Chapter 88: Mizukage.
After Yahiko and Konan learned that Konoha had been overtaken by Zenkichi, they didn't react with much emotion.
After offering simple condolences to Jiraiya, they continued toward the village.
To them, Konoha was partly responsible for the chaos that consumed the Land of Rain. So its downfall didn't stir much sympathy.
Jiraiya felt a pang of disappointment. His students' indifference stung more than he expected.
He couldn't help but question himself—Had he failed them?
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When Yahiko and Konan arrived at Konoha, they found the village mid-reconstruction. Several patrolling shinobi approached them, and Yahiko clearly stated his purpose.
They had visited Kirigakure before, but Zenkichi had already gone overseas by then.
Uninterested in staying, they left Kirigakure and planned to search for Zenkichi at a later time.
When they returned, they heard he had taken a team to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams.
Yahiko found it strange. As the former leader of Akatsuki, his instincts told him something was wrong.
Ever since Zenkichi reawakened him, Yahiko's perception and intuition had sharpened significantly.
So, trusting his senses, he brought Konan to Konoha to investigate.
His suspicions were confirmed—Konoha had changed.
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"Are you here looking for answers?" Zenkichi asked calmly.
"Fine. I'll give them to you—but not now."
"Come to the meeting later. I'll explain everything."
He looked over Yahiko thoughtfully before turning away.
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Not long after, Terumi Mei entered the Hokage's office and closed the door behind her.
"Is everything in Konoha under control?" she asked.
"I think it's time you inherited the title of Mizukage."
Zenkichi lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, casually trimming his nails.
"In two days," he replied. "I'll assume the role and merge both villages into one unified ninja organization."
---
Soon after, Zenkichi officially became the Mizukage of Kirigakure.
Then, Konoha was merged into Kirigakure, becoming part of the new structure. To respect the identity of the original villagers, the name "Konoha" was retained in title only.
---
Later, Zenkichi addressed the gathering shinobi:
"Decades ago, the Warring States Period plunged the entire ninja world into chaos."
"Take the Land of Fire, for example—the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyūga clans fought endlessly."
"But when the First Hokage founded Konoha, peace came to this land."
"Why? Because a powerful ninja organization arose—one strong enough to prevent senseless conflict."
"None of the other clans or groups could challenge that authority, so they accepted Konoha's order."
"It's clear, then: the reason the world isn't at peace today is that it lacks that kind of centralized power."
"The Five Great Nations are powerful—but they're divided. They prioritize profit and politics over peace."
"The First Hokage had the strength to suppress the entire world and form a unified force. But instead of doing that, he hoped the Five Kage would maintain balance through understanding."
"That dream failed."
"Now, it's time to try something else."
"If words can't unite us, we'll use steel."
"From this day forward, I declare the formation of a new organization—one that will suppress chaos and unite the ninja world!"
---
Zenkichi's proposal wasn't met with resistance.
Both Konoha and Kirigakure had suffered heavily during the past wars. His plan resonated with the weary shinobi.
Even Yahiko, who met with Zenkichi in private, acknowledged the idea's appeal.
"Each village has its own motives," Yahiko said. "But if we allow them to check and balance each other, a stable alliance might be possible."
Zenkichi's tone was casual.
"You want a coalition built on negotiation—where the Five Villages form a single organization to maintain peace?"
Yahiko nodded. "Something like that."
But Zenkichi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Peace hasn't failed because people didn't try hard enough. It failed because there's no real power to enforce it."
"The so-called 'Ninja Alliance' you speak of is just a fragile collection of self-serving factions."
"Even if they agree for now, who watches the watchers?"
"Who holds the Five Villages accountable when they themselves make up the alliance?"
Yahiko frowned but stayed silent.
Zenkichi continued, more direct now:
"Imagine if there once was a true alliance—one massive organization upholding peace. But slowly, smaller villages formed inside it, each with their own interests."
"Eventually, those factions clashed with the core ideals. Some stayed true, others chased power."
"And when the corruption spread, the alliance broke apart—becoming the fragmented world we know today."
"You see now?"
"Bringing those villages together again under a weak banner will only repeat the past."
"Without absolute authority, a large group will always be torn apart by smaller ones."
"That's why this coming war is necessary."
"To break those groups. To destroy the power they use to divide the world."
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Peace without strength is an illusion.
Zenkichi would not make the same mistake as the First Hokage.
He would build something stronger—and make it last.
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