Closed Borders and Bloody Competition

"I know that everyone here has many questions regarding the convening of this Jonin Meeting. It is quite simple: there are only three resolutions to be decided today, and all three will be implemented immediately upon the conclusion of this meeting."

Ren turned his head to glance at the Daimyo's Envoy beside him, briefly introduced his identity, and then, ignoring everything else, began his speech. The Daimyo's Envoy sat there with great decorum, not once relying on his status to throw his weight around or interject.

"First, the matter concerns the appointment of our Kirigakure genius, the 'Timely Rain' of Kirigakure." Ren glanced toward the seat of Hozuki Shingetsu in the audience, his tone deepening and emphasizing the nickname as he spoke.

Hozuki Shingetsu did not shy away from his gaze; he stood up and nodded to those around him.

The many jonin present had long heard of this genius ninja from their own village, but they could not understand why such an appointment needed to be made at this Jonin Meeting. Could it be another round of confrontation between the Mizukage and the Hozuki Clan?

The Daimyo's Envoy also looked curiously at the young ninja; it was his first time meeting the golden goose who had been funneling money to him face-to-face.

"To demonstrate the village's regard for talented ninjas, and taking into account the Hozuki jonin's age, talent, and the merits he has established, after thorough discussion between myself and Genji, we have decided..."

Meeting Ren's gaze, Hozuki Shingetsu felt genuinely nervous at that moment. After all, whether he could successfully fire this first shot depended on this!

"...to grant him the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Perfect!

If the setting hadn't been so solemn, Hozuki Shingetsu would have liked to snap his fingers in celebration.

"...Understood."

However, to temporarily lull the enemy into a false sense of security, Hozuki Shingetsu still wore an expression of indignation, subtly expressing his dissatisfaction.

Ren, observing Hozuki Shingetsu's expression, showed no reaction and immediately announced the second decision. Or rather, the second and third resolutions were the true purpose of him calling this Jonin Meeting; the first was merely a side note.

To go to such lengths just for the appointment of a junior would be to underestimate him far too much.

"Next is the second decision: effective immediately, based on the Confidentiality Law of the Second Mizukage, our village will fully implement a policy of isolationism. No one is permitted to leave without authorization. Furthermore, no outsiders are allowed to enter Kirigakure without permission!"

?

As soon as this resolution was announced, the crowd was in an uproar.

Although the Second Mizukage had previously established the Confidentiality Law, the core philosophy behind it was that Kirigakure was too weak, and it was a policy enforced out of necessity to prevent the leakage of village intelligence.

Moreover, the core of that Confidentiality Law was to prohibit foreign ninjas from entering the country; it did not forbid the village's own ninjas from leaving, nor did it prohibit foreign merchants from entering. After all, if merchants didn't come, what would the many ninjas eat, drink, or enjoy?

But judging by the Third Mizukage's meaning, was he intending to fully implement isolationism? Leaving no opportunity for exchange with the outside world at all?

The Land of Water was surrounded by sea on all sides. While the island's resources could be self-sufficient and basic living would not be a concern under isolationism, how could they possibly get used to wearing hemp clothes after being accustomed to silk and satin?

Ren seemed to have anticipated the dissenting voices from the audience and added, "This is the will of the Daimyo."

The Daimyo's Envoy also stood up, confirming the authenticity of the statement.

As the Daimyo of the Land of Water, although he had harbored ambitions of territorial expansion when he first ascended the throne, after decades of war—especially following the First Shinobi World War—he had come to the profound realization that his own strength was barely enough to hold onto his own small patch of land, let alone expand.

Thus, pushed by certain "enthusiastic individuals" and his confidants, the isolationist policy was freshly minted. The arrival of the Daimyo's Envoy was actually to notify them of this, though he hadn't expected the current Mizukage to praise the resolution so highly and even want to implement it in Kirigakure simultaneously.

Hearing the incessant murmurs from the audience, Ren said expressionlessly, word by word: "This is also the will of the Daimyo. Furthermore, this is not a discussion; it is a notification."

As he spoke, the air in the entire conference room suddenly became humid. Before anyone knew it, fine water droplets permeated the air, emitting an unusual luster under the sunlight.

As a disciple of the First Mizukage and a standard-bearer of the Mizukage line, Ren's specialty was naturally Water Release ninjutsu. This subtle control of chakra served as side evidence that his reputation as Mizukage was not unearned.

Seeing the many jonin fall silent, and noting that even the Hozuki Clan, the Yuki Clan, and other major clans had no objections, he finally retracted his display with satisfaction.

Without the strength of generational powerhouses like Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara, and without a stable foundation, he dares to act so arrogantly and dictate everything? Has he truly been brainwashed by Madara and Zetsu?

Watching this scene from the audience, Hozuki Shingetsu instead confirmed certain conjectures in his heart.

"Next is the third decision, regarding the future promotion of jonin."

"Due to the village's limited funds, and given that wars have ceased in recent years while the number of ninjas continues to increase, considering the new isolationist policy, I have decided that from this day forward, the total number of ninjas will remain constant. We will implement a promotion standard of 'the capable rise, the inferior fall'."

"Ninjas want to be promoted? Fine! No missions required, no merits required; you only need to defeat your opponent, and you will obtain your opponent's ninja rank!"

"If an Academy student wants to become a genin, go defeat a genin! If a genin wants to promote to chunin, defeat a chunin! If you want to become a jonin, defeat a jonin! If someone even wants to become the Mizukage, if they can defeat me face-to-face, I am willing to hand it over!"

As he said this, Ren's gaze lingered on the faces of Hozuki Zangetsu, the head of the Yuki Clan, and others, seemingly implying something.

Upon hearing this resolution, the reaction of the crowd was not as intense as the previous one.

It was easy to imagine that for the chunin and genin, this would be a cruel and bloody elimination game.

In Kirigakure, the status of a ninja was not just proof of identity; it was proof of political standing!

This was especially true for commoners. If you want to live well, go earn a ninja status! Once you become a "Master Ninja," you step into another class and can say goodbye to your previous life of hardship.

However, for the jonin, the impact was not actually that significant.

It was simple: most of the jonin present were from ninja clans. If the Mizukage's wishes were truly implemented, the number of jonin would remain consistent with the current count.

Becoming a jonin was already one in ten thousand, and those in the major clans with the strength to promote had already done so. This meant that, for at least ten years, the jonin positions would not see much change, which meant the interests of all the clans present would not be affected in the short term.

To them, there was no major impact.

What? You say ten years later?

It was hard to say if Ren would even be the Mizukage in ten years. If anyone were stubborn enough to stand up and oppose the current Mizukage for the sake of a possibility a decade away, the rest of the people present would truly find it laughable.

"Very well, if no one objects, then we shall dism—"

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the room was filled with silence, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs stood up.

"I have a word, please listen quietly, everyone."