Kirigakure.
Inside the Mizukage's office.
The room was quiet, solemn, carrying the calm authority befitting the heart of the village's command. Outside the windows, mist drifted lazily through the air, shrouding the streets and rooftops of Kirigakure in its familiar veil,a symbol of both concealment and strength.
The ANBU captain arrived to deliver his report.
Kisame Hoshigaki strode forward with heavy, unhurried steps, his presence alone exuding pressure. Strapped to his back was the massive Samehada, its grotesque form tightly wrapped in layers of bandages. Even sealed, the legendary blade emanated a faint, oppressive aura, as if it were alive and waiting.
Stopping at the center of the room, Kisame lowered his head slightly in respect.
"Mizukage-sama."
His voice was deep and steady, carrying neither haste nor hesitation,only absolute confidence and loyalty.
Chiba cast Kisame a calm, unreadable glance before speaking. "Mm? What is it?"
Kisame Hoshigaki answered in a deep, steady tone, his posture rigid with discipline. "The ANBU intelligence division has intercepted critical information. Sunagakure's Kazekage, Rasa, has divided his forces into two separate armies. One is personally led by Rasa himself, while the other is commanded by Elder Chiyo. Both units are advancing directly toward Kirigakure. Judging from their movements and intent, this is clearly retaliation for the Pakura incident."
A faint smile curved Chiba's lips, carrying neither concern nor surprise. "Oh?" he replied lightly. "So Rasa really is impatient. He's only just concluded his war with Iwagakure, yet he already can't restrain himself from launching another one?"
Kisame let out a low, humorless chuckle, his sharp features twisting into a fearsome grin that made his presence even more oppressive. "It seems he's treating Kirigakure like a soft target,something easy to crush. He believes that now, with the Bloody Mist era freshly ended and you having only just assumed the title of Mizukage, our village is at its most vulnerable. He intends to use this war to restore his own reputation and that of Sunagakure."
Chiba's smile deepened, though there was no warmth in his eyes. "Then he's about to learn just how badly mistaken that assumption is."
Kisame nodded once, firmly. "Indeed."
"I understand," Chiba said calmly. "Summon all the elders. We'll convene immediately and discuss our response."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
In the blink of an eye, Kisame's figure vanished, leaving the office silent once more. Chiba watched the space where he had stood and shook his head with a faint, amused sigh. As a member of the Akatsuki, Kisame Hoshigaki was undeniably terrifying,but as a subordinate, his efficiency and reliability were beyond reproach.
"Rasa…" Chiba murmured to himself. "It wasn't enough to sacrifice your subordinates and ruin your own son. Now you're ready to drag the entirety of Sunagakure into the abyss with you?"
His gaze hardened slightly. "Very well. If that's your choice, I'll see it through to the end."
…
Inside the Council Hall of Kirigakure, Kisame delivered the full intelligence report regarding Sunagakure's invasion. The moment his briefing ended, the chamber erupted into heated discussion. Shock, anger, and tension spread through the assembled elders and senior shinobi like ripples through water.
Genji furrowed his brows deeply. "Sunagakure is taking advantage of the situation," he said gravely. "They're preparing to use Kirigakure as their stepping stone. Even though Mizukage-sama has governed decisively and the village is recovering rapidly, we cannot deny that decades of the Bloody Mist have left scars. To outsiders, this is still our weakest moment."
Gonbei snorted coldly, his voice dripping with disdain. "That Rasa truly doesn't know his own limits."
Mei Terumī crossed her arms, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "It's obvious he's gravely underestimated Mizukage-sama,and the true strength of Kirigakure."
Chiba met her gaze, and the two shared a subtle, knowing smile before he turned back to the assembly. "What do the rest of you think?"
Ao stepped forward, his expression firm and resolute. "It's true that Kirigakure was once weak," he said evenly. "But under Mizukage-sama's reforms over the past year, we are no longer the same village we once were. If Sunagakure dares to come, then let them see with their own eyes what a reborn Kirigakure truly looks like. This war must be fought,and it must be fought decisively."
His partner nodded without hesitation, voicing immediate agreement. Mangetsu Hōzuki followed, his tone sharp and confident. "Mizukage-sama, this isn't Sunagakure's war of vindication. It's ours. The time has come for the entire shinobi world to recognize you,and the new Kirigakure."
Chiba let out a quiet chuckle. "It seems everyone favors battle," he said calmly. "I feel the same. Then we fight."
At that moment, a voice that had remained silent throughout the meeting finally spoke. Pakura stepped forward, her expression conflicted. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "This conflict… it started because of me."
Chiba cut her off immediately, his voice firm but not unkind. "This was my decision. It has nothing to do with you."
Mei shook her head and added sharply, "Pakura, saying that only proves you still don't see yourself as one of us. From the moment Mizukage-sama brought you into Kirigakure, you became our comrade. Don't distance yourself from us again."
Emotion flickered across Pakura's face as she bowed her head. "Thank you… and thank you as well, Mizukage-sama."
Chiba waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for thanks. Since the decision to go to war has been made, we'll begin planning immediately."
He straightened slightly, his voice taking on a commanding edge. "They're advancing along two routes. Naturally, we'll intercept them with at least two forces of our own. More importantly, we will strike before they ever set foot on the Land of Water."
A hush fell over the chamber as everyone processed his words.
Chiba continued smoothly, a faint smile returning to his face. "When it comes to naval warfare, there isn't a single shinobi village that can rival Kirigakure. That advantage should be exploited without restraint. War ultimately comes down to timing, terrain, and unity,and terrain, in particular, is decisive."
Mei nodded in agreement. The Land of Water was an archipelago nation by nature; shipbuilding, navigation, and maritime combat were ingrained into its very foundation. While the Land of Wind also possessed a coastline, it lay far from Sunagakure itself. Their shinobi honed their techniques in endless deserts, mastering Wind Release, Magnet Release, sand manipulation, and puppetry,abilities ill-suited for battle at sea.
Kirigakure, by contrast, was home to countless Water Release specialists. On the ocean, they were like fish returning to water, their strength amplified rather than constrained.
Nakichi nodded emphatically. "Mizukage-sama is right. This is one of our greatest advantages."
"And not just that," Chiba said, his tone filled with quiet certainty. "Timing, terrain, and unity,all of them are on our side. They believe Kirigakure is weakest after the Bloody Mist, that this is their perfect opportunity. But the truth is, after more than a year of reform, Kirigakure is stronger now than it has been in decades."
"In terrain, we dominate the sea. In unity, Kirigakure stands as one," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Meanwhile, Sunagakure has betrayed comrades, abandoned heroes, abused their Jinchūriki, and allowed internal strife to fester."
Chiba's voice rang through the council hall, firm and absolute.
"So in this war…"
"Kirigakure will prevail!!!"