Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

As the victors of the Hidden Mist battlefield, Konoha signed numerous unequal treaties in order to prevent the Hidden Mist from continuing to participate in the remaining wars. They even had to announce their defeat and mistakes to the ninja world, turning from victors into losers.

But at least, the signing of this contract greatly relieved the pressure on the battlefield for Konoha, and they could finally focus all their attention on the battlefield in Iwagakure and deal with Onoki properly.

As the meeting concluded, Mizuki Yoru smiled and reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Please, Hokage, execute the contract on the 6th of this month. Don't get the timing wrong."

"Do you want Konoha's defeat to be your first achievement as the Fourth Hokage...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Yoru Minazuki a deep look, and then, together with Minato Namikaze, they vanished from the spot.

He never wanted to stay in this place again, not even for a moment longer!

"Let's go, Third Generation. Let's go back and tidy up. It's time to return to the village."

Ye stretched and said, "Besides the compensation agreement from Konoha, I've gained something else this time."

"The female ninja in your room?"

"you know?"

"Did you forget that our hotel rooms are next to each other? Everything about the Land of Iron is great, except the construction quality is a bit lacking. The soundproofing in this room is absolutely terrible..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I was researching the Blaze Release Bloodline Limit!"

"I understand, I understand, but I still want to remind you that young people need to know how to exercise restraint, so that they won't..."

"You son of a bitch!"

……

Several days later, in Kirigakure Village.

After several days of setup and preparation, from the banners at the village entrance to the brightly decorated streets and the newly built magnificent Mizukage building, one can see the Kirigakure ninjas and residents' anticipation for the Fourth Mizukage.

The thick blood mist that has shrouded Kirigakure will finally be completely dispelled today.

This tragic village has finally ushered in its own new life!

"...I hope my tragedy will not be repeated in your life."

The elderly Third Mizukage draped a blue and white divine robe, engraved with the title of the Fourth Mizukage, over Yoru's body.

"There's no need to dwell on the past, Third Generation. We should trust the young people, shouldn't we?"

"That's true, but..."

"That's enough." The daimyo of the Land of Water picked up the Mizukage hat and solemnly placed it in Mizuki Yoru's hands.

"The future of the Land of Water and the Hidden Mist is entrusted to you, Fourth Hokage!"

"what."

Night took the straw hat and put it on her head: "I will not let you down. Under my leadership, this village will reach unimaginable heights."

After saying that, Ye lightly leaped onto the high platform where the successive Mizukage had taken office, and then looked down at the densely packed Kirigakure ninjas and civilians gathered below.

"The Yondaime! The Yondaime! The Yondaime!"

"I love you, Fourth Generation!!"

"So handsome! Ahhhhh!"

"..."

In an instant, a wave of cheers, like a tsunami, surged toward where Ye stood.

"Everyone."

Night spoke softly, pressing her hand down.

The members of Kirigakure suppressed their excitement and gazed with burning eyes at the young man who would lead them to an even brighter future.

"Looking back, we have stood at the peak and fallen to the bottom. Glory and hardship have shaped us into what we are today, and have also given us the most resilient mind and body!"

“I cannot comment on everything the Third Hokage did during his reign, but when the Sharingan genjutsu faded from his mind, I saw helplessness and sadness in his eyes, and I saw his self-blame and regret for the state of the village.”

"At that moment, I thought, if I could become the Mizukage, I would never let these things happen!"

"Now, thanks to your support and trust, I, and Wuyin, have seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"So, everyone from Kirigakure..."

Are you ready to embrace a brand new era?

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!!"

……

……

January 6th, Konoha Year 49.

The simultaneous release of two major pieces of news ignited the entire ninja world.

The Third Mizukage of Kirigakure in the Land of Water believed that he was too old to serve as 'Kage' and voluntarily resigned from the position. He then transferred the position of Fourth Mizukage to Mizuki Yoru, the head of the Yuki clan who had become famous during the Third Shinobi World War.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Mizuki Yoru, expressed his deep disgust for everything Konoha had done on the battlefield in Kirigakure, including the use of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to slaughter Kirigakure ninjas, claiming it was an extremely heinous act that showed utter disrespect for life and history.

That afternoon.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, leader of Konoha Village in the Land of Fire, issued a statement accepting the criticism from the Fourth Mizukage, Yoru Minazuki, and expressed his deepest apologies for everything Konoha had done to Kirigakure and the heavy wounds it had inflicted upon Kirigakure.

While issuing a self-criticism, the Third Hokage also offered to compensate Kirigakure for their losses, hoping to gain their forgiveness. He also took the opportunity to criticize Onoki's reckless use of Jinchuriki, clearly stating that the First Hokage distributed the Tailed Beasts with the intention of using them as symbols of peace, not as tools of war, and that such flawed forms of warfare were unacceptable.

The simultaneous announcements from both the Water and Fire factions caused a huge uproar in the ninja world.

They never imagined that the two great nations, one fighting to the death and the other suffering heavy losses, would reach a reconciliation so quietly, with Konoha even showing weakness and yielding.

The failed assassination attempt resulted in the loss of several elite ninjas from Sunagakure and Kumogakure, but they could only swallow their anger and suffer in silence.

but.

This mercenary organization called 'Akatsuki' protected the Shadow Council, but it also attracted the attention of Sunagakure and Kumogakure, thus coming into the view of many people...

Chapter 99 The Decaying Demigod, the Weeping Kingdom

The land of rain.

Yuyin Village.

This country, which is rainy all year round and seems to be cursed by the heavens, has also had its own glorious moments.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo of the Salamander, known as a demigod and hailed as standing at the pinnacle of the shinobi world, led Amegakure to demonstrate unparalleled strength in the war.

He led Amegakure to provoke the Land of Iron, Konoha, and Sunagakure in succession. To everyone, this was almost suicidal, but Hanzo managed to turn the tide with his own abilities.

Although the vast disparity between the two sides led to Amegakure's repeated defeats at the hands of Sunagakure and Konoha, Hanzo still managed to transform this weak nation through his own strength and unwavering belief. From a pushover that everyone could bully, it rose to become the 'Sixth Great Nation,' second only to the Five Great Nations!

Amegakure was no longer a toy that powerful nations could trample on at will, and Hanzo at that time proved a truth.

That means the weak are not limited to relying on the strong.

But a pity.

This being, who was hailed as a demigod, gradually succumbed to the allure of power and wealth during his settled years.

The demigod who dared to challenge the Three Kingdoms gradually disappeared, replaced by a sensitive and suspicious miser.

He hired countless bodyguards to surround himself, like a patient with paranoia, always worried and afraid that everything he owned would be overturned and destroyed.

Centralization and control!

But this unease did not disappear with such actions; instead, it intensified, and the former demigod, who had succumbed to power, became increasingly deranged!

A chaotic war on the outside, and oppression from powerful forces on the inside.

This immense pressure led to the emergence of numerous resistance organizations, both large and small, in Amegakure.

Although most of these organizations were wiped out by Hanzo as soon as they appeared, some of them escaped and developed rapidly.

Among these organizations, the Akatsuki, which advocates 'peace', is the most prominent.

To be honest, when these empty slogans were shouted, almost no one believed them, but later more and more people joined the organization.

Because they understand that this organization called 'Akatsuki' is not just talking, it's doing.

When you do things seriously, someone will always see it and be inspired!

Beset by internal and external troubles, Amegakure had become a place of despair. The sudden appearance of the Akatsuki organization was like a glimmer of dawn in the darkest night. No matter how faint it was, those who were truly willing to sacrifice for the village and the country held onto it tightly!

"Ten million taels! That's a full ten million taels!"

"The Land of Iron is really generous. I heard that Konoha only paid 80 million ryo in compensation to Kirigakure. The warriors of the Land of Iron have quite a deep foundation."

Under the drizzling rain, Yahiko and Nagato, who had just returned to Amegakure, rested in a cave. Yahiko held up several scrolls, looking quite pleased with himself.

The other members of the organization were also all smiles. This sum of ten million taels was enough to cover the organization's expenses for several years.

"After all, it concerns the face of the Iron Kingdom."

"But speaking of which, that guy, Mizuki Yoru, actually became the Fourth Mizukage! He must be less than fifteen years old! Has there ever been such a young Kage in the history of the ninja world?"

"There probably aren't any. People who become Shadows are either old men or middle-aged men..."

"That guy is really like a monster, in every way. By the way, did you hear when you came here? The Water and Fire Kingdoms don't want that meeting to be publicized. The warriors of the Iron Kingdom probably won't be able to turn this Shadow Meeting into a tourist attraction like they did decades ago."

"Hahaha, I even feel a little sorry for them... huh?!"

Yahiko's laughter suddenly stopped, and he cautiously looked outside the cave.

Suddenly, a figure enveloped in a white, distorted substance appeared at the cave entrance and slowly walked towards them.

"Hey, who are you!"

Because they possessed a large sum of money, the Akatsuki members all showed hostility towards this person of unknown origin. Yahiko spoke in a low voice: "Even if you're here to seek shelter from the rain, you should at least state your identity first!"

"...Uchiha Madara."

Obito removed his black robe, revealing himself covered by a white vortex mask.

The unusual name startled everyone present. Having just returned from the Land of Iron and guarded the Shadow Council, they naturally remembered the meaning behind the name. It was precisely because of this that the expressions on their faces became quite strange.

"You actually call yourself Uchiha Madara... Are you a mentally unstable lunatic?"

Yahiko was not going to give a friendly look to this guy who suddenly appeared and claimed to be on par with the First Hokage. He had always disliked this kind of eccentric guy and believed that such people would only hide behind the scenes and use some tricks and schemes, and were not people who would really fight for their dreams!

However, Obito did not show any unusual expression because of Yahiko's words. His gaze remained fixed on Nagato, or rather, on those wavy eyes.

"I am Uchiha Madara. Whether you believe it or not, it doesn't change that. And my purpose in coming here is very simple: to obtain these Sage's Eyes."

So they really came for Nagato's eyes!

Yahiko's expression hardened slightly, and his face turned cold: "We don't know what you're talking about, nor do we care about your purpose. Please leave now."

"Are you sure."

Obito glanced at Yahiko, then stared at Nagato and continued, "You should have already seen what this world is like. People hurt each other, distrust each other, and war, oppression, and darkness have never stopped."

"Take the Rain Kingdom where you are, for example. Because of wars between great powers, because of the desires of those in power, because of hatred and interests... all these messy things are constantly dragging you into war."

"Is this fair to you? No, it's not, but nobody has ever asked for your opinion because that's the reality."

"The causes and effects of this world are already intertwined. The thought of protecting those we cherish will ignite war. There will be victors, and there will inevitably be losers. Only you, Nagato, can end all of this! With the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, you are destined to guide this world toward peace!"

This guy……

Obito's words were similar to what Minazuki Yoru had said in the tavern: to seek peace through power.

No, compared to Minazuki Yoru, this guy is even more extreme and unreliable. This guy came for Nagato's eyes!

Yahiko's gaze turned cold, and he snorted, "Stop talking nonsense here. We already know about using power to achieve peace, but we have better ways."

"Let's go, everyone!"

"Is it."

Obito murmured, "Indeed, it's quite difficult to convince you of someone who suddenly appears and whose identity is unclear. In that case, I'll show you my sincerity."

"Pretending..."

Yahiko didn't want to pay any attention to the man with the vortex mask. He led the Akatsuki members and walked straight past Obito.

"You're keeping me at arm's length like this... Even if my sincerity is based on information about your companion named Konan, you still don't care?"

"what?!"

Everyone froze in place, their eyes turning back to look, and a chilling killing intent appeared in Yahiko's eyes.