Mist Village's Gratitude and Alliance! Kamizuki Yu's Transcendent Status, Water Country's Resolute Ally

Before the newly erected memorial monument, the atmosphere was solemn.

Today was the official succession ceremony of Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage.

She wore a brand-new Mizukage ceremonial robe. Her expression was calm, yet it could not conceal the exhaustion and resolve beneath it.

"...Here, I, Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, would first like to thank someone."

Mei Terumi's voice, amplified by chakra, rang clearly throughout the square.

Everyone's gazes drifted, intentionally or otherwise, toward the figure standing at one side of the viewing platform.

Kamizuki Yu.

He was still dressed simply, utterly out of place among the elaborately clad Mist Village higher-ups around him, yet no one dared voice the slightest objection.

"Lord Kamizuki Yu is Mist Village's savior and its eternal guardian."

Mei Terumi bowed deeply.

Her words landed with resounding force.

After a brief silence, subdued discussions erupted across the square.

There was reverence, gratitude, and a tangle of complicated feelings.

Kamizuki Yu merely stood there quietly, as though none of it had anything to do with him.

I feel absolutely nothing. I even kind of want to yawn. This is more long-winded than the annual company meetings in my previous life.

Yagura stepped forward and stood beside Mei Terumi.

Having removed the attire of the Fourth Mizukage, he now looked more like an ordinary Mist Village jonin.

"Lord Kamizuki Yu, thank you for saving me." Yagura's voice was hoarse with the aftermath of survival. "I will do everything in my power to assist the new Mizukage and make up for my mistakes."

He humbled himself completely.

Among the crowd, the Mist Village ninja who had once both revered and feared him now felt conflicted.

Kamizuki Yu gave a slight nod in response.

For a tool like Yagura, once his usefulness had been drained, having a good attitude was already not bad.

Just as the ceremony proceeded according to plan, a faint disturbance arose from the edge of the square.

A Mist Village ANBU quickly approached and whispered a few words into Mei Terumi's ear.

Mei Terumi raised her brows slightly before returning to her calm demeanor.

"Please invite the Water Country's envoy forward."

The crowd parted to form a path.

A middle-aged man in splendid robes, wearing a humble smile, stepped forward while holding an exquisite scroll.

"Having heard of Mist Village's rebirth, the daimyo of Water Country has specially dispatched this humble servant to present congratulatory gifts and convey his highest respect and gratitude to Lord Kamizuki Yu."

The envoy raised the scroll high.

"His Lordship the daimyo states that Lord Kamizuki Yu has brought long-awaited peace and stability to Water Country and will forever be a friend of Water Country."

At those words, even some of Mist Village's conservative elders revealed astonishment.

The daimyo's declaration undoubtedly elevated Kamizuki Yu's standing once more.

These daimyo are better at reading the winds than the Kage. Still, it's just sugar-coated ammunition. What needs to be used will still be used.

"Thank you for your trouble, Envoy." Mei Terumi accepted the scroll, her tone neither humble nor overbearing.

After the ceremony, in the Mizukage's office.

The atmosphere was more relaxed than in the square, but an invisible pressure still hung in the air.

Several of Mist Village's few remaining senior elders sat around the long conference table.

Kisame Hoshigaki stood behind Kamizuki Yu like a statue.

He had changed out of his Mist Village uniform and into simple dark combat clothes. Samehada rested quietly by his feet, all of its ferocity restrained.

"Regarding the matter of forming a permanent friendly alliance treaty with Hidden Leaf... no, with Lord Kamizuki Yu, do any of you have objections?"

Mei Terumi went straight to the point.

The elders exchanged glances. Genji, the eldest among them, trembled as he spoke. "Lord Mizukage, isn't this... too hasty?"

"Hasty?" A trace of chill entered Mei Terumi's voice. "If not for Lord Kamizuki Yu, Mist Village would have already fallen apart. How can there be any talk of haste?"

Genji choked on his words and did not dare say more.

Kamizuki Yu lifted the teacup before him and blew on the steam.

He did not participate directly in the discussion, but his very presence was a statement.

These old men are just driven by greed for power, hoping to squeeze out more benefits in the new order. Too bad the times have changed.

"I have no objections." Another elder declared decisively. "Mist Village's future needs powerful allies."

"I second that."

"I second that."

The opposing voices swiftly died away.

Mei Terumi took out a scroll that had long since been drafted.

"Then, on behalf of Mist Village, I will formally sign this treaty."

She solemnly wrote her name on the scroll and affixed the Mizukage's great seal.

The scroll was then delivered before Kamizuki Yu.

Kamizuki Yu did not sign it. Instead, he condensed a small cluster of golden chakra at his fingertip and lightly tapped it onto the scroll, leaving behind a unique mark.

"This mark carries equal authority," he said calmly.

Everyone was shocked. They had never heard of such a method.

Yet no one dared question it.

Kamizuki Yu's status in Mist Village had already become transcendent. At times, his words carried more weight than the Mizukage's orders.

This was what he wanted: influence, not control. Being the power behind the throne was far less troublesome than becoming the emperor himself.

"Kisame," Kamizuki Yu called.

"Here." Kisame stepped forward.

"Starting today, you will be responsible for coordinating some communications and affairs between Mist Village and me." Kamizuki Yu's arrangement sounded casual.

Mei Terumi added, "Within Mist Village, Kisame will hold a special status. He will report directly to me while also representing Lord Kamizuki Yu's will."

The elders looked at this former "missing-nin," who had now transformed into a key liaison between both sides, with deeply complicated feelings.

Kisame lowered his head. "Understood."

For the first time, he had a different understanding of the word "identity." No longer a tool of slaughter, but... some kind of bridge?

"Regarding the village's defenses." Kamizuki Yu set down his teacup and looked at Mei Terumi. "You should understand the method used to control Yagura."

Mei Terumi's expression turned grave. "Yes, that strange eye technique..."

"The mastermind is skilled at infiltration and manipulation." Kamizuki Yu tapped the tabletop lightly with his index finger. "Ordinary methods for detecting genjutsu are ineffective against him."

With a flick of his finger, a small scroll flew toward Mei Terumi.

"Inside are some more advanced methods for identifying and countering genjutsu, as well as ideas for setting up targeted sensory barriers."

Mei Terumi accepted it solemnly. "Thank you, Lord Kamizuki Yu."

This "technical support" was nothing short of timely aid for Mist Village, which had just undergone such tremendous upheaval.

Kamizuki Yu's action undoubtedly deepened the connection between the two sides.

Mist Village, after Hidden Rain Village, the second stable strategic foothold has been established.

Another piece has been added to the puzzle of uniting the ninja world's forces.

As for that Obito, sooner or later, I'll make him understand why flowers are so red.

With matters more or less settled, Kamizuki Yu rose to his feet.

"Mist Village's affairs are concluded. It is time for us to leave."

Mei Terumi stood as well. "I will see you off."

She looked toward Kisame, a trace of complexity flashing through her eyes before swiftly turning into relief.

This man now had a better place to belong.

At Mist Village's entrance.

The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent.

"Lord Kamizuki Yu, Kisame, have a safe journey." Mei Terumi bowed slightly.

Behind her, Ao and several ANBU stood quietly.

Kamizuki Yu nodded. "Mist Village's future is in your hands."

He said no more. Taking Kisame with him, he vanished after several flickers into the depths of the forest path leading toward the Land of Fire.

Mei Terumi stood there for a long time, until she could no longer sense either of their presences.

"Lord Mizukage, we should return," Ao reminded her softly.

"Mm." Mei Terumi turned and looked toward the village, which was beginning to show faint signs of renewed life.

Her road was still long.

Within the forest, Kisame silently followed behind Kamizuki Yu.

"Where is our next destination?" Kisame could not help asking.

Kamizuki Yu did not slow his steps.

"Hidden Cloud Village."

A nearly imperceptible curve touched his lips.

"We'll have a 'friendly' discussion with them about the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails."

Friendly? Kisame felt that whenever the word came from Kamizuki Yu's mouth, it always carried another meaning.

Still, he liked that kind of straightforwardness.

A new world, new rules. It seemed... not so bad after all.