"I know many of you have questions about why this Jonin Meeting has been convened. The reason is simple: this meeting will pass only three resolutions, and all three will take effect immediately after it concludes."
Ren turned to introduce the Daimyo's Envoy seated beside him, then paid him no further attention and began his speech. The envoy sat quietly and properly, making no attempt to throw his weight around or say anything just because he represented the Daimyo.
"First, we will discuss the appointment of our village's genius, the 'Timely Rain' of Kirigakure." Ren glanced toward Hozuki Shingetsu below, stressing the two nicknames as he spoke them.
Hozuki Shingetsu faced his gaze without fear. He stood and nodded to those around him.
The many Jonin present had long heard of their village's gifted young shinobi. They simply didn't understand why this appointment had to be made at the Jonin Meeting. Could this be another round of clashes between the Mizukage and the Hozuki clan?
The Daimyo's Envoy beside Ren also watched the young shinobi with curiosity. It was his first time meeting in person the benefactor who had been sending him money all this time.
"To show the village's regard for its talented shinobi, and in consideration of Jonin Hozuki's age, talent, and accomplishments, Genji and I have discussed the matter and reached a unanimous decision..."
Under Ren's gaze, Hozuki Shingetsu felt genuinely nervous. Whether he could make a successful first move all depended on this!
"...He will be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs."
Excellent!
If the occasion hadn't been so solemn, Hozuki Shingetsu would have wanted to snap his fingers in celebration.
"...Yes."
Still, to lull his enemies for now, Hozuki Shingetsu let a resentful look cross his face, expressing his dissatisfaction indirectly.
Ren met Hozuki Shingetsu's gaze without comment and immediately announced the second decision. In fact, the second and third resolutions were the real reason he had convened this meeting. The first had merely come along with them.
It would have been underestimating him to make such a grand show of things just to appoint a junior.
"Now for the second decision. Effective immediately, this village will fully implement an isolationist policy on top of the Second Mizukage's Confidentiality Law. No one may leave without permission. Likewise, no outsiders may enter Kirigakure without authorization!"
?
The decision caused an uproar.
Although the Second Mizukage had established the Confidentiality Law, its core principle had been that Kirigakure was too weak and had to prevent its intelligence from leaking.
Moreover, the law's main purpose was to bar foreign shinobi from the country. It didn't prohibit local shinobi from leaving, nor did it bar foreign merchants from entering. After all, if merchants couldn't come, what would all those shinobi eat, drink, and enjoy?
But from what the Third Mizukage was saying, he intended to impose complete isolationism? Leave no opportunity at all for contact with the outside world?
The Land of Water was surrounded by sea on all sides. The island's basic necessities could be produced locally, so isolationism wouldn't make it hard to get by. But after getting used to fine silks and brocades, how could people possibly adjust to wearing hemp cloth?
Ren seemed to have anticipated the objections from below. He added, "This is the Daimyo's wish."
The Daimyo's Envoy stood as well, confirming that the statement was true.
As the Daimyo of the Land of Water, he had initially harbored ambitions of expanding his territory when he first ascended to the throne. But after decades of war, especially the First Shinobi World War, he had come to understand that his country couldn't even dream of expanding its borders. It would be lucky just to hold on to its own land.
So, at the urging of certain "well-meaning people" and his trusted aides, the isolationist policy had come into being. The envoy's arrival was actually meant to announce the policy. He simply hadn't expected the current Mizukage to praise it so highly and want to implement it in Kirigakure as well.
As the discussions below continued unabated, Ren said expressionlessly, each word deliberate, "This is the Daimyo's wish. And this isn't a discussion. It's a notification."
As his words fell, the air in the meeting room suddenly grew damp. At some point, fine droplets of water had filled the air, catching the sunlight and gleaming in an unusual way.
As a disciple of the First Mizukage and a water-style Mizukage through and through, Ren naturally excelled at Water Release Ninjutsu. His delicate control of Chakra also proved that he was no pretender to the title of Mizukage.
Seeing the Jonin fall silent, and even the great clans like the Hozuki and Yuki clans offer no objections, Ren finally withdrew his technique with satisfaction.
He doesn't have the power of era-defining figures like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, nor does he have a solid base of support. How dare he act so high-handedly and rule by decree? Has Madara and Zetsu really brainwashed him?
Watching this from below, Hozuki Shingetsu became all the more certain of some of his suspicions.
"Now for the third decision: the rules for future Jonin promotions."
"Since the village has limited funds, and the wars have stopped in recent years while the number of shinobi keeps growing, we must take the new isolationist policy into account. Effective immediately, the total number of shinobi will remain unchanged. Promotions will be based on merit: the capable will rise, and the weak will fall."
"Want to get promoted? Fine! You don't need missions or accomplishments. All you have to do is defeat your opponent, and you'll take their shinobi rank!"
"Ninja Academy students who want to become Genin can go defeat a Genin! Genin who want to become Chunin can defeat a Chunin. If you want to become a Jonin, defeat a Jonin! And if anyone wants to become Mizukage, then if they can defeat me face-to-face, I'll gladly hand over the position!"
As he spoke, Ren's gaze lingered on Hozuki Zangetsu, the Yuki clan leader, and others, as though his words were aimed at them.
The crowd's reaction to this decision was not as strong as it had been to the previous one.
It was easy to imagine that for lower-ranking shinobi, this would become a cruel, bloody elimination game.
Being a shinobi in Kirigakure was more than proof of identity. It was also proof of political standing!
That was especially true for civilians. If they wanted a better life, they had to earn shinobi status! Once they became a shinobi lord, they would cross into another social class and leave their hard lives behind.
But for Jonin, the impact wasn't all that great.
It was simple: most of the Jonin present came from shinobi clans. If the Mizukage's policy really went into effect, the number of Jonin would remain about the same as it was now.
Becoming a Jonin was already an achievement only one in ten thousand could manage. Those in the major clans with the ability to rise to the rank had already done so. In other words, at least for the next ten years, the number of Jonin wouldn't change much, meaning the interests of all the clans present wouldn't be affected in the short term.
For them, it didn't make all that much difference.
What? You're talking about ten years from now?
There was no telling whether Ren would still be Mizukage in ten years. If anyone was foolish enough to confront the current Mizukage over a possibility ten years down the line, everyone present would have a good laugh.
"Good. If no one objects, then we'll—"
"Wait!"
In the dead silence, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs stood up.
"I have a few words to say. Please, everyone, hear me out."
Before you continue