Bang! Bang! Bang!
As the room remained in stunned silence following the words of the Tsuchimikado secretary, an urgent knock resounded at the conference room doors.
The official presiding over the negotiations gave permission. "Enter."
A civil servant stepped inside, bowing respectfully to everyone present before hurrying to his superior's side and whispering something in his ear.
Though he spoke softly, for the trained ears of shinobi, his words were as clear as day.
Bang!!!
A wooden table shattered under the force of a palm strike!
Yagura shot up from his seat, his face behind the Kirigakure mask contorted in shock and fear.
"What did you just say?!"
The civil servant froze in terror, his gaze locking onto the Mist Village insignia on Yagura's mask. He stammered, "K-Kirigakure has released an obituary... The T-Third Mizukage... has..."
"... Passed away at 4:53 AM today due to an incurable illness."
...
Year 43 of the Konoha Calendar, July 4th.
At 9 AM, Kirigakure officially announced the passing of the Third Mizukage to the entire shinobi world.
Following the mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage, which had left the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, to assume the position under emergency circumstances, the Third Mizukage—the oldest among the Third-generation Kage—had also succumbed to the inevitable grasp of time.
Unlike the chaos that had erupted in Sunagakure, the Third Mizukage had used his remaining time to ensure a proper transition of power.
At precisely noon, Kirigakure issued a diplomatic statement appointing Elite Jōnin Karatachi Yagura as Acting Mizukage.
In five years, should he prove capable of the role and reach the necessary age, Yagura would officially be recognized as the Fourth Mizukage.
For now, since Yagura was away on a mission, the Elder Genshī would temporarily oversee village affairs, with the support of Kirigakure's clan leaders.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!"
Yagura clutched the appointment letter sent by Elder Genshī, along with several sheets of correspondence. He threw his head back and roared in grief and anger.
As his gaze landed on the final page, bearing the signature of the Third Mizukage, Jōhei, everything became clear to him.
The Third Mizukage had foreseen his end.
By announcing Kirigakure's participation in the war, he had ensured that the other four nations remained focused on their preparations.
But now, with his passing, Kirigakure's new leader was merely a child—barely ten years old.
Yagura's name was already known throughout the shinobi world.
During the Chūnin Exams, he had displayed extraordinary talent and strength. Yet, in the eyes of outsiders, Kirigakure under the leadership of a ten-year-old would be hard-pressed to even defend itself, let alone wage war.
Jōhei had factored even his own death into his final strategy.
With his last move, he had given Kirigakure—and its Fourth Mizukage—the best possible opening.
...
Drip, drip.
Rain began to fall over the Land of Artisans.
It grew heavier, as if the heavens themselves were mourning.
Yagura stood motionless in the downpour, the rain mixing with the tears streaming down his face.
His eyes burned, his chest ached.
Isobu.
He was so cunning. So cruel. He never told me anything.
He arranged everything in secret, leaving not a single clue.
Isobu, Isobu...
I can almost hear that old fox's voice. I can see him, too.
He's saying... this is your final lesson.
The Fourth Mizukage.
...
[Isobu: (silent)]
The Tailed Beasts had lived far longer than any shinobi village.
They had felt joy in their freedom and rage at their imprisonment. But it had been a long time since any of them had felt true sorrow.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!"
Hearing Yagura's anguished screams, Isobu closed its eyes and reflected.
Their minds were linked—Yagura was his Jinchūriki.
And through that connection, Isobu, too, understood what it meant to grieve.
The rain kept falling.
Then, in an explosion of overwhelming chakra, the Land of Artisans trembled.
The Three-Tails, Isobu—his Jinchūriki unleashed his chakra in a reckless surge, and in that instant, he manifested!
For the first time, the people of the Land of Artisans, the wealthy merchants of the mining conglomerates, and the blacksmiths and shinobi of the Artisans Village found themselves face-to-face with a living legend.
The immense pressure of the colossal beast loomed over them.
Through the misty rain, blood-red eyes devoid of warmth locked onto them.
In that moment, social status, wealth, and power became meaningless.
For all were equally insignificant in the face of death.
...
After the Rain.
July 7th, Overcast Skies.
At the negotiation table.
Yagura removed his mask and presided over the nineteenth round of peace talks.
His eyes were still bloodshot, even after several sleepless nights.
No one dared mention it.
The representatives from the Land of Artisans kept their heads bowed, fearful of meeting Yagura's gaze.
The Tsuchimikado group's executives and secretary were even more conflicted.
Hah... They had originally hired an Elite Jōnin for this negotiation. And now, before the contract had even ended, that Jōnin had become the Mizukage.
The weight of this fortune was not one they could easily bear.
Yagura, unconcerned with the odd tension in the room, pressed forward with the talks.
With a simple gesture, he signaled for the two civil officials sent by Elder Genshī.
They placed two sets of documents on the table—one for the Artisans Village, and one for the mining conglomerates.
Yagura's voice was firm and uncompromising. "The issues in the Land of Artisans have remained unresolved since my arrival."
"The representatives of the Tsuchimikado group have inquired whether Kirigakure would accept immigrants from the Land of Artisans."
"The Third Mizukage, Elder Genshī, and myself have reviewed the matter. We welcome skilled Artisans and shinobi to join Kirigakure."
"The details are outlined in our proposal. If you have any concerns, you may address them directly with me."
As if we would dare voice any complaints...
Both parties accepted the documents and read through them carefully.
To their surprise, the terms offered by Kirigakure were far more reasonable than expected.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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