Final Countdown

The village wasn't expecting an attack. Not one of this scale, targeting all five great clans simultaneously a month after the Mizukage's death was not something any one on the council could have predicted.

The Funato clan head was nearly assassinated. The Yuki clan suffered three murders in their defence. The Hoshigaki had Kisame come to their defence, their prodigy who single-handedly dispatched all six invading Kaguya clan shinobi. And the Karatachi had Uncle Aoto cut his would be assassins to ribbons.

Needless to say, things were looking dire and the Funato and Hozuki clans had taken the brunt of the unexpected attacks.

Given what today was the Funato and Hozuki clans did not appreciate the extra pressure as along with recuperating from the attacks, they had to organize the village to welcome the Daimyo himself. And yet the air was filled with unease, the second rate clans smelled weakness in their ruling class and the low caste remained wild and eager to revolt as ever.

"Megumi-dono, Funato-sama, please, retreat to Turtle Island until we can assure the safety of the village. The Daimyo-"

Funato snap struck his cane, silencing Uncle before he could finish, "The Daimyo must be welcomed by the ruling council. It is vital that I be there, that we be there." He quickly added as Megumi glanced at him, "Karatachi cannot receive him alone and then present Yagura as Kage-candidate."

Seated in the corner of the councillor office where we last congregated on the death threats, I pondered the obvious implications Uncle greeting the Daimyo and preceding over my match with Fuguki would present. Especially since I was certain to prevail. It would be as if the Karatachi had taken over the nation overnight.

Last night's events may have left me sour and tender compared to Fuguki who only had to stay inside and protect the Third's family, but during that fight I tasted a drop of what I could truly achieve with Yagura's body.

Petite as he is every punch I threw landed with a mighty force behind it. I figured Yagura would be physically fit considering the weight of the Bo-staff, but I'm realizing I might have outright underestimated his capabilities because the strength I wielded felt unreal.

Every jutsu I casted successfully drew me closer to my Water Affinity, I could sense the hum and build-up of water molecules in the atmosphere if I meditated and passively I could fish out the closest body of water where ever I am. Along with never going thirsty again, I could now casually convert my chakra to Water Release.

It's been two months now and I honestly thought I'd have more trouble figuring this out but it's all come so naturally. I guess his genius is now mine.

That said, I wondered about Uncle. He'd been added to the council near the end of the Third's life and now he's to welcome the Daimyo and present the candidates for Yondaime Mizukage. Even though I trusted the man fully and knew the true person responsible for the Third's demise, his meteoric rise to power can be seen as suspicious and worse, treasonous.

Fuguki sat beside me, his face an unreadable blanket. We parted ways on lighter terms having worked together to protect the Hozuki but while he's no longer rude his unfriendliness remains. I still didn't want to kill him though.

I've had a month long to think about it and I decided that there has to be something I can do to keep him alive. I scarcely recall but I know he served Yagura during his tenure as Mizukage— albeit genjutsu Yagura but still— and only perished when Kisame murdered him for his deception.

Future deception or not, having another Kage-level shinobi running around in service of Kiri was a boon I couldn't casually throw away. What will convince them?

"What would you rather do then? Stay out in the open? You're clearly a target and you're placing yourself right next to the Daimyo! Kiri cannot lose a Mizukage and a Daimyo because of recklessness." Uncle continued to argue.

Nana Megumi snorted, "Your nephew doesn't believe those rascals are responsible for the Third. We may be targets but even so, we'll be guarded by the best, the Daimyo too won't be left alone. Aoto, we must be present."

Uncle glanced back at me with a scowl and shook his head. Breathing out a sigh he heaved and nodded, "Fine then, but don't blame me if things go south."

Nana Megumi smirked, "If you all fall then I will defend myself and the village."

The door flew open and a man announced with a deep bow, "Funato-sama, the Daimyo's procession has been spotted. He will be at the gates within the hour."

He struck his cane with a satisfied grunt, "Good, carry on with our original plans. Increased defence, everyone should be on high alert."

"And make sure to keep a close eye on our Kaguya prisoner." Nana Megumi quickly added.

The man nodded and rushed back out. Uncle glanced at Fuguki and I with a soft, concerned look. I knew what he was thinking and I couldn't help return his gaze with a warm smile. A week or so ago he was confident that I would win, but since we spoke last night and he learned I haven't unlocked the secrets of his summon scroll, I think his confidence falters a bit.

"Fuguki, Yagura," the Funato clan head begun, bothering to gaze on each of us with both his eyes open, "Today one of you will die and the other will become Mizukage."

Bluntly put. I felt like I should argue some more against such a demand for life but this didn't seem like the right place. Not only would I shame Uncle with what can be perceived as cowardice, the Funato head and Megumi could easily decide to crown silent and obedient Fuguki.

Nana Megumi let out a low grunt, begrudgingly accepting the murder-hobo demands of her perished son, "I wish it wasn't so but we should honour him, his reign and the glory he won for our sake."

Uncle made a face, he thought differently but I'm not sure how differently. I'm beginning to think that only Mei and Ao are the only ones who see no point in this useless killing match. And they have no power to change it, at least not yet.

I sighed loudly, "I wish so to, Nana Megumi, it would be a shame to never see Rina again." Her eyes flashed with an emotion but I quickly doubled down in laying my seeds of discourse, "It would be an even greater shame if Fuguki and I were to somehow tie. I fear for the future of Kiri should it lose the both of us, who would be Mizukage then?"

Her head snaps to face the Funato clan head and Uncle hid a sly smirk. Fuguki glanced down at me, a puzzled look crossing his face as his mouth opened to say something but he wisely nodded and faced the clan head.

"I tend to agree, Funato-sama." Fuguki said in a measured tone, "If Yagura and I were to both fall, not only would neither of us be selected but we would send Kiri into further crisis with the release of the Three-Tailed Beast."

I hadn't even thought that far. Good job, Fuguki!

He continued, "Moreover, I don't believe any of the other candidates are sufficient representation of Kiri, they are skilled yes, but known and feared? Kirigakure mustn't reflect weakness with our Kage, now more than ever the Shinobi world must learn that we are not to be trifled."

The Funato clan head hummed in thought as he stroked his beard, Megumi whispered fiercely beside him, already convinced of the clear danger matching up two Kage-level shinobi presented to the village.

"Hmm, I see merit in your arguments, Fuguki, Yagura. But should Yagura-kun fall Harusame will simply reseal the Tailed Beast."

Uncle's face contorted into a deep scowl at his words, "Do not speak carelessly about this, Funato-dono. Yagura was selected after careful consideration, he volunteered to host that beast for the sake of the village and now Harusame will simply reseal it in another?"

Nana Megumi, seeing Uncle become angered sought to intercede but he spoke loudly over her, "And who would the vessel be? Who else can host a Tailed Beast and use it against our enemies? The Utakata boy has trained his whole life and yet he still fails to satisfy expectations. We cannot keep killing and replacing assets, we're losing time to the other great nations!"

A tense mood hung over the room, thick as the mist protecting the village. The three councillors shared looks and the Funato clan head spoke after a moment, "I only wish to preserve the culture Lord First left behind. If we cannot honour the Mizukage's right and will to name his successor, then what cultures shall we honour?"

My ears perked at his wording and before anyone can get a word in I said, "But Sandaime-sama didn't name a successor did he? He gave instruction on how we should be chosen but that's not a right the Mizukage has after death, is it? Otherwise what's stopping the next Kage from saying the candidates should be Genin?"

Uncle's mood quickly lightened at my point, he grinned and exclaimed, "Exactly!"

Nana Megumi snorted at me and shook her head, "Very well, Funato-dono, Karatachi-dono, how about we simply present whoever is the winner of a fair and non-lethal contest to the Daimyo?"

"I find that acceptable." Uncle agreed and we all looked on to the Funato clan head.

He sighed and lightly tapped his cane, "The council has voted then. So be it."