"Long live the Fifth Mizukage!"
This scene had taken place three days ago. In the battle three days prior, Mei Terumi, through her actions, her strength, and the backing of her clan, had successfully ascended to the position of Mizukage.
No one disputed it. She was the one who had personally killed the Fourth Mizukage. In the initial clash, her Kekkei Tota, a fusion of two nature transformations, had easily shattered the Tailed Beast cloak of the false Mizukage. Even if it wasn't Yagura himself, the Tailed Beast cloak was no fake. The other ninja of the Mist Village had been helpless against it, yet Mei had broken it with a single technique and killed the White Zetsu imposter with a second.
Later, when the tsunami threatened the village, Mei had used her power to unleash a massive Water Style jutsu, blocking the Three-Tails' "Sea Style" attack and, with the combined efforts of the other ninja, saving the village.
Third, she had personally killed Yagura Karatachi. Before the eyes of many, she had ended the life of the previous Mizukage. Her ascension was thus by popular demand and met the hopes of the people. Under Obito's control, Yagura had decimated the village's bloodline clans, leaving the Mist Village weaker than any other.
The legendary Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, after being decimated by Might Duy, had been scattered to the winds due to the village's Bloody Mist policy. Now, only one of the seven blades remained—the one in Chojuro's hands. Without reanimating Hozuki Mangetsu, no one could summon all seven swords, because only he held the summoning contract for them.
The dark days of the Mist Village had gone on for too long. So, after a joint discussion, the great ninja clans decided not to wait for the Daimyo's appointment. Just three days later, they had Mei directly assume the office.
The Daimyo? They had just taken down their own Mizukage. If the Daimyo dared to say "no," they would send him to hell to keep Yagura company.
The Bloody Mist policy had been established since the time of the First Mizukage. Perhaps the original intention was to strengthen their ninja through real combat, following an elite path because the Land of Water's arable land couldn't support too many people. The elite route was a choice born of necessity. At that time, although ninja occasionally died in exams, the numbers weren't as high as they were now. But things changed starting with the Second Mizukage, and the policy intensified. It wasn't until the Fourth Mizukage was controlled by Obito that he began to actively destroy the bloodline clans of his own village.
As for the Third Mizukage, whether he was controlled by Madara and committed the foolish act of sealing their own nuclear weapon, the Three-Tails, into Rin's body is hard to explain. At that time, Madara was already hooked up to tubes, and would die the moment they were unplugged. How could he have flown across the sea to the Mist Village to control the Third Mizukage?
"Now, it's all over. I will end the Bloody Mist policy in this village."
Today, Mei had clearly taken great care with her appearance. She still had her emerald-green eyes and long, crossed, brown curly hair, but this time her right eye was not covered by her bangs. Instead, her hair was neatly combed, revealing both of her beautiful eyes.
Wearing the Fifth Mizukage's robe, which had been made overnight, she walked onto the high platform. Then, under the watchful eyes of the many elders of the bloodline clans, she put on the Kage hat and raised her hand high.
Upon taking office, Mei announced her first order:
"I declare that from this day forward, the Mist Village's Bloody Mist policy is abolished! In all future graduation and Chunin exams, not a single person will die again! From now on, everyone in the Mist Village will be partners who can depend on each other and fight back-to-back!"
The crowd below was silent for a moment, and then erupted into a deafening roar.
"Long live the Mist Village! Long live!"
"Long live Lord Fifth!"
"Lady Mei Terumi, long live!"
The female ninja, in particular, looked at Mei with stars of adoration in their eyes. Not only was she the first female Mizukage of the Mist, but she was also the first female Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Although there was no official distinction between genders in the ninja world, male ninja were generally stronger in combat than female ninja—it was an ironclad rule, a result of natural evolution. Now, the appearance of the first female Mizukage represented a huge step forward for female ninja.
The villagers even began to set off fireworks.
Bang!Bang! Bang!
Dazzling, multi-colored fireworks bloomed in the sky above the Mist Village, symbolizing that their tomorrow would be just as beautiful.
After so many years of darkness, no matter what the future held, a female Mizukage felt much more reassuring than a male one.
As she walked back to the Mizukage's building, her newly appointed assistant and former bodyguard, Ao, quickly walked up and whispered to her that a guest was still waiting for her in the conference room.
"I know. I'm on my way."
In the conference room of the Mizukage's building, a young man with shaggy, shoulder-length black hair and black eyes stood by the window, watching the celebrating villagers and ninja outside. It had been many years since he had seen a scene so festive, like a New Year's celebration.
"How about joining the Mist Village? The village is now in a state of reconstruction and is in great need of strong individuals like you."
Mei suddenly spoke, causing Uchiha Nagi to startle for a moment.
The addition of a powerful bloodline user would undoubtedly be a great boon to the Mist Village, whose bloodline clans had been nearly wiped out. Especially since Uchiha Nagi was a Kage-level powerhouse. During this period before Mei had fully matured into her role, the presence of a Kage-level expert would undoubtedly be a guarantee for the village's security.
This was the result of a joint discussion over the past few days between the elders of Mei's clan and the heads of the other clans.
Thinking back to yesterday's clan meeting, Mei couldn't help but blush. During the meeting, the great elder of her clan had given her a meaningful look and hinted that since she now had two Kekkei Genkai, if she could unite with another powerful bloodline user from the ninja world, their offspring might have a chance of being born with three Kekkei Genkai.
The meaning was obvious. Uchiha Nagi was not as deranged as Konoha's propaganda made him out to be, and he kept his word. After some contact, they felt that having such a powerhouse join the Mist Village would undoubtedly have a stabilizing effect, like a pillar in the sea.
Besides, Mei Terumi wasn't getting any younger. She was already in her early twenties. Naruto got married at sixteen. The ninja world was similar to ancient times; most people could get married at fifteen or sixteen.
"No, thank you. I don't like being tied down."
A single refusal pulled Mei back to reality. Uchiha Nagi had refused without even thinking about it. Joining the Mist Village was a good option; Konoha wouldn't dare to come looking for trouble. But to retire in the Land of Water, isolated overseas? He might as well have stayed in the world of Demon Slayer.
"The Mist Village won't place too many restrictions on you. If you join, your position will be the same as a consultant elder. Besides the Mizukage, no one can give you orders. And I won't randomly assign you missions. If you encounter a mission you don't like, you can refuse," Mei explained.
"I think our current working relationship is quite good. Next time you have a mission, just continue to hire me. I'll even give you a ten percent discount," Uchiha Nagi said with a smile.
"Oh, right, the rest of the money..."
Money, money, money!
Is money the only thing in this man's eyes? He's not even a little bit moved with a great beauty like me standing in front of him?
Mei couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. This anger wasn't because she particularly liked the man before her, but because he showed absolutely no interest in her. Was her charm really that lacking? It wasn't as if there weren't young men in the Mist Village who had secret crushes on her. But unfortunately, they felt their strength was insufficient, and she was from a noble clan. Those who dared to pursue her lacked the strength, and those who had the strength were all old men from the previous generation. There was no helping it; no one in the younger generation could match her strength.
"Alright, I know. I've already instructed Ao to take stock of the village's finances. Giving you the rest of the money at once shouldn't be a problem. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
Uchiha Nagi was a bit baffled by Mei's sudden change in attitude, but the customer is always right. He nodded and smiled. "Fine. We'll work together again when we have the chance. I'll go get the money now."
With that, Uchiha Nagi walked out to find Ao and get his payment.
"Bastard! That guy! He never has anything in his mouth but money!" Enraged, Mei slammed her fist on the table. A small flame, a fusion of her two Kekkei Genkai, erupted and burned the entire table to nothing. It was the second time she had fused them out of anger.
"Please count it. This is the final payment."
In the finance office of the Mizukage's building, Uchiha Nagi took the three large chests Ao gave him, nodded, opened them for a quick look, and then stored them in his storage scroll.
"That's right, the amount is about right. Oh, and please prepare a speedboat for me. I'm getting ready to head back. And some fresh water and food as well."
"Yes, no problem. By the way..." Ao hesitated for a moment before asking, "When do you plan to return the Three-Tails? The village elders are a bit worried without a Three-Tails jinchuriki."
Uchiha Nagi smiled. "Don't worry. I'm a rogue ninja from Konoha. I have no use for the Three-Tails. And I have no intention of becoming a jinchuriki myself. I'll return it as soon as my sword is forged."
Not just anyone could become a jinchuriki. It required some matching and selection. Of course, members of bloodline clans were more suitable, especially those from the Uzumaki and Senju clans.
"Then I'm relieved. The elders asked me to tell you that the Mist Village is now your ally. Whenever you grow tired of wandering, you are welcome to join us. We will always welcome you. And if there is a need for cooperation, we will hire you again."
Uchiha Nagi smiled and nodded. Welcome me to join? More like they're lusting after my little tadpoles. If I join, they'll just use me as a breeding stud. In a dozen years, the Uchiha clan, which was wiped out in Konoha, will be reborn in the Mist Village.
A day later, Uchiha Nagi set off on the speedboat Ao had arranged for him, along with a nautical chart he had requested from them.
The Land of Water, like the Land of Lightning, was a maritime nation. Although they both bordered the vast ocean, the two countries had never fought a war. The reason was simple: it wasn't worth it. Across the boundless sea, unless you could annihilate the other side in one go, you would just get bogged down in a quagmire.