Chapter 20: So You’re Rebelling, Huh?

"Forgive us, Terumī-sama, but this is our duty!"

"Our apologies—please don’t make this harder than it has to be!"

With those words, the Anbu operatives rushed Terumī Mei all at once.

Meanwhile, Kanta Yutaka sneered arrogantly, "Terumī Mei, surrender quietly! If you resist in the heart of the Elder Council’s territory, you’ll only make your crimes worse."

"At this rate, you’ll have no hope left of saving your little brother!"

Hearing this, Mei smiled—a cold, razor-edged smile. "You think I won’t dare?"

"Suiton: Mizuraiben!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!)

A massive sphere of water formed in her palm before exploding into countless whip-like streams, slicing through the air with lethal precision.

The Anbu cried out as they were thrown back, blood splattering across the ground, painting the scene in grim hues.

By the time they hit the floor, Mei was already gone—reappearing right in front of Yutaka.

"Don’t you dare act so high and mighty, Terumī Mei! Others might fear you, but I don’t!"

Yutaka wasn’t weak, either. He quickly formed hand seals and roared:

"Suiton: Hyōketsu Mōko!" (Water Release: Ice-Shattering Tiger!)

A massive, roaring water tiger surged forward, slamming into Mei with enough force to shake the earth—sending her flying.

"Hmph! Pathetic. So this is the famed Anbu Commander? Just a pretty face with no real strength!"

Smirking, Yutaka prepared to finish her off.

"Oh? Yutaka… who exactly are you looking down on?"

Mei’s voice came from behind him. The "Mei" he had struck was nothing but a water clone.

"Shit—!"

Yutaka’s hair stood on end, but it was too late. Years of cushy living had dulled his reflexes.

"BOOM!"

A crushing roundhouse kick—fragrant yet thunderous—sent him crashing into the wall like a broken doll.

"Guh—!"

Blood sprayed from his mouth before he could even peel himself off the stone. Then, a slender hand seized his throat and slammed him deeper into the wall.

"CRACK!"

A pig-like squeal tore from Yutaka’s throat as multiple bones shattered.

"Did you really think I wouldn’t kill you?"

Mei’s voice was glacial. The pressure on his windpipe intensified—creaks of splitting cartilage echoed faintly.

Yutaka’s eyes bulged, veins popping as he kicked wildly. The grip was inescapable—an iron vise choking the life out of him.

"P-please… m-mercy… I-I was wro—"

"CRUNCH."

Mei twisted.

No hesitation. No theatrics.

A dragon’s reverse scale—touch it, and you die.

Did they really think she wouldn’t slaughter anyone who laid a finger on Yoru?

"Ghk—!"

Until his last breath, Yutaka couldn’t believe it. She actually killed him.

Him—the son of Elder Genryū!

How dare a former Anbu Commander with zero political power do this! Didn’t she fear punishment?!

"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"

Suddenly, a flurry of kunai sliced through the air behind Mei as a fresh squad of Anbu encircled her.

Then—Genryū himself arrived, hobbling forward with his cane, face twisted in panic.

"Terumī Mei, let’s talk this through! There’s no need for bloodshed!"

Unlike his foolish son, he knew.

Mei was the strongest in the village after the Mizukage. No one in the Elder Council could stop her—especially when enraged.

And when Mei was truly angry?

She showed no mercy.

He could only pray he wasn’t too late.

"Sorry, Elder Genryū. You’re a bit… late."

"Yutaka Kanta has been executed for conspiring against Yoru—a comrade and hero of Kirigakure."

"To think that after just two years out of office, people already forget their place. Seems my past lessons weren’t harsh enough."

Her gaze swept over the Anbu—not a single one dared meet her eyes.

That look was predatory, like their souls would be devoured if they blinked wrong.

Genryū stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

"Dead? Yutaka is… DEAD?!"

His eyes snapped to the corpse—neck grotesquely twisted, blood oozing from every orifice.

"TERUMĪ MEI!!! HOW DARE YOU?!"

His roar was pure fury, his glare sharp enough to kill.

"Why wouldn’t I dare?" Mei shot back, unflinching. "Trash like him doesn’t deserve to live."

"Better I remove the rot now than let a useless coward keep stirring chaos."

Genryū’s face purpled with rage. "YOU CROSSED THE LINE!!"

He turned to the Anbu, bellowing: "SEIZE HER! She murdered Elder Yutaka—she must face the Mizukage’s judgment and hang for this!"

Yet… nobody moved.

The Anbu hesitated, their eyes flicking to the man now standing behind Mei.

"Taku Shiono… you’re opposing me too? Do you understand the consequences?"

Genryū’s expression darkened further at the sight of Shiono Taku—the current Anbu Commander.

"Consequences?" Shiono smirked. "Terumī-senpai acted within Anbu law. Yutaka plotted against Yoru—a capital offense."

"If anything, she showed mercy by dealing with it swiftly. Drop the theatrics, Elder—you’re too old for this tantrum."

Shiono, a sharp-eyed man in his thirties, radiated authority. His gaze swept the surrounding Anbu.

"Stand down. Or do you intend to raise your blades against me?"

In an instant, the Anbu retreated. Nobody defied their direct superior.

"Fine. Fine! So this is a mutiny, then?!"

Genryū’s knuckles cracked as he spat the words, his face a mask of utter fury.