In the Land of Water, the senior officials of Kirigakure had gathered for a meeting.
However, today was unusual in that the Third Mizukage was absent from the proceedings.
Seated at the head of the round table was Elder Karatachi, who had been harshly criticized during Kirigakure's previous defeat.
Fatigue was etched across his face, and his vitality seemed to have waned.
"Elder!"
"With the Mizukage gravely ill and his condition worsening, the immediate priority should be to reseal the nation, elect a new Mizukage, and lead Kirigakure to rise again!"
A black-robed man in his forties spoke up.
"What?!"
Elder Karatachi's face instantly flushed red, and he bristled like an agitated beast. His exhaustion seemed to vanish in an instant.
"Can't you people use your brains for once?"
"Back when I advised the Third Mizukage to seal off the nation, it was because we still had our Tailed Beast and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. If we had abolished the Bloody Mist policy and focused on nurturing two Perfect Jinchūriki, our village could have sustained its development."
"When the situation on the continent shifted, with nations embroiled in chaos, we could have sold them food, weapons, and mercenary services, carving out significant gains from their conflicts!"
"That kind of two-sided profiteering policy was the correct path!"
"But now?!"
Elder Karatachi's voice grew pained.
"It's over!"
"The road to Kirigakure's rise... has been severed..."
A middle-aged man in a green robe spoke up, "Elder, there's no need to despair. We can still follow your strategy now!"
"There's still time. We must have faith!"
Elder Karatachi cast him a sideways glance, sighed deeply, and said, "You all... open your eyes... and look at the ninja world..."
"Sunagakure is undergoing sweeping reforms. Kumogakure is charging ahead like a wild boar, their national strength ever-increasing, and both have Perfect Jinchūriki!"
"Konohagakure? There's no need to even mention them. While they yearn for peace, they have the strength to maintain it!"
"The Toad Sage, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, the Yellow Flash—these are towering pillars of Konohagakure... And then there's that Uchiha Shisui, whom Ao reported on after returning. Their saplings are growing strong..."
"And us?"
"What strong individuals do we have left in the village?"
"If things continue like this, the first of the Five Great Nations to be eradicated will likely be the Land of Water..."
A deep worry was etched across Elder Karatachi's face.
"Surely not, Elder..."
"Our Land of Water is so remote. Even putting that aside, just the vastness of our seas would be enough to make any invader think twice..."
The black-robed man's horse-like face still bore an expression of disbelief.
"What if the enemy can fly?"
"What if that flying enemy happens to be a Perfect Jinchūriki?"
"What if they bring dozens of Jōnin-level combatants and descend directly upon Kirigakure?!"
Elder Karatachi's tone grew increasingly severe, his spittle nearly spraying onto the black-robed man's face.
Clearly, he had had enough of these ignorant and oblivious individuals.
"This..."
The black-robed man turned red with embarrassment, unable to muster a rebuttal.
The rest of the attendees exchanged glances, but no one dared to speak up.
Finally, the green-robed man respectfully addressed Elder Karatachi, "Kirigakure has reached a critical turning point. The path forward is yours to decide, Elder. We will follow your lead."
"Yes, yes..."
"Whatever needs to be done, just give the word, Elder!"
Following the green-robed man's statement, the others quickly voiced their agreement.
Elder Karatachi closed his eyes and remained silent for a long while. Then, he abruptly opened them, his gaze sharp and commanding, like that of an aging lion king.
"First, we will abandon the closed-door policy and fully open Kirigakure to the outside world!"
"If we turn ourselves into deaf and blind fools, we won't even realize it when the enemy is at our doorstep!"
"Second, we will focus all efforts on cultivating Jinchūriki. Waiting for the Three-Tails to revive is no longer an option. I have a promising junior named Yagura. His potential is exceptional. Have the sealing team prepare to seal the Six-Tails into him immediately!"
"Having no sword is one thing, but having a sword and not using it is another!"
"Third, we will abolish the Bloody Mist policy and enter a state of full military readiness. Expand the ninja academy, and redirect the conflicts of the Kekkei Genkai clans outward to prevent internal strife!"
"If anyone dares to attack us, we must not retreat or compromise. Instead, we will unite the entire village and fight to the death!"
"Cowardice and concessions will only invite more brazen bullying and humiliation from our enemies..."
"We must make our enemies understand the grave consequences of challenging us!"
Elder Karatachi issued and explained a series of groundbreaking directives in one breath. While some higher-ups seemed to want to voice objections, they were quickly silenced by warning glances from those around them.
"Lastly, regarding the Daimyō..."
Elder Karatachi's previously upright posture seemed to deflate all at once. He leaned back in his chair, squinting as he gazed wistfully in the direction of the Daimyō's residence beyond the door.
Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Kazekage's Office
Sōmi handed the newly completed scroll detailing the Yin Seal to the Kazekage.
"Sōmi!"
"You've been the greatest contributor to Sunagakure's development!"
"You've turned over so many high-level ninjutsu and secret techniques to the village without reservation!"
"Excellent... truly excellent!"
The Third Kazekage excitedly unrolled the scroll. After seeing the effects of the Yin Seal, his smile grew even broader.
"It's nothing, Sensei!"
"Our village's foundation in ninjutsu is already weak. If every ninja hoarded their own techniques, how could we ever talk about development?"
Sōmi replied earnestly.
"However, for high-level techniques, Sensei, you must ensure they are only taught to those who have made significant contributions to the village and proven their loyalty!"
"Additionally, these secret techniques can be divided into upper and lower volumes for teaching. This would further motivate them to complete missions."
"As for the Shadow Clone Technique, I suggest making it one of the graduation requirements at the ninja academy!"
"This technique is incredibly versatile. Not promoting it would be a huge waste..."
This was precisely why Sōmi had so readily given the Yin Seal to Pakura. Her loyalty and contributions were undoubtedly among the highest in the village.
Even if Sōmi hadn't given it to her, she would have eventually received it from the Kazekage. It was better to gain some goodwill in the process.
After all, if she mastered the Yin Seal, it would significantly enhance Sunagakure's combat strength.
"Honestly, I feel ashamed. As the Kazekage, my perspective isn't as broad as yours. I've been hoarding the Magnet Release developed by the Second Kazekage..."
The Kazekage admitted with some embarrassment.
"Sensei, my spirit of contribution can only be encouraged, not enforced."
"Besides, your idea of making Magnet Release a hallmark of the Kazekage lineage isn't without merit!"
"With the variety of techniques we already have—though we lack Lightning Release—it's more than enough for those students to study. Just make sure to emphasize loyalty and ideological training!"
Sōmi responded calmly. After all, most of the techniques he had turned over were unearthed through research, not painstakingly developed by him. He could understand why others might be more protective of their own secret techniques.
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