The Land of Water, Kirigakure. Inside the unusually spacious Mizukage's office.
To the right of the office stood an oval-shaped long table.
Elder Karatachi, who had just returned to Kirigakure, did not take the main seat this time. Instead, he sat on the left side.
Occupying the main seat was a boy with green hair and violet eyes, a scar resembling a stitched wound running under his left eye. His stature was short, more akin to a freshly graduated ninja academy student.
Behind his chair leaned a staff-like weapon adorned with green floral patterns and a hooked tip.
Cough! Cough!
Elder Karatachi coughed violently twice, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.
"I've already concluded the negotiations with Konohagakure!"
"The alliance and mutual assistance treaty has been signed. Once the Three-Tails revives, the Hokage will personally come to help us."
"With that, this old body of mine can finally breathe a sigh of relief..."
"Yagura, from now on, Kirigakure will be in your hands!"
Elder Karatachi's face was ashen, the wrinkles on his face tightly clinging to his skin.
He glanced at the other faces seated at the table and continued, "I know that many of you don't understand the measures I've taken over the past year."
"But as I've said before, you need to open your eyes and observe the ninja world more closely."
"The divide between the Kekkei Genkai clans and the commoners in Kirigakure is far too severe. Relying solely on the clans in our village is no longer enough to compete with the other nations."
"Therefore, we must break down this divide and allow those commoners with potential to also become part of our village's strength."
"Instead of treating them as mere playthings to be slaughtered at will like before."
"Bloodshed and cruelty should be reserved for our enemies. For the people of our own village, we must show care and compassion..."
"The Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure, Sunagakure's Perfect Jinchūriki... Both of them come from commoner backgrounds..."
"That's why the policy of having Kekkei Genkai clan children and commoners study together at the ninja academy must not change..."
Cough! Cough!
Elder Karatachi coughed heavily again before continuing, "Sunagakure and that Akatsuki Organization... You still don't understand how dangerous they are."
"I sent scouts to the Land of Rivers and the Land of Birds, and they managed to bring back some information. But as for the Land of Rain, no matter how many people I send, the moment they enter, it's as if they vanish into thin air, never to be heard from again."
"Do you know what that means?"
Elder Karatachi swept his gaze across the room. Aside from Yagura's concerned expression, the others avoided meeting his eyes.
"Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure—these three have formed an alliance. Meanwhile, the Land of Rain lurks like a venomous snake, ready to strike with deadly poison at any moment."
"If we don't cling to Konohagakure's support, do you think Sunagakure's next target will be the Land of Fire, or our Land of Water?"
"Having Konohagakure help seal the Three-Tails is both a precaution and a statement of intent!"
"If someone tries to contest us for the Three-Tails, having Konohagakure on our side will at least ensure that the Three-Tails remains in our hands. Having the Fourth Hokage assist with the sealing shows that we're leaving room for his intervention."
"This is our sincerity in negotiations!"
Cough!
"I've done all I can. The rest... I can no longer manage. Yagura, the burden of Kirigakure now falls on you..."
"This bunch here, they're useless. You all better prepare to step aside and make way."
"What Kirigakure needs now is someone who can lead it to a new path of survival. If we continue to cling to stubborn conservatism, Kirigakure will only face a dead end!"
Elder Karatachi's tone grew increasingly severe and cold.
The high-ranking officials seated at the table were visibly shaken by his words. Some even stood up abruptly, their faces filled with fear.
"Elder!"
"We fought alongside the Mizukage and you in countless battles for this village! How many contributions have we made?"
"To be dismissed so hastily—is that fair? Is there no justice?"
A tall, middle-aged man was the first to voice his opposition.
"Exactly!"
"Elder, we haven't opposed your reforms!"
"Why should we be forced to step down?"
The others slammed the table in agreement.
"Kisame! Ao! Harusame!"
Elder Karatachi seemed to have anticipated this reaction. His drooping eyelids lifted slightly as he called out three names.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Three figures suddenly appeared in the office, as if they had been lying in wait all along.
As they emerged, several masked Anbu operatives also appeared, surrounding the high-ranking officials.
The masks bore the symbol of Kirigakure on their foreheads, with narrow slits for the eyes, giving the impression of seeing through everything. The mask designs varied—some had spirals, others long lines or curved hooks.
However, the chilling aura emanating from the Anbu was unmistakable, pressing heavily upon the high-ranking officials at the table.
"To occupy a position is to fulfill its duties, to serve with sincerity without overstepping bounds."
"Those in power who fail to act and merely occupy their seats are of no benefit to the nation."
Elder Karatachi's expression remained emotionless as he looked at the angry faces before him.
Perhaps in their youth, these individuals had genuinely shed blood for the village. But time is the ultimate measure of loyalty.
Lost in the pursuit of power and personal gain, they had become obstacles to Kirigakure's progress, leeching off the village like parasites.
They had unknowingly become traitors to Kirigakure...
Even Elder Karatachi had struggled to negotiate and mediate with these obstinate individuals. If the young Yagura were to take over, how could he possibly handle them?
Unless these thorns were thoroughly removed, how could Elder Karatachi entrust Kirigakure to Yagura with peace of mind?
"Yagura, I'm old. This is all I can do for you!"
"If they choose to step down gracefully, let them. If not, help them step down gracefully..."
Supporting himself on the table, Elder Karatachi slowly stood up and made his way toward the office door.
At this moment, his already aged figure appeared even more frail. The once upright back, as straight as a spear, now hunched over.
Echoes of Elder Karatachi berating the high-ranking officials beside the Third Mizukage last year seemed to linger faintly in the air.
During this turbulent year of transition, Elder Karatachi had poured his heart and soul into ensuring a smooth transfer of power to Yagura.
Elder Karatachi stepped out of the office, gently closing the door behind him.
Boom!
The pitch-black night was torn apart by a blinding flash of lightning, like a sword slicing through the sky.
The arc of light streaked from the clouds down to the horizon.
Raindrops the size of soybeans began to fall.
Drip, drip...
The sound grew louder.
Whoosh!
A torrential downpour began, the rain so fierce it seemed as if the sky had been torn open, unleashing a river from the gray clouds above.
"Hmm?"
"Rain and thunder this heavy in this season?"
"Still, better late than never..."
Elder Karatachi lifted his head, gazing at the silver lightning that twisted and churned within the dark clouds.
This overwhelming storm seemed to be striving to wash away the blood mist and shadows lingering over Kirigakure.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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