The change in the blood mist policy was not something that could happen overnight. Although the policy was extremely cruel, it must be said that it was precisely this cruelty that tempered the Kirigakure Ninja, maintaining a high degree of elitism and militarization.
If the blood mist policy were purely internal friction, it would have been impossible to implement even if the Mizukage insisted on it. It was precisely because the policy was effective in certain aspects that Kirigakure truly began to implement it.
However, the blood mist policy was inherently like walking a tightrope. Obito, who manipulated the Mizukage, harbored deep hatred for Kirigakure. Instead of maintaining balance, he pushed it desperately, naturally causing significant damage to the Village.
By the later stages, the problems had become deep-rooted. With Yagura Karatachi, the Mizukage, constantly adding to the chaos, it became extremely difficult for the insightful people in Kirigakure to make any changes.
This time, Suikazan Fuguki took advantage of the perfect opportunity—the exposure of Yagura Karatachi being manipulated by genjutsu—to easily strike at the blood mist policy. Otherwise, even if he had become the new Mizukage, making changes would not have been easy.
The first thing Suikazan Fuguki did after becoming Mizukage was to ease the relationship between the Village and the Bloodline Limit clans. In terms of Bloodline inheritance, with the Yuki Clan, Kaguya Clan, and Hozuki Clan, Kirigakure's foundation was second only to Konoha's. Had it not been for Obito's interference, the current Kirigakure would never have ended up at the bottom of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
However, even if the Yuki Clan was not completely wiped out, they were scattered like stars, spread throughout the Land of Water, living under assumed names and afraid to show their faces.
As for the Kaguya Clan, those guys' brains were built differently from ordinary Ninja. Each one was more insane than an Uchiha. While the Uchiha were at least just paranoid, these guys were like manic patients with absolutely no intention of reconciliation.
Only the Hozuki Clan, having produced a Mizukage, had the closest ties to Kirigakure. Currently, they were merely being marginalized. After Suikazan Fuguki showed an intention to reconcile and allocated some power to them, the Hozuki Clan quickly returned.
In the original plot, only Suigetsu Hozuki remained of the Hozuki Clan. Kirigakure had only implemented a policy of weakening and suppressing them, rather than a true extermination plan, because the clan's numbers were small to begin with—not even reaching triple digits.
A few dozen Hozuki Clan Ninja didn't have much impact on the distribution of interests in Kirigakure, so naturally, there was little resistance to their return.
For the time being, Kirigakure's transformation would take time, and there were many problems to solve. No major effects were visible in the short term, but even so, the overall atmosphere of Kirigakure began to change.
The Ninja walking the streets gradually stopped hurrying to and fro. Besides the essential shops for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, several new shops appeared in Kirigakure. Some small clans returned to the Village, and the entire Kirigakure began to turn for the better.
After nearly half a month of being busy, Suikazan Fuguki finally sorted out various affairs in Kirigakure and adjusted the Village's high-level structure.
Although Yagura Karatachi was no longer the head of Kirigakure, he was still a Jinchuriki after all. A position was reserved for him in the high-level leadership, similar to a Hokage Advisor in Konoha. In other words, he could offer suggestions; if the Mizukage was weak, he'd have some say, but if the Mizukage was strong, he was just for show.
Because of his past mistakes, Yagura Karatachi remained silent regarding Suikazan Fuguki's measures, which was quite a relief.
Additionally, Kisame, Suikazan Fuguki's confidant, had become a member of the Kage Guard Unit, clearly being groomed for importance.
Of course, with Kisame's mindset, he had basically bid farewell to the position of Kage. Being the "strongest tool" as an Anbu Captain or something similar would be quite fitting for him.
The main reason Suikazan Fuguki used him was that he not only possessed the character of a Ninja but was also not weak at all.
Mei Terumī also received the position of Jonin Commander, while Ao became the leader of the Perception Unit. Essentially, these emerging talents began to enter the high-level leadership and established their own teams. Suikazan Fuguki had also preliminary established a foothold as Mizukage... Inside a large office in the Mizukage Building, a group of Kirigakure Jonin were now gathered.
"Another meeting. What mission are we preparing for this time? Are we going to war with Konoha?"
"Maybe we're going to deal with those 'bone spirits' from the Kaguya Clan! Those guys were the most arrogant during the blood mist policy. Who knows how many compatriots they killed? Lord Fourth is generous enough not to pursue their issues, yet they still dare to push their luck?!"
In the office, Mei Terumī touched up her makeup with a small mirror while listening to the discussions around her, eventually shaking her head.
"You're overthinking it! The Kaguya Clan is still part of Kirigakure. Unless they show clear signs of rebellion, the current Mizukage won't make a move against them."
"As for dealing with Konoha, that's an even bigger deal. At the very least, we have to wait until we sign a peace treaty with the Hidden Sand Village. It's impossible to rush into a two-front war now."
Indeed, Kirigakure and the Hidden Sand were still in a state of hostility and had not signed a peace treaty. Of course, in reality, the scale of fighting between the two sides was already very small.
After all, the Ninja World War had actually ceased. This situation could only be considered a regional conflict, much like how Konoha and Kumogakure had not signed a peace treaty yet only had small-scale Ninja skirmishes.
But small-scale armed conflicts can also turn into full-scale Village wars, especially when the opposing Village shows a weakness. If Kirigakure were to face off against Konoha now, it's hard to say if the Hidden Sand Village would seize the opportunity to strike a heavy blow against Kirigakure.
"The Hidden Sand Village can't hold out any longer. Remember the demand we made? That Kazekage of the Hidden Sand has agreed!"
A Ninja with a face full of scars gave a cold chuckle and spoke.
"What condition?" Mei Terumī was slightly stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Pakura? Is the Hidden Sand Village crazy? Sacrificing a powerhouse second only to the Kazekage in their own Village?!"
"You said it yourself—a powerhouse second only to the Kazekage. I heard the Fourth Kazekage took power because he was a disciple of the Third Kazekage, involving many political factors."
"In fact, whether that Kazekage could even beat Pakura, the Scorch Style user, is debatable! Under these circumstances, is it even necessary to say why the Kazekage made such a choice?"
The scarred Ninja grinned and explained with a laugh.
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