"Because the Fourth Mizukage neglected governmental affairs for years, allowing Kirigakure's Jonin to fight over power and profit. He also launched a persecution of the Kekkei Genkai families and lost the war against Sunagakure."
After a moment's thought, Hozuki Mangetsu listed several of the Fourth Mizukage's crimes.
If the Fourth Mizukage's orders had not been so absurd, he and Zabuza would never have considered assassinating him. The risks of assassinating the Fourth Mizukage were enormous. Even if they succeeded, they might not become the new Mizukage, and they could easily draw the new Mizukage's suspicion.
After hearing these accusations, Naruto smiled. "The Fourth Mizukage you speak of sounds utterly wicked, someone everyone would be justified in killing. But I'm more curious—what benefits could he possibly gain from doing all this?"
After a pause, Naruto continued, "Think about it. The Fourth Mizukage is already Kirigakure's supreme ruler. Kirigakure should practically be his private property, so there should be no need for him to specifically target the Kekkei Genkai families."
"Even if those Kekkei Genkai families truly threatened his rule, he should have personally led people to slaughter them at their clan grounds, rather than hiding in a corner all year without even showing his face. That doesn't make much sense."
"You're right. It doesn't make sense."
Naruto's words plunged Hozuki Mangetsu into silence.
He had once believed that the Fourth Mizukage was incompetent and feared that the Kekkei Genkai families would threaten his rule, which was why he issued such ridiculous orders. But after putting himself in the Mizukage's place, he could not think of any motive for issuing those orders.
Naruto glanced at the silent Hozuki Mangetsu and Zabuza, then continued.
"By the way, your Fourth Mizukage wasn't like this when he first took the position of Mizukage, was he?"