As the Mizukage, Chiba led Kirigakure to a decisive victory over Sunagakure. That single war fundamentally altered the village's standing in the shinobi world.
With this triumph, Kirigakure firmly established itself as a major power. Although it still could not rival Konohagakure or Kumogakure,the two undisputed superpowers of the era,it had already risen to a level on par with Iwagakure.
As for Sunagakure, there was no longer any room for doubt. It had fallen to the very bottom, teetering on the brink of total village collapse.
In truth, while the Five Great Nations had endured for generations, from the perspective of shinobi villages, the world had not always been ruled by the same five. At the end of the Warring States Era, for example, Takigakure had once possessed formidable strength,so much so that it had even been entrusted with a Bijū, the Shichibi, Chōmei.
Their ambition had swelled to the point that they dared send Kakuzu to assassinate the Shodai Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Though it was little more than a suicidal attempt,an attack launched from hundreds of kilometers away with a single kunai,it nevertheless revealed the extent of their arrogance and aspirations at the time.
Likewise, Amegakure, under the leadership of Hanzō of the Salamander, had once stood as a powerful contender among the great villages. During the Second Shinobi World War, Amegakure simultaneously declared war on Konohagakure, Sunagakure, and even the samurai of the Land of Iron. Though it ultimately failed to achieve victory, the sheer scale of that conflict spoke volumes about its terrifying strength.
Compared to those villages at the height of their power, the current Sunagakure could not even be mentioned in the same breath. It had been utterly crushed. At least for the foreseeable future, recovery was nothing more than a distant dream.
Meanwhile, Chiba did not stop at merely acquiring Sunagakure's three great secret arts. He used them as the foundation to establish the Jiton (Magnet Release) Division, the Puppet Division, and the Sand Control Division.
At the same time, the immense wealth gained through victory,the vast reserves of gold dust and the 870 million ryō ransom,was poured directly into Kirigakure's development. Politics, economy, military structure, education, infrastructure… every aspect of the village was rapidly reinforced.
For a time, Kirigakure's rise could only be described as explosive, advancing at a breathtaking pace with each passing day.
Chiba's intentions in establishing these three divisions were never limited to the battlefield alone. From the very beginning, they were designed to reshape Kirigakure's entire foundation.
Kirigakure was an island nation, constantly shrouded in mist, battered by rain, and plagued by humidity. Water pooled endlessly in low,lying areas, mud accumulated in streets and alleyways, and buildings deteriorated far faster than those in drier lands.
The Sand Control Division quickly became an essential force in civil infrastructure. By precisely manipulating sand, its members drained muddy water from residential zones, absorbed excess moisture from streets, and filtered sediment from canals and waterways. Wet sand and sludge that once stagnated around homes were gathered, compacted, and removed with an efficiency manual labor could never match.
Entire neighborhoods became cleaner and more livable.
In flood,prone regions, sand barriers were erected and adjusted in real time, reinforcing foundations and preventing water damage. Over time, even road construction benefited,sand was compacted into stable layers beneath stone paths, greatly extending their durability in Kirigakure's harsh climate.
The Jiton (Magnet Release) Division proved invaluable both economically and industrially. Through fine magnetic control, its members assisted in the sorting and refinement of metals salvaged from shipwrecks and trade vessels,an abundant resource in a maritime nation.
Iron fragments, tools, and weapons were separated, purified, and reforged with unprecedented efficiency. In shipyards, Jiton users stabilized hull reinforcements and anchored massive components during construction, dramatically reducing labor time and accidents.
Even in daily village life, their abilities were employed to reinforce bridges, secure defensive structures, and strengthen metal frameworks against corrosion caused by constant moisture and salt air.
As for the Puppet Division, its influence extended far beyond combat units. Puppets were adapted for logistics, transportation, and labor. Heavy cargo that once required teams of shinobi could now be moved effortlessly by chakra,controlled constructs.
In dangerous or contaminated zones,collapsed tunnels, unstable ruins, deep,water facilities,puppets replaced human workers entirely. They were also used in training grounds, allowing young shinobi to spar safely, learn formations, and practice coordination without risking injury.
Over time, the Puppet Division became a cornerstone of Kirigakure's modernization,proof that precision, control, and innovation could replace brute force.
Together, the three divisions formed a self,reinforcing system. They strengthened the village militarily, stabilized it economically, and improved daily life for civilians.
Most importantly, they did so without relying on bloodlines. Any shinobi, regardless of origin or lineage, could be tested, trained, and integrated into these systems.
Under Chiba's vision, power was no longer hoarded by clans. It became a tool of the village itself.
Step by step, Kirigakure was no longer merely recovering from the Bloody Mist. It was transforming into a true modern shinobi state,one where strength served both war and peace.
Time continued to flow.
Across the shinobi world, the great nations watched Kirigakure with growing caution and unease. Iwagakure and Kumogakure chose restraint, observing silently from the shadows.
Sunagakure, now desperate, had fully submitted to Konohagakure, clinging to its former ally in hopes of survival. Yet within Konoha itself, the conflict with the Uchiha Clan had reached the brink of eruption.
The storm of annihilation loomed. The village teetered on the edge of internal collapse.
Amid all this chaos, only Kirigakure seized the opportunity to grow,quietly, relentlessly,until its strength was slowly becoming sufficient to stand against the great powers themselves.
On this day, the Council of Elders convened.
Chiba had already restructured the council system, enforcing clear responsibilities upon every member. No one was allowed to remain idle. No one was permitted to hold a title without contributing.
Thus, at every regular meeting, Chiba demanded concrete reports and tangible results.
During this session, the Sanbi's jinchūriki, Miru, delivered news that shook the entire chamber.
"Mizukage,sama… esteemed elders…"
"I… have become a Perfect Jinchūriki."
Even Chiba was momentarily stunned. The others reacted even more strongly,their expressions shifting instantly before erupting into uncontrollable joy.
Since the death of the previous Sanbi jinchūriki, the Yondaime Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, the Sanbi had remained Kirigakure's greatest unresolved burden.
Chiba had personally selected the most suitable host and revealed to Miru,and to the Six,Tails jinchūriki, Utakata,the true method of becoming a perfect jinchūriki. Including the most crucial element of all: communicating with a Bijū through love.
Even so, he had never expected Miru to succeed this quickly.
It seemed that this gentle kunoichi, kind to the point of selflessness, truly possessed a heart overflowing with love.
Utakata himself was deeply shaken. He knew better than anyone that Miru had only recently become a jinchūriki. They had received the same guidance. The same knowledge.
And yet, she had already surpassed him by such a wide margin.
Was it truly because of that concept he had always dismissed,
that so,called love?
As congratulations poured in from all sides, Miru, unaccustomed to being the center of attention, grew visibly shy beneath the sudden flood of admiration.
But in that moment, Kirigakure gained something far more valuable than strength.
It gained hope.
Chiba nodded in approval.
"Well done, Miru," he said sincerely. "You are a true pillar of Kirigakure,a great contributor to the village. You will be richly rewarded."
Miru's cheeks flushed red as she lowered her head slightly, her voice soft with embarrassment. "There's no need, Mizukage,sama… This is simply what I should do."
She hesitated, then continued, her tone faltering for just a moment. "A,and actually… there's something else I need to tell everyone." As she spoke, her expression gradually turned serious. "It concerns the truth behind the previous Mizukage being controlled."
In an instant, the atmosphere within the council chamber froze. Every member of the Elder Council felt their expression change. This matter had always been Kirigakure's greatest unresolved mystery. Although Chiba's rise had swept away the chaos of the Bloody Mist, the identity of the true mastermind behind the manipulation of the Yondaime Mizukage had never come to light.
Chiba, however, understood immediately. Now that Miru had become a Perfect Jinchūriki and gained the complete trust of the Sanbi, it was only natural that the Bijū,Isobu,would finally reveal the truth.
Before Miru could continue, her eyes trembled slightly.
"…Allow me to speak."
A deep, ancient voice echoed through the chamber,calm, heavy, and carrying the weight of countless years.
"The Sanbi…" someone whispered.
Miru nodded once. "Next… the Sanbi inside me,no, Isobu,will tell everyone the truth."
In the next instant, Isobu temporarily took control of Miru's body. The chakra within the room shifted subtly, exuding an authority far beyond any human presence. As Isobu spoke, vivid images surged into the minds of everyone present, scenes from many years ago unfolding with unmistakable clarity.
Back then, the Yondaime Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had detected an intruder through the village's barrier,an enemy whose chakra was abnormally vast and terrifying. Without hesitation, Yagura chose to act alone. He left the village and confronted the intruders head,on.
There were three of them. One wore a strange, ominous mask. The other two,a man and a woman,were clad in long black cloaks adorned with red clouds.
A collective gasp echoed through the chamber. At the time, the Elder Council had never known who these individuals truly were.
But Chiba knew.
The masked man was Uchiha Obito.
And the other two were the founders of Akatsuki,Pain and Konan.
Their purpose in coming to Kirigakure had been simple: to recruit new members for Akatsuki. But the moment they reached the village outskirts, their path was blocked by Yagura himself.
A confrontation between monsters was inevitable.
...