Faced with Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura's sudden decision to resign, every Kirigakure higher-up attending the meeting fell silent.
It was clear that they had all received word beforehand.
In fact, as early as two years ago, when Karatachi Yagura had just broken free, he had intended to resign immediately and give Kirigakure an explanation.
However, he had thought that leaving such a mess for his successor would be rather unfair.
After all, Kirigakure had been incredibly chaotic at the time.
And he himself had been the chief culprit!
So, after much deliberation, Karatachi Yagura decided to first purge Kirigakure's internal problems, then take the blame and resign voluntarily two years later, today.
That was how the opening scene of today's meeting came about.
"Others may not know, but all of you should already be aware that two years ago, I was under Madara Uchiha's control. That was why I led Kirigakure back onto the Bloody Mist path.
"I should have resigned and taken responsibility then, but Kirigakure's internal situation was far too chaotic at the time. Calling it a filthy cesspit would not have been an exaggeration.
"Now, everything has returned to the proper track.
"It is time for me to take responsibility for what happened.
"After all, as the Kage of a village, I was manipulated like the Joker.
"No matter what, that is an indelible stain upon both myself and Kirigakure.
"Does anyone still oppose my resignation?"
Sitting in the central chair at the round table, Karatachi Yagura swept his gaze around the room as he spoke.
Yet a trace of bitterness could be heard in his voice.
One had to know that becoming Mizukage and leading Kirigakure to greater strength had always been Karatachi Yagura's dream.
He was still in the prime of his life, yet because