The Mizukage's Office.
Yagura carefully reviewed the report from the Kirigakure shinobi sent to the Land of Rain.
The mission had gone well. The shinobi in question was a graduate of the second class from the ninja academy after the Bloody Mist policy was abolished.
Judging from the proposal offered to the Akatsuki—and the bait they'd dangled—Yagura estimated that Yahiko, with his idealistic obsession with peace, had a 99.9% chance of at least not rejecting them outright.
And if he didn't reject it, then Yagura had plenty of ways to wear him down over time.
But Konan's response had been a surprising bonus.
Yagura had instructed the envoy to the Land of Rain to politely invite Jiraiya's old team—just as a formality, with no real expectations. He knew the trio's hearts were rooted in the Land of Rain; prying them away was near impossible.
So for Konan to accept the invitation and come on her own… to Yagura, it felt a bit like studying abroad.
And that was a good thing.
She'd written a letter to Yahiko and Nagato detailing her experiences in the Land of Water, supporting Kirigakure's proposal and expressing hope that it could bring change and opportunity to the people of the Land of Rain.
Her feedback would significantly speed up Yahiko's decision.
What, did people think it didn't pain him to spend so much hiring Kakuzu?
To the Elder Genshi, the "water" in "Mizukage" had practically become a metaphor for money flowing away like a river.
"Uchiha Obito only started targeting Akatsuki after the Nine-Tails incident. So for at least another year or two, Yahiko's version of Akatsuki is still in control."
Which meant now was the perfect window to use Akatsuki to help Kirigakure break into the Land of Rain.
Let them do the work. Once they'd opened the door, Yagura would follow the same strategy he'd used for the Land of Wind.
As for Konan, who had unexpectedly arrived in the Land of Water for this 'study abroad'?
Yagura decided to let her be. No special arrangements. Let her roam the village freely, travel as she pleased.
On one hand, he believed Kirigakure itself would naturally leave a positive impression on her.
On the other, he was the Mizukage. Busy. He didn't have time to dote on someone just because she happened to be Konan.
Having wrapped up the one matter that required his personal attention—Akatsuki—Yagura moved on without pause to his next task: delegating affairs to Mei Terumi in preparation for his absence from the village.
A formal invitation had arrived from Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, inviting Yagura to attend the first joint Chūnin Exams since the war.
With the Third Great Ninja War over, Konoha—isolated and with no other options—had been forced to resume its alliance with Sunagakure.
And Kirigakure's strategic pressure on both these 'tragic brothers' had certainly helped push them back together.
This joint Chūnin Exam was more than a test. It was a signal to the world that the two villages were rebuilding their relationship.
Sunagakure had extended an invitation to Kirigakure to participate, but Yagura declined. Given their current ties to the highly anti-Konoha Kumogakure, interfering in Konoha-Sunagakure relations would only raise suspicion with the Fourth Raikage.
Even after the refusal, Rasa still personally invited Yagura to attend as a guest.
Clearly, the exam was just a pretext.
Rasa's true intention was a face-to-face meeting—a chance for the two Kage to communicate directly.
And the topic? Obviously, the debt Sunagakure still owed Kirigakure.
It had been three months since the war ended, and Sunagakure hadn't paid back a single coin.
The Kirigakure-Sunagakure Non-Aggression Pact signed before the war had not been revoked, and the relationship between the two villages was still officially friendly.
Which meant—no excuses. That debt had to be repaid.
Yagura accepted Rasa's invitation.
Mei Terumi had served as his deputy for four years now and had more than lived up to his expectations. Her administrative talent was outstanding.
...
Five days later.
News came from across the continent: the first round of the joint Chūnin Exams in Sunagakure had concluded.
Since the exam had been arranged hastily for political optics rather than actual merit, there was no traditional one-month gap between the first and second rounds.
"Alright, that's everything," Yagura said, wrapping up his handover of responsibilities to Mei. "Oh, one more thing. Konan from Akatsuki is here in the village. If you get a chance, keep an eye on her."
Mei gave a serious nod. "Understood."
Her attitude caught Yagura off guard.
"You're taking this pretty seriously, huh?"
He had only mentioned it in passing.
At the very least, they couldn't afford for anything to happen to Konan while she was in Kirigakure. If she died unexpectedly here, and Nagato snapped…
Pain would bring judgment to the Mist.
Mei calmly replied with a reason Yagura couldn't refute: "Anyone you keep tabs on tends to be extraordinary."
It was a simple truth, and not without precedent.
Back during the war, the ones Yagura had flagged for the Intelligence Division—Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Shisui Uchiha—had all proven themselves remarkable.
More recently, the ones Yagura had brought into his own circle—Mangetsu, Zabuza, Ameyuri, Kisame, and Mei herself—were all top-tier talent.
Sure, Mangetsu and Mei came from well-known clans and had fame backing them.
But Zabuza, Ameyuri, and Kisame were born as commoners. No excuses, no shortcuts.
"..." Yagura just smiled, choosing not to continue the topic.
Careful—some things are sensitive.
...
Yagura stepped through the gates of Kirigakure.
Behind him, a group of well-informed shinobi had already gathered to see him off.
Their eyes were filled with concern and trust as they looked at his still-youthful frame, small in stature, flanked by two tall guards on either side.
From the crowd, someone shouted boldly to the escort team:
"Zabuza! Kisame! Take good care of the Mizukage!"
More voices quickly joined in: "That's right! If Lord Mizukage gets so much as a scratch—commit seppuku to atone!"
"No, even if you did, that wouldn't be enough!"
Zabuza & Kisame: "..."
The pressure was immense.
Like… seriously.
They were two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Couldn't they get a little respect?
"Hahahahaha…"
Yagura covered his mouth, laughing shamelessly as he eyed the stormy expressions on their faces.
"You heard them, right?"
"No no no," said Mangetsu, stepping forward with a wave. "They've got it wrong."
He turned to the crowd with a smirk, then looked back at Yagura.
"The real question is—who could possibly hurt you?"
Normally, Mangetsu would've been the top pick to serve as escort.
But the climate in the Land of Wind didn't suit the Hozuki clan, so he was ruled out.
That left Zabuza and Kisame—who happened to be back in the village these past few days—with the job.
Yagura gave him a warm smile.
"I can be hurt, you know~ I'm sad you won't be coming with me. Please keep your emotions in check."
The veins on Mangetsu's forehead throbbed with effort. "Get lost."
"If you've got energy to spare, go check in on Suigetsu."
Yagura let the teasing go and turned his attention to Elder Genshi, standing behind Mangetsu.
He stepped forward and extended a hand.
The elder handed him the Mizukage hat.
Yagura took it and placed it on his head.
"Thank you, Elder."
The hat now rested exactly where it belonged—on the head of its rightful owner.
Genshi looked at him with pride, his smile warm and satisfied.
"Be careful on your journey."
Yagura adjusted the hat. "I will."
He raised his hand high and waved goodbye to the gathered shinobi of Kirigakure.
Then, he set off toward the east—toward the Land of Wind.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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