"Lord Mizukage, could you create a Ninjutsu specifically designed for fishing?" Uchiha Su asked, his tone calm yet insistent. "With such a technique, Genin working in the fishing industry could improve their efficiency, catch more fish, and earn higher incomes. At the same time, we could expand trade in saltwater fish to other countries, generating greater revenue for the Village."
He had already thought it through. If Hōzuki Gengetsu was unable or unwilling to develop such a Ninjutsu, he would discreetly commission Senju Tobirama. Of course, Su would send an intermediary in disguise. Directly appearing in front of Tobirama himself was a recipe for disaster—he could easily have been obliterated with Flying Thunder God before even finishing a sentence.
Hōzuki Gengetsu leaned back, thinking carefully. "It should be possible to create such a Ninjutsu," he said at last. "Though the rank won't be high. This is a practical utility skill rather than a combat technique."
Su nodded. This was expected. Gengetsu was a Kage with incredible skill, but a fishing Ninjutsu posed no real challenge to his abilities.
"How long will it take?" Uchiha Su asked, curious about the timeline.
"For a Ninjutsu like this, where power and combat efficiency aren't priorities, three days should be sufficient," Gengetsu answered confidently. As one of the world's top-tier warriors, he had an uncanny ability to accurately gauge timeframes for even complex tasks.
Satisfied with the response, Su returned to the Mizukage's Office Building. He spent the next hours signing documents—new policies, strategic plans, and decrees that he had designed. With Hōzuki Gengetsu focusing on other affairs, Su had effectively become the true controller of the Hidden Mist Village. One by one, he stamped his authority on each initiative.
"Nami," Su asked, stretching slightly after a long morning, "how many Medical Ninja do we have in the Village now?"
"Thirteen, in total," Nami replied immediately. "Each is training three apprentices. Once their training concludes, we will have a significantly larger number of Medical Ninja. That said, these apprentices may not have extensive theoretical knowledge. They can handle common injuries and illnesses, but they are unlikely to reach elite levels at this stage."
"Perfect," Su said with a smile. "We don't need top-tier Medical Ninja for now. What matters is that each squad is functional. Ideally, a squad should include a Medical Ninja, a sensory expert, a capable combatant, and a Chunin or Jonin-level squad leader. That forms a complete unit without obvious weaknesses."
Nami considered this for a moment. "Currently, we are relatively lacking in both Medical Ninja and highly skilled sensory specialists. The Medical Ninja shortage will ease over time, perhaps within ten years. As for sensory specialists…"
Su tilted his head thoughtfully. "If we could bring the Hyuga Clan into the Hidden Mist, their sensory abilities would immediately fill this gap. Their Byakugan could compensate for the current shortage of eyes on the field."
"Perhaps there is an opportunity," Nami said. "The main and branch families of the Hyuga Clan have long-standing conflicts. The seemingly submissive branch family may harbor deep resentment. If the circumstances are right, they could defect from Konoha and join the Hidden Mist."
"The challenge," Nami added, "is the Caged Bird Seal. We must find a way to remove it. Otherwise, even if they defect, the main family can still control their life and death."
"I will contact the people from Uzu Shio Village," Su decided. "I already have business there, so this will align perfectly."
Without delay, he assembled a small group of Anbu and set out for Uzu Shio Village. The distance was not great, so travel was quick.
Upon arrival, Su entered the main hall, sitting upright in the chair. In this world, sitting on one's knees was the custom, but Su paid it little mind. He scanned the room, noticing immediately the frail condition of Uzumaki Ashina. In the short month or two since their last meeting, Ashina appeared terminally ill. Even his chakra had weakened noticeably, a detail Su could sense clearly.
Ashina coughed lightly. The sound was dry and harsh, and Su had a brief flashback—an involuntary memory of past battlefields, of near-death moments, reminding him that even leaders were not invincible.
"What kind of cooperation are you proposing?" Ashina asked, voice strained.
"Your Uzumaki Clan excels in Sealing Techniques," Su began. "I would like you to produce more Sealing Scrolls. We will purchase them at market price and accept all the output you can provide. In the long term, this may even exceed the income you currently earn from missions. You could focus entirely on scroll production and still maintain a high standard of living."
Su's proposal was both practical and visionary. He imagined Sealing Scrolls as storage rings from novels he had read in his previous life, capable of storing items securely until needed. He assumed each scroll could be used multiple times—perhaps three—but the exact limitations could be adapted.
Ashina frowned. "If a Ninja does not perform missions, then what are they? Ninjas are tools, trained for combat and service. This idea—abandoning missions for scroll production—is unacceptable to me."
Su was momentarily surprised. Ashina had always valued profit, but today he seemed unmoved by it. Su opened his mouth to argue, but Ashina continued before he could speak.
"Unfortunately," Ashina said, "I am both clan leader and Village chief. I must prioritize the welfare of those who trust me, even if it conflicts with the traditional creed of a Ninja."
Su fell silent. A tense pause filled the room.
"Then, let us discuss another matter," Su said, a calm smile masking his impatience.
"Do not bother with pleasantries," Ashina said guardedly. "Let us get to the point."
"I propose abolishing the Ninja Academy in Uzu Shio Village," Su said. "From now on, all Ninjas of your Village will study at the Hidden Mist Ninja Academy. Your exceptional instructors can teach here, and they will receive generous compensation. You could even establish a dedicated department for Sealing Techniques."
Ashina coughed violently. A sharp, wet sound echoed in the hall. He retrieved a tissue, which came away stained a vivid red.
"Kotaro, come pour the tea," Ashina said, composed yet faintly strained.
A young man with striking red hair entered. He bowed first to Ashina, then to Su, and poured tea for both.
"This is Kotaro, my only son," Ashina explained. "He is somewhat weak in personality. To lead Uzu Shio Village—and perhaps the Land of Whirlpools in the future—he still has much to learn. If he can preserve the Village and country, that alone would be a blessing."
The words seemed irrelevant, almost rambling. Yet Su understood Ashina perfectly. The old man's way of expressing concern for his son and the Village masked his true intentions: a willingness to consider cooperation, but on his own terms.
Smiling, Su shifted the conversation to the topic that mattered. "I hope Uzu Shio Village can assist me in analyzing the Caged Bird Seal."
Ashina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Analyzing the seal…? That is no small request. Even if you succeed, the consequences could be unpredictable."
"Precisely why I need your cooperation," Su replied. "If we can study and potentially remove the seal, the branch family of the Hyuga Clan could join the Hidden Mist freely. Their talents would fill a critical gap in our squads and allow both our Villages to prosper."
Ashina fell silent, weighing the implications. The room was filled with tension, broken only by the soft clink of the tea cups. Kotaro poured another cup carefully, eyes downcast.
Finally, Ashina nodded, his voice resolute despite his weakened state. "I will consider it. But this… this is no simple task. Proceed with caution, Lord Su."
Uchiha Su nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the weight of the old man's approval. One step had been taken—albeit a tentative one—toward achieving the Hidden Mist's strategic goals.
As Su left the room, he reflected on the complexity of leadership. Convincing a Village chief to take risks, persuading powerful clans to cooperate, and introducing innovations without causing rebellion—all of these were delicate dances.
Yet each challenge he overcame strengthened his vision: the Hidden Mist Village, unified and prosperous, a Village not only of warriors but of thinkers, innovators, and guardians of knowledge.
And at the center of it all, Uchiha Su remained resolute—patient, calculating, and driven by the certainty that the Hidden Mist's rise had only just begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)