The first day of the New Year, Year 65 of the New Era.
As per tradition in this new era, the annual Five Kage Summit convened once again. The five Kage gathered to discuss the direction and goals for the world in the upcoming year.
The host nation rotated each year, and starting from the summit held in Kirigakure back in Year 60, it was now once again the Land of Water's turn.
"It's been a while, everyone."
In the Land of Water, Karatachi Yagura sat at the head seat, hosting the four visiting Kage and Konan of the Akatsuki.
Kurotsuchi, always the energetic one, had served as a bodyguard in five of these summits over the years. She and Yagura were already on familiar terms.
But this year was different. For the first time, she sat at the table as the Tsuchikage and had the right to speak.
With a gleam in her eyes, she finally asked something she'd been dying to know:
"Mizukage, can you teach me how you take care of your skin? Seriously, how do you not age?"
Yagura was, by the books, already in his thirties.
But set aside the aura of authority he carried—judging by his face alone, people would easily believe he was eighteen.
Konan, also a mature woman, looked over with genuine curiosity.
"Well…"
Yagura pinched his doll-like face and gave an awkward chuckle.
"Is that so? I'm pretty sure I've got a few wrinkles. My skin's not what it used to be."
Kurotsuchi shook her head.
"Nope. Not at all. I swear on my grandpa's ancient back."
Far away in Iwagakure, Ōnoki's back gave a mysterious twinge.
Yagura sighed, "Poor Ōnoki. What a curse to be born into that family," then cleared his throat and shifted to the main topic.
"Before we begin today's summit, I'd like to start with an announcement. The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure will not be attending. Darui will be succeeding him shortly as the Fifth Raikage."
Sitting in the Raikage's seat wasn't the familiar presence of the Fourth Raikage.
Darui gave a respectful nod to the others around the table. "I'll be in your care moving forward."
Kakashi and Gaara responded calmly,
"Congratulations,"
"Looking forward to working with you."
Kurotsuchi, ever the lively one, grinned.
"Congrats on the promotion~"
Yagura let the pleasantries go on for a moment, quietly thinking,
Well, at least the Fourth Raikage isn't all brawn and no brain.
While Darui wasn't as physically overwhelming as his predecessor, his calm demeanor and steady nature were far more suited for this new era of diplomacy and balance. Unlike the fiery temper of the Fourth Raikage, Darui was capable of maintaining peace and cooperation among the nations.
The Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee were both still in their prime, working behind the scenes to support Darui.
In recent years, Kumogakure had even formed a brief partnership with Orochimaru, pushing forward its technological advancements. They had successfully transplanted Byakugan into a few elite jōnin.
Such efforts to maintain and improve their military strength weren't something Yagura had any objections to.
But if we're talking military power, the Land of Water didn't fear comparison.
They had two fully grown Jinchūriki—the Nine-Tails and Seven-Tails—plus Uchiha Sasuke, Hōzuki Suigetsu, and others.
When it came to the number of clans with kekkei genkai and hidden techniques, Kirigakure alone could rival all the other nations combined.
Just in terms of ninja production, the rest of the world could barely keep up.
Kumogakure still had to jump through hoops to get their hands on Konoha's Byakugan.
Even among civilian-born shinobi, there were some exceptional talents. A few had even qualified to wield the Seven Ninja Swords. That included Chōjūrō.
Over the past few years, the Fourth Raikage had come to realize that Kumogakure's old ways wouldn't work anymore.
This year's handover likely meant Darui had passed his final test. It could also be a sign of influence from Iwagakure and Konoha.
By placing Darui in power, Kumogakure was sending a clear message: it was committed to peace.
Yagura smiled amicably. "So, when's the succession ceremony? Fifth Raikage~"
Darui scratched his head, still a bit bashful.
"Probably sometime this month. The exact date hasn't been set yet."
"Let us know once it's decided," Yagura said. "I'll send a gift."
"Same here," the others chimed in.
Darui relaxed a little. "Thank you, everyone."
"Speaking of dates and gifts…"
Kurotsuchi gave a mischievous glance toward Temari, seated behind Gaara.
"Temari, did you forget to send me a wedding invitation for your marriage to Konoha's Nara?"
"It's not like that, Lady Tsuchikage!"
Temari's face turned bright red, her hands flailing awkwardly.
"We've just been really busy lately. We haven't even set a date yet!"
Yagura thought to himself, Kurotsuchi, you should be grateful Mei isn't here today.
He couldn't even remember how many dates Mei had been on recently. Was today her third? Or fourth?
By Yagura's standards, all of them were attractive men, but Mei was getting suspiciously picky.
"Ah… love is a wonderful thing. I wish I had someone to fall in love with, too," Kurotsuchi sighed.
Her gaze slowly drifted to Gaara, making him visibly tense.
"If you were a bit older, Kazekage, you'd totally be my type. But you're too young. I'd feel guilty."
Gaara: "..." Shukaku, please save me.
The other single older folks present (Konan, Kakashi, Darui): "..." Direct hit.
Yagura glanced around the room, completely immune, and chuckled.
"Ahem. Tsuchikage, let's get back on topic."
If they let Kurotsuchi keep going, this Kage summit would turn into a dorm room gossip session.
With three new faces at the table this year, Gaara was the only familiar one—and as Kurotsuchi had pointed out, he was still a bit too young.
So, Yagura took the lead and brought the focus back, guiding the group into serious discussion.
The Five Kage Summits had been held annually for five years now. Everyone was used to the process, and the major topics followed a familiar rhythm.
This year's discussions included the ninja exchange student program, the Chūnin Exams, the annual jōnin-level combat exhibition… and of course, the usual gossip (whether they liked it or not).
The summit typically lasted three days.
After the first day of discussion wrapped up, Konan and the other Kage retired to the guest residence for the night.
Yagura pulled out his phone and sent a message to his family.
Smartphones had been developed—touchscreen models had launched late last year in limited release.
[Yagura: Sat in meetings all day. Gonna take a walk to unwind. I'll be back later.]
[Kagura: Got it~ ❤]
He always replied instantly.
[Kagura: Good work today!]
Karatachi Kagura, the orphan from his clan he'd adopted.
Maybe it was fate—he really did look a lot like the original Kagura.
Yagura had spotted him once, alone and lost, and decided on the spot to bring him home.
A good kid. Pretty gifted, too. He picked up the Coral Technique in just a month or two.
Yagura had only needed less than a month back then, but…
Karatachi Grandpa had immediately kicked him after hearing that comment—"Don't go comparing everyone to yourself!"
Kagura's already amazing! Even your dad, Karatachi Natsuhiko, took three months!
[Kagura: Come home early, stay safe.]
Yagura felt a warmth in his chest and smiled, tucking the phone back in his pocket.
[Isofu: Protect beast rights! Disperse pink bubble attacks! Luuu…luuuu…]
[Yagura: You're so childish, Isobu.]
[Isofu: You're the childish one! Your whole family is childish!]
[Yagura (after thinking for a second): Fair point.]
Isobu gave up and dove under.
He'd argued with Yagura for years and had never won once. He'd stopped trying, settling for the satisfaction of getting in a parting shot.
This time, he'd just been a little too slow.
[Yagura (mocking): You're a turtle. How are you supposed to be fast?]
[Isobu (bursting up from the water): Shut up!]
Rolling is faster.
Yagura obediently "rolled" out of his inner mindspace, and in the real world, walked over to the familiar grove outside Kirigakure's walls.
He climbed the usual tree he always went to.
From his pocket, he pulled out the latest volume of a light novel he'd just bought in town.
The title read: Reincarnated as the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura-sama—Now I'm Invincible Across the World.
The real Fourth Mizukage himself flipped it open with great interest, eager to catch up on the newest chapter.
The protagonist was him. Well, technically not him anymore—it was someone who'd transmigrated into his body.
Yagura had long since grown used to this kind of thing.
After all, there were already far too many novels in the Land of Water with him as the lead.
This one had a wild premise. The author had clearly crammed every power and ability they could possibly imagine onto this version of him.
Like: Mangekyō Sharingan in his left eye, Rinnegan in his right. All nine tailed beasts sealed inside his body. He could use the Flying Thunder God Technique, Dust Release, and more.
In the Third Great Ninja War, he went full Tailed Beast Mode while wrapped in a complete Susanoo armor. He punched the Hokage, kicked the Three Legendary Sannin, and nearly wiped Konoha off the map. After that, he returned to the village and smoothly inherited the Mizukage title.
If the author had ever heard of the concept of "Nine Tailed Beasts + Rinnegan = Ten Tails," they'd definitely have thrown that in too.
This kind of completely broken power fantasy? Yagura wouldn't have even touched it in his past life.
But in this life, it was his own power fantasy!
He was loving it. What guy wouldn't enjoy reading a power fantasy with himself as the template?
Art imitates life.
At the end of the story, the author's imagination only stretched as far as the Five Great Nations uniting under one banner.
The End.
"Maybe I should write a letter and tell the author about the Ōtsutsuki clan," Yagura murmured.
"Since you've already stacked this many cheat codes on me, it'd be a waste not to throw in the big boss at the end."
...
Fwump.
Yagura gently set the book down and covered his face with it, just below his eyes.
He'd finished the novel.
And unbidden, he started comparing it to his real life.
In the thirty years of this second life he'd been reborn into, there were no cheat codes. No easy victories.
I've made mistakes.
Got scolded—and physically "educated".
I've been anxious, insecure, not nearly as confident or strong as I pretended to be.
I've been foolish. Gotten stuck in my own head.
The Third Mizukage had to clean up my messes more than once, making sacrifices for me, for the village.
When my emotions got the better of me, I rushed to the front lines and fought the Third Raikage head-on...
That reckless charge led to devastating casualties for the Kaguya clan.
...
Beneath the book cover, the young man with pale blue hair and violet eyes smiled faintly.
Still... I think I've done all right.
Birthday: April 3rd.
Height: 143 cm.
Weight: 38.8 kg.
The Three-Tails' jinchūriki, the Fourth Mizukage—Karatachi Yagura—had managed to save himself, his friends, and the big turtle. And along the way, he'd saved the village, the country, and maybe even the world.
[Isobu: ### EXCUSE ME?! WHO ARE YOU CALLING A "BIG TURTLE" YOU LITTLE—]
(T/N: This is the end, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this fanfic as much as I enjoyed translating it. It wasn't about infinite harems, overpowered cheats, or constant Otsutsuki invasions. Instead, it told a grounded, well-paced story that felt refreshingly normal and that's exactly what made it so enjoyable. A sincere thank-you to everyone who followed along to the end. A new fanfic is coming soon.
If you enjoy the fanfic translations, any support would mean a lot. Translating everything from start to finish takes time, and donations really help me stay motivated and carve out more time to work on next fanfics. It also helps me get through the next fanfic faster. If you'd like to chip in, you can do it over on my Patreon: Jixo. Thanks so much!)