Fourth Mizukage Takes the Stage

The plan of action was drawn up jointly by Genji and Yagura, with only a tiny number of core members aware of the details. The strike would come from within. Genji's trusted ANBU would wait until the meeting reached a critical moment, then use "urgent military intelligence" as a pretext to control the entrances to the venue and cut off the inside from the outside.

Yagura Karatachi would personally make the move inside the meeting hall, his target none other than the Third Mizukage. Representatives of the elder faction and the young-blood faction would respond from within, controlling or subduing the Mizukage's diehard loyalists.

Young-blood jonin trusted by Yagura, such as Mangetsu Hozuki—who came to meddle despite his clan's warnings—would lead elite squads to swiftly take over key facilities in the village: the communications unit, the barrier unit, the prison, and the Hunter-nin Unit's station, striving to control the situation before the other side could react.

After the coup began, clans that supported Yagura, such as the Yuki Clan, and clans that remained neutral, such as the Hozuki Clan, would mobilize their members to maintain order in their own clan grounds and the surrounding areas, prevent small-scale unrest, and form a strategic deterrent against the Hunter-nin Unit. Genji had long since prepared an announcement, to be issued the moment the coup succeeded. It would enumerate the various failures of the Third Mizukage's later rule, especially the Blood Mist policy and the defeats in foreign wars, explain that the coup was meant to "save the Hidden Mist," and install Yagura Karatachi as the Fourth Mizukage.

The plan was meticulous, but the risk was enormous. Once it failed, every participant would be bloodily purged.

On the day of the coup, the thick fog remained, and the Mizukage Building was under heavy guard. The commanders of each unit and the clan representatives entered the meeting hall one after another. The Third Mizukage sat upright in the main seat, his face gloomy, his gaze sweeping over the people below with scrutiny and unquestionable authority. The meeting began in a strange atmosphere, with each department perfunctorily reporting circumstances that were far from optimistic.

When the clock reached the appointed moment, the doors of the meeting room were suddenly shoved open. A ninja dressed as ANBU—Genji's confidant—strode in quickly and dropped to one knee. "Lord Mizukage! Urgent military intelligence! Traces of a Konoha reconnaissance squad have been discovered on the eastern coast!"

A slight commotion stirred through the hall. The Third Mizukage frowned and was just about to ask for details. But in the very instant his attention was drawn away—

A sudden change erupted!

Yagura Karatachi, seated in the front row, moved without warning! His petite figure burst out with astonishing speed, no longer wearing his usual boyish appearance. Powerful chakra surged from his body in an instant, and a dark-red tailed-beast cloak could be faintly seen emerging. His hands formed seals as fast as lightning!

"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"

A huge water mirror instantly condensed in front of the Third Mizukage, and the "Mizukage" reflected in the mirror attacked at the same time, striking at the original! This move came with extreme suddenness, disrupting the Third Mizukage's rhythm.

"Yagura Karatachi! How dare you!" The Third Mizukage was shocked and furious. In his haste, he used Water Release to defend himself, shattering the water mirror. But Yagura's attack had only been a feint! His true body had already used the cover of the mirror technique to body-flicker to the Mizukage's rear flank!

"Coral Palm!"

Yagura's palm glowed with a strange light as it struck straight toward the Mizukage's back! This was a unique taijutsu fused with Three-Tails chakra. Once it landed, coral would instantly grow inside the enemy's body, sealing off their movement and chakra!

The Third Mizukage was still a Kage-level powerhouse, after all, with rich combat experience. In that critical moment, he forcibly twisted his body and took the palm with his shoulder!

"Pfft!" Coral pierced through his skin and began to spread! The Mizukage let out a muffled groan, killing intent surging in his eyes. "Hunter-nin Unit!"

However, the meeting hall was already in chaos! Genji shot to his feet and shouted sternly, "The Third Mizukage has acted against all reason and brought grievous losses upon the village. Today, for the future of the Hidden Mist, we ask Lord Mizukage to step down!" The elder-faction officials and some ANBU behind him immediately drew their blades and restrained several Mizukage diehards who tried to resist. Inside the hall, the ninjas supporting the coup all revealed their weapons, working in coordination with Genji's ANBU who had taken control of the venue.

Almost at the same time, violent explosions and the sounds of slaughter rang out from outside the Mizukage Building! The young-blood jonin arranged by Yagura began to move, launching surprise attacks on the communications unit and the barrier unit while engaging the Hunter-nin Unit elites who rushed over after hearing the news. Alert barriers also rose over the clan grounds of the major clans. The berserk warriors of the Kaguya Clan even took the initiative to attack, surrounding the Hunter-nin Unit's stronghold, while the Ice Release of the Yuki Clan created obstacles in the streets...

The battle inside the Mizukage Building was the fiercest. Though the Third Mizukage had been wounded by Coral Palm, his strength remained terrifying, and powerful Water Release ninjutsu swept through the entire meeting hall. Yagura Karatachi completely cut loose, partially transforming into a tailed beast. Dark-red chakra arms swung wildly, clashing madly against the Mizukage's Water Dragon Bullet, Water Encampment Wall, and other ninjutsu! The entire Mizukage Building shook violently amid their fierce battle, its walls cracking and collapsing!

"Why? Yagura! I gave you the glory of being a jinchuriki!" the Third Mizukage roared.

"Glory? It was a shackle! It was to create a more obedient weapon!" Yagura's voice was icy. "What this village needs isn't the Blood Mist. It's sunlight that lets everyone live in peace!"

The battle lasted about half an hour. The sounds of fighting outside gradually died down, which meant Yagura's side had basically brought the situation under control. Seeing that all momentum was lost and his subordinates were dead or wounded almost to the last, the Third Mizukage's heart filled with despair and madness. He attempted to unleash a forbidden technique that would take them down together, but Yagura seized the opening and struck him with a heavy blow fused with tailed-beast chakra, completely crushing him. The power of Coral Palm fully erupted, utterly binding him.

When Yagura walked out of the tottering Mizukage Building carrying the unconscious Third Mizukage, whose body was covered in coral, the fighting outside had basically ended. Genji stood on the steps, with the representatives of the various parties supporting the coup behind him. Sunlight barely pierced through the dense fog, shining on Yagura's young yet resolute face.

Genji took a deep breath, and the accompanying ninjas swiftly posted notices, proclaiming to the entire Hidden Mist Village:

"The Third Mizukage's errors in governance have brought immense losses upon the village! Today, by joint decision of the council of elders and the various clans, the Third Mizukage steps down! Yagura Karatachi is hereby installed as the Fourth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village! From this moment on, the Blood Mist policy is abolished! The Hidden Mist Village needs a new beginning!"

The news spread through the entire village like the wind. After a brief shock, most ninjas and civilians erupted with complex emotions. There were cheers, there were tears, and even more than that, there was a feeling of relief. The Blood Mist era that had lasted for many years came to an end in this blood-colored dawn.

The coup had succeeded, but the challenges had only just begun. With Genji's assistance, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, quickly stabilized the situation: appeasing the major clans, reorganizing military preparations, dealing with the aftermath of defeat in war, and beginning the gradual abolition of the cruel Blood Mist policies, such as reforming the graduation exam system. The Hidden Mist Village began slowly and painfully emerging from the wounds of war and the shadow of high-pressure rule.

However, neither Yagura nor Genji knew that a pair of Sharingan hidden behind a mask was watching everything happening in the Hidden Mist Village from afar. "Madara Uchiha" (Nalong), through White Zetsu's network, learned the detailed course of the coup at the first possible moment.

"Yagura Karatachi... more capable than I imagined. A fine pawn..." Under the mask, the corners of Nalong's mouth curled into a smile. The Hidden Mist Village had changed so easily; unexpectedly, the matter had basically been resolved in less than a day. This brought him new opportunities. A Hidden Mist that was trying to move toward peace and openness might be easier to infiltrate and exploit than one that was closed off and deranged. Especially since that young new Mizukage was also the precious jinchuriki of the Three-Tails.

The change in the Hidden Mist was like a stone tossed into a calm lake; its ripples were bound to spread across the entire ninja world and affect the direction of the future order. And the true mastermind had already begun considering how to bring this unexpectedly shifted pawn back into his own schemes. Control was certain. This would serve as his foundation from now on. It was far better than the Hidden Sound Village he had imagined before.