The briny sea breeze whipped the flags so hard they snapped in the air. The sky was so overcast not a hint of light could break through, only ink-black clouds rolling and writhing above. Though it was still morning, the world was shrouded in gloom as if dusk had already fallen.
Kyoichi stood at the stern deck, elbow resting on the railing, his gaze fixed on the hazy northern skies.
It was the twelfth month of winter—
a season of bitter cold. Yet this was not the lifeless wilderness of the far north. Here on the southern seas, the climate remained warm. Kyoichi still wore only a single layer of clothing, no different from his usual attire: black battle garb with a dark-purple vest. The only change lay in the forehead protector tied across his brow.
The stone insignia was gone.
In its place was the "slanted rain."
The mark of Kirigakure.
Footsteps sounded from behind. Kyoichi straightened unconsciously and turned his head—
"Masakazu-sama?"
It was Kirigumo Masakazu.
"A storm is coming!"
Masakazu stepped up beside Kyoichi, staring at the dark wall of clouds to the north with a sigh.
"Yes. A storm is coming."
Kyoichi replied.
"Kyoichi, have you gathered your things?"
"I don't need to pack."
"Oh?"
"The ship I live on is one of those being cleared out."
"I see."
Masakazu understood immediately.
There were five ships in total. Two would be sent on the rescue mission, which meant their passengers had to be moved to the other three. Not everyone had to relocate, of course—the sailors stayed put, and shinobi like Kyoichi, who already lived on one of the rescue ships, didn't need to move either.
"Then why linger here, Kyoichi? Shouldn't you head over already?"
"They're still busy moving things over there—chaos everywhere. I thought I'd hide here for some peace until they're finished. Once it's time to depart, I'll head over. Speaking of which… Masakazu-sama, shouldn't you be overseeing everything yourself?"
"With Ao handling things, I'd just be in the way."
"Haha, Ao-senpai really is capable."
A smile touched Kyoichi's lips.
"Ao is excellent. Unfortunately, his natural talent has nearly reached its limit. Otherwise… he might have had a chance at the Fifth Mizukage's seat."
"The Fifth Mizukage, huh?"
Kyoichi narrowed his eyes, a girlish, lively figure flashing through his mind.
"That's right. If Ao polished his administrative skills further, he could shoulder the burden. But for a village leader, administrative skill is not the most decisive factor. Not in Kirigakure. Power—that is what matters most. A Mizukage must be stronger than anyone else."
Masakazu turned, gaze resting firmly on Kyoichi.
"Which is why… if it's you, Kyoichi, perhaps you could claim the title of Fifth Mizukage in the future."
"Really? My background isn't a problem?"
"There will be an impact, yes. But as I said, in our village the only thing that determines the Mizukage is strength. If your fists are hard enough… such problems cease to exist."
Masakazu grinned wide, his well-kept teeth gleaming faintly with a bloodthirsty sheen.
Killing intent—
not aimed at anyone in particular, yet overwhelming all the same.
That was Kirigakure shinobi.
Refined on the surface, yet at their core bloodthirsty, ruthless. The manners might be genuine, but so was the cruelty beneath.
"Mizukage… Masakazu-sama, let's leave such talk for the future. As far as I know, the Fourth has only just ascended, still in his prime. By the time another takes the mantle, I might already be an old man…"
"True enough."
Masakazu nodded.
Kyoichi wasn't wrong.
After all, until now, not a single Kage had ever died young. The Firsts of every village were already famed veterans by the time they founded the Five Great Villages, none of them in their youth. The Seconds were brothers, assistants, or students of the Firsts—most died at an advanced age.
As for the Thirds—
they reaped the legacies of two generations before them and generally reigned long. The Third Mizukage, Kazekage, and Raikage had only died recently, during or just before the current war. The Third Hokage and Tsuchikage? Those two old men were still very much alive.
So in this era, people simply assumed a Kage would rule for decades. None ever imagined one might die young.
The precedent for that would only be set in the future—
by the Fourth Hokage.
But that belonged only to Kyoichi's memories. For now, the future was uncertain, full of infinite possibilities.
"Still… Masakazu-sama, you didn't come here just to chat with me, did you?"
After circling the topic long enough, Kyoichi lost patience and cut straight to the point.
"I enjoy talking with talented young men like you."
Masakazu smiled, then shifted his tone.
"But you're right. This isn't just chatter. Kyoichi… I came to ask you for a favor."
"What is it?"
Kyoichi asked, though a faint premonition had already taken root in his heart.
"In the mission ahead… please look after Mei for me."
Masakazu's gaze locked on his, expression deadly earnest.
The premonition was correct.
Kyoichi's lips quirked upward.
"Rest assured, Masakazu-sama. I'll do my utmost to protect Mei."
"…What I mean is, the mission may fail, but Mei must not be harmed. To be blunt: those one or two hundred defeated prisoners can die—but Mei must return alive."
Masakazu's voice was quiet, but cold as steel.
The smile faded slowly from Kyoichi's face.
"Masakazu-sama… that doesn't sound very proper."
"Kyoichi, you're Dazen's grand-nephew—my junior as well. So I'll spare you the lofty platitudes. I'll speak plainly: Mei carries the hopes of both the Kirigumo and the Terumī clans, hopes passed down for generations. Kirigakure must have a Mizukage of our bloodline. We cannot allow Mei to come to harm."
"…That's quite the responsibility."
Kyoichi fell silent for a moment. Then he smiled again.
"But I'll accept it. Masakazu-sama, so long as I still draw breath, Mei will not come to harm."
He thumped his chest with confidence.
"Good. As long as you bring Mei back in one piece… then I will do everything in my power to persuade the Terumī clan to join my Kirigumo clan in supporting your Koeda clan's establishment in Kirigakure."
Masakazu knew well: if you want the horse to run, you must feed it.
He promised sincerely.
"Beyond that, Kyoichi, if you have any personal requests, you may ask. So long as it lies within my power, I'll see it done. Of course…" Masakazu's smile turned wry. "As for Mei's marriage, I won't decide that for her. A forced melon is never sweet—I've no desire for that child to hate me her whole life. That part, you'll have to win by your own effort."
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