"Elder Genji, what do you think?"
The sudden declaration of war caught Mei Terumi off guard. After a brief moment of thought, she turned to an elderly man beside her and asked.
This elder named Genji possessed authority equal to that of the Mizukage within Kirigakure.
During the period after the Fourth Mizukage's suicide and before the Fifth Mizukage had been chosen, he had been Kirigakure's true ruler.
Naturally, Mei Terumi needed Genji's opinion on an event that might trigger the Fourth Shinobi World War.
"Cough, cough!" Genji coughed lightly twice, accepting the Mizukage's conical hat that his subordinates had prepared in advance. He said to Mei Terumi, "Mei Terumi, you rendered great service in the matter of the Fourth Mizukage being controlled."
"You also possess two Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release and Boil Release, and are beloved by many villagers."
"I'm old now. I'm no longer suited to govern the village."
"It is time for Kirigakure to be handed over to someone more suitable. I believe you can do well."
"If you are willing, then from this moment onward, you will be the Fifth Mizukage."
With that, Genji extended the Mizukage's conical hat in his hand toward Mei Terumi.
"The time has come. We welcome the Fifth Mizukage's ascension!"
At Genji's prompting, the surrounding Kirigakure shinobi all knelt before Mei Terumi.
"..." Mei Terumi's mouth twitched at the sight.
Although she truly had ambitions for the Mizukage's position, Genji, who had previously held all the power, was suddenly taking the initiative to make her Mizukage at a time like this. Wasn't he obviously dumping the enormous trouble of the Fourth Shinobi World War onto her?
But now that the Mizukage's position had landed right in front of her, Mei Terumi really could not bring herself to push it away.
She