Chapter 31 Worry of the Elder
At this moment, the one who felt it most deeply was the clan leader of the Hozuki clan.
Mokushita Jirou, who had just been suppressing him, was so easily taken away by the Anbu that he did not even have the slightest chance to resist.
Everyone present was shocked and quickly analyzed the current situation.
Tsuchida Masamitsu could be set aside, at most he was only an Anbu vice-captain. Although this position was important, there was no shortage of people who could replace him.
The real matter lay with Mokushita Jirou. Compared to the strength of an entire clan, Jirou's personal ability was actually the least important.
Even with the elder's methods, dealing with this situation would surely be extremely troublesome.
But precisely because of this, everyone present understood even more clearly the elder's attitude and determination.
On the surface, this matter had two benefits.
First: to hold someone accountable for the Six-Tails jinchuriki's defection. After all, two chunin had died and the village had suffered losses. Someone had to bear responsibility, and that someone could not be the jinchuriki.
The existence of a jinchuriki was already a focal point of conflict within the village. If this matter were pushed onto the jinchuriki again, it would likely have the opposite effect.
Second: to pave the way for Terumi Mei.
Although Terumi Mei was the Mizukage of the village, a considerable portion of people still did not fully accept her. After all, the other Mizukage of past generations had all established great military achievements during times of war, while Mei was clearly lacking in such qualifications.
Yet the presence of the elder caused any hidden dissatisfaction to vanish without trace. On the surface, his power was a check against Mei, but was this not also a form of balance? The benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.
If one thought that was all, then they truly did not understand Elder Genshi. Most of those present who could reach such positions were no fools.
With a little thought, they already understood—the elder's true focus was on Lord Yuto.
At that moment, a layer of cold sweat broke out on everyone's foreheads.
Now they finally realized something. The Kirigakure of today was no longer the same as in the past.
The bonds from Lord Yuto's time had long faded away with the passing years.
Even clans that could have been inherited, like the Yuki and the Taketori, had been wiped out due to the policies of the Fourth Mizukage.
As for the surviving Hozuki clan, their stance had always been neutral. During the reigns of the Mizukage, they had been as good as transparent.
Of course, this was one of the important reasons they had managed to survive until now.
In this era, there was no longer anyone or anything that could bind Lord Yuto.
"Cough, cough… age catches up, my energy is not what it once was."
The elder coughed lightly a few times and tapped his shoulder with his hand.
He then raised his head to look at Terumi Mei and Yuto, speaking with a trace of apology.
"Mizukage-sama, Lord Yuto, if there is nothing else, this old man shall take his leave first."
Kwonbei, seated beside him, was startled and hurried to help him up.
Seeing this, a hint of helplessness flashed in the elder's eyes. He had only spoken casually; it was not as if he truly could not walk on his own.
"No need, just sit here."
The elder waved his hand, speaking calmly, then picked up the cane beside him and headed for the door.
"Elder is advanced in years. I am not at ease letting him go alone. I shall see him back."
Yuto suddenly spoke with a faint smile. After finishing, he had already stridden forward.
As Yuto and the elder walked out of the hall, the heavy atmosphere that had lingered instantly lightened.
Terumi Mei's expression remained unchanged. She looked at the people below whose gazes flickered and spoke indifferently. "The meeting continues."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"
Everyone straightened their expressions and responded in unison.
Most people did not realize that their voices now carried a trace of respect that had not been there before.
By this time, the sun was already high in the sky.
Yet for Kirigakure, the sunlight was never so plentiful, as the surrounding mist had not fully dispersed.
Breathing the slightly fresh air, Yuto and Elder Genji walked side by side down a street.
From time to time, passersby went by on either side, but none recognized the two of them.
As for Yuto, needless to say, and although Elder Genji held a distinguished position, he had rarely appeared before the common folk, so naturally no one could recognize him.
"It seems the fish balls of the village do suit Lord Yuto's taste."
Elder Genji glanced at Yuto beside him, who was eating heartily from a bag of fish balls, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes as he spoke with a chuckle.
Now Elder Genji even suspected that Lord Yuto had come out solely for the sake of eating fish balls.
"They are indeed quite good. After all these years, the taste remains the same."
Yuto swallowed the fish ball in his mouth and nodded with satisfaction.
Elder Genji smiled, and after a moment of silence, suddenly said:
"Today's events must have made Lord Yuto laugh at us."
"Laugh? Elder Genji's methods have truly impressed me. You've given that little girl Terumi Mei a great deal of help."
Yuto spoke indistinctly as he chewed the fish balls.
Elder Genji shook his head lightly. "I am not helping her. I am only helping Kirigakure. Only…"
He did not finish, though his expression carried a hint of heaviness.
"Rest assured. What you worry about will never come to pass, nor is there any need for it to happen."
Yuto spoke calmly as he walked.
Hearing this, Elder Genji's body trembled, then a smile suddenly appeared on his face, as if a great burden had been lifted.
"This old man suddenly feels hungry." Elder Genji glanced at the fish balls in Yuto's hand and spoke with a laugh.
Yuto rolled his eyes, reluctantly pulling out a skewer of fish balls and handing it to him.
Elder Genji received them with a sly smile, looking very much like an old fox.
"The Mokushita clan is no small family. Elder, declaring their clan leader a rogue ninja could cause no small trouble if mishandled."
Yuto suddenly turned his head toward Elder Genji, speaking with a faint smile.
"For a clan to grow so quickly, normal means are impossible. The Mokushita clan has far too many weaknesses in my hands. To me, this is only a minor trouble."
"If they refuse to obey, and have even become a stumbling block at the Mizukage's feet, then let us change the clan leader. But more than that, I am curious—why did Lord Yuto spare Mokushita Jirou's life?"
Elder Genji looked at Yuto with an expression of curiosity.
Clearly, he had not understood Yuto's reason for letting Mokushita Jirou go.
(End of Chapter)
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