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"Tie?"
When the result was announced, everyone present was stunned.
All their arguments, the voting, the counting—it had amounted to nothing.
In fact, they got nothing at all?
Disappointment rippled through the crowd.
But alongside the disappointment was a deep sense of relief.
With the votes so close, just a single vote difference could have swung the outcome.
Their hearts had been clenched tight as if ready to burst. So when they heard it was a tie, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
This outcome was not what anyone truly wanted, but it was acceptable to both sides.
A tie.
No bias toward either faction.
Either side still had a chance.
Elder Genji slowly announced, "Since it is a tie, this vote will not be counted. We…"
"Wait!"
At that moment, the Kaguya Clan leader interrupted Elder Genji, standing tall and commanding the room. "This vote is not a tie."
Not a tie?
How could that be? So many witnesses had watched the counting carefully—how could it not be a tie?
"Chief Kaguya, please don't be so presumptuous."
"How could it not be a tie?"
"This result was counted with so many joint witnesses."
"It's not what you say, it's what is!" argued a head of one of the powerful families of the Hidden Mist Village.
Usually, he would show deference to the Kaguya Clan, afraid to provoke their wrath.
But this was about the Mizukage position.
No matter what, he would not yield!
The Kaguya Clan leader coldly glanced at him and repeated, "I said, this vote is not a tie."
"There is one person who has not expressed an opinion from the start until now. But in my view, it is pointless to ask."
"Because this person will never object, no matter what!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, the room fell silent.
"What? One person didn't vote?"
"Who is it?"
"Why not ask? How can you know without asking?"
"Ask, you must ask!"
Everyone looked around, eager to find out who had not voted or voiced their opinion.
Soon, they spotted him.
"Elder Genji! Elder Genji has not expressed his opinion yet!"
"But... wasn't it Elder Genji who recommended Mei Terumi as the Fifth Mizukage...?"
Once that was said, no one had a response.
It became clear why the Kaguya Clan leader insisted there was no need for further questioning.
This wasn't some trick; it was a certainty.
What else was there to ask?
Elder Genji was Mei Terumi's recommender—how could he disagree?
Elder Genji smiled politely but felt a deep discomfort, as if he'd swallowed a fly.
In the end, he was the one helping Mei Terumi ascend to the position of Fifth Mizukage.
Of course, he didn't want to, but what use was resistance?
As Mei Terumi's recommender, could he really back out now?
"In this case, the majority supports Mei Terumi becoming the Fifth Mizukage."
"Anyone unconvinced by this result opposes both our Kaguya Clan and Elder Genji—and is our enemy," the Kaguya Clan leader declared coldly, staring down the opponents.
"No one here should want to make enemies of the two of us! Don't you agree, Elder Genji?"
Genji was already feeling uneasy, and now the Kaguya Clan leader forced him to voice his stance.
Still, he had to comply.
With a smile, he said, "Mei Terumi is indeed worthy of the position of Fifth Mizukage."
Not so much a show of strength, but an indication of support.
Those in opposition frowned deeply, their spirits crushed.
If it were only the Kaguya Clan, perhaps they could have risked changing the result—even if it meant angering the clan.
Although the Kaguya Clan was powerful, almost no one wanted to be their enemy.
Most people were either bystanders or forced to compromise, intimidated by the Kaguya Clan's sheer presence.
The two major powers here, along with their vassals, were not afraid of the Kaguya Clan.
But now, with the Kaguya Clan's strength combined with Elder Genji's support, they could practically walk sideways through the Hidden Mist Village unchallenged.
Their combined force outweighed any opposing factions.
Faced with this reality, the leaders and their powerful families fell silent.
No one else dared speak up.
The leaders hadn't been the first to oppose, so why would they risk standing up now?
It was impossible.
The room suddenly fell silent.
The head of the Kaguya clan seized the moment and delivered a firm declaration.
"In that case, Mei Terumi shall serve as the Fifth Mizukage of our Hidden Mist Village. After unanimous agreement from all present, there are no objections. Thus, this matter is settled."
"Elder Genji, please notify the Water Country immediately."
Genji's brow furrowed slightly. The situation had finally evolved into the worst possible outcome—one he desperately wished to avoid. But now, it was nearly finalized.
What could he say now, as the recommender of Mei Terumi?
What infuriated him most were those patriarchs of the great clans who prided themselves on their wisdom but were, in truth, blind to his true stance.
They just accepted it—like that?
Couldn't they have lodged objections, even if just to delay the decision?
It was maddening.
And now Patriarch Kaguya was pressing him again.
Genji could only force a smile. "It was all my doing."
"Very well. Let us congratulate Mei Terumi on becoming the Fifth Mizukage of our Hidden Mist Village."
With that, Clan Leader Kaguya stood and walked to Mei Terumi's side, saluting her. Those who had supported Mei Terumi followed suit.
Next came the hesitant, then those compelled to accept the outcome, and finally, the clan leaders and vassals who had initially opposed her also paid their respects.
The dust had settled. Mei Terumi was now the Fifth Mizukage.
Mei Terumi gazed at the once proud and untouchable figures before her, standing respectfully and saluting. Though calm outwardly, a surge of excitement swelled in her heart.
Mizukage...
Which ninja in the Hidden Mist Village hadn't dreamed of becoming Mizukage since their youth?
And now, her dream had come true.
Granted, she hadn't achieved it through sheer strength alone.
Uchiha Haru, the enigmatic man, had played a crucial role.
Without Uchiha Haru's intervention, it would have been impossible for her to ascend to Mizukage by herself.
Still, no matter what, she had become Mizukage.
At the pinnacle of power in the Hidden Mist Village, she now truly held the village's fate in her hands.
...
The meeting concluded.
After the leaders of Kirigakure and the heads of the major clans offered their congratulations to Mei Terumi one by one, she departed.
The head of the Kaguya clan followed close behind.
They arrived at the Kaguya clan's estate.
There, someone awaited them.
In a room fragrant with fresh elegance,
Uchiha Haru sipped wine, admiring the graceful dance of the performers the Kaguya clan had invited.
This life was undeniably luxurious.
No wonder so many people became addicted and unable to break free.
Of course, these dancers came from Kirigakure's customs hall, not the Kaguya clan's women.
After all,
most Kaguya clan members were tall, robust, and strong—even the women.
Had these warriors been the ones dancing before Haru,
he wouldn't be able to enjoy wine and entertainment so leisurely. He'd have fled long ago.
This is what they call "out of sight, out of mind."
As dusk settled,
Mei Terumi and Chief Kaguya arrived.
Upon entering, Mei Terumi's serene smile faltered when she saw the troupe of graceful, coquettish women in the brothel.
Sure enough, men are pigs—no exceptions.
This reaction puzzled Chief Kaguya.
What was wrong? Becoming the Fifth Mizukage was clearly a cause for celebration—so why the sour expression?
However, Chief Kaguya had little interest in the matter.
The smarter a man was, the more he understood the complexities of women.
When you sense something is wrong, the best strategy is to neither ask nor try to change it.
Avoidance is the safest policy to prevent unexpected wounds.
And so, Chief Kaguya chose avoidance.
Once inside the room, they dismissed the dancers and then prepared to share the good news with Haru.
But before they could speak, Haru asked, "Mei Terumi, how does it feel to be Mizukage?"
Chief Kaguya and Mei Terumi froze.
How did he know before they said a word?
Did he send spies? Or had he simply read their expressions?
"Mr. Haru, you already know?" Chief Kaguya asked respectfully, with no hint of disregard.
This behavior would astonish other ninja in the village.
Chief Kaguya, notorious for his ruthlessness and bullying nature, also had a respectful side?
The Kaguya clan revered strength above all else.
Clearly, the strength Haru now displayed deserved respect.
Mei Terumi's question was exactly what she wanted to hear answered.
She looked at Haru expectantly.
Haru lifted his wine glass, took a slow sip, and replied, "I arranged all of this beforehand."
"Besides, you two are the ones I personally chose and entrusted. With you both handling this, there was no chance of failure."
"I could predict the outcome because I believed in your ability to accomplish it."
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This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
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