Mei Terumi watched as the Fourth Mizukage woke up, feeling somewhat relieved.
"Lord Fourth Mizukage, are you alright? What exactly did that bastard do to you? Is the Three-Tails still inside you?"
The Fourth Mizukage glanced at Mei Terumi with a complicated expression. The little girl from back then had already grown so much. Fortunately, he hadn't brought harm to her.
In his heart, he sighed deeply. He knew exactly who Mei Terumi was referring to as "that bastard". The Three-Tails inside him had indeed been taken away.
The Three-Tails was an important weapon of war for the village, and losing it was truly regrettable.
But now was not the time to worry about tailed beasts. In fact, he should be grateful that this person had taken the tailed beast from him, as it also released him from the genjutsu he was under.
Otherwise, Hidden Mist village would have continued to suffer under his genjutsu-controlled rule.
That terrifying man in black with an orange mask had manipulated him into wreaking havoc on Hidden Mist village for years.
Not only had he enforced brutal competition in the ninja academy, forcing students to kill each other, ruthlessly destroying the younger generation of Hidden Mist village, he had even persecuted those with kekkei genkai.
This plunged Hidden Mist village into immense internal strife, causing countless deaths and injuries, leaving the village severely weakened.
Looking at the furious Mei Terumi, he said, "That man in black with a white mask is Hidden Mist village's benefactor, not an enemy. From now on, treat him with respect."
When Mei Terumi heard the Fourth Mizukage's words, she wondered if he had lost his mind. Hadn't everything that guy done harmed Hidden Mist village's interests?
He kidnapped the Fourth Mizukage and even did such terrible things to her. How was that any different from toying with her?
Most importantly, Mei Terumi thought he was ugly, which made it even more unacceptable.
Mei Terumi was deeply confused as she stared at the Fourth Mizukage.
"Why do you call that guy a benefactor? He kidnapped you, even took the tailed beast, and stole Ao's Byakugan."
None of these things had been in Hidden Mist village's best interests.
The Fourth Mizukage sighed. "None of that matters now. Whether it's the tailed beast or the Byakugan, they're no longer important. Take me back now. I have important matters to announce."
The top priority was to correct Hidden Mist village's current misguided policies. The academy could no longer continue that bloody method of training. Nor could they keep persecuting kekkei genkai users.
When he was under the control of that man in black with the white mask, his mind had already suffered severe damage.
He had to set Hidden Mist village back on the right path while he was still alive. He wanted Hidden Mist village's academy to nurture large numbers of talented shinobi, just like Konoha's academy did.
Mei Terumi was utterly baffled. 'What's wrong with the Fourth Mizukage? He didn't even care about the tailed beast or the Byakugan anymore.'
She could clearly sense that the Fourth Mizukage had changed drastically compared to before. Could it have something to do with that masked man in black?
She also wanted to hear what important announcement the Fourth Mizukage had to make.
———
[Half a day later.]
Inside Hidden Mist village's office, all the village's key figures had gathered.
Unlike the Fourth Mizukage, who sat at the head of the table with a troubled expression, most of the attendees wore looks of anger.
The room buzzed with discussion.
"Have we identified the attacker yet?"
"We must find this person and retaliate fiercely."
"Exactly. Hidden Mist village is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, we can't let someone run wild in our village like this."
"I propose a high-value bounty on that man in black with the white mask."
Seated among them, Mei Terumi still watched the Fourth Mizukage with deep confusion.
Though most people were eager for revenge, it was clearly not the right course of action. After all, the Fourth Mizukage regarded the man who kidnapped him as the village's benefactor.
Surely, he would explain the reason behind this next.
The Fourth Mizukage looked at the crowd, his emotions complicated.
"There's no need to place a bounty on that man. He is the village's benefactor."
The moment these words were spoken, the entire meeting room fell silent. Everyone present stared at the Fourth Mizukage in disbelief.
The person who had thrown the village into chaos, the one they had mobilized nearly the entire village's forces to capture, was now being called the village's benefactor?
Most of the shinobi were furious. If not for the Fourth Mizukage's usual authority, the room would likely have erupted in questioning.
They were all deeply puzzled.
Elder Chojuro, leaning on his cane, wore a grave expression.
"Why does the Fourth Mizukage say this? Please give us an explanation."
The Fourth Mizukage was filled with shame. Gritting his teeth, he stood up and bowed deeply to the assembled shinobi of Hidden Mist village, so deeply that his head even struck the table.
"Everyone… I'm sorry."
The entire room widened their eyes in shock. Was this the same cold and imposing Fourth Mizukage from before? Just what had happened?
One shinobi asked in confusion, "Why is the Fourth Mizukage apologizing? Is it because you were kidnapped in the line of duty? But this isn't your fault alone. All of us here share responsibility too."
The others nodded in agreement.
The village had just suppressed the rebellion of the Hozuki clan, who could have expected such a powerful figure to appear?
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