First Moves

I commanded myself not to be depressed.

Jason wished it were a joke but after reading through Eiko's full 'Suspect Debrief' there was no choice than to channel Yagura as I sat in my office and faced the dawning responsibilities that weighed on my shoulders now.

It's enough. I've procrastinated enough. I have thirteen years till the Akatsuki become an active threat to all shinobi nations, a generous amount of time given I've secured my position as Mizukage.

But with great power comes great responsibility and each and every day I walk into my office I'm reminded of the cumbersome challenged I've signed up for. Running Kirigakure will not be easy, even with the powers of a murderous dictator.

I set aside Eiko's report and massaged my temples. Dawn had yet to break but I was already behind the desk looking through many of the leftover decisions, issues, requests and missions among others that the Sandaime left behind for me.

Heck some of them even date all the way back to the Nidaime, Gengetsu, which I think is a feat of bureaucracy in its own right. I had missions to assign, reports to read, prospective genin, chuunin and jounin to promote and a ton of other domestic issues regarding the civilians in the village itself.

Sometimes, being the centre of power and administration wasn't the best idea for running a government. Fortunately for me I had Lord Funato to keep me company and share my burden. Nana Megumi— or Lady Megumi as I'm meant to call her now that I outrank everyone— is meant to be here as well but she has a right to prioritise managing her clan instead.

The same goes for Uncle Aoto, he's the one who should be here going through all this paperwork, sieving the details for me but he said something about my office being too drab and uncomfortable even for the task of managing the village.

I couldn't blame him, my office had my desk backing a panel of large windows overlooking Kiri's hazy mountains and the myriad of cylindrical buildings built into or along them— if I squinted I could see the coast. There was one long sofa and a table for tea but Lord Funato was looking through documents there now. A brown wall with the photos of past Kage, mine was already up there and the picture looked just as drab as the office it occupied.

Still, I'm briefly amused by the thought of ordering him over but quickly get over it. I can do this, it's only been a week so far and if I could become Mizukage in the first place— after only two months of being in this world— then being a good Mizukage shouldn't be so difficult.

A short knock came at the door and Owl mask walked in a moment after, "Mizukage-sama, Funato-dono." She went to kneel but I raised a hand and waved it off.

Owl mask. Our relationship threatened to start off on the wrong foot but as a professional shinobi looking to bring the best for our village, it's easy to guide her back to seeing things my way. It also helps that she was present for my clash with the four of the Seven Swordsmen in a battle for the title I know hold.

The respect is well earned.

"Good to see you…" I pulled a sheet of paper from underneath a pile and read, "Reina Yuki." She tensed a bit at hearing her name from my lips but quickly relaxed, it wasn't a surprising thing that I'd learn the name of my ANBU commander.

But in response she pulled her mask to the side, revealing a beautifully scarred face of a young, battle hardened woman. She has fierce golden eyes that send a jolt as I gaze in them. Her lips are thin but glossed so their plum doesn't go unappreciated. Long, curled lashes bat those eyes at me and I breathe.

Pulling myself together, "I have a task for you, well, it doesn't have to be you."

"The ANBU only need your word, Mizukage-sama."

I cleared my throat, "Right…are the ANBU operating in Amegakure in any capacity?"

Both she and Lord Funato draw confused looks at this. She squints for a moment then shook her head, "We withdrew quite some time ago. If I may ask, Mizukage-sama, what is the interest?"

In that instant Yagura knew I could simply say I intended to invade and everyone would grit their teeth but follow procedure to seeing my wish come true but no…I'm not going mad yet.

When I looked at the heaps of work my rank as Yondaime Mizukage demanded, I knew I couldn't beat around the bush sorting through it before facing the existential threat— Obito and his Akatsuki.

"I need eyes there, Reina." I leaned forward and measured my words, "I want to know what's happened in the past six months, what the Salamander is up to, their military and economic might. In fact, get me the latest report on them, I'll need to have a look at that."

She gulped. Lord Funato left the sofa and was wobbling over with his cane, "Amegakure, Yagura…what are you planning?"

Yagura spared him a short glance before snapping back to Reina who was still processing. She straightened and nodded sharply, "Given the nature of Hanzo the Salamander an infiltration like this classes as SS-rank, we've dispersed many of our operatives fit for the task to the great nations, I will assign myself and Raiga to this task."

I gave a hum at that. Hanzo's nature being unforgivingly murderous if you don't match up to his expectations. He would only spare the strong and while Raiga and Owl mask were certainly capable shinobi, I don't see either of them walking out from an encounter with the Salamander of the Hidden Rain.

Moreover, the reason I'm doing this is so I know what state Nagato is in right now. My head began to hurt as I wondered if Hanzo has died at Nagato's hands yet, I know Obito helped in that regard but I don't know if he's gotten around to doing so yet.

I only knew what was coming if I failed to make a move. It was early sure, but I couldn't give the Akatsuki breathing space to breed.

Finally, under expectant stares from Lord Funato and Reina waiting for me to approve, I said, "Reassign Mei and her team to Amegakure."

Lord Funato's cane struck as he snapped, "Yagura-kun!"

Even Reina tensed up as I turned to face him. He heaved, both eyes wide open and questioning, "The justification of investigating Sandaime-sama's passing will only slide with so many villages, least of all Konoha. Investigating Ame, should they find out, will only serve to infuriate resting dogs to bite."

I digested his words fully and blinked towards Reina, "Go, send them their new orders."

"Sir!"

Lord Funato watched her leave in stark wide disbelief before snapping at me again, "Explain."