The Daimyo Manor and the Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water have completely broken ties, and other Ninja Villages are happily watching the drama unfold, while also breathing a sigh of relief.
Shimotsuki Kōmei's business was getting better and better, and he was making money faster and faster, which had long been noted by all the Villages. The Ninja Villages worried that he would collude with the Hidden Mist Village, providing them with vast sums of money to help them rise.
Fortunately, Shimotsuki Kōmei only thought about his own enjoyment. If the roads weren't wide or smooth enough for his luxurious carriage, he built new roads.
If the rivers weren't wide or deep enough for his giant pleasure boats, he dug canals.
If the shops were scattered and inconvenient for him to browse, he tore down many houses and rebuilt the shops together.
Shimotsuki Kōmei did not give the Hidden Mist Village a single cent of additional funding, and the major Ninja Villages rejoiced at his perceived incompetence. Despite this, the thorn remained firmly in everyone's hearts.
Roads would eventually be finished, houses would eventually be built, and Shimotsuki Kōmei would eventually remember the Hidden Mist Village.
Various countries and Villages were preparing to restrict his money-making speed. The Land of Lightning had already planned to close his shops and expel merchants from the Land of Water.
Before this could be implemented, good fortune descended from the sky like a large pie, smacking them on the forehead. The Land of Water internally fell into chaos first, with the Daimyo and the Mizukage completely breaking ties.
The surprise came so suddenly that various countries and Villages temporarily abandoned their plans against Shimotsuki Kōmei, especially since Shimotsuki Kōmei paid a large amount in taxes every year.
Shimotsuki Kōmei temporarily caught his breath. He had already guessed that he would be targeted by various countries. Untying himself from the Hidden Mist Village temporarily alleviated the crisis.
The next step was to form a bond of interest with various countries, but he still lacked an opportunity.
In a secret room in the Daimyo Manor, Shimotsuki Kōmei secretly summoned Yagura alone. He looked at the ten-year-old Yagura with a complex expression.
He was a bit reluctant to entrust such a dangerous mission to Yagura, but Yagura was the best candidate.
"Yagura, there is a mission I need you to complete. Return to the Hidden Mist Village, infiltrate the current Mizukage's side, and await my command." Gritting his teeth, Shimotsuki Kōmei still handed the mission to Yagura.
"Lord Shimotsuki, rest assured, even if I have to die, I will complete the mission before I do!" Yagura said resolutely.
Shimotsuki Kōmei reached into his chest, took out a porcelain bottle, and handed it to Yagura.
"The Daimyo Manor can't offer much help; everything depends on you. The porcelain bottle contains three Chakra Pills, which can rapidly increase Chakra. Take one per year, in multiple doses, to avoid arousing the Mizukage's suspicion."
Yagura immediately ate half a pill, and his strength approached that of a Jonin.
Shimotsuki Kōmei picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Yagura, "The escape plan is written on this paper. Memorize it. The mission is very dangerous. Do not act rashly. Think twice before acting and be extra careful!"
Three days later, Akimichi Torifu completed his mission and left the Land of Water. Kakuzu personally saw him off. Around noon, the group departed from Daimyo City.
That same afternoon, the beleaguered Finance Department was attacked yet again, and flames erupted everywhere.
Yagura, a former Hidden Mist Village Ninja and the Daimyo's current guard, was dissatisfied with the Daimyo's attitude towards the Hidden Mist Village and hated Kakuzu, the Finance Minister, who had injured the Mizukage.
Knowing he was no match for Kakuzu, he seized the opportunity when Kakuzu left Daimyo City, rushed into the Finance Department, injured many people, and destroyed a large amount of money, ledgers, and documents.
The three Chunin remaining at the Daimyo Manor rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, and a battle ensued. Yagura was outmatched and fled Daimyo City, being pursued all the way.
By the time he reached the Hidden Mist Village, he was exhausted and on the verge of death. Just as he was about to be killed, Hidden Mist Village patrol Ninja rescued him.
In the Hidden Mist Hospital, Yagura slowly woke up.
"Where am I? Wasn't I supposed to be dead?"
Yagura looked confused, muttering to himself, struggling to sit up.
A medical Ninja happened to enter the room, "Little one, you're awake? Lie back down. You were rescued by the Village patrol Ninja and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital."
"That's great, I'm finally back!"
For five consecutive days, Yagura received treatment in the hospital. On the sixth day, a masked Hidden Mist Village Ninja entered Yagura's ward.
"Follow me, the Mizukage-sama wants to see you."
Yagura followed the Hidden Mist ANBU Ninja to the Mizukage's office.
The Third Mizukage stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his left hand behind his back constantly playing with two walnuts, and a Leech crawling on his right arm. He thoughtfully stared at the Hidden Mist Village Ninja coming and going downstairs.
Suddenly, the Mizukage turned around and stared at Yagura without a word. Yagura looked up at the Third Mizukage with an expression of admiration.
"Why did you come back? Wasn't being the Daimyo's guard good? It's safe, and you get a lot of money."
Yagura shook his head and retorted loudly, "Of course not. I was born a person of the Hidden Mist Village, and I will die a ghost of the Hidden Mist Village. The Hidden Mist Village is my Family, and my heart will always be with the Hidden Mist Village."
The Mizukage was very satisfied with Yagura's answer. He scrutinized Yagura from head to toe, and a faint smile appeared on his pale, bloodless face.
"Hahaha, this little brat has high awareness, well said. Causing such a ruckus in Daimyo City, you have guts, and your timing was excellent. You have both courage and strategy. You will serve as my guard for now."
Yagura was extremely excited, bowing repeatedly, "Thank you for your trust, Mizukage-sama. I will definitely work hard to become a qualified guard."
"Hm. Go and invite all the Village's high-ranking officials for a meeting. I have something to announce."
After Yagura left, the Mizukage repeatedly tapped the table. The Hidden Mist Village was currently facing numerous crises. A few years ago, after sweeping through the Feudal Lords, they obtained forty billion Ryo, and the Hidden Mist Village gained a large number of Ninja.
Following this, expenses grew larger and larger, and the forty billion Ryo visibly dwindled. The Ninja Academy graduated many Ninja every year, and the number of Ninja kept increasing, making the annual three hundred million Ryo in funding a drop in the bucket.
To make matters worse, Shimotsuki Kōmei didn't give the Hidden Mist Village even a drop of water, and he also prohibited citizens from issuing missions to the Hidden Mist Village.
Since they couldn't increase revenue, they had to cut expenses. With too many Ninja, graduating fewer would solve the problem. Moreover, his little darling needed to feed on Qi to evolve, killing two birds with one stone.
The Mizukage stroked the Leech, emitting a sinister chuckle.
The various Clan Chiefs and Elders arrived, and the Mizukage had already prepared his speech.
"I'm sure you are all aware of how difficult the current situation of the Hidden Mist Village is. We have an excess of Ninja and a shortage of funds. If this continues, the Hidden Mist Village might collapse."
The high-ranking Hidden Mist Village officials attending the meeting nodded in agreement. The Mizukage smiled knowingly. While others were contemplating, he continued to lay the groundwork.
"The biggest crisis comes from the dog Daimyo. He stopped the Hidden Mist Village's funding and cut off our mission sources, making it even harder for us to obtain funds."
"I believe that instead of wasting funds to train everyone, it would be better to concentrate resources on training the outstanding graduates from the Ninja Academy. What do you all think?"
The Mizukage finished his preamble and threw the question to everyone present.
"The Mizukage is right. Given the current situation, there is no better solution than this." Yuan Jun nodded and said.
Elder Yuan Jun thought that making peace with the Daimyo was the best solution, but it was clearly impossible at the moment; the Mizukage would love to skin Kakuzu alive.
The current Mizukage's assertiveness and arrogance were not a good thing. Perhaps a different Mizukage would be better.
"Good, since everyone agrees, I announce that the Ninja Academy's graduation examination will be changed to a live combat assessment. Winners can successfully graduate and become Genin."
The Mizukage eagerly rolled out his bloody policy.