Naruto: Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan - Chapter 108

With Mei Terumi’s defeat, Hashirama Senju’s appearance, and their own Mizukage’s disappearance, the leadership of Kirigakure had begun to sense the storm approaching. Elder Gen, anticipating the upheaval about to sweep through the village, summoned the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, and his master, Harusame.

No one knew what transpired, but the usually composed Harusame had slammed the table in Elder Gen’s presence and stormed out in anger. Of course, he was soon “invited” back by the Kirigakure Anbu, but his attitude showed no signs of softening.

“If our opponent is Hashirama Senju… this is the only thing we can do,” sighed Elder Gen.

“You know the opponent is Hashirama Senju, yet you still want Utakata to become Mizukage so urgently?!” Harusame suppressed his fury. “And you want him to take the position just days after Yagura’s disappearance? Elder Gen, are you really this desperate?”

“Mei Terumi is coming back… if we delay, it will be too late…” Elder Gen responded softly after having Harusame’s words relayed to him. “Utakata is Kirigakure’s Jinchuriki. He needs to bear the corresponding responsibilities.”

“So… it’s really because he’s a Jinchuriki?” Harusame muttered. Despite Yagura’s perfect control over the Three-Tails, Kirigakure’s populace still harbored some prejudice and wariness towards Jinchuriki like Utakata, especially before he had fully mastered the Six-Tails.

Normally deprived of the respect he deserved, now he was being pushed forward as a sacrificial pawn?
If Hashirama captured Yagura to make room for Mei Terumi, then if Utakata took the position, Hashirama would surely capture him as well!
If even the perfectly controlled Yagura couldn’t resist Hashirama, how could an ordinary Jinchuriki like Utakata possibly escape?

Moreover…

Harusame glanced out the window at the sofa where Utakata sat, his expression serene.

It was then he seemed to make a decision, his voice low and steady, “What if… he was no longer a Jinchuriki?”

Elder Gen chuckled softly, “That assumption is meaningless.”

A Jinchuriki is a Jinchuriki. The tailed beast within them is sealed, and while it’s easy to seal a tailed beast inside a person, extracting it without harming the Jinchuriki’s life is impossible.

If a Jinchuriki were no longer a Jinchuriki, they would simply be dead.

“Trust me, Harusame. Let him take the position of Mizukage. We will do everything we can to protect him,” Elder Gen promised solemnly.

Harusame pressed his lips together, still struggling, “Why not listen to what Utakata himself has to say?”

“I know the relationship between you two well enough. He will only listen to you,” Elder Gen shook his head.

Harusame didn’t believe it. He opened the door and called to Utakata, “Elder Gen wants you to be Mizukage. Do you agree?”

“I’ll do as you say, Master.”

Elder Gen chuckled softly.

Harusame glared at Utakata. He could have refused directly, but instead said he would do as his master advised!

Harusame took a deep breath, “Do the other elders approve of Utakata becoming Mizukage?”

Kirigakure had more elders than just Gen. Every year, new senior ninja would become elders. For instance, Ao, who was slain by Neiki on the battlefield of the Land of Waves, had also held the position of an elder. However, the power and status of these new-generation elders were incomparable to the founding elder, Gen.

A Mizukage’s ascension required the approval of the majority of elders. Only then could the Mizukage effectively command the elders’ subordinates or clan ninjas without causing conflicts, which had become customary.

“They do not,” Gen said frankly.

It wasn’t that they didn’t approve of Utakata but the timing was off. Yagura had just been captured, and pushing for a new Mizukage so hastily seemed inappropriate. Moreover, these conservative elders’ opinions of Utakata had already declined significantly.

Yagura’s remains weren’t even cold… and Utakata was so eager for power?

This and similar reactions varied among the elders.

Harusame received an unexpected answer and quickly said, “Then…”

“Even if they don’t approve… they must accept!” Gen tapped his cane on the ground, speaking with authority. “A storm is about to sweep through Kirigakure. We can’t afford delays.”

After hearing Gen’s words, Harusame finally understood. Without the support of the elders, Gen wasn’t pushing for a new Mizukage but merely installing a puppet. The daily affairs would still be under Gen’s control.

Utakata was just a tool to block Mei Terumi’s return!

“Why are you so certain Mei Terumi will return and that her return signifies betrayal?” Harusame asked, trying to remain calm.

“Kirigakure has rogue ninjas,” Gen suddenly said.

Harusame frowned. What did that have to do with his question?
But he patiently listened.

“Kirigakure has many rogue ninjas,” Gen continued, his expression kind. “They opposed Yagura’s policies, grew tired of life in Kirigakure, or committed serious offenses… for various reasons, they became rogue ninjas, constantly hunted by the pursuit team, living in fear.”

“…Until recently, some of them came to me, informing me that someone was secretly rallying all the rogue ninjas of Kirigakure to do something.”

“What could they be planning, gathering dissatisfied rogue ninjas? Though Mei Terumi suffered a severe defeat, Yagura was still in power at the time, so I didn’t pay much attention. I thought they couldn’t even defeat Yagura, so they had little chance of success. But the second time I heard from the informant, he was already dead.”

“Now, with Yagura captured, the one orchestrating the plan to overthrow Kirigakure has finally shown their hand. I can now see clearly the kind of person we are dealing with…”

He spoke at length, pausing several times to sip tea.

Harusame shook his head slightly. He knew Gen was highly respected in Kirigakure, but he hadn’t expected even rogue ninjas to hold him in such regard, reporting their information to him.

And it was clear Gen hadn’t revealed their whereabouts to the pursuit team, maintaining a secret contact channel even the Anbu didn’t know about.

“We must act swiftly, Harusame. If we wait for Mei Terumi’s return… everything will be too late.” Gen sighed deeply.

### Chapter 110: Facing Death

Harusame fell silent for a moment. “What do they want to do?”

“Reform.” Elder Gen uttered the word.

Harusame hesitated for a moment. “Reform… is that bad?”

After speaking, he noticed Elder Gen’s reaction. For the first time, Elder Gen opened his eyes wide and looked at him. Those cloudy eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Elder Gen slowly spoke:
“…Reform requires bloodshed.”

Harusame was direct: “Whose blood?”
“If our opponent is Lord Hashirama, then initially, it will be the blood of us old conservatives… but that is only the beginning. Lord Hashirama has grand ambitions. The extent of his actions will spread throughout the entire Kirigakure. I don’t want to see everyone bleeding… Harusame, I am very old now, I don’t have many years left. This isn’t about me…” Elder Gen shook his head.

The “Bloody Mist” village of Kirigakure has seen its share of bloodshed, hasn’t it?
Harusame didn’t voice this thought because Elder Gen had opposed Yagura’s bloody policies before. Although he wasn’t entirely successful, he managed to limit the bloodshed to the ninja school and a few other areas, preventing it from spreading further. Even so, many elite ninjas, including the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had defected.

He simply sighed deeply, “…Elder Gen, can’t we find someone else for this? It’s unfair to Utakata.”

He still felt a deep sense of care for his disciple.

Taking Yagura’s place now, against the elders’ opposition, would only tarnish Utakata’s reputation within the village. The power would be concentrated in Elder Gen’s hands, and Utakata would bear the enormous risk of being targeted by Hashirama.

It was all harm and no benefit.

Harusame had visited the mountain where Yagura disappeared. The site was sealed off, not for secrecy, but to maintain the stability of the villagers. The battlefield looked as if it had been ravaged by gods. Anyone who saw it was left devastated.

How could mere mortals fight against such divine power?
“Choosing another person, would that be fair to them? Harusame… Utakata is a Jinchuriki, and it’s his responsibility to protect the village.” Elder Gen, looking exhausted, was helped to his feet. Before heading to rest, he gave Harusame a final ultimatum.

“Can we wait a few more days?” Harusame hurriedly pleaded, “Just a few more days.”

“What are you planning?” Elder Gen looked at him with a curious expression.

“I… want to talk to Utakata, to prepare him mentally. He might not want to take on the role of Mizukage so easily.” Harusame explained, keeping his head down.

Elder Gen nodded slightly. “Be quick.”

It was only after Elder Gen left that Harusame raised his head, a look of sorrow crossing his face. He went to find Utakata.

“Master, it’s alright. Elder Gen has already talked to me. Although I haven’t mastered being a perfect Jinchuriki, my current strength and status are enough to take on the position of the Fifth Mizukage,” Utakata reassured.

Hearing Utakata mention the perfect Jinchuriki, Harusame gently shook his head and asked, “Didn’t you always tell me you hated the tailed beast inside you? That it kept you up at night, made you restless, and hindered your training in ninjutsu? That it felt like carrying a heavy burden with every step you took…”

“What can I do? I can’t just pull it out…” Utakata sighed. “People have to face reality, right?”

“Lord Yagura once told me that to become a perfect Jinchuriki, you must first face the tailed beast within you. That’s the most crucial first step. He said that Killer Bee of Kumogakure became a perfect Jinchuriki by gaining the acceptance of his tailed beast, while Yagura himself achieved it by overpowering the beast in the spiritual world. I don’t know which method is right, but I want to try both.”

Utakata spoke at length about his thoughts on becoming a perfect Jinchuriki, his difficulties with the Six-Tails, and how gaining its acceptance seemed almost impossible, feeling that Yagura’s method might be easier.

“I will help you,” Harusame adjusted his glasses and suddenly said, “I will definitely help you… ever since you clung to my leg and complained as a child, I’ve been researching. The success rate isn’t high, but the risk to you is low. It’s worth trying.”

“Besides… Elder Gen’s plan isn’t fair to you.”

Utakata’s words were a bit sentimental, but he replied, “Thank you, Master. I won’t let you down. I’ll become the new Mizukage who has mastered the perfect Jinchuriki method and protect the village!”

He thought his master’s help meant assisting him in becoming a perfect Jinchuriki.

Harusame didn’t say anything, but his eyes grew even sadder.

…

Crossing the mountains and seas from the Land of Rain, Konan arrived on the outskirts of Kirigakure today.

Seeing the mist-covered village in the distance, feeling the stern atmosphere and the flickering shadows in the darkness, she frowned slightly.

White Zetsu emerged from the trees beside her.

“What’s going on in Kirigakure? So many patrolling Anbu,” Konan asked.

“That Hashirama from the Land of Waves appeared and captured their Mizukage in one move,” White Zetsu said teasingly.

No wonder the atmosphere was so tense with the Mizukage captured.

Wait, wasn’t the Mizukage…
“What about the Three-Tails?” Konan quickly asked.

“Taken by Hashirama,” Black Zetsu said grimly.

Konan’s face darkened as she glanced at White Zetsu and then realized, “Is it really Hashirama?”

“Don’t know, but treat it as if it is.”

A foe of this caliber… no wonder Black Zetsu and Madara couldn’t stop him.

“It seems capturing the Three-Tails will take longer than expected… What about Neiki?” Konan remembered her target.

“He’s facing off with Madara… I have to say, he uses the Flying Thunder God Technique excellently, no worse than the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.”

Following White Zetsu’s directions, Konan quickly found the place where Neiki was confronting Madara.

Seeing the two figures on the grass below, Konan paused.

She and Nagato had always been wary of Madara. This situation was the perfect chance to uncover Madara’s hidden methods and gather information.

“Another one…” Neiki glanced at Konan in the trees.

“Don’t get distracted…” As Neiki was distracted, the masked man before him wavered and then a voice came from behind him.

A hand was placed on Neiki’s shoulder.

A powerful suction began to take effect.

“You’re going to die.”

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