divided among the three main clans. No single clan would monopolize power again.

Not only that—control over businesses, government officials, and even instructors at the ninja academy would be split evenly as well.

A pie that once belonged to one person was now being divided among three. It seemed fair, but it was undeniably an act of suppression.

Yugito's intent to suppress the Black Faction was written plainly across her face, yet no one voiced a single objection. The members of the Black Faction sat with their heads bowed in silence.

They didn't dare speak up.

This time, they had lost not just face but leverage. Publicly, they had lost to Yugito in every way. Privately, the attempted assassination plot involving Mabui had completely backfired.

And now, Yugito wasn't just giving the remaining shares to the White Faction—she was also granting power to the Yellow Faction, which still held considerable influence in the Land of Lightning.

If anyone dared to speak up now, they would likely lose even the third of the power Yugito was still willing to leave them.

Members of the Yellow and White Factions sat smiling contentedly, while the Black Faction remained grim-faced. As each member finished signing the document, their faces grew even more somber. They couldn't help but glance at Mabui—still bound and gagged, her face bruised—and every look they gave her was full of scorn.

Damn fool…

All that education and not a shred of sense.

Yugito is the strongest person in the village right now. She's the only one keeping the Hidden Cloud Village standing among the Five Great Nations. Even if we resent her, we still submit in silence, maybe make things difficult from the shadows.

But you? You actually hired someone to assassinate her—and from Konoha of all places, our greatest external threat. What were you thinking?!

Worst of all, she claimed the entire Black Faction was behind it!

When the hell did we say anything like that?!

What's in your head—brains or crap?!

You used to be smart—how could you do something so idiotic?!

Everyone, especially those from the Black Faction, was furious with Mabui. If possible, they would've torn her apart on the spot and scattered her ashes.

Yet Yugito remained seated, eyes closed in silence, and none dared make a sound. They feared she might use them as outlets for her rage.

Everyone knew the truth: if Yugito gave the order, the Black Faction would be eaten alive by the others and erased from the political core of the village.

In the world of civilians, stripping a faction of power might require legal gymnastics and political games.

But this was the ninja world—might makes right. Yugito was the strongest, and her word was law.

Just as the past four Raikages had secured power for the Black Faction through strength, the current Raikage could just as easily take it all away with a single word.

Honestly, the fact that she was still giving them a third of the pie showed a surprising degree of restraint.

At last, after the final elder signed the agreement, Samui broke the silence.

"Lord Raikage, the agreement has been signed unanimously."

Yugito opened her eyes, gave a brief nod, took the agreement, glanced over it, then tossed it aside. Her eyes swept across the entire room.

"Now that it's signed, it's settled."

"Since this is a first offense, I'll show some leniency this time."

"But if I ever discover someone plotting behind my back again—they'd better ask themselves how many lives they have left. Do I make myself clear?"

Her calm voice carried a chilling finality. She fixed her eyes on Mabui, who trembled in her seat.

Yugito's going to sentence me!

Mabui's heart pounded. She wanted to shout that it wasn't true, that the video was fake, that it was all slander. But her mouth was sealed—she could only whimper.

She desperately wanted to explain: she hadn't conspired to assassinate the Raikage. Yes, she was dissatisfied with Yugito. Yes, she'd considered bribes. But assassination? Never!

She wasn't suicidal—why would she try to kill the strongest ninja in the village?

But no one would listen.

The room saw her only as a traitor now.

Darui, watching from the side, felt a twinge of sympathy. He even considered pleading for Mabui's life—but the hostile stares from the other factions and Yugito's icy gaze made him think twice.

The cost was too high.

With so much "evidence" stacked against her, he'd be accused of being an accomplice if he failed to change the verdict.

Forget it. She brought this on herself. If anyone's to blame, it's her for getting caught.

What a waste of a beautiful body…

Darui stood up.

"Lord Raikage, Mabui's actions were hers alone. She conspired with outside forces—no one else should bear the burden of her betrayal."

Since he couldn't save her, he might as well gain favor with the new Raikage.

Yugito had grown more and more captivating lately, and Darui found himself drawn to her charisma and strength.

To think Mabui would try to harm such a beautiful woman—she deserves whatever she gets.

Emboldened, Darui pointed at Mabui and declared:

"This woman harbored sinister intent. I recommend she be executed publicly—let it be a warning to all traitors!"

…?

Mabui's eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at Darui, stunned.

A surge of fury and bitterness welled up inside her.

You bastard… you're turning on me too?!

Did you forget I was the one who recommended you to the Fourth Raikage as his bodyguard?!

I helped you rise through the ranks—and now you want me executed?

Even Yugito hasn't said a word yet, but you're already pushing for my death!

Her cries of outrage were muffled by the tape.

Darui sighed again. "Mabui, you made your bed. Don't resist. After your death, I'll send you flowers every year."

I'll send flowers to your damn mother!

Mabui was on the verge of shouting obscenities, but the tape silenced her.

Darui turned again. "Also, once she's executed, I propose we confiscate her assets and transfer them to Lord Raikage as compensation."

He looked around. "Any objections?"

Of course not.

Now that Mabui was finished, everyone was falling over themselves to curry favor with Yugito.

Even members of the Black Faction—those who had once begged Mabui for help—nodded eagerly.

"Yes, Lord Raikage deserves compensation!"

"She betrayed the village—giving her inheritance to the Raikage is the least she could do."

"She should feel honored her assets will go to someone so noble!"

The room buzzed with condemnation. Knives hidden in smiles.

Mabui recognized many of these faces. People she had helped generously during the Fourth Raikage's reign.

Now they couldn't wait to condemn her.

Each word was a stab in the heart.

She just wanted a chance to speak. A single moment to explain herself.

But no one would give her that.

Except maybe…

Her eyes turned to Yugito.

They'd worked together many times before. Yugito was always level-headed and fair. Surely, she would see something was off—why the video was so suspicious, why Naruto had gagged her, why she hadn't been allowed to speak.

She had to see the truth.

But—

Yugito remained expressionless. Calm and unreadable.

And then she stood.

"Enough."

Her hand slammed the table.

"Silence!"

The room fell still.

Yugito looked toward Mabui and spoke quietly.

"Give Mabui a shred of dignity. Execute her in secret."

Mabui's face drained of color.

Why?

Why won't you let me speak?

Why must I die without being heard?

After everything I've done for this village?

This isn't justice—it's murder!

She wanted to scream the truth—that it was Naruto Uzumaki who set her up, that it was all a scheme by Konoha to sow chaos in the Land of Lightning.

But her sealed mouth and broken heart stopped her.

Yugito glanced at her once, then turned away and left the hall with her guards.

The sky darkened. A crescent moon appeared, surrounded by a few twinkling stars.

In a quiet room, Naruto Uzumaki sat cross-legged on the bed, hands in a meditative seal. A gentle light surrounded his body, ethereal and quiet.

Glowing strands of light seeped into his pores, flowing through his blood and internal organs before gathering in his dantian, merging with his chakra.

Red and blue chakra—once incompatible—merged and transformed into brilliant golden chakra, spreading throughout his body until it shone entirely in gold.

He lifted his hand. A golden Rasengan formed in his palm.

"About five times stronger than before… and over twice as fast."

Naruto smiled.

"This incense power is incredible. Months of work—but it was worth it."

But his expression soon darkened.

While absorbing the incense's power, he had felt… something.

A disturbance. A warning.

As though he had violated a natural law—and offended something divine.

"Don't get arrogant," Naruto muttered. "Even now, I'm probably no match for Hashirama Senju. Kaguya… or the Otsutsuki Clan. I've still got a long way to go."

With that, he quickly changed into a crisp white shirt and black pants.

Looking into the mirror, he was still undeniably handsome.

Time to go out for a walk. His selector was lustful—if he went where the beautiful women gathered, there would surely be new choices.

He opened the door.

And was instantly pushed back inside.

A soft, warm body clung tightly to him.

Gentle hands slipped into his shirt, caressing his chest and abs.

"???" Naruto blinked. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Yugito stood before him—her long blonde hair tied back in a braid, dressed in a stylish blue short-sleeved top, a white skirt to her knees, and white heels with red soles.

Her conservative style only enhanced her graceful elegance.

Even Naruto was momentarily stunned.

But then Yugito licked her lips in a way that shattered the moment.

She leaned closer, eyes tender.

"We need to talk."

"…About what?"

"Samui and Mabui."

Naruto frowned. "Something's off with you. Calm down first."

"If you lie to me… I'll punish you."

"You dare try to punish me, Tenkō?! I'll beat you!"

In the spiritual realm—

A red-haired woman silently observed through Naruto's vision.

Uzumaki Kushina frowned.

"…Naruto's still so young. How is he getting involved with three elite kunoichi?"

"And this woman—she looks like she's in her twenties! How can she seduce a kid like that?"

Shameless!

Naruto, you idiot… always falling for a pretty face!

I need to teach him a lesson… but that would mean meeting him again.

Which is a little scary.

"."

"."

More Chapters