Land of Water, Kirigakure Village.
Emerging from the conference room, Elder Genji's eyes revealed exhaustion.
"Elder Genji, how did it go?"
Suikazan Fuguki immediately stepped forward.
Genji glanced at him and said indifferently, "What's the rush? If you're so eager, why didn't you join the meeting earlier?"
Fuguki chuckled awkwardly.
Join the meeting?
He wouldn't dare!
The Fourth Mizukage might appear young, but in reality, he was ruthless and difficult to deal with. Fuguki had no desire to be inexplicably blacklisted.
Genji sighed, then led the way downstairs to his elder's office.
By the time they reached his office, more jonin had gathered.
Apart from the deceased Kuriarare Kushimaru and Biwa Juzo, the remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were present. However, some jonin from major clans were missing.
Their clan heads had also attended the meeting.
Thus, the jonin of the Kaguya clan were likely holding their own discussions within their family.
Genji scanned the room. "The matters concerning the Yuki and Kaguya clans have been known to the ANBU for some time. Now, they've openly sided with the nobles, but the Land of Water's support for us remains strong. There's no need for everyone to worry."
"The Kaguya clan is no pushover. Moreover, the Land of Water's daimyo has been dissatisfied with our policies for a long time. If this continues, war is inevitable," said Kurosuki Raiga.
Genji replied, "The Mizukage will handle it. There's no need for you to concern yourselves. Your task is to train the next generation of ninjas."
No one dared to interject or ask how the Fourth Mizukage planned to persuade the daimyo and the nobles of the capital.
After a brief pause, Genji continued.
"The number of ninjas in our village is far fewer compared to the other major villages. Especially now that the two major clans have completely sided with the nobles and will no longer serve us, it's even more crucial for us to cultivate our own ninjas."
"What about the previous graduation exam policy?"
"Starting this year, the policy requiring students to kill each other in the graduation exam will be abolished. It will be replaced with a standard graduation assessment!"
A faint smile appeared on Genji's face.
Cheers and sighs of relief erupted in the office.
Although they were all jonin themselves, their clans inevitably had weaker or less outstanding members. If every exam ended in bloodshed like this year's, who would be willing to send their children to the ninja academy?
Thus, the abolition of this policy was welcomed by all.
Genji smiled. "Everyone, get back to work. I have tasks to attend to as well. Fuguki, stay behind. I have a mission for you."
"Yes!"
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha's ANBU, Orochimaru was conducting experiments when a snake slithered out from the shadows.
It flicked its tongue and spat out a scroll from its belly.
Kazuma, who was nearby, glanced at it but immediately averted his gaze, focusing on feeding the monkeys instead.
Orochimaru bent down to pick it up.
A few seconds later, he smirked and said, "Shinnosuke, I'll step out for a moment."
"Alright. The training here today is important, so I'll stay. You can go if you have matters to attend to," replied Sarutobi Shinnosuke, occasionally glancing back at Enma.
"Just a few minutes."
Orochimaru took the scroll and left.
Two minutes later, in the ANBU captain's office, Gekko Shusaku stood before Kyohiko, holding a piece of intelligence.
"Sir, this is the latest intelligence from Sunagakure. Our operatives haven't infiltrated yet, but we've learned they plan to take action in the south while Kirigakure is in turmoil."
"The south? They previously had an agreement with Kirigakure there, likely ceding some interests," Kyohiko analyzed.
Back when Sunagakure dared to be the first to declare war, they must have settled their diplomatic relations to ensure no one would backstab them.
However, the subsequent developments didn't go as Sunagakure had hoped. The Third Kazekage fell in battle, and his body wasn't even recovered this year.
For them, the deal with Kirigakure was a losing proposition. Backing out now would be natural.
But...
After a moment of contemplation, Kyohiko asked, "Who is the Fourth Kazekage now?"
"Some support Pakura, but many others oppose her. Our operatives heard that the villagers disagree, so no decision has been made yet," Shusaku replied.
The intelligence network had only recently been rebuilt, so most of their information came from merchants and nobles.
It wasn't as easy as before to obtain direct intelligence from within the village.
Kyohiko stood up, intending to seek out Orochimaru—he was certain Orochimaru had spies there.
But the next second, Orochimaru arrived, holding another scroll.
Undoubtedly, it was an intelligence scroll.
A glint of joy flashed in Kyohiko's eyes.
"Orochimaru-senpai, I assume you've brought good news!"
"You could say that."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Our previous efforts have borne fruit!"
He tossed the scroll to Kyohiko.
Shusaku tactfully withdrew and left.
Kyohiko caught it and unrolled it.
The scroll detailed the recent internal situation in Sunagakure:
Pakura had returned to Sunagakure but was ambushed on the way. However, her exceptional skills and foresight allowed her to survive the assassination attempt.
Yet, her situation in the village was far from optimistic.
Rasa ostensibly supported her, helping her ascend as the Fourth Kazekage. Meanwhile, rumors of her betrayal spread like wildfire throughout the village.
The villagers secretly resented Pakura, believing her betrayal led to the Third Kazekage's death. These rumors and "public opinion" prevented her from taking office.
Thus, while she was nominally the acting Kazekage, Rasa still held de facto control.
After reading, Kyohiko smiled. "Rasa's methods are dirty, but for him, this is the best solution."
"It's useless. A major village without an actual Kage is a significant blow to its prestige. So, he's begun to take action," Orochimaru said, gesturing for Kyohiko to continue reading.
However, Kyohiko set it aside and handed over the intelligence he'd received earlier.
"I've already read it."
Orochimaru glanced at the intelligence Shusaku had submitted and nodded. "Do we share the same thoughts?"
"Rasa plans to kill Pakura!"
Kyohiko stated firmly.
In the original timeline, Rasa had schemed to kill Pakura to reconcile with Kirigakure.
Now, he was merely repeating history.
"I'll take a team there. As for the Iburi clan matter, I've made some progress. Senpai, please review it. If it's feasible, let them try it first."
Kyohiko handed his plan to Orochimaru.
He had outlined his ideas in theory, and Orochimaru was an expert in ninjutsu theory, even surpassing the aging "Professor" in this regard.
Orochimaru pondered for a few seconds.
"Using chakra to temper and create special impurities to form a smoke-based core is an interesting idea. But a standalone jutsu likely won't suffice. Genetic or kekkei genkai modifications are still necessary."
"You're the expert in that."
"Leave it to me. I know what to do."
Orochimaru returned the plan to Kyohiko. "However, the technique isn't fully mature yet. I'm still in the experimental phase. When you return, I'll provide a more refined solution."
"Understood."
...
In the ANBU, Team Kakashi gathered.
After a moment of silence, Kyohiko appeared in a flash.
"How's the Flying Thunder God Formation coming along?"
"..."
The four of them fell silent.
Finally, Kakashi spoke first: "We've finished studying the scroll, but the technique is highly unstable. At most, we can only transmit intelligence, and the range is very short. So, it's not yet practical for actual use."
Intelligence transmission was the most basic application of the Flying Thunder God Formation, but their current progress was—
Transmitted items would shatter if sent too far.
This was completely unacceptable.
"And the three of you are the same?"
"Yeah."
Yamashiro Aoba nodded helplessly.
"The spatial channel is unstable. You'll need more practice. No matter, I'll be joining you on this mission."
Kyohiko said.
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly—first in surprise, then quickly turning grave.
For a mission requiring Kyohiko's personal involvement, it would almost certainly be S-rank or higher.
An S-rank mission.
Was there another war?
"We'll discuss the details on the way. Move out!"
Kyohiko didn't elaborate further.
Though this team was young, their strength had been honed over time. Apart from Kakashi, the others had essentially reached elite chunin level.
Their tacit teamwork, combined with Kakashi's abilities, placed them among the top three in combat effectiveness within the ANBU squads.
For this reason, Kyohiko had kept them together.
After leaving the village, he briefly explained the mission.
"Apart from you, Jonin Shusaku will also be supporting us. He's already taken a team ahead, so we'll have three squads in total."
"However, this mission doesn't require too many personnel. We're the main force—they're mostly for support and coordination."
Kyohiko looked at the four of them. "Understood?"
"Yes!"
The four answered in unison.
...
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Pakura stared at Rasa and the mission scroll in her hand, remaining silent for a long time.
A trip to the south to negotiate reparations with Kirigakure...
She put it away and said coolly, "I'll carry out this mission as you wish. But there's one thing I'll repeat one last time."
As an elite jonin, she had undertaken countless missions. The intelligence and mission scroll in her hand gave her an ominous premonition.
Pakura fell silent for a few seconds.
During this time, Rasa didn't say a word, seemingly absorbed in his work.
Seeing this, a flicker of disappointment passed through Pakura's eyes.
She said calmly, "I did not betray Sunagakure!"
With that, she took the mission scroll and turned to leave.
After Pakura left, Rasa leaned back in his chair and gazed out the window in silence.
Downstairs, Pakura scanned her surroundings, then quietly lowered her head to speak with her student, Maki. The scene under the setting sun was strikingly serene.
Rasa smiled wryly.
From the very beginning, the issue was never whether Pakura had betrayed Sunagakure. As a defeated village, and given the circumstances at the time, he simply had no choice.
"Rasa, did you argue with Pakura again?"
"No, we just have differing views—different visions for Sunagakure's future."
Rasa forced a smile. "Karura, let's get married next year."
"Huh?!"
Karura's face flushed red. She quickly looked around to confirm no one was nearby before whispering, "Why so sudden? You always said your career and the village came first."
"I suddenly want to have a child sooner."
Rasa replied.
He had a premonition that their generation had no hope of pulling Sunagakure out of the abyss.
Perhaps not even the next generation would have the chance.
But if they had a capable successor, at least there would be some hope.
"Alright!"
Karura's face lit up with a bright, beautiful smile.
...
At the village entrance, Pakura gently stroked Maki's hair.
"Go back now."
"Sensei, I want to come with you on this mission."
"Go back. This mission is dangerous, and you're still young. You have plenty of time to grow."
Pakura smiled. "Grow up well, and protect the village."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Maki answered loudly.
Pakura waved and walked from Sunagakure into the endless desert.
Maki waited at the entrance for a long time, standing there even after Pakura's figure had disappeared.
She felt—
Her teacher's mood and words were strange, as if they would never meet again.
In the desert, Pakura walked with uncertainty.
She didn't believe she had done anything wrong, yet things always took a turn for the worse—especially after the conflict with Konoha...
No.
To be precise, it was after encountering that brat.
An image of Kyohiko surfaced in Pakura's mind.
"My fate was probably sealed the moment I was captured."
She realized.
The only difference was—
Whether she died sooner or later.
Pakura journeyed south through the desert, her heart growing calmer with each step.
...
At the base of a cliff by the southern shore, a ship quietly docked beside the stone wall.
The cliff's structure was peculiar, with multiple small ledges at the bottom—one just large enough for a boat to moor.
"Fuguki-sama, the Sunagakure ninja hasn't arrived yet."
"Stay hidden. She will come."
"Yes!"
Dozens of figures dispersed, concealing themselves along the cliffside, pressed close to the rock.
Fuguki grinned savagely. "Sunagakure's hero will die here tonight!"
Beside him, Kisame stood silently.
Fuguki glanced at him. "You're with me. If she attacks, we'll suppress her with Water Release."
"Don't worry. No matter how strong her Scorch Release is, it still requires high temperatures to work."
Fuguki seemed to be offering encouragement.
With that, he leaped upward, scaling the cliff face.
Night fell.
In the distance, Pakura came to a stop.
"Suikazan Fuguki, it's you again. Did you bring what we asked for?"
"We did. We don't want conflict with you either. Honestly, it wasn't that we didn't contribute before—it's just that Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō personally came to the eastern front. Many of our men died there."
Fuguki explained.
Pakura said, "Konoha is too strong. We need to unite, or they'll only grow more powerful. But we lost our Kazekage and paid a hefty sum in reparations. The previous terms need to be revised."
"How do you want to revise them?"
Fuguki asked.
"Return the money Sunagakure paid earlier. The southern waters will remain yours. These are the terms we've agreed upon."
"Fine. I've brought it."
Fuguki grinned. "We don't want to see Sunagakure weakened either—that would only please Konoha. But... we have one condition."
"What condition?"
Suddenly, Pakura had a bad feeling.
The next moment—
A rushing sound of water erupted from below.
Then, an immense surge of chakra rippled through the air.
The sea, as if enraged, swelled into a massive tsunami, crashing toward them from the distance.
On the ledge at the base of the cliff, dozens of ninjas formed hand seals in unison, channeling chakra to manipulate the seawater below. Around them, a barrier concealed their chakra signatures.
The water surged upward, forming a colossal watery prison.
This was—
Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!