Under Genji's direction, the Militant Faction of Kirigakure was finally wiped from the pages of history.
Seeing the defeated Militant Faction shinobi lay down their weapons and allow themselves to be bound, the wrinkled, orange-like face of Genji finally showed a faint smile.
Kirigakure had finally regained peace.
Even if he passed on after this, he could answer to all previous Mizukage with a clear conscience.
As this thought struck him, Genji naturally thought of the Konoha shinobi who had brought them critical information.
Without their early warning, the outcome tonight would truly have been uncertain—and Kirigakure would not have returned to stability so quickly.
Thinking of this, Genji lifted his head and looked toward a distant rooftop.
There, he could still faintly make out a few blurry silhouettes.
Genji bowed deeply toward them.
He didn't feel ashamed at all for relying on Konoha—
he understood clearly the state of the world.
Given the current political landscape of the shinobi world, aligning with Konoha was undeniably the wisest choice.
If he had not voluntarily set aside hatred and bowed his head to Gekko Hoshiyomi that night years ago…
Kirigakure might very well have been erased from the Five Great Shinobi Villages by now.
As he thought this, Genji suddenly felt as though he had returned to that night—
to the moment after the man who had rampaged through the Mizukage building departed completely unharmed.
A man with such overwhelming strength was truly terrifying.
Fortunately, he had vanished for three whole years.
By now, he was probably dead in some nameless ditch somewhere…
Wait—
Gekko Hoshiyomi?
Genji suddenly froze.
His hunched back straightened instantly as he strained his neck, trying to get a clearer look at the figures atop the distant rooftop.
One of the Konoha shinobi who had reported the Kaguya clan's movements the night before had been a new face wearing an Anbu mask.
That person's presence fluctuated strangely—
even Genji found himself occasionally forgetting the man was there at all.
If his memory was correct, that person also carried two swords.
Though he had disguised himself, now that Genji thought back on it…
He began comparing that mysterious figure with the razor-sharp presence from years ago.
After a long time, he finally let out a long breath of relief.
Thankfully…
he had always adhered to his plan of aligning with Konoha.
Thankfully, he had never played any tricks.
Otherwise, Kirigakure truly would have been doomed beyond salvation.
"Old man, what are you thinking about? Your expression keeps changing."
Just as Genji was silently celebrating his own wisdom, a charming, graceful figure suddenly leaned in.
Hearing Mei Terumi's question, the shifting expressions on Genji's face slowly calmed.
He lifted his eyes to look at the girl he believed was Kirigakure's brightest talent—
a girl he had practically watched grow up.
Finally, he spoke what lay in his heart:
"Mei Terumi… I've watched you grow since you were a child. Since the loss of Kiri's treasury years ago, I've never valued anyone the way I value you now."
"Old man, you don't have a fever, do you? Why are you suddenly saying weird things?"
Mei poked his forehead playfully as if checking his temperature, but Genji ignored it and continued seriously:
"I used to hesitate. I worried you were still too young, that you sometimes acted with childish temper.
But now I see clearly—
you've already grown into a reliable shinobi.
All these years, despite the immense pressure from the Militant Faction, you have never once disappointed me."
Mei froze.
Her playful expression slowly crumbled into confusion.
"But… but Ao has done very well too. How… how can…"
"Ao is steady, but lacks adaptability. His strength is also inferior to yours.
You don't need to refuse.
From today on… you are the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure."
Mei's expression turned extremely complicated—
but after a long silence, the turmoil faded into determination.
"…I understand, old man. Leave it to me."
Even after hearing her acceptance, Genji did not smile.
His expression grew even more solemn:
"From here on, I won't interfere much. I'm old, and I no longer have the energy to manage everything.
But there is one thing I must remind you of—
no matter what happens, peace must always remain your priority.
The peace Kirigakure has now was earned through great hardship.
No matter what…
you must never make a decision that would cost the village its peace."
…
With the turmoil in Kirigakure finally over and both Kimimaro and Haku now under his protection, Hoshiyomi and the others naturally had no reason to stay any longer.
After resting one last night in Kirigakure, they activated the Flying Thunder God formation early the next morning and set off for home.
The morning sun cast its gentle radiance across the Hidden Leaf Village, dyeing everything in a warm golden glow.
Unlike the cold, grim atmosphere of Kirigakure, Konoha was filled with harmony and prosperity.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, light flickered—Hoshiyomi and his group appeared atop the terrace.
Haku and Kimimaro, still young, felt dizzy from experiencing a space-time ninjutsu for the first time.
But the two little ones were far too excited to care.
Unsteady on their feet, they rushed to the railing, leaning forward with wide, curious eyes as they stared down at the streets of Konoha.
Seeing the smiles of the villagers below, feeling the peaceful yet vibrant atmosphere, both children were visibly shocked.
So this is the number one ninja village—Konoha.
Though both were among the Five Great Hidden Villages, compared to Konoha, Kirigakure felt like a slum.
Seeing the disbelief written across their faces, Hoshiyomi couldn't help but reach over and pat both little heads.
"Don't stare too long. You'll have plenty of time to explore from now on.
Come on—I'll take you home first."
The moment Hoshiyomi finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared before them. It was Minato, who had been working on paperwork downstairs and rushed up after sensing the space-time ripple above.
"Sensei, you're back. Did the mission go smoothly?"
Haku and Kimimaro's eyes flew wide open.
So fast!
Their reactions were sharp—seeing Minato suddenly appear, both instinctively prepared for combat.
Several ice senbon appeared between Haku's fingers, and a bone blade formed in Kimimaro's hand.
But before either could move, two large hands descended and pressed their heads down again.
"Relax. This is my disciple, Minato—also the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.
Point weapons at him, and even I won't be able to save you."
Only then did the two children snap back to their senses.
They hurriedly withdrew their weapons, bowed their heads, and obediently greeted:
"Lord Minato."
Minato blinked at their young faces, confused, then looked up at Hoshiyomi.
"Sensei… who are these two?"
Hoshiyomi patted each child's shoulder.
"These are two kids I took in while in Kirigakure—this one is Haku, and this is Kimimaro.
If you want the details, ask Sakumo and the others.
Anyway, I'm going home to check on Tsunade.
If there's anything important, come by the house after work."
With that, he vanished, taking the two children with him.