Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

One day.

"Uneventful, just like the rest... and it's six o'clock again."

With his eyes level to the desktop, Yagura gathered the papers and stacked them neatly to the side. He glanced around the Mizukage's office and said,

"Good work today, everyone."

"You too, Mizukage-sama!"

Hopping down from his custom-made chair, sized to suit his small frame.

Yagura had long since made peace with the fact that, much like his original self, he was destined to remain a tiny potato. Especially seeing how the others—like Mangetsu—kept growing taller and taller, far outpacing him. So he simply had all his office furniture modified to match his height.

The highest-ranking official and first to leave work stepped toward the door. Just before exiting, he turned back and called,

"Ao, come with me."

Ao straightened immediately. "Yes, sir!"

Yagura and Ao left together.

Elder Genshi watched their silhouettes disappear through the doorway, already having a good idea of where they were headed. A warm smile tugged at his lips.

Mei Terumi turned to him. "Elder, tomorrow's the day, isn't it?"

Even though they had already confirmed it numerous times, with no chance of error.

But anticipation has a way of making you doubt. No matter how many times it's confirmed, you still worry that you'll wake up tomorrow only to be told to wait one more day.

It was the official inauguration of Yagura as the Fourth Mizukage.

By this point, Yagura's contributions had won the complete approval of the entire Hidden Mist Village. No one questioned his legitimacy as the Fourth. Anyone who dared? The Mist shinobi would probably tear them apart.

But Yagura had always honored the late Third Mizukage's final wishes. Coupled with his laid-back personality, he'd never cared much for pomp and titles. So, technically, he'd held the position of "Acting Mizukage" all this time.

Now, five years had passed.

"Yes, it's tomorrow," Genshi said with a cheery laugh. "There aren't any issues with the preparations, are there?"

"None whatsoever!"

The person in charge responded immediately. "We notified the entire village a month in advance! The response has been overwhelmingly positive!"

"Some people were even shocked."

The speaker mimicked the villagers' reactions with exaggerated surprise:

"Wait—Mizukage-sama wasn't already the official Fourth?!"

That drew a round of laughter from everyone nearby.

Mei Terumi chuckled behind her hand, lowering her gaze. She then turned to look out the window at the Hidden Mist Village—a scene vastly different from what it had been five years ago.

All around, there was trust and admiration.

...

Yagura and Ao left the building.

They moved stealthily through the village and arrived at the cemetery.

Stealth was absolutely necessary.

Yagura had practically become the village's treasured mascot. Every time he went out in public, if he were recognized, he'd trigger something like a fan riot—just like a celebrity chased by crazed fans.

Ao was sent off to buy flowers. After disabling the protective barrier around the cemetery, he quietly followed Yagura to the graves of the previous three Mizukage.

"Hey, Third."

Yagura placed the flowers in front of the grave.

"I know I came just a month ago, but today's special... so I came to bother you again."

Yagura had a long memory when it came to grudges. He still remembered Ao once telling him that someone had complained he talked too much.

He couldn't get revenge, so the grudge stayed... until he forgot it someday.

"Tomorrow, I'll officially become the Fourth."

"I told the elders and Mei not to make a big deal out of it, but, well... sometimes they just don't listen."

He placed his palm on the tombstone, infusing it with chakra to gently wipe away some lingering dust.

Standing up, Yagura gave Ao a look and smiled. "Sorry to drag you out here with me, Ao. Let's head back."

Ao blinked. "That's it?"

"Yeah. Just wanted to say a few words. Let them know... they can rest easy. I've got the Hidden Mist now."

Then he joked darkly, "If I stay too long, they might get annoyed and crawl out to shut me up."

The weather was beautiful, yet Ao shivered for no reason. He quickly regained his composure and scolded,

"Mizukage-sama, please don't make jokes like that!"

"Alright, alright," Yagura said with exaggerated obedience, playing along with Ao's serious tone.

...

In the year after the war ended—Konoha Year 48—Yagura had made bold moves in Konoha, Sunagakure, and the Rain Village.

Having emerged from the war unscathed, the Hidden Mist became the only one among the Five Great Shinobi Villages capable of exerting influence on others.

Even Kumogakure couldn't match it. The Fourth Raikage was still transitioning into power. Though he kept playing petty tricks on Konoha, he didn't have the capacity to make any big moves yet.

Otherwise, considering the long-standing feud between that hot-headed guy and Namikaze Minato, something would've happened already.

To the outside world, it was as if the Hidden Mist had become the protagonist of the shinobi world in this new era—Konoha Year 48.

Their reputation soared.

Even though they weren't understood during the war, now, seeing the devastation elsewhere and comparing it to their own prosperous recovery, everyone in the Mist wholeheartedly supported the decision not to join the war.

...

The next morning.

The streets surrounding the Mizukage Building were completely packed. Everyone was waiting eagerly for the star of the day to appear.

Inside the preparation room...

Mei Terumi and Ringo Ameyuri were carefully helping Yagura get ready.

"Is this really necessary?" Yagura fidgeted under their touch, visibly uncomfortable as they dressed him up.

Mei was more understandable—she had always cared about appearances and had sent Yagura more clothes than he could count over the years.

Thankfully, Yagura's body hadn't changed much, so everything still fit. Not that he ever wore anything besides his usual outfit.

But Ringo Ameyuri? A total tomboy. And yet here she was, going along with Mei's nonsense.

Yagura shot her a suspicious glance.

Ringo only smiled and said, "I learned a thing or two from Mei."

Inside, she was secretly grateful for all the times Mei had invited her to these kinds of things—even if she'd never seemed interested before.

But how could she not be interested?!

It was the perfect excuse! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! A justified reason to squish Yagura's cheeks!

Since the day they met, Ringo had always treated Yagura like an adorable little brother.

Ruffling his hair, pinching his cheeks—those were some of her rare, precious joys in life.

And now, as she dabbed on foundation, she had plenty of surface area to work with.

"Ameyuri."

Mei, applying eyeliner, chided gently, "If you keep goofing off, we'll be late."

Ringo reluctantly withdrew her hands.

Behind them, a brown-haired girl quietly laughed into her hand.

"Heheh."

Yagura didn't really mind. He had a good temperament for these kinds of things, and he often used his looks to his own advantage when needed.

From outside the room, Zabuza called, "Hey! Are you done yet?"

"All set!" Mei and Ringo double-checked everything, then finally let Yagura out.

Mangetsu took one look at him and snorted,

"Not bad. You finally look like a proper human being."

Ringo glared. "Shut up, you soggy jellybean."

Kisame didn't say anything. He simply gave Yagura a nod, then walked over to his girlfriend, Toun.

The brown-haired girl shook her head. "It wasn't hard at all. Really."

They were the only couple in the room—making them stand out a bit too much.

Noticing everyone turning to look, Toun flushed and ducked behind Kisame.

Placing her hands on his firm, muscular back, she gave him a gentle push toward the others.

"Go. Mizukage-sama is waiting."

Expressionless, Kisame stepped forward.

Everyone else: Ugh, a couple. Gross.

Today was a momentous occasion. All of Yagura's close companions had returned to the Hidden Mist, putting everything else aside.

Sasori leaned against a wall, waiting quietly. "Congratulations, Fourth Mizukage."

As a rogue ninja from Sunagakure, he couldn't show his face in public.

"Thanks."

On Yagura's left stood Mangetsu and Mei. On his right, Zabuza and Ringo. Behind him were Kisame and Toun.

They stepped out onto the rooftop platform.

The crowd below erupted into thunderous cheers the moment they saw him:

"FOURTH MIZUKAGE-SAMA!!"

Yagura raised a hand and waved.

Despite the pressure, he was far calmer than he expected.

Elder Genshi stepped forward, carrying the Mizukage hat. "Mizukage."

"Thank you, Elder."

Yagura accepted the hat and placed it firmly on his head. He lifted his gaze and spoke clearly:

"I will devote myself to this village—with unwavering resolve—until my final breath."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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