End of the Water Wave Mission

"More than just 'unstable'," no one could stay out of it, but in the entire Ninja World, only a handful were truly qualified to defy fate.

Oh right, I'm talking about the Fourth Shinobi World War. If you're referring to twenty years from now, then everyone is a slave to fate.

"Huh?"

As soon as Shirozumi said this, Mei Terumi once again felt a future shrouded in darkness.

Before, it was personal darkness; now, it was the darkness of the entire Ninja World.

After listening to the recording, she had thought the other party wanted to unite against the inexplicably resurrected Madara Uchiha.

But Madara wasn't the most terrifying one?

"This is a copy of the system reforms for the Land of Waves. Take a look when you have time.

For a Kage, protecting the village is a responsibility.

Without the strength to protect the village, even if you satisfy and gain the approval of everyone, in the end, you can only kneel beside the ruins of the village and the corpses of your comrades, raging in helplessness and weeping."

As Shirozumi spoke, Mei Terumi had already opened the scroll and taken a brief look.

The reforms were basically about reducing the burden on the Kage/village leader.

"The extra time, besides training, should also include sufficient personal time for rest."

"Huh? Why?"

Mei Terumi raised her head in confusion upon hearing this.

She had thought Shirozumi was saying that to deal with future threats, they needed to dedicate themselves entirely to improving their strength.

"Ensuring good physical and mental health is also important. What I removed were just meaningless busywork."

"Eh? Why are there quite a few methods and reforms regarding the management of the Daimyo's power?"

"The Land of Waves has no Daimyo."

"I see. Then I probably won't need the latter part."

"Hard to say."

While Shirozumi was chatting with Mei Terumi, Itachi was providing support during Yagura's battle in Kirigakure, occasionally throwing a shuriken to block some attacks.

At first, Kirigakure was wary when he intervened, but after a few times, they didn't pay much attention.

Later, he could even use crows to directly help people dodge attacks.

Dispelling the Fourth Mizukage's Genjutsu was a major event for Kirigakure.

After the Blood Mist, Kirigakure's strength had significantly declined.

It was easy to understand that the underlying logic of the "gu competition" system was flawed.

The most crucial aspect of raising gu is that the winner takes all, allowing them to absorb the strength of the weaker ones, thus making the gu stronger with each battle.

But humans don't have this characteristic.

Take Zabuza, for example. When he graduated from the Ninja Academy, he killed his entire graduating class.

That was because his strength was overwhelming. If it hadn't been, and he had been hit by others, losing an arm, a leg, an eye, or an ear.

Even if he was the victor in the end, how much of a combat power increase could a cripple bring to Kirigakure?

Therefore, most of Kirigakure's mid-tier ninja forces were actually here.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kisame and Zabuza had already infiltrated the Land of Water's Daimyo's mansion.

The Daimyo had guards, but facing Kisame and Zabuza, they couldn't even let out a scream before dying.

The Land of Water's Daimyo was taking a bath.

The dense mist in the hot spring became impenetrable under Kirigakure's jutsu.

Not long after, Kisame and Zabuza confirmed that there were no heartbeats nearby and then left.

Everything happened silently.

Zabuza was skilled in silent assassination, while Kisame didn't have this specialty, but with overwhelming strength, it was too easy to be silent and unseen.

What happened in the Daimyo's mansion went unnoticed.

Let alone the Daimyo's descendants and relatives, even the dogs and cats they kept were chopped up by the two.

This was to prevent anyone qualified to inherit the position of Daimyo and continue the hereditary rule.

In such a situation, even if it were discovered, it would take two or three days, or even longer.

After dealing with the Daimyo, this was the mission Shirozumi had given them, but they didn't leave by boat as Shirozumi had instructed.

Instead, they drew inferences from the situation, gathered some intelligence on the spot, and decided to deal with some so-called "ministers" as well.

And then leave.

A full day passed.

Shirozumi and his group regrouped in the Land of Waves.

"Strategist, remember to call me next time there's a mission like this."

Kisame wore a look of utter satisfaction.

Despite Kisame's somewhat beast-like appearance, he didn't actually enjoy killing. The one in the Akatsuki Organization who enjoyed killing the most was Hidan.

He simply enjoyed killing and then sacrificing to the Evil God.

Kisame was thrilled this time because this act of killing made him feel alive, made him feel the meaning of existence.

"Did things go smoothly with Kirigakure?"

Zabuza looked at Itachi and Shirozumi and asked.

"I assisted Kirigakure in helping the Fourth Mizukage break free from genjutsu. As for anything else... I'm not sure."

Itachi explained his actions, then hesitated, his gaze shifting to Shirozumi.

"What do you mean, 'not sure'?"

Zabuza frowned.

Hearing the first part, he thought the plan had succeeded with their assistance.

But what did "not sure" mean?

Had it failed?

"The Strategist only spoke with a Kirigakure ninja for a while when we were fighting the Fourth Mizukage. After it was over, he left directly with me."

Itachi's eyes remained on Shirozumi, wondering what he would say.

"She is the future Fifth Mizukage."

One sentence left everyone speechless.

If they were discussing matters with the future Fifth Mizukage, what else could there be to say?

Shirozumi not only gave Mei Terumi reform suggestions afterward but also provided her with some advice regarding the Six-Tails Jinchuriki to help her become Mizukage earlier.

Yagura didn't die after regaining consciousness. Originally, it would have been enough for Yagura to step forward and support Mei Terumi.

While Yagura was still alive, he could have abdicated early, similar to Konoha's Third and Fourth Hokage.

However, once Yagura remembered what he had done, he would likely feel extremely guilty and deem himself unworthy of wielding the power of Mizukage any longer.

In such a situation, to increase her chances of becoming Mizukage and to obtain the position of Mizukage from Genji ahead of schedule, they would need another Jinchuriki.

Shirozumi's method was simple.

"Just talk to them properly, don't think about chasing them down all day."

The Ninja World is often strange; they use fists when they should talk, and talk when they should use fists.

When facing a Jinchuriki, activate the "talk therapy" mode.

If they don't listen and flee upon meeting, then send a scroll.

The Six-Tails Jinchuriki was quite reasonable. In the original story, he was already planning to return to Kirigakure, but he encountered the same setup as when the Akatsuki Organization was capturing the Nine-Tails.

"Alright, Zabuza, Haku, you two develop well here. If you encounter any trouble, you can send people to headquarters."

Shirozumi said this, preparing to leave.

Shirozumi had also said this to Mei Terumi.

If she encountered any insurmountable problems, such as failing to persuade the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, she could send the message to the Land of Waves, and they would forward it to him.

"There's a situation."

Itachi raised the hand wearing his ring.

Kisame also received the message.

"What is it?" Shirozumi asked.

"Deidara went back to Iwagakure for a visit and got trapped."