When Akira brought Kushina back to Konoha from the Land of Whirlpools, it didn't take long for the Mizukage to hear about it. He had been keeping close watch on the region, and the moment he learned the details of the recent battle with Konoha, his mood soured further. Akira's return made him certain-the Senju had looted part of the Land of Whirlpools' remaining wealth.
"Damn Konoha. Damn the Uzumaki clan. And that bastard Senju clan!"
His curses flew without restraint. Everything he hated boiled to the surface: Konoha's duplicity, the Uzumaki's mutual destruction, and the "Three Senju Heroes" who had bullied their country since the Warring States period.
He slammed a hand down-smack-and winced, his fingers brushing across tender skin where his wound hadn't closed properly. The burst of pain only made him angrier.
"Lord Mizukage!"
His secretary leaned forward. She reminded him they were in the middle of planning their counterattack.
He scanned the room-rows of high-ranking officials sitting stiffly in silence. Their eyes betrayed nervousness. Mizukage exhaled through clenched teeth and forced himself to calm down.
"How's the research on the ninja swords progressing?"
"We've analyzed the six known swords. Based on forging records recovered from the Land of Whirlpools, we've also located what we believe is another tailed beast near where we found the Three-Tails. With some luck, we'll have ourselves another living ninja sword soon."
His expression lifted faintly. That was good news, finally.
"What about the Jinchūriki sealing technique?"
"A dedicated sealing unit has been formed-but what remains from Whirlpool is either too basic or impossibly complex. Most of it is being deciphered... slowly."
"Send another team to reinforce that operation," he barked. "Even that Salamander dares call himself 'demigod.' We're overdue for someone who stands at the top of this world."
He scanned the room again-his eyes glinting with challenge.
"I know some of you resent me," he said flatly, "but I don't care. I'll give you each one chance-a chance to become Water Country's standard-bearer."
"Benchmark of the Water Country?"
Some of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Others leaned forward as their breathing changed-quicker now, heavier. Everyone in this room knew what that role would lead to: candidacy for Mizukage.
Water Country had always obeyed strength first. It was the only hidden village left that clung to Warring States traditions. Respect wasn't just rare-it didn't exist at this level.
Mizukage gave them no opportunity to settle their emotions before his next words came.
"Konoha's forces stole the last batch of detonating tags from Whirlpool, I'm sure it was Akira Uzumaki. That's likely why entire sectors in central Whirlpool were preserved so well. They'll deploy what Whirlpool called its 'land carpet strategy' any time soon."
He sat back in his chair with one leg over the other.
"If any of you has ideas-we'll reward the best with one of our recovered ninja swords. Alongside the seventh-in development-you'll gain official designation as one of our Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
No one coughed or shifted now-they only listened.
In this world full of countless shinobi, very few earned titles recognized by entire nations or international consensus. A title ninja represented their home's pride-an endorsement worth lives, sacrifice, and bloodshed.
Most powerful figures-including Hatake Sakumo-weren't even labeled as title-ninjas because there wasn't enough political weight behind them.
Being one gave your enemies reason to surrender rather than fight-it gave them reason to flee before ever confronting you in battle. It was worth everything they had worked for up to now-especially for those looking to become Mizukage one day.
One leader finally spoke up.
"Why don't we do what we did last time? Use water-style ninjutsu to clear paths-send clones ahead on foot…"
"No."
Mizukage shut it down immediately.
"That requires too much chakra and our troops aren't built for prolonged chakra usage. Burn too much clearing traps, and we'll be half-dead when actual combat starts."
Another tried instead-
"What about using Jinchūriki? Their chakra is near-limitless-just send one in as bait-"
"No!"
Mizukage slammed his fist against his chairrest-thud-and cut off the idea completely.
"We don't know if any remnants from Whirlpool are hiding in Konoha now. If they've restored even half of that clan's sealing techniques and find a way to forcibly extract or control the tailed beast, we'll lose our best weapon-and Konoha gains it too."
Silence settled again after that rejection-heavy and miserable.
"We don't have enough civilians or expendables left to waste on detonating tags," another elder grumbled bitterly under his breath. "Whirlpool used up half its tag stockpile on us-and if Konoha has even part of it… They could drag this out for two years."
Nobody answered him-not because they disagreed-but because they couldn't deny it.
After their last engagement with Whirlpool, Water Country had lost at least ten percent of its combat-ready ninja population. Another battle at that scale and they'd be struggling just to defend their borders-no hope of victory at any scale.
And nobody dared bring up surprise raids on Konoha-it was suicide. Every soldier in Konoha had been training nonstop for years now-they wouldn't just repel intruders-they'd erase them.
Someone finally broke the despairing silence-
"Why not rope in the Land of Lightning?" one man asked carefully. "We're already two nations fighting Konoha... Why should Lightning be allowed to sit and watch?"
"No," Mizukage said again firmly. "Lightning is our only buffer right now between us and them. If they get involved directly-even as allies-this becomes win-or-die between us and Konoha."
No one liked that scenario-the reparations after defeat would cripple them for generations… assuming Water Country survived at that point.
Just then-a low grunt came from someone near the rear.
One figure raised her hand slowly-a bearded 'young man' with narrowed eyes under shadowed lids.
"Lord Mizukage… I have a suggestion," she said evenly. "Might be worth trying."
Mizukage had already run dry on patience-but seeing someone finally offer substance made him snap around immediately to stare her down.
"What solution?"
"The Kaguya clan." She folded her arms across her chest slowly after saying it.
Mizukage stiffened-and for one long breath-said nothing at first… but his eyes narrowed sharply at that name.
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