Kirigakure, the source of this whole controversy, had plenty of people watching from the sidelines as Hozuki Shingetsu made his first move after taking office as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As Kirigakure's "Timely Rain," the Hozuki Clan's genius hailed as "the second Hozuki Gengetsu," Shingetsu had set expectations sky-high. Not everyone thought he would succeed.
After all, strength and brains were two different things.
Let's name a few examples: the Third Mizukage, the Fourth Raikage, and the future Seventh Hokage.
They acknowledged that Hozuki Shingetsu was strong and talented, but that didn't stop them from hoping he'd come to grief over this sort of busywork.
They watched him build his tower, watched him entertain his guests, and watched his tower collapse.
There had never been any shortage of people who stayed silent from beginning to end, watching coldly and hoping you'd fail.
That was why so many people were stunned when news of Hozuki Shingetsu's achievements came back.
Let's name one in particular: Ren, the Third Mizukage.
He hadn't stayed silent. In fact, he was still trying to unleash an aggressive tirade.
"A bunch of useless fools in the Shinobi World! Sarutobi Hiruzen claims to be the man who revived Konoha, yet he can't see through the schemes of a mere child? And that Ōnoki—what's this about Ryotenbin, what's this about being an old fox? He's joined in on this nonsense too! Does he really want the Shinobi World to descend into chaos? Doesn't he know that steady development is the only sensible path?"
At the Mizukage Residence, Ren smashed vases all over the floor. Pointing at the shards, he pretended they were Ōnoki and unleashed his fury.
Ren had actually been prepared for Hozuki Shingetsu to succeed.
After all, the Hozuki Clan had invested so many resources in promoting Shingetsu, and Shingetsu had made such bold claims. Whatever the reason, and whether or not his proposal was feasible, his measures were bound to have some effect.
But in Ren's view, when it came to Konoha—and especially the entire Shinobi World—even if the Hozuki Clan used all its resources, it could only spark one or two small-scale disturbances.
If that was all, then it probably wouldn't be enough to convince him, the "impartial" Mizukage.
When the time came, he'd make that young Hozuki Shingetsu understand what it meant to say, "Even the referee is on my side. What makes you think you can beat me?"
But he'd never expected Shingetsu's measures to have such an effect.
With Shingetsu fanning the flames, the Shinobi Continent had turned into a complete mess in just three months. Rumors were flying everywhere, and the small countries were trembling with fear, worried that one day they'd suddenly find themselves "protected."
If Ren hadn't known what was going on, he might have thought the Second Shinobi World War was about to begin.
At this rate, once May ended two months from now, would the Shinobi Continent be ready for the feast?
To be honest, was this situation good for Kirigakure?
Good!
It was absolutely great!
Why had the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, enacted the Confidentiality Law? The official explanation was to prevent the village's classified information from being stolen. But wasn't the real reason that they couldn't beat the other villages, so they had tightened internal controls and monitored contact with outsiders?
Some Fresh: I know this one.
Now, with the Shinobi Continent in chaos, Kirigakure—sequestered overseas and keeping to itself—might just be the biggest winner.
At this rate, the Second Shinobi World War might break out before long. Since Kirigakure certainly wouldn't take part, it might get a chance to recuperate and regain its strength.
That is, unless the Third Mizukage, Ren, implemented the Blood Mist Policy.
Of course, there was another possibility: having missed the best opportunity to expand, Kirigakure might have to watch some other village swallow up the great powers, then sharpen its blades and turn them on the weak.
But that wasn't the outcome Ren wanted.
He hoped Hozuki Shingetsu's "Continental Balance Policy" would succeed—but not too much.
He really hadn't expected that handing Shingetsu the power to shape public opinion would let him do so much with it!
"Which fool was in charge of publicity before this? Bring me his head at once!"
"...Mizukage-sama, no one was in charge of that before. Or rather, public opinion and publicity were miscellaneous duties grouped together with all sorts of other things under the Internal Affairs Department..." the advisor replied cautiously.
Kirigakure's advisors were different from those of other villages.
Konoha had Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura serving as elders, but Kirigakure officially had only one advisor: Genji.
Other than Genji, Kirigakure had no advisors.
So the "advisor" in the Mizukage's home was actually more like a county magistrate's private secretary in the Ming and Qing dynasties, or a modern prime minister's cabinet: entirely the Mizukage's personal staff.
"Mizukage-sama, what should we do now?"
Ren was a little troubled, too. With things as they were, Hozuki Shingetsu had gained too much momentum. Ordinary schemes wouldn't be enough to deal with him.
But he soon thought of something and turned to ask the advisor beside him.
"Has the Daimyo's budget for next year's military funding been issued yet?"
"Yes. Compared with previous years, it's been reduced by... one-fifth."
"One-fifth..." Ren winced. It might not seem like much, but with that portion gone, Kirigakure would undoubtedly have a hard time next year.
"Since the total military budget has been reduced, we'll have to redistribute next year's funding among the departments! We need to spend our money where it matters. I think we should cut the budgets of departments that don't do much, or won't bring the village much benefit in the short term. What do you think?"
"There's not much else we can cut besides the Foreign Affairs Department..."
"What are you muttering about?"
"I said, Mizukage-sama is wise!" The advisor shuddered, immediately pulling himself together and getting to work.
"I think a department like Foreign Affairs doesn't seem very important to Kirigakure right now, so we should start there. And fortunately, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department is our village's 'Timely Rain.' I'm sure he'll understand if he considers the bigger picture, don't you think?"
Ren smiled with satisfaction. But then he seemed to notice something and quickly hid his smile, ordering the advisor to leave.
"Hozuki Shingetsu... He really is an interesting fellow. He reminds this old man of someone I once knew."
After the advisor left, an aged voice rang out. A figure stepped from the shadows, his entire face hidden by a mask save for a crimson gaze in his right eye. His body was concealed beneath a loose black robe.
That sewer-rat way of doing things really did remind him of that devious bastard, Senju Tobirama!
"Heh. It wouldn't happen to be Senju Hashirama, the man who killed you, would it, Madara?"
The Third Mizukage, Ren, scoffed. There wasn't much respect in his tone for this "Asura of the Ninja World."
"You brat, I merely gave you an opportunity to cooperate with me. What makes you think you're entitled to speak to me as an equal?"
The black-robed man stopped and stared at Ren for a moment. As he spoke, an eerie light shone from his crimson eye. Ren's expression changed, and he immediately formed Hand Seals, bracing himself.
But it was clear that even against this fake "Uchiha Madara," Ren was no match.
A moment later, with a thunderous crash, the courtyard of the Mizukage Residence was reduced to rubble.
"Mizukage-sama, are you all right?"
The Mizukage's personal Anbu appeared at once when they heard the noise, scanning the area and guarding against any possible enemies.
"I'm fine. Everyone, stand down!"
The Anbu didn't move at the sound of the Mizukage's voice. Only after Ren emerged from the smoke and they confirmed with their own eyes that it was really him did they bow and withdraw.
Ren himself wasn't badly hurt; his clothes were merely torn to shreds. But compared with the completely unscathed "Madara" beside him, it was clear that the Mizukage had been outmatched in the clash.
"Remember who helped you get rid of Hozuki Gengetsu. And that stone tablet capable of curing the Kaguya Clan's Kekkei Genkai Disease—you handed it to them yourself."
The sinister voice rang out. "Madara" spoke meaningfully. "I'm sure you know what the consequences will be if these secrets come to light. So remember your place. Don't try to test me. Even half-dead as I am, dealing with you would be easy."
"Cooperate with me, and behave yourself. I believe you're a smart man... Don't disappoint me."
Ren stood there with a livid face, motionless, as though he hadn't heard a thing.
"Madara" didn't seem to mind. He vanished into the darkness.
After all, Ren was the head of a village. They had to leave each other some dignity; he couldn't push him too far.
But the conversation continued in the darkness.
"How was my impression? Lord Madara? Especially that line just now—'What makes you think you're entitled to speak to me as an equal?' Did I sound at least a little like you?"
"Idiot! I'm not as stupid as you! I never run my mouth before I strike!"
Uchiha Madara, whose real body was underground in the Land of Grass and whose life depended entirely on the God Tree's Chakra, obviously couldn't have been in Kirigakure.
The figure who had appeared there was merely an unusual White Zetsu named Vortex White Zetsu. Madara had used the connection between White Zetsu and the God Tree, along with the God Tree's Chakra, to remotely possess its body and project his thoughts.
"Lord Madara, should we go meet Hozuki Shingetsu? In a way, what he's done has been a great help to us."
"Hozuki Shingetsu? He's just a lucky kid. Even Hozuki Gengetsu didn't warrant a visit from me back then, let alone him. Leave him alone! We can talk about it when he's qualified to become Mizukage!"
"For now, stick to the original plan. Turn Kirigakure into a complete mess, intensify its internal conflicts, and leave a stable, large rear base for my still-unknown pawn!"
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
"But, Lord Madara, if I do a good job, could you grant me one thing?"
"...Speak."
"Would you control my body and take a shit once? I really want to know what it feels like!"
"...Get lost!"
Before you continue