Yagura's first public appearance ended with such an astonishing declaration.
In front of a massive crowd, he proclaimed that shinobi should directly challenge their Kage's mistakes—even going so far as to say that they had the right to kill the Kage if necessary.
...
On the way back.
"Mizukage-sama, you really are something else!"
Mei Terumi looked utterly exasperated. "How could you say something so reckless?"
It was easy to imagine the immediate uproar this would cause in the usually silent Kirigakure. Such bold and radically unorthodox words were bound to spread like wildfire.
She already dreaded the mountain of new responsibilities waiting for her once they returned.
"Oh well, it's nothing serious."
Yagura smiled calmly, unfazed. "Who knows? It might even have some unexpected benefits."
Mei turned and glared at him. "You don't have the right to say that!"
Yagura, knowing he was at fault, shrank back slightly. "Oh."
...
With his visible and hidden guards accompanying him, Yagura arrived in the northern region of the Land of Water, near lake—the same lake where Isobu had been sealed before.
Mangetsu and the others had been holding back their questions the entire trip. Sensing the atmosphere, they chose to remain silent until Yagura finally stopped.
Mangetsu was the first to speak. "So… what are we doing here?"
"Diving."
Only after answering did Yagura realize something and chuckled.
"Oh, right. I forgot that you guys have never gone diving with me. I usually do this alone."
Whenever he needed time to think, he had developed a habit of coming here by himself.
But since they were here, he extended his hands toward them.
"Wanna join? It's pretty fun."
Mangetsu and Zabuza exchanged glances.
Since Yagura had invited them, whether as friends or subordinates, neither of them could refuse.
...
Turning his back to the water, Yagura leaned back and let himself fall.
Dive…
Completely relaxing his body, he allowed himself to sink freely into the water.
Opening his eyes, he saw Mangetsu and Zabuza diving after him, accelerating once they noticed his presence.
Mei didn't follow.
He waved at the two of them, signaling his location.
"Are you insane?!" Mangetsu's voice rang out in Yagura's ears, startling him. "That's how you dive?! Just falling backward into the water like that? That's beyond reckless!"
Yagura blinked, puzzled.
Wait… how are you even talking underwater?
Oh. Right. Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Technique.
Everyone has different abilities.
His friend didn't seem to be acting like his usual self today.
That statement earlier—the one about allowing people to kill him—Mangetsu knew he wasn't joking.
But Yagura also wasn't as carefree and confident as usual. His mischievous smirk was gone, replaced by an unnerving calmness. His violet cat-like pupils lacked their usual gleam.
For the first time, Mangetsu saw something in Yagura's expression—loneliness.
A sudden realization struck him.
Self-isolation? Depression? A tendency to withdraw?
Was Yagura describing himself when he had once spoken of those things?
Noticing Mangetsu's growing unease, Yagura looked at him, silently.
For some reason, it felt like there was now a world separating them.
The unfamiliar sense of loss made Mangetsu's chest tighten.
He had to ask.
Floating closer, he refused to let the distance remain. "I have questions. You can only answer by nodding or shaking your head."
Yagura nodded. Alright.
"Are you troubled by something?"
Yagura shook his head.
Mangetsu understood instantly. "Okay. So, you are troubled."
?
It was obvious. Even a fool could see it.
Raising a second finger, Mangetsu's gaze turned serious, as if making an oath.
"Second question: Are you afraid of being a bad Mizukage?"
Yagura didn't even try to argue. He shook his head.
Mangetsu analyzed his response. "Third question: Are you afraid that in the future, you won't be a good Mizukage?"
Yagura nodded.
There it was.
Mangetsu pressed on. "Fourth question: Because you don't have confidence in yourself?"
Yagura shook his head.
So, it wasn't self-doubt. It wasn't about his own abilities.
Only then did Yagura realize he was being cornered.
"Fifth and final question."
Mangetsu's heart clenched as he locked eyes with Yagura, who had become eerily composed, waiting for the next words.
"Who?"
Who could make someone like you worry like this?
...
Yagura stared at Mangetsu for a long time. Mangetsu refused to back down.
Sometimes, you're sharper than you look.
Shhh.
Yagura raised a finger to his lips, then reached out and gently took Mangetsu's hand.
What?
With slow, deliberate strokes, he wrote in Mangetsu's palm.
("No one.")
This was something he couldn't share with anyone else.
Because Isobu wasn't a person.
But Mangetsu knew him too well. He understood immediately.
You think telling me won't change anything, don't you?!
"I'm one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
Realizing he was being underestimated, Mangetsu yanked his hand back and declared,
"I will protect you with everything I have!"
Zabuza couldn't speak underwater, but his gaze was just as determined as he met Yagura's eyes.
We will never betray you. And we will never raise our swords against you.
...
Yagura, drawn out of his thoughts, suddenly found the two staring at him with fierce determination.
What just happened?
All he did was ponder the possibility of Obito returning, and somehow the entire mood had shifted.
What were these two even imagining?
Blinking in confusion, Yagura watched as both Mangetsu and Zabuza turned away slightly, the tips of their ears reddening.
...
Gazing toward the water's surface, Yagura reflected.
Right now, the village's Tailed Beast was well under control, and Kirigakure hadn't participated in the Third Great War.
Mangetsu, Zabuza, and the others were all safe.
As for Uchiha Obito?
If he dared to come, Yagura had full confidence he could crush him.
...
That ceremony had been Yagura's first time publicly revealing himself as Mizukage.
Tens of thousands of people saw firsthand what kind of person their leader was.
His words quickly spread throughout Kirigakure, taking on their own interpretations.
—If I ever harm Kirigakure, you have the right to stop me. If I refuse to change, you have the right to remove me from this position.
—Even if it means killing me.
Within a single morning, these statements had swept through the village.
Perhaps this young Mizukage wasn't as weak or ordinary as some had believed. He might actually have the backbone and resolve worthy of a true leader.
...
Back from their dive, Yagura read through the report Mei had compiled. The public reaction was generally positive.
His efforts were yielding results—not just from his close friends but from the villagers as well.
Setting the report down, Yagura rubbed his face, shaking off fatigue. His usual easygoing smile returned.
He glanced at Mangetsu and Zabuza.
"So, you both swore to protect me with your lives, huh?"
Mei raised an eyebrow. "? What did I miss?"
The two stiffened slightly, sensing danger.
But a promise was a promise. They straightened their backs and answered firmly.
"Yes."
"That's right."
Yagura spread his hands. "Well… you're both too weak."
A brutal stab to the heart.
He sighed. "I should be the one protecting you."
An entire fleet of arrows to the knees.
"Your swords? I only gave them to you because we're friends. If you relied on skill alone, you wouldn't even be able to beat the Jonin in this village."
Mortally wounded.
"Good thing," Yagura stretched his neck, a dangerous grin forming, "I now have time to train you."
Mangetsu and Zabuza had a bad feeling.
"Starting today, both of you are under my special training."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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