After killing the Third Mizukage, he looked back at the Hidden Mist Village. As expected, Yagura would become the Fourth Mizukage. In nearly ten years, Mitsuki Kōmei had finally gained complete control of the Land of Water.
The first step to unifying the Ninja World had been taken. His next task was to expand the Land of Water's territory, bringing the Land of the Moon to the north, and This Country, That Country, and Rainbow Country to the south, under his rule.
Mitsuki Kōmei dared not take too big a step, proceeding slowly, one step at a time. The Ninja World was very deep, and he worried about the sudden appearance of the Ōtsutsuki. He hadn't watched Boruto, but he had heard others talk about it.
The Shell organization, the Egg organization, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki—a bunch of Ōtsutsuki jumping out—he wasn't afraid of these.
But if an Ōtsutsuki Calculus, Ōtsutsuki Editing, or Ōtsutsuki Overtime appeared, Mitsuki Kōmei might truly be unable to handle them.
"Let's go. The matter is settled; it's time for us to return."
Mitsuki Kōmei jumped onto the reef, put away his fishing rod, and motioned for his two female companions to leave with him. He glanced at the empty bucket, summoned a giant wave, caught two fish, and tossed them into the bucket, nodding in satisfaction.
The Hidden Mist Village Mizukage building had become a ruin, with surrounding areas in disarray. The Last Dance of the Bracken by Takenori caused extensive damage, but fortunately, there were no casualties.
Elder Yuan Jun, who arrived late, looked even older than the fallen Clan Chiefs of the major Families. He was supported by others, walking with a faltering gait.
He stopped in front of the ruined Mizukage building, trembling as he picked up the Mizukage's hat and cloak that had fallen to the ground, gently brushing off the dust.
He walked step by step to Yagura, his cloudy eyes scrutinizing him.
Everyone present held their breath, watching the two figures, one old and one young, on the ruins. In the silent night, a tense atmosphere permeated everyone's hearts.
After a long minute, Yuan Jun handed the cloak, which symbolized the Mizukage's identity, to Yagura. He then turned to face the Hidden Mist Village villagers.
"The Third Mizukage was once exceptionally capable, fighting for the Village and making indelible contributions. We should remember him."
Yuan Jun loudly stated his thoughts, first affirming the Third Mizukage's contributions to the Village, then pointing out his transgressions.
"However, in recent years, the Third Mizukage gradually became extreme, implementing a bloody policy, inciting conflict between Common People and Ninja Clans, and aggressively targeting various Ninja Families."
"Right and wrong, good and evil, everyone has their own scale. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor a Family without a master. The Third Mizukage abandoned the Village and can no longer serve as Mizukage. I propose that Yagura succeed him as the Fourth Mizukage."
The Elder of Hidden Mist Village held as much power as the Mizukage. With the Mizukage having fled, Elder Yuan Jun, as the decision-maker, received the support of the vast majority of villagers for his proposal.
Yagura was strong and had a good reputation in the Village. Only one thing worried the villagers: would Yagura, who had once served as the Third Mizukage's guard, continue the previous bloody policy?
"In three days, the Mizukage succession ceremony will be held."
Yuan Jun made the final decision, then, supported by others, slowly departed and disappeared into the night.
The Hidden Mist Village villagers dispersed shortly after. The various Clan Chiefs collected the bodies of their Clan Elders and returned to their respective Clan territories with their Family members.
Early the next morning, candidate Mizukage Yagura released the Family members who had been taken away by the Torture Department, shifting the blame to the Third Mizukage.
Yagura stood at the edge of Nightmare Forest, gathering the Hidden Mist Village villagers, and explained the main purpose of the Third Mizukage's Blood Mist policy.
"Everyone here knows that the Third Mizukage's summoning beast is a Leech, but what you don't know is that Leech can evolve by devouring Qi."
Yagura paused, then continued.
"Every year, the Third Mizukage would place the Leech in Nightmare Forest beforehand. The blood shed during the Genin assessment's mutual slaughter, and the bodies of the deceased students, all became fertilizer for the Leech's evolution."
The grief-stricken villagers erupted in angry curses, interrupting Yagura, who was recounting the "truth" to the crowd.
"That damned Third Mizukage! No wonder the children's bodies were never found each year. His actions are worse than beasts!"
"How could he be so deranged? He's utterly inhuman! I used to admire him!"
"My poor child! May the Third Mizukage die a terrible death!"
Yagura, "infected" by the Common People's anger, raised his right hand to signal for quiet and resolutely promised all the Common People.
"Everyone, rest assured, the Village will certainly seek justice for the villagers and pursue the Third Mizukage to his death. As soon as we get any news of him, I guarantee I will personally lead a chase party immediately."
Yagura revealed some information about the Third Mizukage, temporarily stabilizing the villagers' emotions. He didn't intend to completely resolve the conflict between the Common People and the Ninja Clans.
Yagura's succession as Mizukage arrived as scheduled. The Daimyo Manor and Hidden Mist Village had fallen out, so Mitsuki Kōmei did not send anyone to attend the ceremony.
Elder Yuan Jun presided over the ceremony, first recounting the glorious history of Hidden Mist Village, then discussing the problems facing Hidden Mist Village, and finally personally draping the cloak and placing the hat on Yagura.
Leaning close to Yagura, Yuan Jun whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"I don't know what plans you and the person behind you have, I just hope Hidden Mist Village can continue to improve."
Indeed, the old man was shrewd.
"Rest assured, that person has high hopes for Hidden Mist Village. Let me tell you something: the little ones who died are all being trained by that person."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Jun's cloudy eyes sparkled with brilliance, radiating the light of hope.
"Good, good, good. I'm old now, otherwise I would also follow that person's footsteps and accomplish great things."
After the ceremony, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura entered his temporary office and issued his first order.
He changed the Genin assessment model. The assessment would still be a practical combat assessment, but the previous mutual killing and elimination model was abolished.
It was replaced by a collective Subjugation Ninja beasts or summoning beasts. Teachers would grade based on combat performance, and those who reached a certain score would pass the assessment.
The reformed model still had its dangers, but compared to before, the death rate was greatly reduced, and the villagers were quite satisfied. Those who feared death could hide and watch; they wouldn't have their throats slit.
After handling the affairs of Hidden Mist Village, Yagura secretly left the Village and came to the Daimyo Manor.
"Yagura is here. Get up, sit."
Mitsuki Kōmei pulled Yagura, who was kneeling on one knee, to his feet and pressed him into a chair.
"Mitsuki, sir, this is against the rules. This isn't appropriate."
Mitsuki Kōmei interrupted Yagura, who was squirming uncomfortably in the chair.
"Sit still, your butt will catch fire. How are things in Hidden Mist Village? Have you encountered any trouble?"
Yagura, with a straight back and hands on his thighs, reported Yuan Jun's matter to Mitsuki Kōmei.
Mitsuki Kōmei found nothing strange. People in their seventies or eighties saw problems more clearly. It was normal to deduce that Yagura had help from someone behind him, based on his performance before and after.
"Never mind him. As long as he doesn't hinder us, it doesn't matter if he knows. Perhaps we'll even need him one day."