With Hōzuki Nuritsuki's collapse, the rebel ranks in Kirigakure completely unraveled, and the civil battle inside the Mizukage's Tower came to an end.
Uchiha Yorin and Konoha's expeditionary force had won a final victory.
When Shisui arrived at full speed with the main body to assist, he saw this: the elite rebel troops—outnumbering Konoha's by a hundred to one—either lay on the floor like the Kaguya clan, dead beyond doubt, or stood with heads drooped like the Yuki and Hōzuki, letting Konoha shinobi seal their chakra and truss them up, unable to move.
Shisui exhaled and couldn't help a wry thought: "I still overthought it. With Yorin-nii's power, how could anything go wrong?"
He still hadn't truly seen what Uchiha Yorin looked like in action now.
Senju physique over Susanoo—at this moment Yorin was a mini–Madara + Hashirama.
So strong, so terrifying that even Uchiha Fugaku, clan head, felt a genuine tremor in his heart and the urge to kneel. It was like standing before the legendary First Hokage Senju Hashirama—or Uchiha's mightiest patriarch, Uchiha Madara.
"Has he stepped onto that 'strongest' path already? He hasn't even awakened the Mangekyō!" Fugaku couldn't help thinking. "The beauty of this era is that there's no second Hashirama.
If so, then this era belongs to Uchiha! The true rise of our clan isn't Madara's age—it's now!"
At the thought of unifying the shinobi world under Yorin, Fugaku was so excited he nearly burst into a classic Uchiha maniacal laugh.
Though nominally overall commander, everyone knew the one who truly led the war and accomplished this feat was Uchiha Yorin.
…
Konoha forces then seized the village with record speed.
All seals, traps, gate patrols—taken under control.
Every key figure of the Mist—up to and including the long-retired Elder Genji—was "invited" over and placed under proper protection.
The old man could barely walk, but his seniority and prestige were real. In the conservative shinobi world—deferential to order and rank—Genji's utility was enormous.
In the original timeline, after Yagura's rule ended no Mizukage took the seat for a long time; Genji essentially ran the village. Part was that Obito's "reforms" left Kirigakure barren of leaders; part was that Genji's appetite for power and methods were intact. Only when the Five Kage Summit loomed did he shuffle the robes and hat onto Terumi Mei. The old fox's clout was not small.
…
"What's going on? Why all the fuss—ah, if it isn't Terumi Mei-chan, you've come back."
His eyes were cloudy, senility painted across his face, but Yorin wouldn't relax and treat Genji as a harmless elder.
"Yes, Elder Genji, I've returned." Mei's feelings were complicated. She'd been under his care—now she met him like this; life was fickle.
She soothed him: "Don't worry—everything's settled. From now on, life will get better."
"Is that so? Then that's fine, that's fine… heh-heh-heh…" The old man seemed to have no doubts, chuckling in delight:
"Good, good. As long as the Mist is at peace, this old one could close his eyes content… That young man there—Mei's boyfriend, is he? Well, well, you're not getting younger…"
"What are you saying?" Mei was a little flustered. She wanted to explain what exactly existed between her and Yorin, but before she could, Yorin stepped in and told Genji:
"Yes, elder—I'm Mei's fiancé."
"Oh? Oh! Then congratulations indeed. Listen, Mei's a fine girl—treat her well."
"Of course." Yorin smiled. "When we marry, we must beg your presence."
"Oh-ho-ho, of course. With this news, this old bag of bones has reason to live on. Be happy, Mei-chan—and this young…"
"Uchiha. Yorin." No disguises, no pretense.
"Oh, Uchiha… Uchiha Yorin—good name… Wait—is that Uchiha? How… When did Uchiha pledge to the Mist?"
He wore the muddled look of a man in decline.
Keep acting.
If Yorin didn't know Genji ran Kirigakure for a decade after Yagura's death, he might actually be fooled.
The harder Genji played the doddering fool, the more Yorin distrusted him.
Mei, who didn't know Genji's true role, looked pained. "Yorin… should we… let Elder Genji go home to rest?"
"By all means," Yorin said, as if convinced. He waved a hand: "Escort Elder Genji home to rest."
Konoha Anbu masked as orderlies helped the old man away, grumbling: "So odd… what's going on… why Uchiha…"
Mei watched him go, sympathy in her eyes—then heard Yorin murmur a quiet order:
"Shisui."
"Here."
"Keep an eye on the old gentleman. Report anything at once."
"Yes, Yorin-sama."
Mei: "???"
She stared at Yorin, not understanding.
Yorin ignored her surprise. "How about a little wager?"
"A bet?"
Tsunade: "On what?!"
"Bet the next Mist uprising centers on Genji."
Mei blinked. "…Impossible. Elder Genji is like that.
If you mean the rebels will use him as a banner, a nominal leader, I can accept that. But a real leader… impossible."
"Ōnoki of Both Scales is about the same age and still won't leave his seat. If he can, Genji can."
"Even so…"
Mei still couldn't believe Genji would become the keystone of a restorationist revolt.
"Then let's keep watching," Yorin said. "If it isn't him, so much the better… Don't overthink it—be happy, Mei. You're Mizukage now. In the New Mist, you're the top."
Mei wanted to be happy—but couldn't.
"Top?" If she was Mizukage, then Yorin was the New Mist's Grand Senior Five-Star Mizukage behind the curtain.
As if she could bypass him and truly govern this fierce, unruly mercenary syndicate.
"Still… better than before," she told herself.
If she could have wished, she'd have wanted Yorin to open his arms and hold her, to soothe her gently.
And—he did. Reading her thought, Yorin wrapped her in an embrace. "It's all right," he said softly. "I'm here."
Only then did Mei give a little "Mm," lean into him, and find a rare sense of safety.
What awaited her was a brand-new beginning.
~~~
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