Land of Water, Kirigakure. (Hidden Mist)
As one of the Five Great Nations, the Land of Water had once shone brightly with power.
The First Mizukage, Byakuren, and the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, were both shinobi of great strength.
At that time, Kirigakure’s might was renowned throughout the shinobi world, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist carried fearsome prestige.
But in recent years, for reasons unknown to outsiders, Kirigakure began to decline. Its strength gradually fell, reaching a level comparable to Sunagakure, long regarded as the shame of the Five Great Villages.
With the ascension of the Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, however, things began to change.
She abolished the destructive principle of endless internal strife within the village, and with the full support of Chief Elder Genji, Kirigakure regained much of its vitality.
Inside the Mizukage’s Office. Read complete versıon only at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩
Terumī Mei, known as the "Flower of Kirigakure", now sat upright on the Mizukage’s seat. At her left sat the rarely-seen Elder Genji. Standing before her were two people: Ao, one of her most trusted shinobi, and the commander of Kirigakure’s ANBU.
"Is this information confirmed?"
Elder Genji’s expression was grave as he shook the intelligence report in his hand, his eyes flashing with shock and unease.
"It has been confirmed," the ANBU commander replied coldly, showing no trace of obsequiousness despite standing before the Mizukage and a respected elder. "The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and the Fourth Raikage, A, were both suppressed at the border of the Land of Fire by Tsunade herself. After negotiations between the three great villages, a ransom of five hundred million ryo was agreed upon. Half is to be paid in resources of equivalent value, the other half in cash."
"I wasn’t asking about that!"
Genji slapped the report onto Mei’s desk. "What I meant was, can we be certain that the Fifth Hokage’s technique... is the legendary Wood Release?"
The Anbu commander answered, "Confirmed. An ANBU squad has already retrieved fragments of Wood Release constructs and submitted them to the research division for analysis. The results should be available this afternoon. At the same time, the squad surveyed the surrounding terrain and found a massive crater created by Dust Release—already filled in with Wood Release constructs."
Genji’s voice carried a hint of desolation.
"Then I suggest we immediately send envoys to Konohagakure with a letter of friendship. Right now, Konoha is not an opponent we can afford to fight."
"Elder Genji!" Ao protested, dissatisfied. "Our Mizukage herself commands two Kekkei Genkai. Even with that power, do you mean to say we are still not enough to match the Fifth Hokage?"
Mei, too, felt some dissatisfaction. As Kirigakure’s prodigy, she had mastered two Kekkei Genkai at a young age. Her strength was unquestionably the greatest in the village.
For Genji to suggest otherwise struck at her pride.
But instead of anger at Ao’s protest, Genji seemed pleased.
In his heart, for Kirigakure to grow strong again, it needed youths like Ao—people willing to struggle for the future of the village, people with fire in their spirit who would not easily yield.
If even the younger generation lost their resolve, how could the Mist ever rise again?
"I do not deny the Fifth Mizukage’s talent and strength. But I will ask you this, Mizukage-sama: how does your strength compare with the Second Mizukage?"
The moment those words fell, Ao went silent, and even Mei herself had no answer.
The Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, was a genius of the Hōzuki clan, renowned for his strength. Based on the clan’s Hydrification Technique, he developed his own ’Oilification’, overcoming the technique’s weakness to Lightning Release. Coupled with his powerful summon, his strength was truly terrifying.
"Compared to the Second Mizukage... I am still lacking."
Mei admitted, though reluctantly. Facing the illustrious reputation of the Second Mizukage, she couldn’t guarantee she would win.
"And what about the First Mizukage?" Genji pressed further.
Though the First Mizukage was less renowned, he had quelled the wars in the Land of Water and founded Kirigakure.
"I am not his equal." Mei admitted quickly this time.
The First Mizukage was to Kirigakure what the First Hokage was to the Land of Fire—an unmatched pillar of strength and virtue. To compare herself to him would be presumptuous.
"In my view," Genji continued, "your strength falls short of those two—but not by much. With two Kekkei Genkai under your command, in a few more years, you will grow even stronger."
"Thank you, Elder Genji." Mei knew he harbored no malice toward her. Without his support, she would never have become Mizukage.
"No need to thank me. That is your own strength, not the gift of an old man like me."
"But let me ask you—do you know the difference between the First Mizukage and the First Hokage?"
The First Mizukage compared to the First Hokage?
Mei glanced at Ao, and Ao instinctively looked back at her.
"There are no outsiders here." Genji said. "Speak freely."
Encouraged, Mei replied, "The First Mizukage is the hero of our village... but the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, is called the God of Shinobi. His power must have been above our First Mizukage."
As Mizukage, Mei could not belittle her own predecessor while praising another—even one called the God of Shinobi.
"You two are far too cautious!" Genji sighed, not pressing further.
"Do you think the title ’God of Shinobi’ was just a name? No. Senju Hashirama ended the age of chaos in the Land of Fire with his own strength. He was the first to establish the shinobi village system. His power was unmatched in the shinobi world—that is why he alone was called the God of Shinobi.
"The First Mizukage was indeed formidable. But compared to Senju Hashirama, he would only have been utterly crushed."
"To put it plainly, even if the First Mizukage, First Raikage, First Tsuchikage, and First Kazekage all fought together against Hashirama, they wouldn’t stand a chance. Do you understand now?"
Mei, Ao, and the Anbu commander all sucked in sharp breaths of cold air.
They had never fully understood what the title "God of Shinobi" meant—until now.
"Wood Release of the First Hokage was truly terrifying. Even if Tsunade only possesses half—no, even thirty percent—of his power, she would still be able to defeat anyone. Right now, she may well be the strongest person in the shinobi world."
(Tendo Pain: I think I heard someone say Tsunade is the strongest. Heh...)
"If that’s the case," Mei said, "Ao, draft a letter to Konoha. Tell them Kirigakure wishes to restore diplomatic ties. If their reply is favorable, I will personally visit to pay respects to the Hokage."
Ao glanced at Genji, but the elder’s eyes were half-closed, as if he might fall asleep at any moment. Clearly, the old man had no intention of involving himself further.
If not for the news of Wood Release, he likely wouldn’t even have come today.
"Understood, Mizukage-sama!"
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