Chapter 21: The Water Wave Mission Ends
"It's more than just 'turbulent.' No one can escape it, but in the entire ninja world, those truly qualified to defy fate can be counted on one hand."
"Oh right, I'm talking about the Fourth Great Ninja War. If you're referring to twenty years from now, then everyone is a slave to fate."
"Huh?"
Upon hearing Shiromo's words, Terumi Mei once again felt a weight pressing down on the future.
Before, it had been her own darkness; now, it was the looming darkness of the entire ninja world.
At first, she thought Shiromo was referring to the challenge of uniting against the inexplicably resurrected Uchiha Madara. But wasn't Madara the most terrifying of them all?
"This is a copy of the institutional reforms I've prepared for the Land of Waves. Take a look when you have time."
As Shiromo spoke, Terumi Mei had already opened the scroll and glanced at it.
"The reforms are mainly about reducing the burden on the Kage," Shiromo continued.
"For a Kage, protecting the village is a responsibility. Without the power to protect the village, even if you can gain everyone's approval, you'll eventually find yourself kneeling beside the village ruins, surrounded by the corpses of your comrades, writhing in powerless rage and tears."
"The extra time, besides training, should also be used to ensure sufficient personal time for rest."
"Huh? Why?" Terumi Mei looked up, somewhat confused.
She had assumed that to prepare for future threats, one should devote themselves entirely to improving strength.
"Maintaining good physical and mental health is important. What I removed was just meaningless busyness."
"Huh? Why are there so many reforms related to managing the daimyo's power?"
"The Land of Waves doesn't have a daimyo."
"I see. Then I probably won't need those later."
"Hard to say."
----
While Shiromo was discussing reforms with Terumi Mei, Itachi was providing support during the battle between Kirigakure and Yagura, occasionally throwing shurikens to block incoming attacks.
At first, Kirigakure was wary of his actions, but after a while, their concern faded.
Eventually, Itachi even used crows to help people evade attacks.
Breaking the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu was a significant event for Kirigakure.
After the Blood Mist, Kirigakure's strength had diminished drastically. It was evident that the "breeding poison" style of competition they relied on was flawed.
The core idea of this system was a winner-takes-all mentality. The poison would absorb the power of the weak, growing stronger with each kill. But humans didn't possess this trait.
Take Zabuza, for example: when he graduated from the Ninja Academy, he slaughtered his entire graduating class.
But that was only because he had overwhelmingly defeated them. If someone had injured him, perhaps leaving him with a missing arm, a broken leg, blindness, or deafness, how much of a boost would a crippled warrior really provide to Kirigakure?
Thus, most of Kirigakure's core fighting force still remained in its prime.
-------
Meanwhile, in the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Water, Kisame and Zabuza had infiltrated.
The Daimyo had guards, but when faced with Kisame and Zabuza, the guards couldn't even utter a final cry before their deaths. The daimyo himself was soaking in a hot spring.
The thick fog from the hot spring, concealed by the Hidden Mist Technique, made it impossible to see anything in front.
Not long after, Kisame and Zabuza confirmed that there were no living beings left nearby.
Everything had happened without a sound.
Zabuza was a master of silent killing; Kisame lacked this particular skill, but with overwhelming strength, it was still easy for him to accomplish the same result.
The events at the Daimyo's residence went unnoticed.
Not only did they kill the daimyo's descendants and relatives, but they also slaughtered his pet dog and any smart people. This was done to prevent anyone from rising to take the daimyo's place and continuing the hereditary rule.
In this situation, even if their actions were discovered, it would take at least two or three days, or perhaps even longer, before anyone could raise the alarm.
Shiromo had given them the task of taking care of the daimyo. However, they hadn't followed his instructions to leave immediately by boat.
Instead, they used the opportunity to gather intelligence and eliminate a few of the so-called "ministers" before they left.
A full day passed.
Shiromo and his group finally reunited in the Land of Waves.
"Strategist, make sure to call me again the next time there's a mission like this."
Kisame looked satisfied.
Despite Kisame's somewhat fierce appearance, he didn't particularly enjoy killing. The one in Akatsuki who truly reveled in killing was Hidan.
Hidan found joy in both killing and sacrificing himself to Jashin.
Kisame, however, felt satisfied because this mission had given him a sense of purpose, something real.
"How did things go in Kirigakure?" Zabuza asked, looking at Itachi and Shiromo.
"I helped Kirigakure free the Fourth Mizukage from the genjutsu. As for the rest… I don't know," Itachi explained, then hesitated and turned his gaze toward Shiromo.
"What do you mean, 'I don't know'?" Zabuza frowned.
After hearing the first part, Zabuza assumed the plan had been successful with Itachi's help. But what did "I don't know" mean? Did it fail?
"The strategist only spoke briefly with a Kirigakure ninja while we were fighting the Fourth Mizukage, and then he left with me."
Itachi's eyes remained on Shiromo, silently waiting for him to elaborate.
"She is the future Fifth Mizukage," Shiromo's words hit like a bombshell.
Everyone went silent.
What more could be said when discussing something with the future Mizukage?
Not only had Shiromo offered Terumi Mei reform suggestions, but he had also provided advice on the Six-Tails Jinchuriki to help her become Mizukage sooner.
Yagura had survived after regaining consciousness. The original plan was for him to support Terumi Mei's rise. While Yagura was still alive, the plan had been for him to abdicate early, similar to how the Third and Fourth Hokage had done in Konoha.
However, once Yagura remembered his past actions, he would likely feel extreme guilt, believing himself unworthy of the power of the Mizukage.
In this situation, to secure her own chance of becoming Mizukage and to get Mizukage's position from Elder Genji in advance, Mei would need another Jinchuriki.
Shiromo's method was simple: Speak politely, don't just think about chasing and killing him.
The ninja world was often strange; sometimes you used fists when you needed to talk, and sometimes you talked when you needed to use fists.
When facing a Jinchuriki, just switch to talk therapy mode.
If he won't listen and runs away when they meet, then write a message and throw it towards Jinchuriki.
The Six-Tails Jinchuriki was actually quite easy to talk to. In the original story, he had planned to return to Kirigakure, but was intercepted by the same setup the Akatsuki had used to capture the Nine-Tails.
"Alright, Zabuza, Haku, you two stay here and develop your business. If any trouble comes up, you can send someone to headquarters."
Shiromo said this as he prepared to leave.
He had also told Mei the same thing.
If they encountered any difficult situations, such as failing to persuade the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, they could send a message to the Land of Waves, which would then forward it to him.
"There's a situation," Itachi suddenly raised his hand.
Kisame also received the message.
"What is it?" Shiromo asked.
"Deidara went back to Iwagakure and got trapped."
(End of this chapter)