"We'll see you off here, Third… and Fourth."
At Kirigakure's outer gate, the white-haired elder raised the blue-and-white Mizukage hat—the symbol of the office—and approached the three who had already prepared to depart. With trembling hands, he offered it to the Third Mizukage, voice old and heavy.
"The future of the Mist… will be laid by the foundation you carve with this negotiation."
The Third Mizukage stared at the hat, sighing with a weight that seemed to belong to an entire era. Then he turned and pushed it toward Ren instead.
"No. I no longer deserve the title 'Mizukage.' I'm only a sinner walking to bear the consequences of my failures."
"Rather than an old man whose end has already been judged… this should be carried by the young one who will decide the village's fate."
"Even if you say that," Ren replied, accepting the hat and idly turning it in his hands, "I don't even have a proper ceremonial robe to match it yet."
"Are you the kind of person who can be restrained by such things?" the Third Mizukage countered.
"I'm not."
Ren smiled, then placed the hat on his own head—steady, unshaken.
He stepped toward Yagura, who was being held in a long, quiet conversation by the elder, and asked casually, "Ready to leave, Yagura?"
"…Soon."
Yagura squeezed the elder's frail hands, eyes serious.
"I'll take care of the Third. I'll make sure he returns safely. Elder, you only need to keep the village running while we're gone—and ensure the front line receives supplies."
"I will handle those matters." The elder studied Yagura's eyes—less lost than before—and spoke with quiet satisfaction. "I also have words for you."
"In my eyes, you possess the bearing of a Mizukage as well. I was worried you might clash with the Fourth after his forceful ascension, and suffer setbacks that needn't exist."
"But it seems that won't happen."
The elder's voice softened.
"So now my expectations for you are simple: aid the Fourth in restoring the Mist."
"No matter how strong the Fourth is," he continued, "he cannot manage every matter alone. That is why capable children like you must bear more of the burden."
"I will," Yagura promised.
He waved farewell to the village and joined the old and new Mizukage as they set out—three figures walking into a road that would define a new era.
…
The Land of Iron.
A small country that had hosted the first Five Kage Summit—witnessed the First Hokage forging an alliance with the other Kage, witnessed the distribution of tailed beasts to balance power—and, on that foundation, retained permanent neutrality.
The Land of Iron had no hidden village. It sat somewhat remote. It produced no rare resources worth fighting over.
And so, even after multiple shinobi world wars, its people still lived comparatively peaceful lives—not rich, but far from the worst of blood and fire.
Recently, its daimyo had received a commission that smelled like history.
"What?! Kirigakure of the Land of Water and Konoha of the Land of Fire are holding a ceasefire negotiation—and the Mizukage has personally chosen the Land of Iron as the venue?!"
The daimyo accepted on the spot, thrilled. He began preparing the negotiation hall and the welcoming ceremony for the Hokage and Mizukage.
But soon, he ran into a problem—
Security.
Kiri and Konoha might want peace, but would Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure accept it? The Land of Iron had its own samurai… but most samurai refused chakra training. Against assassins dispatched by three great villages, mere steel and pride would not be enough.
So where could he find mercenaries strong enough—yet neutral enough—to guard a summit between two Kage?
Just as the daimyo was losing sleep over it, a group of young shinobi in black cloaks—every one of them looking dangerous—appeared at his door.
"Akatsuki…?" the daimyo repeated, troubled. "Never heard of you."
He eyed them—well-armed, eager, and very much uninvited.
"This is a commission to stand face-to-face with two Kage, participate in a world-shaping event. Can a bunch of young people I've never even heard of be trusted with that?"
"Of course," Yahiko said with confidence.
Nagato stepped forward from behind him. He smiled calmly, Rinnegan steady.
"Please believe in Akatsuki's strength. After these talks, the entire shinobi world will know our name… and hear our ideals and our goal."
"Ah? O-Oh… I see…"
The daimyo nodded stiffly, then cleared his throat.
"Then the security for the negotiation hall will be entrusted to Akatsuki."
"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, Daimyo-sama," Yahiko said, voice bright with purpose.
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