Chapter 411: Exploiting Emotional Weaknesses

‘A debt of 11 billion Ryo..?’ As soon as Tsukihi thought of this, she felt a headache.

Now Tsukihi finally understands another reason why even after Terumi Mei came to power, the overall strength of Kirigakure did not recover much and still remained the weakest of the five great shinobi villages.

After a while of silence, Tsukihi said to Yagura, “Before I used to think that Kirigakure is a really pathetic shinobi village. It wiped out many of its shinobi clans, and the seven elite swordsmen defected or died but your village couldn’t do anything to recover the seven swords, there is also the fact that one Jinchuriki ran away, and the other Jinchuriki who is also the Mizukage became a puppet in the hands of someone else, there is also the regular defection of many shinobi from the village..”

Yagura asked with a cold expression, “What are you trying to imply?”

Tsukihi said, “Just the fact that I have started to look at Kirigakure in a better light upon rethinking a few things.”

Yagura frowned, “What do you mean?”

Tsukihi said with a smile, “The fact that your village has not disappeared yet, even after everything it has been through, and the fact that it is still considered one of the five great shinobi villages is what surprises me.”

Yagura was silent and waited for Tsukihi to continue.

After putting a copy of the scroll of Hydrificaiton Jutsu in her Shinobi Bag, Tsukihi continued, “As things stand, even if Kirigakure is no longer engulfed in the flames of civil war, it will again be sooner or later, because such economic debts will only bring more poverty and hunger in the village. People will fight over food.. and Kirigakure would continue on the path of self-destruction.”

Yagura said, “But how to solve this issue? Daimyo does not support the village much because of our unstable history, there are no good subordinates left in the village who are willing to swear their loyalty to me. Elder Council is pressuring me through all kinds of ways in order for me to abdicate as soon as possible.. We don’t receive as many mission commissions as other shinobi villages because of our reputation and because we are away from the mainland.. Considering all these things, I don’t see any way for the village to recover.”

Upon hearing Yagura Tsukihi thought, ‘In fact, Kirigakure had to change its policies drastically for the sake of existence, as a result, it became a popular tourist destination during Rokudaime Mizukage’s term of power after the fourth great shinobi war.’

A shinobi village became a popular tourist destination? It’s one of the most hilarious things one can imagine. the name of the ‘Village of the Bloody Mist’ that was once feared by all countries for their exceptional shinobi and cruel nature became nothing more than a joke during the term of power of Rukodaime Mizukage.

The reason for such a thing happening is also pretty obvious, they had to do it and had no other choice. Their roots were cut so deeply, that there was no other hope of recovery otherwise. The losses Kirigakure suffered for so long had consumed its vitality so thoroughly that no other options were left.

It is nonetheless surprising that even with all these winds and rain and storms Kirigakure has faced over the years, it still managed to thrive even if they had to resort to something as ridiculous as changing their village into a tourist destination.

However, Tsukihi is obviously repulsed by the idea of Kirigakure becoming such a joke in the future and she won’t allow it to happen no matter what. In her opinion, the village being wiped out and ceasing to exist is a much better option than becoming a tourist destination.

Yagura asked Tsukihi, “Is there any help the organization can give me and the village?”

Before Tsukihi, there was no one Yagura could talk to and discuss his problems with, but after becoming a subordinate of Amatsukami, there are people he can speak to and share his problems, and also ask for assistance to resolve those troubles.

Tsukihi also thought about how to solve these problems.

To solve economic problems, money is needed, but money won’t come out of thin air.

To get loyal subordinates, people must be willing to follow you, but their hearts won’t change so easily, especially after the fact that Yagura once became a puppet in the hands of Akatsuki.

The history of Kirigakure is what has already occurred in the village, it can not be changed. So building a positive reputation is not so easy either.historical

After much deliberation, Tsukihi picked up another secret scroll and while studying it she said, “Firstly, you don’t have to worry about abdicating. You are still the strongest in Kirigakure, as such no one can force you to abdicate if you don’t personally take the initiative.”

The scroll she was studying right now is the secret Jutsu ‘Joki Boi’ (Steaming Danger Tyranny). Steaming Danger Tyranny is Nidaime Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu’s ‘Mugen Bakuha Ninjutsu’ (Infinite Explosion Ninjutsu).

‘A very powerful and practical Ninjutsu.’ – thought Tsukihi as she remembered the particulars of this Jutsu when used by Gengetsu.

Yagura said, “I am afraid that’s not the case. Many members of the Elder Council have put their hopes on Terumi Mei, and even if she is not at my level she is still quite strong, she might be able to catch up to me sooner or later. After all, she uses two Kekkei Genkai, Futton (Boil Release) and Yoton (Lava Release). She is fully qualified to replace me.”

Tsukihi chuckled, “If you think that’s the case, then make your moves in such a manner that she doesn’t take the position of Mizukage.”

Yagura asked in surprise, “Are you saying that I should assassinate her?”

Tsukihi shook her head, and said, “Assassinating her is also an option, but I would say you rather not do so. Assassinating her would solve this problem for the time being but it would further weaken Kirigakure in the long run.

Moreover, I find her to be useful, people might not be willing to trust you, but they would be willing to trust her, and the fact that she loves this village makes her a good chess piece.

To prevent her from becoming the Mizukage, you will have to make the elders and herself realize that she is not yet ready to be the Mizukage, which she truly isn’t.

As for the matter of solving the problem of loyal subordinates? Start with gaining Mei’s loyalty, that would be your first step, if the candidate to become the next Mizukage becomes your loyal subordinate then you can use her as a means, or your representative to further gain the loyalty of others. Specifically, she will help you reinstate the entire Kirigakure under your command.”

Yagura breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that he wouldn’t have to assassinate Terumi Mei, he wanted to ask something further but did not upon noticing that at this moment Tsukihi was indulged in studying the Steaming Danger Tyranny, therefore, her attention was not on him.

As such, Yagura decided to wait because what Tsukihi was doing was more important compared to Kirigakure.

Nidaime Mizukage used Steaming Danger Tyranny along with his special Mirage type Genjutsu with the help of his summon Giant Clam to fight and kill the Nidaime Tsuchikage, albeit at the cost of his own life.

Nidaime Tsuchikage Mu was in an incredibly powerful and hard-to-kill shinobi. He had mastered Jinton (Dust Release), along with a special ability that made it almost impossible for anyone to detect him.

Dust Release alone can not be underestimated as it is a Kekkei Tota which is superior to Kekkei Genkai, it is a combination of Earth, Wind, and Fire Release and is capable of disintegrating anything and everything at the molecular level. Its power is so destructive that its users are generally unmatched in a fight and are capable of fending countless enemies.

And yet Nidaime Mizukage with his Steaming Danger Tyranny was capable of killing the Tsuchikage, this alone shows just how powerful this Jutsu is that is capable of exploding infinitely.

All while Tsukihi was busy studying, Yagura patiently waited like a good servant without making any noise so as to not disturb Tsukihi midway.

“I must say, Hozuki Gengetsu was indeed a genius. To be able to create such a Jutsu that is worth the praise.” Tsukihi muttered then she put a copy of this Jutsu in her Shinobi bag without asking for Yagura’s permission.

Yagura naturally did not care if the organization took these Jutsu, so without minding her, he asked, “So? How should I make Terumi Mei loyal to me?”

After pondering for a while Tsukihi said, “To gain her loyalty, use weaknesses in her heart. Pose yourself as the victim and exploit her guilt and pity, or perhaps even kindness and love if possible.”

Yagura looked at Tsukihi strangely, “Are you telling me to seduce her?”

Tsukihi nodded, “Do it if you have to. Love and Affection are very powerful emotions, it can make her totally bound to you, value you above everything else, even above the village.”

Yagura said, “But I am already married and even have a child.”

Tsukihi said, “It’s up to you, use extramarital affair if you to, or perhaps go for polygamy, or whatever that suits you. Of course, If you don’t want to, then use some other means, in short, exploit her emotional weaknesses to make her loyal to you. Just make sure to not threaten her as that would be counterproductive in the long run.”

“I.. I guess I will think about it.” – Yagura nodded, albeit with a bit of hesitation, then he asked, “And how to make the elders realize that Mei is not yet ready to become the Mizukage?”

After pondering for a while, Tsukihi said, “Bringing back Utakata, the Jinchuriki of Rokubi is important for your village, in this matter the elders should not oppose your decision. So, assign this mission to Terumi Mei, if she can bring back Utakata, then you will immediately abdicate, but if she fails then that means she is not yet ready.”

Yagura asked, “But shouldn’t Utakata be kept under the custody of the organization so that the chances of him being hunted down by Akatsuki decreases?”

Tsukihi shook her head, “No, if more than one Jinchuriki were to disappear, it would be suspicious, and Akatsuki will be able to discern that Utakata is in the hands of Amatsukami. Which would mean needless trouble.”

Yagura did not ask anymore and nodded, then asked again, “Alright, but what happens if Mei is able to bring back Utakata?”

Tsukihi grinned, “Amatsukami will not let her.”

Yagura said, “That will makes things easier, however, I am afraid it will not convince the elders.”

Tsukihi nodded, “But Mei will realize that she is not yet ready, and if she realizes it, then naturally she would be unwilling to become the Mizukage even if Elders insists. After all, she does love this village, doesn’t she? As such, she will not do anything that would threaten the safety of the village.”

Yagura nodded, “Hmm, I suppose.”

‘As for the economic problems of Kirigakure.. maybe we can have Itachi play as Ishikawa Goemon as he did in Suna to threaten the Daimyo and make him realize just how much he needs Kirigakure.’ Thought Tsukihi as she looked at Itachi who was studying some Jutsu on the other side of this secret room.

..

Two days later.

Terumi Mei walked out of the Mizukage building with a thoughtful expression.

Ao and an elder immediately asked her, “So? What did the Mizukage sama say?”

Mei answered as she revealed a scroll, “This scroll has a map which records the last sighting position of Utakata. Yondaime sama has ordered me to form a hunter unit in order to capture and bring back Utakata.” After a pause, Mei continued, “He also stated that if I were to complete this task, he will take the initiative to abdicate immediately and appoint me as the Godaime Mizukage.”

“That’s great!” a few followers of Mei cheered.

But Ao was different, and said with a frown, “If we want to capture Utakata, I am afraid it will be very difficult, the probability of completing this mission is very low, it might even be more difficult than killing him.”

Mei nodded with a sigh, “Even I am not confident enough of capturing him in a one-to-one fight.”

According to Mei and Ao, the shinobi most suitable for completing this mission is either Yondaime himself, or perhaps Kisame, but Kisame has defected so he is no longer an option.

So the best choice is Mizukage himself, who is also a Jinchuriki.

But Yondaime has given Mei this mission as a test to check whether she is eligible to inherit the position of the Mizukage, as such, Mei has no other choice but to accept this mission. If she were to refuse then that would mean she will also lose the qualification to become the next Mizukage. And given that she is the only candidate currently eligible of becoming the Mizukage so if she were to lose this qualification then no one would be able to replace the Mizukage.

The elder asked, “Is there any condition Mizukage sama placed for this mission?”

Mei shook her head, “None, I am allowed to use all the resources available.”

Ao said, “That makes things a bit easier, maybe we can overwhelm Utakata with numbers. And since we know his approximate location, so we can prepare advance traps and ambush him.”

Mei’s expression became firm, then she instructed all her subordinates around her, “Prepare everything, we will depart in an hour.”

For this mission given to her by Mizukage, Mei did not feel anything wrong with it, because if she can’t even complete this mission, then she really wouldn’t be qualified to inherit the position of the next Mizukage.

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