Mei Terumi returned to the dark, damp underground cavern.
"Lady Mei!"
Ao was the first to step forward, his expression slightly uneasy.
Chojuro also timidly turned his gaze toward Mei Terumi.
Inside the cave, the dozen or so remaining rebel shinobi all held their breath.
Mei Terumi swept her gaze around the room without beating around the bush.
"Lord Genji has agreed to support us in overthrowing the Mizukage's rule."
The words instantly shocked everyone present.
"What?!"
Ao's body jolted, and his single eye burst with incredulous ecstasy.
"Really, Lady Mei!"
"Lord Genji... he's really willing to stand with us?"
Chojuro's cheeks flushed red with excitement.
Genji, the oldest and most prestigious elder in all of Kirigakure, had chosen to support them!
Although he had not involved himself in village affairs for many years, his influence remained rooted in every corner of the village.
With his support, it was equivalent to gaining the recognition of all the forces from Kirigakure's old era!
"Wonderful... this is wonderful!"
"We have hope!"
Hope that had been suppressed for so long erupted at that moment.
Mei Terumi looked at the cheering crowd, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face as well.
She took out an ancient scroll.
"This is the list Lord Genji gave me."
"It includes part of the ANBU, as well as some senior members of the village who are dissatisfied with Yagura. They will all become our strength."
With trembling hands, Ao accepted the thin scroll and immediately felt as though it weighed a thousand pounds.
In the depths of the cavern, within a rocky shadow completely merged with the darkness.
Uchiha Yao stood silently.
"Genji..."
Uchiha Yao smiled faintly.
"He's quite a sensible old man."
Still, that only made the grand show about to unfold a little more