Kirigakure, three days later.
The war was not going well. No matter what strategies they designed or what traps they set, Kumo's forces somehow moved fluidly through their territory and units while stripping away more and more supplies.
It didn't even feel like defense anymore—it was like delivering shipments straight to the enemy so they could reach them faster.
They had already purged several spies, or people suspected of being spies, to the point that any time-consuming verification process could no longer be used as a defense.
A genin used Body Flicker Technique at full speed to report quickly on his way to Terumi's office, cursing inwardly.
He should have defected when he had the chance!
He was an orphan, and his talent would never let him reach chunin level in his life. He could have become a bandit leader somewhere, lived decently enough.
And now?
He was doomed to be cannon fodder if the worst outcome truly came—but leaving now also meant dying at the hands of his own village.
Why couldn't he have been born in Konoha?
"Mizukage-sama, the enemy has reached the outskirts of the village!" he reported loudly. "They are only five kilometers away!"
The office, once filled with noise and shouting discussions, fell silent instantly.
So there had really been more monitoring failures again?!
"So we've truly reached this point," Terumi sighed dramatically, while internally she was euphoric.
Shaaa!
Mom is finally going home to her man!
"The time for the final decision has come!" She straightened her posture, pouring all her charisma and leadership into a final performance as she looked each person in the eyes. "Kirigakure's fall—and it pains me, as Mizukage, to be the one to say this—is already inevitable," she said in a sorrowful voice, perfectly weighted with gravitas. "At this moment, we must decide our course of action: our final step."
Everyone remained silent, hanging on her words.
"A final desperate defense," she struck the table and raised her voice. "Let Kumo and the world know that Kirigakure fought to the end, taking its invaders down with it in a heroic final counterattack!"
No one applauded. No one was moved. Even the younger, hot-blooded ones said nothing, because everyone knew it meant certain death.
Not only for themselves— their families would not survive either. Clans' fortunes, inherited techniques… everything would be reduced to nothing.
Dying for honor…
They were shinobi. What did they care about something as abstract as honor?
Honor didn't feed you, didn't keep you warm, didn't heal you.
Honor was for those who could afford it—like mercy or empathy.
"Or…" Terumi slumped into her chair as if drained of strength. "We surrender and set conditions."
The village will fall anyway, and I will become the last Mizukage—probably remembered as some synonym for cowardice—but at least we'll still have bargaining power and save lives.
Everyone exchanged glances.
With the confirmed death of the Water Daimyō, their interests had become far more urgent—and therefore their survival more important.
In fact, if their own defenses weren't so airtight, many clans would already have sent parts of their families away. It was ironic: while the enemy breached defenses so easily, those same defenses trapped them personally.
"Mizukage-sama, why not do both?" suggested an elder whose bloodshot, clouded gaze revealed a long-standing grudge against Kumo. The kind of man who would have gladly chosen the first option if it had any support at all, perhaps even wrapping himself head-to-toe in explosive tags and charging the densest enemy lines. "One group stays to fight Kumo, spill blood, buy time, while another escapes. Kirigakure would disappear—but leave behind a seed to rise again in the future!"
Mei blinked, as if seriously considering it.
She couldn't allow such a latent threat to her future husband…
"Does anyone support this idea?" she asked, scanning the table. "We don't have much time. Show your stance within a minute."
After a quick exchange of looks and whispers, most did not raise their hands. They preferred surrender and negotiating better conditions.
Only five people, representing small clans, raised their hands without hesitation.
Mei nodded upon seeing they were all from extremist factions and made a subtle hand gesture.
Their heads fell to the ground, faces frozen in shock.
"As Mizukage, even at the edge of the cliff, my duty is to protect the village," she said coldly while ANBU silently removed the bodies and cleaned the room as if nothing had happened in under two minutes. "I will seek the best outcome for everyone. I will not indulge the ego of those blinded by selfishness."
The clan heads and representatives sighed heavily—but also felt immense relief at having kept their heads.
From the Mizukage's decisive action and the ANBU's movements, they understood those clans would not survive either way. By the time they left the room, they would already be erased from the records—marked as traitors.
"I need everyone's cooperation," Terumi raised her voice. "I want every possible resource we can use as bargaining chips—information, money, jutsu, medicine, resources, metals, weapons, everything. Anything of value that can be exchanged for lives, I want it documented in full detail!"
"If I discover anyone hiding something out of selfishness, I will personally handle their punishment!"
A collective sigh filled the room as people began compiling lists honestly.
They would be lying if they said they didn't consider hiding one or two things—but with Kumo likely going to inspect (loot) their homes anyway, honesty was the safer option for once.
When Terumi added her own assets to the list, everyone looked at her in shock.
"Mizukage-sama, you—"
"Yes," she remained composed despite her "tragic" decision. "I will surrender myself as a hostage to ensure proper treatment of our people. Although humiliating for a Kage-level figure, it will also force them to keep their word. It will also allow me to observe them more closely."
Everyone nodded. It was no longer just about honesty toward Kumo—her move would also force Kumo to show the world how they treated Kirigakure, affecting future diplomacy.
Ignoring the dark fate that might await the Mizukage, it was a brilliant political move.
"Mizukage-sama, we will never forget this sacrifice!" some cried.
By the time we reach Kumo, many of you will be in body bags, Terumi thought without changing her expression.
"Mizukage-sama?" a forty-year-old kunoichi called out. "There are two issues I think we're overlooking."
"Hm?"
She remembered her—she handled administration.
"We're assuming they'll still agree to negotiate despite their momentum. What if they decide it's better to simply finish everything?" the kunoichi asked logically. "And even if negotiations happen, does Kumo's commander even have authority to decide things that should be handled by the Raikage?"
Everyone froze.
They couldn't refute it.
Those were very valid concerns.
"As long as negotiations are possible, we can just do a video call with the Raikage," Terumi dismissed it.
The kunoichi closed her mouth.
For a moment, she had forgotten telephones existed.