"Minazuki Yuzuru, are you trying to betray the village?"
A bandaged man stepped out of the crowd of ninja and demanded an answer.
"I was adopted by the Konoha White Fang. How could this count as betraying the village?"
"So you're going to help Konoha wipe us out?"
"No, quite the opposite. I'm not a Konoha ninja. In fact, I'm not even a ninja."
Hearing this, everyone flew into a rage. "Kill him!"
The next second, ice swords appeared above the murderous ninja, then plunged through their bodies from above, killing them on the spot.
"Not being a ninja doesn't mean I'm not strong."
"Now, who's in favor, and who's against?"
At these words, the ninja were all stunned with fear.
"What exactly did you do? Where are the others in the village?"
Yuzuru clapped his hands, and Kakashi tossed out a storage scroll. It opened in midair, spilling a pile of corpses.
"As you can see, not a single one of Kirigakure's Jonin or higher-ups is left. Now I'm the highest authority in Kirigakure. Does everyone understand?"
At the sight, Mei Terumi trembled all over, but she had no other choice now.
"As a warning, let me show you something else."
Yuzuru clapped again, and Isobu appeared behind the crowd, blocking the village entrance.
"If anyone disobeys, I don't mind sending a Tailed Beast Bomb to destroy Kirigakure. I'm only letting you live because you're still useful. Obey me, and everyone can live a good life. If you don't, then Kirigakure has no need to exist."
With that, a ball of ice large enough to cover all of Kirigakure appeared in the sky. Its immense size made everyone in Kirigakure give up resisting.
Yuzuru waved his hand, directing it to smash a small island in the distance.
The next second, someone dropped to their knees.
Then more and more people lost the will to resist.
"Good. Now, after burning those bodies, everyone at Jonin level is to come to the office, along with the heads of the bloodline clans. Everyone is to be there within half an hour. I don't want anyone trying anything."
With that, Yuzuru took Kakashi back to the Mizukage's Office.
Rin remained in her tailed beast form and chatted with Isobu.
After a while, a little over twenty people stood scattered around the Kirigakure office, including members of the Anbu.
"Is this all?"
"You killed them all. Who else is there?"
Mei Terumi couldn't help saying.
"Killed them all? I don't think I've killed enough."
Yuzuru shook his head, reclining in his chair.
His words frightened everyone.
"But what's done is done, so we'll leave it at that. Remember what I'm about to say."
"I won't issue bloody policies like your previous Mizukage. The war just ended, and I don't want to do anything drastic either, so you'd all better know what's good for you."
"Starting tomorrow, the Anbu and the ninja department will be disbanded. From now on, Kirigakure will have no ninja, only a military! Kirigakure will be renamed the Sea Capital."
"The military will have five ranks: recruit, fourth-class soldier, third-class soldier, second-class soldier, and first-class soldier. Of course, there will also be squad leaders."
"I'll set aside land to build a school, divided into two sections. One will be a military academy. After graduation, whether someone becomes a recruit will depend on their individual strength. The other will be a science and technology academy, responsible for researching how various ninjutsu can transform daily life.
"In short, everyone can attend school, but not everyone has to become a soldier. I'll give each of you a copy of the detailed plans shortly. Read them yourselves when you get back."
"Remember, this is a notification, not a discussion."
Yuzuru tapped the desk in reminder.
"Mei Terumi, from now on, you're the first principal of the Sea Capital's school, as well as the military's deputy commander."
"Me?"
At this, Mei Terumi froze for a moment and looked at him in shock.
"Is there a problem? Can't do it?"
"It's not that. I just didn't expect you to give me this position."
"Heh, I can't be bothered to explain why, but I hope you won't disappoint me. In one week, I don't want to see any ninja left in Kirigakure. All ninja are to be assigned to the military."
"Understood."
"I'll also put all ninja missions under the military, but there will be new policies for those too. I'll give them to you after the meeting."
"The former Anbu will be disbanded and renamed the Oversight Department. Ao, you'll be in charge. I'll give you the implementation details after the meeting."
"Yes!"
A man wearing an eyepatch nodded.
"All other Jonin will be classified as second-class soldiers from now on. Ask Mei Terumi about promotion to first-class soldier later."
"As for you bloodline clans, all previous policies targeting you are abolished. Like ordinary people, you're all citizens of the Land of Water. I don't want to see you clashing with the villagers or using your strength to bully the weak. The new laws will be released tomorrow. If you violate Kirigakure's laws, I won't show any mercy."
"Yes."
The clan heads nodded, their eyes filled with joy.
At last, bloodline ninja no longer had to kill one another.
"All right, Mei Terumi, hand these out, one copy per person. Then everyone can head back and get to work. In one week, I want to see a new Sea Capital. Throw all the old systems in the trash. Understood?"
"Understood!"
As everyone left the room one after another, Kakashi looked at Yuzuru with admiration in his eyes.
"How did you come up with all this?"
"If I said I once dreamed of a peaceful world, would you believe me?"
Kakashi: ...
"I would."
"Then that's enough."
Yuzuru stretched, then suddenly remembered something.
"Go call Mei Terumi back for me. I almost forgot something."
"Okay."
Kakashi left immediately, and within seconds, Mei Terumi returned to the office.
"Lord Mizukage, is there anything else?"
"Have the military seal the borders. No ninja from any country are permitted to infiltrate the Land of Water. Any violation will be treated as a provocation of war. Notify every other country."
"But that would make it very difficult to improve the Land of Water's economy."
Mei Terumi couldn't help saying.
"We don't need economic exchanges for now. Until the reforms are complete, outsiders don't need to know about any of this. The daimyo and nobles will cover all expenses, so there won't be any shortage of funds. The border troops will each receive the full reward for one B-rank mission as their monthly salary."
Hearing this, Mei Terumi's face filled with shock, astonished by Yuzuru's ideas.
"Will the daimyo really pay?"
"That's not your concern. Go back and study the military's new plans. Just do your part. If you need money, come to me. I'll allocate the funds, and then you can collect them from the daimyo's residence."
"Mei Terumi, this is a reform. Don't disappoint me."
"I absolutely won't!"
At that moment, Mei Terumi was filled with fighting spirit.
She had always been ambitious, but unfortunately, she had never been entrusted with an important role. Now, not only did she have someone supporting her, she also had no financial worries. At this moment, she saw her own bright future.
"Go."
Watching Mei Terumi leave the office with her head held high and her chest out, Kakashi began to feel some anticipation too.
"Do I have any assignments?"
"Of course, but not now. You'll find out in a couple of days."
Yuzuru said with a smile.