They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 6 Isolationism and Bloody Competition

"I know that many of you here have questions about the convening of this Jonin meeting. It's very simple. There are only three resolutions for this Jonin meeting, and all three resolutions will be implemented immediately after the meeting."

Lian turned to look at the daimyo envoy beside her, briefly introduced his identity, and then began to speak without further ado. The daimyo envoy sat there very properly, not taking advantage of his status to say anything inappropriate.

"The first thing is about the appointment of our Hidden Mist Village's genius, the 'Timely Rain' of the Hidden Mist Village." Ren glanced at Hozuki Shingetsu's position below the stage, emphasizing the two nicknames as she spoke.

Unfazed by his gaze, Hozuki Shingetsu stood up and nodded to those around him.

Many of the Jonin present had already heard of this genius ninja from their village, but they didn't understand why such an appointment was to be made at this Jonin Tournament. Could it be another round of clashes between the Mizukage and the Hozuki clan?

The daimyo's envoy standing to the side also looked at the young ninja with curiosity. It was the first time he had met the patron who had been sending him money in person.

"To show the village's respect for genius ninjas, and considering Hozuki Jonin's age, talent, and achievements, after discussion between myself and Master Genji, we have decided..."

Meeting Ren's gaze, Hozuki Shingetsu was genuinely nervous at this moment, after all, whether or not they could successfully fire this first shot depended on this!

"...granted him the position of foreign affairs officer."

Pretty!

If the setting weren't so serious, Hozuki Shingetsu would have loved to snap his fingers in celebration.

"……yes."

However, in order to temporarily lull the enemy into a false sense of security, Hozuki Shingetsu still revealed a resentful look in his eyes, indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction.

Ren looked at Hozuki Shingetsu without any expression and immediately announced the second decision. Rather, the second and third decisions were the real purpose of his convening of this Jonin meeting, while the first decision was just a side effect.

To mobilize such a large force simply for the appointment of a junior is to underestimate him.

"The next decision is as follows: Effective immediately, in accordance with the Second Mizukage's secrecy laws, this village will fully implement a policy of isolation. No one is permitted to leave without permission. Furthermore, all outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering Kirigakure without authorization!"

?

This resolution caused an uproar.

Although the Second Mizukage enacted the Secrecy Law, the core idea behind it was that Kirigakure was too weak and it was a policy that had to be implemented to prevent the leakage of information from the village.

Moreover, the core of that secrecy law is actually to prohibit foreign ninjas from entering the country, but not to prohibit the ninjas of the village from going out, and also not to prohibit foreign merchants from entering. After all, if merchants don't come, what will the many ninjas eat, drink, and play?

Judging from the Third Mizukage's words, it seems he intends to completely isolate the country, leaving no opportunity for interaction with the outside world?

The Water Kingdom is surrounded by seawater. Although the island can produce and consume its own resources, it does not have to worry about the most basic living conditions under the closed-door policy. However, how can they possibly get used to wearing linen clothes when they are used to wearing fine silks and satins?

As if she had anticipated the dissenting voices from the audience, Ren added, "This is His Majesty's intention."

The daimyo's envoy standing nearby also stood up to confirm the truth of the statement.

As the daimyo of the Land of Water, although he initially had the ambition to expand his territory after taking the throne, after decades of war, especially after the First Shinobi World War, he realized that his family's strength was such that they could barely defend their own small territory, let alone expand it.

So, under the impetus of certain "enthusiasts" and confidants, the policy of closing the country off from the world was thus freshly born. The arrival of the daimyo's envoy was actually to inform him of this matter, but unexpectedly, the current Mizukage seemed to greatly appreciate this decision and even wanted to implement it simultaneously in Kirigakure as well.

Hearing the continued murmurs from below the stage, Lian said expressionlessly, word by word, "This is also His Majesty's intention. Moreover, this is not a discussion, but a notification."

As he spoke, the air in the conference room suddenly became humid, and tiny water droplets filled the air, shimmering in the sunlight.

As a disciple of the First Mizukage and a true Mizukage, Ren's forte is naturally Water Release ninjutsu. His subtle chakra manipulation also proves that his title as Mizukage is well-deserved.

Seeing that the many Jonin below the stage immediately fell silent, and even the great ninja clans such as the Hozuki clan and the Yuki clan had no objections, he was satisfied and withdrew his methods.

"Without the strength of a generation's strongest like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha, and without a stable base of support, how dare they be so arrogant and run their own little kingdom? Have they really been brainwashed by Madara and Zetsu?"

Seeing this scene, Hozuki Shingetsu in the audience became certain of some of his suspicions.

"Next is the third decision, concerning future Jonin promotions."

"Due to the village's limited funds, and the fact that the number of ninjas has been increasing despite the cessation of war in recent years, and considering the latest policy of isolationism, I have decided to maintain the total number of ninjas from today onwards and implement a promotion system that promotes the capable and demotes the incompetent."

"Want to advance as a ninja? Sure! No missions or achievements are needed. Just defeat your opponent, and you'll gain their ninja rank!"

"If a ninja academy student wants to become a genin, then defeat a genin! If a genin wants to be promoted to chunin, then defeat a chunin! If they want to become a jonin, then defeat a jonin! And if someone wants to become the Mizukage, then if they can defeat me face to face, I'm willing to hand it over!"

As she said this, Ren's gaze lingered on the faces of Hozuki Zangetsu, the head of the Yuki clan, and others, seemingly with a hidden meaning.

However, the audience's reaction to this decision was not as strong as the last one.

It's easy to imagine that for chunin and genin, this will be a brutal and bloody elimination game.

In Kirigakure, a ninja identity is not just proof of identity, but also proof of political status!

This is especially true for ordinary people. If you want to live a good life, then become a ninja! Once you become a ninja master, you will step into another social class and be able to say goodbye to your previous hard life.

However, for Jonin, the impact is not that significant.

It's quite simple. Most of the Jonin present are from ninja clans. If the plan is implemented as the Mizukage intended, the number of Jonin will remain the same as it is now.

Becoming a Jonin is extremely rare, and those from various ninja clans who have the ability to become Jonin have already done so. This means that the position of Jonin will not change much for at least ten years, which also means that the interests of all the ninja clans present will not be affected in the short term.

For them, it doesn't actually have that much of an impact.

What? You mean ten years from now?

It's hard to say whether Ren will still be the Mizukage in ten years. If anyone stubbornly stands up for the sake of the future, everyone present will be laughing.

"Very well, if no one objects, then we'll call it a day..."

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the room fell silent, the newly appointed foreign affairs officer stood up.

"I have something to say, please listen carefully."

(End of this chapter)