Chapter 81: The Upheaval in the Village Hidden in the Mist

Naruto temporarily set aside his plan to obtain the power of the perfect jinchuriki. He believed that, given his close relationship with Kurama, gaining the full support of the Nine Tails would not be an issue. However, a smooth process was one thing; the time required was another. Right now, he was at a critical juncture in his plan to take over the entire Land of Waves, and could not afford to leave. Besides, the spiritual weapon system he possessed was already formidable in its own right.

After the public trial, Naruto and his companions unleashed their full strength. Jiraiya volunteered to join the fight. On one hand, he sent a message to Hiruzen Sarutobi via his summoned creatures, informing the Third Hokage that an internal conflict had erupted in the Land of Waves, and the bridge project had encountered significant setbacks, thus extending their stay. Furthermore, the turmoil was entangled with the interests of the Fire Daimyo and the Hidden Mist Village, making it impossible to transmit intelligence.

On the other hand, Jiraiya led the genin and several members of the Uzumaki clan to infiltrate different regions of the Land of Waves. He personally taught these young ninja the art of manipulating intelligence and the subtleties of influencing hearts, showing them how a skilled shinobi truly operates. It was undeniable—Jiraiya’s abilities were indeed exceptional. Naruto realized that Jiraiya’s greatest talents lay in intelligence and espionage, while combat was only a small part of his skills.

Naruto mused that, though the Third Hokage had his flaws in dealing with people, he was an outstanding teacher. His three students each had their own strengths. Orochimaru excelled at winning people over and building power, and was also a master of scientific research. Jiraiya was an exceptional educator, having trained the Fourth Hokage, and was adept at intelligence operations. Tsunade, whom Naruto had never met, was said to be the founder of the medical corps and the inventor of many original medical jutsu—she, too, must have been a scientific genius. Crucially, all three were formidable in battle. Naruto had witnessed Orochimaru and Jiraiya in action—true elite among elites, qualified to serve as Hokage. As for Tsunade, though he had never seen her fight, the fact that she survived the chaos of the Shinobi World Wars and held her own proved her strength.

With Jiraiya’s assistance and the ninja driven to desperation by the promise of great rewards, progress accelerated rapidly.

Meanwhile, the Land of Water remained shrouded in mist, its fractured coastline rendering the surrounding seas perilous. Mei Terumi was striving to stabilize the situation in the Land of Waves with her elite Hidden Mist shinobi, when a sudden internal revolt broke out within the Hidden Mist Village. Rumor had it that a group of ninja dissatisfied with the Fourth Mizukage’s policies had secretly gathered, seeking to overthrow Yagura.

Mei Terumi herself was deeply dissatisfied with Yagura. She could not fathom what had driven him mad, insisting on sealing off the village. He had forcibly mobilized the military to conduct a coup against the Mizukage and commanded the Hidden Mist Village to close its borders to the outside world.

At the same time, the village implemented a brutal policy of internal purging, marginalizing the bloodline clans. As a ninja possessing two bloodline limits, Mei Terumi’s upbringing had been particularly harsh. She longed to eliminate Yagura, to end the era of the “Bloody Mist.” Yet, due to the closed borders, the village had all but lost contact with the outside world.

In Mei’s view, the more one wanted to protect the village, the more essential it was to pay attention to external intelligence. Short-staffed and stretched thin, Mei could only suppress her discontent with Yagura, working while gathering strength.

When she received news of the coup, knowing that leaving could allow chaos to spread in the Land of Waves, Mei nevertheless decided to return to the village at once. What solidified her resolve was a letter.

“There’s trouble in the village. Return immediately. Bring Ao.”

The message was a single line, unsigned. But Mei recognized it as the handwriting of Elder Genji.

Yagura had done countless things to provoke public outrage; the fragile stability of the village had been maintained only by Elder Genji’s tireless efforts. When Mei secretly returned and met Genji, he gave her crucial instructions:

“Let’s not waste words. There are a few things you must do.”

“First, quell the internal revolt immediately. The insurgents have colluded with outside forces; suppress them quickly to prevent greater losses.”

“Second, seize control of Yagura and those around him—leave no one. Have Ao confront Yagura, using his Byakugan.”

“Yagura has long been under a genjutsu, likely since the end of the Third Shinobi World War.”

“Third, ready the troops for battle, to guard against counterattacks from whoever controls Yagura.”

“Finally, be prepared.”

Genji did not specify what kind of preparation he meant. He simply gazed steadily at Mei, and Mei met his eyes. Though he said nothing, she understood what he implied.

It was to prepare for a peaceful opening of the Hidden Mist Village.

This meant Genji had decided to support Mei as the true leader of the village. Though Mei would perform the duties of Mizukage, she would not officially be named as such for a while. After Yagura’s disastrous rule, the village was already weak. With this fresh upheaval, it could not withstand further turmoil. Even if Yagura died, his death must be kept secret.

On the surface, the Mizukage could not be replaced!

The elder’s aged face, eyes hidden beneath heavy brows, did not conceal confusion but rather sharpness and wisdom. Genji was always aggressive with others, but toward Mei, he showed the kindness of a mentor.

Mei quickly rallied the shinobi loyal to her and devised a plan to suppress the rebellion. Her strategy was ruthless and swift—a clean cut to sever chaos. Mei knew that, in the face of internal strife, only decisive action could avert disaster.

In the thick mist, Mei led her forces through every corner of the village like phantoms. She employed water-style jutsu, manipulating the currents and turning the fog into her eyes and ears, hunting down the insurgents.

As fighting erupted, the undercurrents of the Hidden Mist Village surged into an all-consuming wildfire. Mei and her loyal troops clashed fiercely with the rebels. Water-style and Mist concealment techniques battled in every corner, sprays of water and dense fog filling the air as both sides fought for their beliefs.

In battle, Mei displayed both the decisiveness of a leader and the power of a shinobi. Every strike was precise, every decision quick and resolute. Countless enemies vanished, dissolved by her Boil Release or swallowed whole by her Lava Release, never to be seen again.

The Hidden Mist Village truly became the Bloody Mist, the fog above the village stained crimson for days on end.

Under Mei’s command, her loyal ninja swiftly crushed the rebels’ momentum. After a grueling struggle, Mei succeeded in quelling the revolt. The insurgents were subdued one by one, restoring order to the village.

Standing atop the village, Mei gazed out over the land she protected, her heart filled with deep anxiety.

“Where do we go from here?”

Mei murmured, then regained her usual sharpness and vigor. Her moment of uncertainty was fleeting; ahead lay the time for her true skills to shine.