Chapter 22

Ameyuri was counting on Jounin at best, but suddenly Ao himself came - the right hand of the Fifth Mizukage!

- Master! – Ao respectfully bowed towards Yudao, not deigning Ameyuri with attention at all.

"Well, nice to meet you and see you later, Miss Ameyuri, now take me to Mei's office, Ao," Yudao smiled and waved goodbye to the sisters.

After which he slowly left the girl's field of vision, accompanied by a respectful Killer with the Byakugan.

For a long time she could not get over the shock and continued to wonder who she had accidentally stumbled upon today.

And here it is worth clarifying that in all of Kiri you can count people with the status of Ao on one hand. Besides, he is the right hand of the Mizukage!

But from what Ameyuri saw, Ao, who arrived in time, had enormous respect for the unknown young man.

With such thoughts, the girl involuntarily lowered her gaze to Haruna with fat lips and crumbs on her chin: "Is everything okay?"

***

On the way to the Mizukage's office, Yudao's face darkened. He was unable to extract much information about the current situation in Kiri from the very wary Ameyuri.

But he just wanted to find out what conversations were going on among ordinary people. Well, more important and secret information can always be obtained from the Fifth Mizukage or Ao at the first request.

By this point, he had already formed a rough idea of ​​the situation in the village from this simple information known to every resident.

Yudao's gloomy mood immediately rubbed off on Ao, causing him to feel constrained and tense.

-Who is Elder Genji? – Yudao asked without turning his head.

As he walked, he couldn't help but notice that the villagers spoke best of the Fifth Mizukage and Elder Genji. Not only ordinary people, but even a kunoichi like Ameyuri felt sincere respect for the so-called elder.

Judging by such sincere respect from people, this elder is not like the ambitious members of the Leaf Council from Konoha and is really working for the benefit of Kiri, otherwise where would such an attitude come from?

It just doesn't matter what his intentions are, according to Yudao, there should only be one king on the mountain, especially when it comes to power. Because in a dual power situation, the parties will, willy-nilly, restrain each other. Regardless of whether they act for the sake of the village or in purely personal interests!

At one time, the First Mizukage personally insisted on the introduction of the position of elder, but his duties were limited exclusively to the advice of the Mizukage, there was no talk of sharing power.

Ao involuntarily shuddered at Yudao's words. As expected! He managed to figure out one of the main problems of the village during a simple walk.

"The elder began to take more and more power for himself after the unfortunate incident that happened during the reign of the Fourth Mizukage in order to restrain the next Mizukage in order to avoid a repetition of the tragedy," Ao lowered his eyes in embarrassment.

Yagura's shameful reign became a wound on the body of all Kiri, which bled even more before the First Mizukage.

Ao tactfully kept silent about the details of the incident, but Yudao, even without him, knew about everything that happened even better than the top of Kiri himself.

From such thoughts, a bone-piercing cold flashed in his gaze again, but after a moment it abruptly disappeared, as if it had never appeared at all.

But even from a short moment, drops of cold sweat appeared on Ao's forehead, and goosebumps ran down his back.

"Go ahead," Yudao cleared the situation.

After which Ao hurriedly continued walking forward.

In the Mizukage's office.

The First Mizukage leisurely leafed through documents, sitting on a soft sofa.

– Yudao... sama... here are the documents you asked for! – Choujuro fussily approached and mumbled with a pile of documents in his hands.

Ao already told him everything. How could a young shinobi remain calm in front of a legendary, one might even say mythical hero, whom he had admired since childhood?

"Yeah, thank you and stop fussing," Yudao nodded.

"I... I don't make a fuss," Choujuro answered in a trembling voice.

In response, the First Mizukage only smiled without saying anything. By this point, he had already determined a more precise time frame, all thanks to the documents that Chōjūrō had already provided.

One of the documents reported that the Chūnin Exam would be held in Konoha in three months, meaning the plot had just begun.

Upon learning of this, Yudao couldn't help but rejoice: "All is not lost yet!"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

There was the sound of hurried footsteps, after which the office door swung open sharply and Mei, breathing rapidly, flew inside.

"Why didn't you tell me about your visit, Yudao-sama?" – she immediately blurted out.

- Well, I thought that you had a lot to do... The Fifth Mizukage, besides, Ao and Chōjūrō were with me. I take it this elder of yours is already aware of my return? – Yudao smiled carefree.

"Yes, there's no problem with him," Mei nodded and added with a deadly coldness in her voice, "small clans dared to resist!"

"Oh, that's how it is... well, this is quite normal, of course many are against it, because my return promises huge changes," Yudao said without surprise.

Boom! Boom!

Just at that moment, a loud knock was heard, from which Mei exchanged surprised glances with Yudao, and Chōjūrō hurried to open the door.

After which a concerned shinobi immediately burst in and, finding the Fifth Mizukage with his eyes, knelt before her: "Mizukage-sama, the Jinchuriki of the Six-Tails Utakata has escaped from the village!"

- Repeat?! – Mei's face changed dramatically.

- When? – Yudao added lightheartedly, unlike the woman's violent reaction.

"According to calculations this morning, two guards of Chuunin rank died during the escape." Half a day had already passed since the escape, but the Jinchuuriki was not yet supposed to leave the border of the Land of Water. Will you order a pursuit squad to be sent, Mizukage-sama? – Without waiting for Mei's objections, the reporting shinobi answered Yudao's question.

"Notify the entire top of the village that a meeting will be held early tomorrow morning," Yudao said carefree, seeing the intense tension on the Fifth Mizukage's face.

Boom!

And then he instantly disappeared with a sharp gust of wind.