The morning mist had lifted for the first time in weeks, as if the village wanted to see this historic moment clearly as well. The streets of Kirigakure were unusually lively, decorated with banners that fluttered in the light breeze.
"It's different from other ceremonies," Yuki observed as she and Ren made their way to the center of the village. "There's... hope in the air."
Ren nodded, noting how even the civilians seemed more lively than usual. Makeshift stalls offered sweets and tea, while children ran through the crowd carrying small flags with the symbol of Kirigakure.
The main square had been transformed. A raised platform dominated the central space, while delegations from the various clans began to occupy their assigned positions. The Hōzuki clan members shone almost translucent in the morning light, the Yuki clan maintained their usual icy composure, and other smaller groups arranged themselves in a silent but rigid protocol.
It was then that Ren noticed the Karatachi clan. Unlike other clans, they had positioned themselves in a less formal, almost relaxed manner. Shinji, seeing this, gave him an enthusiastic nod.
"Ren!" he called, approaching. "Isn't it incredible? Yagura-sama... I mean, the Mizukage-sama is from our clan! And to think that some considered him inadequate just because he doesn't have the coral kekkei genkai!"
"You're... happy," Ren observed, studying his friend's genuine enthusiasm.
"How could you not be?" Shinji smiled broadly. "He's proven that you don't need a kekkei genkai to be extraordinary. His water techniques are revolutionary! And..." he lowered his voice to an excited whisper, "they say he wants to modernize the academy's education system."
As the conversation continued, Ren noticed Ao moving through the crowd with apparent casualness. His covered eye seemed to pulse slightly under the patch, and there was a tension in his bearing that contrasted with the festive atmosphere.
"Ren!" Jun'ko's voice interrupted his remarks. She and Aoi made their way through the crowd. "Did you see? They even made special sweets for the occasion!"
"Technically," Aoi interjected, "the making of commemorative sweets is a tradition that dates back to the founding of the village, when..."
A sudden movement from the crowd interrupted his explanation. Yagura had appeared on the platform, his figure exuding a quiet authority that seemed at odds with his diminutive stature.
His speech was surprisingly direct and free of rhetoric. He spoke of unity, of progress, of a Kirigakure that could evolve beyond its old divisions. There was no hint of threat or intimidation in his words—just a clear vision of how the village could grow.
"Our village," he said, his steady voice carrying to every corner of the plaza, "has been divided for too long by invisible but impassable barriers. It is time that every ninja of Kirigakure have the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their birth."
The crowd responded with genuine enthusiasm. Even some of the more traditional clansmen seemed moved by the sincerity of his words.
"He will be a great Mizukage," Shinji said as they walked away. "You'll see, Ren. Things will change for the better."
' You can't imagine how much I want this to be true...unfortunately it won't be so...' Ren Thought.
"A change was necessary," a chunin commented as he passed. "Have you heard his approach to the academy? No more clan divisions, only merit."
As they walked through the crowd, Ren noticed Kurara standing alone, strangely alone and silent - a notable contrast to her usual assertive demeanor in the forge.
"Kurara?" he approached. "Didn't Takeshi-sensei come?"
"Oh, Ren..." Kurara almost seemed to jump, as if she had been lost in thought. "No, Grandpa isn't one for ceremony. And besides..." a slight smile curled her lips, "he wanted to finish his project earlier than expected."
"Grandpa?" Yuki intervened, who had followed her son. "You're Takeshi-san's granddaughter?"
"Ah... yes," Kurara replied, suddenly more reserved. It was strange to see the girl who wielded the kusarigama with such confidence appear almost shy. "I'm Kurara, ma'am..."
"Yuki Mizutani," her mother smiled. "Takeshi-san was a good friend of my husband. I didn't know his granddaughter was already so grown up." Yuki's eyes rested on Kurara with gentle understanding. "Why don't you come have lunch with us? I've prepared far too much for two people."
"Oh, no... I don't want to disturb you," Kurara shook her head, her usual assertive nature completely gone. "And then grandpa..."
"Grandpa must be too busy with his work to remember to eat, right?" Yuki interrupted softly. "And a young ninja needs a hot meal on a day as important as this."
"I... really, I don't want to..."
"I insist," Yuki said in a tone that brooked no argument, but her smile was warm. "Besides, I'd like to hear some stories about how my son is doing in the forge."
Kurara looked at Ren, as if seeking help, but he just shrugged with a small smile. She knew that look on her mother's face - there was no way to say no.
"Okay... okay," Kurara finally relented, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you."
Across the village, Councilor Fujino watched the scene from atop the platform, standing among the other dignitaries. An eerie smile curled his lips - not one of joy or satisfaction, but the satisfaction of someone who sees their plans proceeding exactly as expected.
__________________________________________________________________________
That evening, as Yuki tidied up the kitchen, she smiled at the empty plates on the table. "It's nice to have guests every now and then. It reminds me of the times when your father would invite his teammates over for lunch."
She paused for a moment, wiping away a cup with absentminded movements. "You know, I was happy to see Kurara today. She reminds me a bit of me at her age... trying to be strong at all costs."
"What do you mean?" Ren asked, helping her arrange the dishes.
"You see," her mother said as she dried a cup, "Takeshi never had any children. Your father told me... One day, after a long journey to deliver some special weapons, Takeshi returned with this very small girl, Kurara. No one ever knew where she came from exactly, and he never spoke about it."
She turned to the window, where the evening fog enveloped the village. "He's a good man, Takeshi, one of the best blacksmiths I've ever known, but... sometimes he gets so lost in his world of metal and fire that he forgets there are other things. It can't have been easy for her to grow up like that."
Ren thought back to how Kurara had gradually relaxed during lunch, how her smile had become more genuine as the conversation flowed.
"You know," Yuki continued, a gentle smile on her face, "sometimes even the strongest need a place where they can let their guard down. Our door is always open, if you want to invite your friends over again."
The ease with which his mother could care for others, Ren thought, was perhaps her greatest strength.
[ Hi there, Ito-kun here! Thanks for your support, realy ^.^ I still have some bruises on my left hand, but i didn't want to miss another day, also, later will come another chapter so that we recover for yesterday schedule :)]
Update: I have now an Official Instagram account -----> Itokunofficial follow me for more updates and bonus image!