After Senju Haruto returned to the Mizukage's Tower, everything else became much easier to resolve.
Neither the shinobi of Kirigakure nor the army of the Land of Water had the slightest intention of resisting anymore.
Especially the faction led by the Daimyō.
None of them could refine chakra or wield ninjutsu. The only reason they had always been able to stand above the people and rule the nation was because of the loyal army that fought in their name.
But when that very army witnessed Haruto's terrifying power, they collapsed into chaos, scattered and broken beyond repair.
With no military to protect them, those Daimyō loyalists were nothing more than powerless nobles. Haruto didn't even need to personally appear. Simply giving the order to Yamato and Momochi Zabuza was enough. In an incredibly short span of time, the entire Daimyō faction was executed.
In Haruto's eyes, leaving those parasites alive would only hinder Aburame Torune's administration of the Land of Water.
After all, Haruto intended to return to the Land of Fire and take up the mantle of Hokage.
It was impossible for him to stay here and govern this country himself. And even with Torune's skill, managing these entrenched factions—even if Root elites were left behind to support him—would be messy at best.
Thinking it through, Haruto realized the most decisive solution was to wipe them all out.
Of course, Haruto was not a demon.
He did not slaughter indiscriminately. The children and women of those families were spared. Instead, he ordered Root shinobi to escort them to the Land of Waves, where they would resettle permanently, forbidden ever to return to the Land of Water.
As for the Land of Water's former army, Haruto directly absorbed them into Root's structure.
Haruto understood better than anyone that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."
Such a force could never be left in the hands of outsiders.
Only after these affairs were settled did Haruto summon everyone to the Mizukage's office.
His gaze swept across the room.
Aside from his loyal followers—Aburame Torune, Yamato, Momochi Zabuza, Uchiha Izumi, and Haku—both Terumi Mei and Chōjūrō were present as well.
Haruto was a little surprised that Zabuza had chosen to spare Mei's life.
He had assumed that the Demon of the Mist, with his ruthless nature, would have killed her without hesitation. Yet in the end, she remained alive.
Still, Mei was only a woman. While her political maneuvering was impressive, her strength was not.
It was of little consequence.
Clearing his throat, Haruto began issuing his decrees.
The Land of Water was no longer a nation—it had been extinguished. From this day forward, it would exist only as a province.
Its political, economic, and military systems would all be placed under the authority of Aburame Torune.
"With Torune's strength and ability, he is more than qualified for this position. Does anyone have objections?"
Haruto's deep voice rolled through the room. On the surface, it sounded like he was asking for opinions—but in truth, he had no intention of listening to any dissent.
Mei, though bitterly unwilling to accept this reality, was clear about her status. She was a prisoner of war. She was no longer Mizukage.
Zabuza, however, cast Torune a long, meaningful look.
Though they had crossed paths before, Zabuza did not believe Torune was stronger than him. The only reason Torune had been placed in charge must have been because he was Haruto's man.
"And what about me?" Zabuza finally asked.
"You'll return to the Land of Fire with me," Haruto replied without a moment's hesitation.
At first, Haruto had considered leaving Kirigakure under Zabuza's control. But after weighing the options, he abandoned that idea. Torune was simply better suited to governance.
"Zabuza, I know what you're thinking. But our goal isn't just this small Land of Water. Our path is the entire shinobi world.
"The three great powers of Wind, Earth, and Lightning still stand strong. Countless smaller nations lie scattered across the lands. Zabuza, I need your strength for what's to come."
Haruto's voice was solemn, his expression utterly sincere.
Zabuza met Haruto's gaze, his eyes flickering with hesitation.
"But rest assured," Haruto continued, "neither Kirigakure nor the Land of Water will ever again implement the Blood Mist policies."
At the mention of that phrase, Mei's heart gave a sharp, guilty jolt.
Now that she was freed from the control of the Sharingan, she carried deep remorse for the atrocities she had once committed.
"On the contrary," Haruto said, his tone shifting, "I intend to transform this place into a land of prosperity, a haven of tourism and leisure."
Zabuza and the others blinked, taken aback.
Indeed, Kirigakure's geography was remarkable. Surrounded by sea on all sides, it was well suited for development as a resort destination.
Once the shinobi world was unified, there would be no more need for endless fighting.
Instead, the focus would be on developing the economy, raising the standard of living, and ensuring happiness for all. That was the true path forward.
"I am not a demon. I will not rule through iron and fear, forcing people to tremble every day of their lives. That isn't who I am.
"I've said it before—I want to bring true peace to everyone.
"True peace is not merely the absence of war. True peace is when all people are equal, when families live in safety, when no one fears hunger or cold. That is true peace."
Haruto paused briefly, then fixed his eyes on Zabuza.
"If you still harbor doubts, you may remain here. If Torune ever strays from what I've decreed—kill him. Seize everything. Rebuild the Land of Water in your own way. I'll leave that choice to you."
As he spoke, Haruto even cast a sidelong glance at Torune, as if to ask, "You don't have a problem with this, do you?"
And with those words, the last lingering doubts in Zabuza's heart were completely dispelled.
"I understand," Zabuza said, nodding. He lowered his head slightly in apology, then raised it again with a firm look in his eyes.
"I will continue to follow you, Lord Haruto, until the world you've described becomes reality.
"But…"
His voice hardened.
"If the day ever comes when your actions betray your words—then even at the cost of my life, I will lead a coup against you."
Haruto and Zabuza locked eyes for a moment, then both broke into faint smiles.
Yamato and Uchiha Izumi, loyal to Haruto without condition, stood silently by his side. Though awed that Haruto had conquered an entire nation in such a short span, they were convinced more than ever that he was the one who would change the world forever. Their hearts swelled with pride and hope for him.
Mei and Chōjūrō, however, wore far more complicated expressions.
"Terumi Mei," Haruto's voice cut through the air, his gaze landing firmly on her.
He hardly cared about Chōjūrō. Without a sword in hand, the young man's strength was drastically diminished. And the blade he once carried, Haruto had already gifted to Zabuza.
"Because you were Mizukage, I cannot allow you to remain here. You'll come with me to the Land of Fire. Do you have a problem with that?"
He had already said that Mei's fate—life or death—was in Zabuza's hands. Haruto would not go back on his word now. Breaking faith like that would only weaken his authority in the eyes of his followers.
After some thought, Haruto decided to bring Mei back to Konoha.
"So what—do you intend to keep me imprisoned for the rest of my life?" Mei asked bitterly. "If so, you might as well kill me."
"I don't intend to restrict your freedom. There's no need for that. If you'd like, I can even arrange for you to teach at the shinobi academy."
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