Shigure was now the newly appointed Acting Mizukage of Kirigakure.
But the shinobi under him were not new at all.
The swift, precise decisions he made left the Mist-nin stunned.
Even the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, had never handled governmental affairs with such speed and accuracy.
Every proposal Shigure drafted — after proper review and execution — turned out to be the best possible solution.
Issues that would normally drag on for a full day were resolved in less than half of one.
An Elder of the village watched him work, a smile tugging at his weathered face.
"I never expected our new Lord Mizukage to be not only powerful and exceptionally talented… but also this skilled in governance!"
"Is this Heaven's way of compensating the Hidden Mist after all the hardships we've endured?"
The Elder laughed warmly, eyes full of admiration.
If Shigure had risen to the position earlier… perhaps Kirigakure would have been in a far better situation today.
At her home, Mei Terumī reviewed the reports with increasing irritation.
"This brat… he was this good all along?!"
"If I'd known, I would've shoved this paperwork onto him sooner! Then I wouldn't have been up late every night drowning in documents!"
Her complaints were half-hearted, but unmistakably sour.
Standing beside her was Hyūga Hinata, quietly observing this legendary kunoichi — one of the few women capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lady Tsunade.
Yet Lady Terumī was currently lounging casually in a loose bathrobe, hair down and unstyled.
On anyone else it might look messy — but on her, it carried a lazy, dangerous charm.
"So? When is Shigure coming back?" Mei asked with a wicked grin.
"Since he's already done with his responsibilities, shouldn't he come check on his little girlfriend?"
Hinata's face instantly turned crimson.
A nearby Yuki Clan shinobi cleared his throat.
"Lord Shigure is currently attending to another matter."
Mei raised a brow.
"Oh? And what matter is more important than visiting his dear Hinata-chan?"
The shinobi answered respectfully:
"Envoys from the Hidden Cloud have arrived. They've invited the Mizukage to Kumogakure to discuss a diplomatic dispute… concerning sea territory."
…
Maritime disputes had always been the main source of friction between Kumogakure and Kirigakure.
And Kumogakure was definitely aware of the current state of the Hidden Mist.
Which meant… this invitation was no coincidence.
Why invite the Acting Mizukage now?
Why not earlier?
Were they trying to test Shigure's resolve?
Mei Terumī chuckled to herself.
If that was their goal… then the Hidden Cloud had severely underestimated him.
Inside the Mizukage's Office
Shigure stood over a detailed map of the surrounding sea routes.
"From this line onward," he pointed, "is clearly Mist territory. Yet Kumogakure has taken it for themselves."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Their reason is obvious. This area avoids the most violent sea storms, and it's the central trade route connecting multiple islands. Whoever controls this route controls the trade — and the taxes that come with it."
No wonder the Hidden Cloud had fought so fiercely over that small island before.
It was a forward outpost — perfect for monitoring and securing the sea lanes.
And a strategic foothold for dominating trade.
Shigure exhaled.
"It seems refusing Kumogakure's invitation isn't an option."
He turned toward Ao and Ameyuri Ringo standing before him.
"What do you two think?"
Ao frowned deeply.
"Lord Shigure, I believe you should avoid going for now. Kumogakure knows you have just taken office — they want to pressure you and look down on you as an Acting Mizukage."
His concern wasn't baseless.
If Shigure went, he risked being humiliated.
If he reacted too strongly, it could ignite a conflict between the villages.
The balance was delicate.
Ao's stance was clear — better to avoid risks.
But Ringo flashed a confident smile.
"I think Lord Shigure should go."
Ao raised an eyebrow at the young prodigy.
Her lightning ability was exceptional — but politics?
Ringo continued firmly:
"If we don't go, we'll look weak. And every decision we make later will be constrained by that weakness."
Ao was momentarily surprised — she understood the stakes more than he expected.
"They invited us. If we decline… it means we're afraid."
Shigure smirked, rising to his feet.
"Then it's decided — we go."
Ao tried to protest:
"Lord Shigure, but the village—"
Shigure cut in:
"Relax. I'll only bring two swordsmen with me — Kuji and Akira."
Ringo suddenly stepped forward.
"Lord Shigure, please allow me to accompany you!"
Shigure paused for a moment — then nodded.
"Very well. If you want to come, prepare yourself. Tomorrow, you and Kuji will join me on the trip to the Hidden Cloud."
He looked reassuringly at Ao:
"I'm bringing only two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The remaining five are more than enough to keep our village safe."
With that, Shigure strode out of the office.
Ringo hurried to drape his Mizukage cloak over his shoulders as they walked toward the entrance — followed by a five-man guard unit composed entirely of Shigure's elite Blood Mist Squad.
One shinobi from each of the new clans under him — Kaguya, Yuki, Onoshirō, Kōzuki, and Namitatsu — forming a personal escort force.
At the Training Hall
"Lord Shigure!"
Zabuza approached immediately.
Shigure nodded.
"How is the progress?"
Zabuza's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Your sword style — the Water Breathing forms — it's unlike anything I've ever seen."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Though he hadn't inherited Shigure's special abilities, he had devoted himself entirely to mastering and teaching the new swordsmanship.
"How many can use it proficiently?"
Zabuza thought for a moment.
"Thirty-seven shinobi have successfully learned Water Breathing. Another 186 are showing talent but still need more breathing control training."
Kirigakure's forces numbered in the tens of thousands — so the success rate was still modest.
But Shigure wasn't discouraged.
With time, discipline, and relentless practice…
Over sixty percent of the Mist's forces could one day wield this power.
And the strength of the entire village would rise beyond imagination.
...
TN:
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