Outside the small group.
"Fifth Generation… Mizukage!"
Sasuke and Naruto are still in the boat, but they suddenly feel the boat of friendship is about to capsize.
Because they were originally in the same class as Kitahara Hitoshi, and now they are in Kakashi's group.
Result…
In the blink of an eye, Kakashi-sensei is trapped, and then Kitahara Hitoshi is invited to Kirigakure as a Mizukage.
What is a Mizukage?
It may not be easy to describe, but every Konoha ninja wants to be a Hokage.
Ninjas who don't want to be Hokage are not good ninjas.
And Kirigakure, like Konoha, also belongs to one of the Five Great Ninja Villages. The value of a Mizukage is equivalent to the value of the current Third Hokage.
Sasuke and Naruto are silent.
Although they don't say they're jealous, Sasuke and Naruto have the feeling that the ideal they both want to achieve has already been fulfilled by someone else.
"Fifth Mizukage?" Kitahara Hitoshi asked.
"That's right," Terumi Mei said. "I'm the current Mizukage backup, and I can choose to step down."
"So if you come to Kirigakure, then I can make way for you."
Terumi Mei said, "I still have that authority."
Having said that, there was some meaning in her tone, and she had indeed shown her strength when she appeared earlier.
Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's Water Dragon Bomb still requires a hand seal, but her combo attack does not.
So there is no doubt about her strength.
But.
"Really..." Kitahara Hitoshi only responded calmly.
Because.
Judging from the original situation, Kirigakure's real prominence was during the Five Kage Summit, and Terumi Mei at that time was fierce and assertive.
Plus, she's a female Mizukage, so she's very imposing.
It's just that Kirigakure has no money.
If you don't understand the situation, then seeing that she is a beautiful female Mizukage and she pulls you in, you might get fooled.
But…
He's afraid this Kirigakure is just a poor mess of a pit.
Judging from the original work, they could only choose Chojuro as the Sixth Mizukage later, so there's no need to go to Kirigakure.
"Thank you," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
Terumi Mei was silent.
Children and grandchildren chat group
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Why did I get rejected?
Namikaze Minato: Well… it's normal.
Namikaze Minato: After all, you came in a little late.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: What?
Terumi Mei didn't react for a moment.
Namikaze Minato: Before they met Zabuza, Kitahara-kun and the others captured two Chūnins, and those two… leaked Zabuza's information.
Namikaze Minato: Then they revealed the situation in Kirigakure.
Namikaze Minato: So Kirigakure isn't attractive to Kitahara-kun. Rather, it's troublesome.
Namikaze Minato: So wouldn't it be reasonable for him to refuse?
Minato had a better temper and explained it to Terumi Mei.
After all…
Things over there aren't looking good.
Kakashi's soul was being scolded by the Second Hokage to practice water-style techniques, while the First Hokage was feeling autistic.
Izuna-sama was watching silently.
Just like a Konoha kindergarten, it's tough to manage.
So Minato took care to console Terumi Mei.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: That's right. The ace was leaked.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Also…
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: As expected, Kirigakure's delusions can only remain delusions.
And at this moment.
Tobirama finally stopped teaching Kakashi.
Senju Tobirama: Ha, Mizukage, you finally appeared.
Senju Tobirama: I really underestimated you.
Senju Tobirama: I didn't care because I thought you were just a girl.
Senju Tobirama: And now you come to kidnap our genius from Konoha!
Senju Tobirama: You're shameless!
Senju Tobirama: Is this bullying Konoha just because we're quiet?
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Calm down, Second Hokage. Think about it—after I gave my conditions, Kitahara-kun resisted temptation. Doesn't that prove he has a strong loyalty to Konoha?
Senju Tobirama fell silent.
Senju Tobirama: Hmm…
Tobirama crossed his arms and looked at Terumi Mei's soul.
Senju Tobirama: Go on. I'll keep listening.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: …
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Fine. I admit it. The situation in Kirigakure is terrible, and I can't fix it on my own.
Senju Tobirama: Tell me about the current state of the Hidden Mist Village.
Tobirama's tone turned sharp.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: …
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Understood.
So Terumi Mei told Tobirama about the situation.
At the same time, she spilled the truth about Kirigakure's state. After the Bloody Mist era, her village still had more than 6000 ninjas, but fewer than 2000 were combat-ready—a miserable ratio.
And since the assassination of the Fourth Mizukage Yagura revealed that he was being controlled, she didn't immediately take the position of Fifth Mizukage.
Even before taking over, she knew Kirigakure was on the verge of collapse.
Her strength alone wasn't enough to turn things around.
Senju Tobirama: I see…
Reaching that conclusion, Tobirama was actually… somewhat relieved.
Because he's different from his older brother, the strongest but peace-loving First Hokage. What he hates most are people's hearts.
According to Kakashi, Konoha currently has fewer than 3000 combat-ready ninjas.
That's not good.
But with Kirigakure also withered, Konoha at least had the upper hand.
Wait a minute?
Tobirama suddenly felt like he noticed something off.
Konoha's ninjas number fewer than 3000?
That's… odd.
Even after the Second Ninja War and Third Ninja War—sure, Minato mentioned that the Nine-Tails attack during his era caused major losses.
But…
Fewer than 3000?
That number still feels off.
Because just the Uchiha clan alone…
Could easily contribute 1000–2000 ninjas.
So…
Why is the number of regular Konoha ninjas falling so fast? Less than 1000?
Or… is something wrong with the Uchiha?
Otherwise, why would Kakashi be arranged to lead Naruto, someone of such a special identity, with only an underperforming Uchiha like Sasuke?
The more Tobirama thought, the more something felt wrong.
But just then…
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: That… can you let me speak?
A voice interrupted Tobirama's thoughts.
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: This old man knows nothing right now.
Senju Tobirama: You're calling yourself an old man? Who are you?
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: Hmm? Wait a minute… My eyesight isn't what it used to be, but…
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: Lord Senju Hashirama? Senju Tobirama?
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: Namikaze Minato?
Namikaze Minato stayed quiet.
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: Have I been caught in a genjutsu?
Namikaze Minato: Is that you, Tsuchikage Onoki?
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: Yeah… Namikaze Minato… Fourth Hokage of Konoha, aren't you… dead?
Senju Tobirama: Welcome to the afterlife. Onoki, took you long enough to join us.
Tobirama greeted him politely.
But…
Third Tsuchikage – Onoki: What! No! My heart!
Onoki suddenly gasped and clutched his chest, feeling overwhelmed.