Book One: The Rise of the Blue-Haired Devil.

      In the spacious tent, very important matters were being decided... Several important people had been discussing what to do for an hour. The Daima of the Water Country sat quietly at the head of a comfortable round table, watching the other influential people squabbling. He had a tired expression on his face. The first time he could deal with the crowd's opinion, Byakuren, who sat to his right, supported his point of view by finding some unthinkable arguments, because standard thinking did not work for such shinobi. You might think, what kind of shinobi are they? The arrogant, stubborn, and self-righteous.... For the third day, these clan heads were defending their decision on how to deal with the village... What was the problem? The ninjas wanted to go out to meet death... to go out to fight the biju... An entire army might not be enough, and they only had about ten thousand ninjas... If you don't count the children, that's very few... Daime knew that Byakuren was strong.... not even that... he's a legendary ninja who is well aware of what's coming next. Would they defeat this monster? Most likely yes, but that's not what's important here... Daimae was well aware of the power of the biju... He hadn't seen their destructive techniques, however everyone he had once sent after the chakra monster had long since left the world of the living... It's possible to defeat it, but what will that victory give us? Nothing but the sacrifices of good ninjas. The head of the Water Country was not a fool and understood perfectly well that everything has its price, and, in this case, casualties could not be avoided. It was not even about the tactics of fighting the monster, but the fact that the huge turtle did not leave its domain, its native element... water, where it could resist any number of ninjas.       His relationship with these people was further tainted by rumours that the head of the Yuki clan had died in a battle with Sasuke Sarutobi, who, however, had not survived either. There was no reliable information, because Michiko's body was never found, and this guy could keep all these people in line. His first appearance at the meeting of the clan heads immediately dotted all the power issues. This young ninja may have seemed very immature at first glance to everyone, but his skills made one think, and very seriously think about the potential of this teenager. Even though, the head of the country thought that Michiko was still weaker than Byakuren, however, there was a clear difference between the old and new generation of ninja. If Hozuki didn't like to show off his strength in order to point out the place of all the arrogant shinobi, this Yuki was his opposite. Such an approach was to the daima's liking. Respect for one's person had to be earned, and if Byakuren got it by going through countless battles, this Michiko got it much easier by simply showing the gulf between them in strength. As the head of the Water Country knew, the illusion the teenager used was one of the most dangerous, for the shinobi sitting at the table fought not only in the Water Country, but also in the Fire Country, where they sometimes encountered members of the Uchiha clan whose eyes could introduce genjutsu with just a single glance. It was a terrifying power, so the Water Country daimyo wanted to get his hands on a few of those eyes, because that was not all of their advantages. Already in the morning he had agreed with Byakuren on a negotiation strategy, but their arguments were quickly over, but they had help.       The yellow-haired man from the Namikaze clan decided to enter into a dialogue with everyone. This man was famous for his insight, he rarely said anything at such meetings, but the daimyo of the Water Country knew that this clan was famous for its intelligence, so the other clan heads always listened to him. It was very difficult to argue this person over, and his name was Yoshi Namikaze. In fact, he was not the head of the clan at all. This clan had its own complicated and incomprehensible hierarchy. All decisions were made by the clan members together, and only sometimes Yoshi could afford to decide something on his own, because he was definitely the strongest in the clan. But, all things being equal, the head of the Water Country didn't really trust this man. He was too much beautiful speeches to everyone's ears, for the sake of simple ideas. This ninja's plans were far from this table, and until the daimyo knew about his plans, he would not be able to trust him with anything, so he had to listen carefully to the negotiations between this man and the others. There was a catch to something, but here was the catch... Suddenly the man's hand was burned by something cold. He lowered his gaze to the site of the unpleasant sensation and saw a snowflake melting on the back of his palm. His pupils involuntarily dilated at what he saw. Even through the hum in the meeting chamber, he, as well as everyone else, heard the snap of fingers that hit the eardrums so hard that he had to shut his eyes for a few seconds. When everyone opened their eyes, they were shocked. Panic even appeared on the faces of some of them. Now they were not in a tent. Their location was somewhere in the ice wasteland. The table had turned into a large chunk of ice, and next to the daimyo, someone moved a chair. Everyone turned their attention to this person who was quietly sitting at the table with everyone else. He was dressed in black armour with burgundy stains in places. Blue hair and aristocratic facial features, which was very unusual for this place, but there were two other features that caught everyone's eyes. The strange purple circles around his eyes and the elongated blue-coloured pupil. It was him, Michiko Yuki....       - So, I've settled the matter with Sanbi. Now he won't interfere with the construction of our village. - The guy spoke in a calm voice, looking around at everyone present. Byakuren frowned heavily at the appearance of this man. Not even that, he had a look of wariness on his face, because now he couldn't get out of this illusion. This was what his gut told him... the gut of a warrior who had been through many battles. For a man like Byakuren, it was like a blow to the wind. Right now, he watched with apprehension behind this man, for their lives belonged to this teenager.       Uhhh... what funny faces they had. Fear, resentment and hatred. That's how everyone looked at me, except the Water Country daimyo. In his gaze, I read relaxation. It surprised me. Apparently, this man is much smarter and smarter than everyone else. For a few minutes there was dead silence.       - Where have you been all this time? You've already been declared dead... - the head of the Namikaze clan, who was the first to move away from my epic appearance, asked the first question.       - I was healing my wounds after the battle with Sasuke Sarutobi. Still, this is not an opponent that I can get away with, and I had to fight with him not one on one. - I answered the question. Then no one specified where I was and what had happened. These questions were unnecessary. The very fact that the rumours were true was like a thunderclap to them.       - What did you do to the three-tailed man? - Bjakuren said calmly, giving me a penetrating look.       - I made a deal with him. Now he dwells near the Whirlpool country. - I explained monotonously enough, and the legendary shinobi's gaze changed. It was only for a few seconds, but I noticed it. I could tell from the look that he was asking himself a simple question: "Was it possible to do that?". Again, the clarifying questions just weren't there. Were they interested in hearing about how I did it? I was one hundred per cent sure the answer would have been yes... But now they were afraid of me and my capabilities. I looked too much taller and stronger than them. They were afraid to provoke me.       - Why this illusion? You already showed us your skills last time. - The shark-looking ninja spoke. He was always grinning, trying to show that he wasn't afraid of me, but his small eyes gave him away. They couldn't look at me for long, which told me that he had an animal fear of me.       - It's already a matter of confidentiality of information. I don't want it leaking out of this tent. It could cause serious difficulties in the development of our village. - I explained in a confident voice.       - What about our safety? We could be attacked now and then... spoke the head of the Terumi clan. This man was squinting very slyly as he watched my actions. Is he a psychologist? Trying to understand something from my facial expressions.....       - I didn't come to the meeting alone. I have Mito Uzumaki with me, and a few confidants who are guarding us right now. Yes and I can interrupt this technique quickly enough. - I stated, answering the head of the Terumi clan with a shrewd look. The man even pulled back, tensing up more.       - But you could kill us all, couldn't you? How can we trust you? - The head of the Hoshigake clan asked me a question. He doesn't like being prey when sharks are hunters by nature.       - We are all influential people in the Water Country. He needs us to establish a village, so he won't kill us. - The head of the country spoke when I was about to answer that question.       - Yes, you're right. It's not in my interest to kill you, but that doesn't mean I need all of you. So get it through your head, whoever goes against my clan or the Uzumaki clan will have to deal with me personally. - I gave a very clear understanding of the situation to everyone. I had to make it clear to their arrogant heads that I was not to be trifled with. Let them do what I tell them to do, rather than do what I tell them to do. I'm not happy with their decisions in the past, even their last decision to fight Sanbi is already very stupid and pointless. It didn't give them any particular advantage, yet they wanted to send their men to certain death. There was an awkward pause. Everyone took my threat very seriously, starting to digest all my words to realise the situation. - Now that we've sorted out the relationship, we can move on to the main topic of our conversation. - After waiting for a while, I began to broadcast. Everyone's gazes became at once conscious and attentive. They were ready to listen to me. - I walked around our future village. We needed to start building the key facilities of the village. The houses where we will live are good, of course, but we need to think not only about our own well-being, but also about the village as a whole. - I began to explain my ideas.       - What are the key facilities you're talking about? I think we've started building the port, what else do we need? - I heard the voice of a thin, white-haired man. His gaze was very serious and insistent, and he was involuntarily releasing bloodlust into space.       - Well, let's start in order. Where are you going to treat the sick and wounded ninjas? There will be quite a few of them. - I asked a guiding question, so that everyone understood what I was talking about. After a few seconds of silence, I didn't hear any answer, so I continued talking. - A medical centre is a necessity in our future village. People need medical care, and I'm not just talking about ninjas. It won't be long before traders will come to our village and smell the scent of profit. We have a very good trading post. The expansion of our village will be gradual, so it's important to have a research lab where we can synthesise various poisons. This will help our ninjas catch our opponents by surprise. These two facilities I propose to place on the outskirts of the city. It will be crowded in times of trouble. There will also be a lot of people at the harbour, so we need to spread the population density throughout the village somehow. - I paused so the others could digest the information. I'd thought of that back in Riuchi's cave. I had plenty of time to do it there.       - I completely agree with Yuki-san. Home treatment is very unprofitable because the clan has to pay for the medics, but this way the clans will just sponsor the medics to work in the hospital where all those in need will be treated. I also propose to introduce taxes for trade, so that the general treasury of the village has at least some reserve. - The head of the Water Country suddenly spoke.       - Hmm, that's a very interesting solution, Daimae-sama, but this issue should be dealt with as it comes. Let's introduce it when there are already enough traders in the village. Right now it will only drive them away from our village. - I said with thoughtfulness in my voice. The man just nodded in agreement.       - We also need to build a few warehouses to store the food we need. In addition, we need a key building in the village, from which the ninja can receive missions, and we can also manage the situation in the village. - I added, already finishing the flow of my ideas about the new buildings. The clan heads were already calm about it, because they knew about the idea.       - How do you want to distribute missions? - asked the Water Country's daimyo. It was very important for this man to know this, because this is a key point that will determine the survival rate of ninjas on missions, which in turn will increase the survival rate of ninjas. Efficiency in this direction is very important because the main fighting power of the country depends on the number of shinobi subordinate to the daima. And if there is an entire village under him, in which ninja will only grow, both in quantity and quality, then the Water Country can become the strongest of the five Great Countries, which in turn will allow him to dictate his terms to the other daima.       - I want to make a classification of ninja according to their strength and capabilities. I am not finished with this project yet, however I will present it to you all within a few months. I plan on introducing three to five classes of ninja. Depending on the level of the ninja, he will be given a mission of one rank or another. The main thing is to make a proper classification, and then we will have to think of ways to improve the skills of ninjas of different classes, so that they can move up the career ladder. - I clarified the situation on this matter.       - Good. - The head of the Water Country agreed calmly. He did not press me, realising that I had already made an incredible leap in terms of ideas, but we will return to this issue later, because its importance is difficult to overestimate. When you know what you're doing and why, it's much easier to eventually realise the idea. Now the daimyo was imagining the picture I want to see a few years after the village is built. He liked that picture, so he's willing to sponsor the creation of the village, because over time it will repay his investment many times over. It's not even about the money, it's about the impact on other rich people. Not many people will want to go up against him when he has an army of ninjas behind him.       - I think we should think about security. - The head of the Hoshigake clan suddenly spoke up. I immediately understood his thought process, but not everyone's mind worked as well as mine.       - Our village is in a very good strategic position. - Terumi said with a hint of irritation in his voice.       - You misunderstood me. - The shark-shaped man sighed. - If traders start moving in, we need to distinguish them from ninjas, so that other clans can't sabotage us by destroying some important facilities or killing some of the ninjas. - He clarified in a serious tone, even stopping to grin. I did      n't even expect such ideas from him. Apparently he had already encountered something like this. It was obvious from the look on his face that he had recalled not the most pleasant memories from his life.       - I'll put a barrier around the village. It will dispel reincarnation techniques, and it will also scan the chakra of the ninja entering the barrier. If the chakra isn't on our ninja roster, an alarm will be raised. - I put forward my solution to the problem. Many nodded in understanding and agreement. - But we still need to recognise our own and other ninjas on missions. We need some kind of identification sign or secret phrase. - I added already on an exhalation, realising that a lot of problems need to be considered in the future.       - It should be something comfortable and not interfering in battle, and it should be in a prominent place, so that it would be easy to see. - Biakuren expressed his thoughts based on his vast experience. He knew very well that even the slightest delay was worth serious consequences in the ninja world. That was what the scar on his eye spoke of.       - Perhaps a necklace? - came the voice of a white-haired man.       - Or maybe a bracelet or belt? - added the head of the Terumi clan. I wondered. On the one hand it was a very cool idea, but on the other hand it did not provide an absolutely accurate distinction between one's own and another's. The enemy could think of removing the attribute of this garment from a dead ninja. Then this false information could lead to death due to an unexpected stab in the back. An extra security measure against particularly savvy ninjas never hurts.       - Offering a headband with a special explosive seal embedded in it. - I said loud enough to stop the buffoonery that these great ninjas were putting on. I was looked at as if I were insane, so I had to clarify. - The opponents can remove this attribute of clothing from our dead comrades. Then we'll be in trouble, so I can make a special explosive seal that will react to any foreign chakra except the host's chakra. It might not kill the cunning and skilful warriors, but it can increase the number of deaths by the foreigners. - I explained in a serious voice. Again, there was silence for a few minutes. Everyone was digesting the information.       - It's a good idea. The bandage could be made of iron to provide some protection. - added the daimyo of the Water Country. After that, there were a few more clarifying questions on the subject, but they were no longer so important.       - And who will be the leader of the village? - Hoshigake asked a logical question, moving on to a new topic of discussion.       - I think it's obvious. - Byakuren spoke in a calm voice, looking at me.       - I agree, it's very obvious. We need a strong and powerful leader who will not waver at important moments in our history. I nominate Byakuren Hozuki. - I declared, standing up from my seat and pointing my hand at the most prominent ninja among those present here. Everyone was surprised at this decision on my part, for in my current position I could have easily taken the position of village head. The vote was not long. Only a few small nobles disagreed with this choice, and so the decision was unanimous.       - What will be the name of our village? - I asked when the choice of the future head of the village was settled.       - You tell us, Michiko san. I think you have the right to name our village. - said Hozuki with a smile on his face. No one questioned him, for they knew he was right. I went into my own thoughts. It was a big responsibility, because my decision would determine how threatening and beautifully all the ninja in the world would pronounce the name of our village. I pondered long enough, and then I remembered an interesting thing. There is always fog near the place where our village is located.       - Our village will be called Kirigakure no Sato, or the Village Hidden in the Mist. Our leader will be called Mizukage. - I said in a calm voice. The leaders of the great ninja clans only smiled at me, for each of them possessed water techniques in their arsenal.... not even that... Water techniques were basic to almost every ninja in our country. There were exceptions, but not many.       That was the end of the meeting. I didn't even notice how three hours had flown by. Yumi and Mito were waiting for me on the way out of the tent.       - You didn't run away this time, did you? - The yellow-haired beast asked in a sarcastic manner. I felt a twinge of disgust at that question.       - Yumi Chan, be calm, I have already apologised to you a million times. - I asked in an affectionate voice, trying to understand whose side Mito was on in this situation.       - My dear Mi, you still don't understand. Now without me you will not go anywhere, otherwise you will be boo-boo later. - Yuki sang in a very cute voice, crunching her knuckles defiantly.       I swallowed, realising that this was the end of my free life. Well, what did I want? Just love and care... And now I was getting a little stressed about it.