After the great battle with the Kiri Ninja, Yahiko led the Akatsuki to recuperate peacefully in the Land of Hot Water.
Life was carefree and comfortable—perhaps even better than it had been in the Land of Rain. The Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water had spared no expense to accommodate these powerful figures, ensuring that even the Akatsuki's forces lived in luxury.
However, while they enjoyed their respite, others were losing sleep.
When news of the Kiri Ninja's crushing defeat and the Mizukage's death reached the Land of Water, the Daimyō nearly collapsed on the spot. He knew that not only had his dreams of expansion been utterly shattered, but his nation was now on the brink of catastrophe.
After steadying himself, he immediately enacted emergency measures, reaching out to the elder of Kirigakure.
The first words he spoke left the elder in stunned silence.
The news of their defeat had struck the elder harder than anything. He understood better than anyone the significance of losing not just one, but two Jinchūriki—especially when one of them had been the Mizukage himself, a perfect Jinchūriki.
In his mind, even if Kirigakure had lost, the idea that both Jinchūriki would fall was inconceivable. He couldn't accept the reality before him—this was an outright disaster.
The Akatsuki's top combat forces remained unscathed, while Kirigakure was now virtually defenseless. If the Akatsuki chose to invade the Land of Water, they would have no way to resist.
After more than ten seconds of heavy silence, the elder finally let out a quiet "hmm."
But the Daimyō's second question was even more difficult to answer.
If he admitted that Kirigakure could no longer hold its ground, he would lose any chance of further support from the Daimyō.
But if he claimed they could resist, it would be nothing but a blatant lie.
This time, the Daimyō didn't wait for a response. Instead, he issued his demand.
They were to resist to the death.
He would devote all his remaining resources to supporting Kirigakure, no matter what it took.
The elder almost thought he had misheard. This was completely unlike the Daimyō's usual demeanor.
But then he understood—the Daimyō had no other choice. He was betting everything on Kirigakure because there was nothing else he could do.
This was a desperate gamble. The Land of Water's future was shrouded in darkness.
"I will do my best," the elder finally replied, his voice trembling. He had no idea how they were supposed to stop the Akatsuki.
"That's all there is to it," the Daimyō said. "The first batch of supplies is already on its way."
Then he cut the connection.
The moment the link severed, all the strength drained from his body, and he collapsed to the ground.
On the other end, the elder was in slightly better shape—but not by much.
...
It took a long time before his chaotic thoughts finally settled. Slowly, he straightened his hunched back and left his office with heavy steps.
"Summon all shinobi, regardless of age. Have them gather at the village center," he ordered, his voice weary.
His gaze darkened. He knew what he was about to do.
But what other choice did he have?
"Ao, is something big happening?"
A young girl with emerald green eyes and long reddish-brown hair looked up at the man beside her.
"It's not good news."
"Lord Mizukage and Lord Shin have fallen. We lost."
Ao's normal eyes held no Byakugan, nor did sealing talismans hang from his ears.
His face was grim, his voice heavy, his entire demeanor radiating an unapproachable air. If not for the fact that the little girl beside him possessed two Kekkei Genkai and was considered a prodigy in the village, he wouldn't have even bothered answering.
"What?"
"That's impossible!"
The young Mei Terumi's voice was filled with disbelief.
Clearly, her status and strength were not yet enough to grant her immediate access to such vital village news.
"I don't want to believe it either," Ao said.
"But it's the truth."
"Soon, Elder Genji will tell everyone himself."
"And after that... we're all going to war."
Ao forced down his frustration. He had no expectations for the future.
He was just an ordinary Jōnin—nothing more, nothing less.
"To that extent?"
Mei's mouth hung open slightly. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like for a child her age to step onto a battlefield.
Even though she was already leagues ahead of her peers, she was still far from becoming the Fifth Mizukage, as she had in another reality.
"Yes. And the reality may be even worse."
Ao didn't elaborate further. He didn't want to think about it.
The two fell silent, lost in their own thoughts. Numbly, they followed the crowd gathering in the village center.
When the shinobi had mostly assembled, Elder Genji appeared, leaning heavily on his cane.
He walked to the front of the crowd and stood there, waiting.
As the murmuring quieted, he finally spoke.
"There is unfortunate news I must share with you all."
"Lord Mizukage... has fallen."
His voice wasn't loud, but the words shook the gathered shinobi like a thunderclap.
"No way!"
"I don't believe it!"
"How could Lord Mizukage die?!"
"Elder Genji, you're lying, aren't you?!"
Cries of disbelief erupted from the crowd.
Genji understood their pain. He felt the same.
But reality was cruel.
"This is the truth," he said.
"I've gathered you here because the Akatsuki will not let us go."
"They could arrive in the Land of Water as soon as tomorrow, or the day after."
"The village needs every one of you to stand and fight."
"From this moment on, every registered shinobi will be conscripted into the battle forces."
"If the Akatsuki invade, we must drive them out—no matter the cost."
His voice grew louder, but the pain in his chest only deepened.
Looking at the children barely past ten years old and the elderly shinobi just as hunched as he was, his heart felt like it was shattering.
Kirigakure... Kirigakure...
After this war, would their village even exist?
"This is suicide!"
"That damn Mizukage!"
"He pushed us to the outskirts of the village, and now this is his legacy?!"
A group of Kaguya Clan members—each bearing two crimson dots on their foreheads—shouted in anger.
Their rebellious spirits had largely faded after the death of the Third Mizukage, but Yagura Karatachi had never truly trusted or utilized them.
Not a single Kaguya had been included in the Mizukage's expeditionary force.
"So... it's true."
Mei's last shred of hope shattered. She muttered to herself, repeating the words again and again.
"This is the fate of shinobi."
Ao reached out, gently resting a hand on the head of the young prodigy beside him.
How long would she last on the battlefield?
A day? Two?
"Ao-senpai... is Kirigakure finished?"
Mei finally looked up. She was young, but she wasn't naive.
If the Mizukage and Shin Aoki had led their forces and still lost, what hope did these so-called "defenders" have against the Akatsuki?
"Maybe."
Ao's gaze drifted to Elder Genji.
His answer to Mei's question was vague.
As murmurs spread once again through the crowd, Elder Genji turned and walked away.
He had neither the strength nor the will to continue speaking.
The more he tried to rally them, the heavier his guilt became.
Call it cowardice, call it weakness—it didn't matter anymore.
This gathering was nothing but a death sentence.
And as one of the elders who had watched Kirigakure rise from its founding, no one could understand Genji's grief.