“The name of my friend isn’t important Maki. You wouldn’t know him even if I told you,” Maru began, his tone uncharacteristically respectful. “His race hasn’t been active on your side for centuries. They’ve not signed contracts for a very long time.”

Maki raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, sensing there was more to this than Maru let on. Kaoru, on the other hand, leaned forward, his curiosity written all over his face.

“Kaoru is invited as a guest,” Maru continued, “but he will have to pass several tests. I don’t know the details, but I can promise you one thing—his safety will be guaranteed. And no matter what happens there, he will come back stronger.”

Kaoru’s eyes lit up at the word "stronger." His mind flashed back to his spar with Maki, the feeling of helplessness after failing to land even a single hit on her. The idea of growing stronger, no matter the cost, filled him with excitement.

But his enthusiasm was short-lived.

“However,” Maru added, “he can’t go yet. He doesn’t have the required chakra reserves to make the journey safely. How old are you now, Kaoru?”

“Nine. Almost ten,” Kaoru answered eagerly.

“Then you’ll be ready by the time you’re twelve,” Maru said. “But listen carefully—you must not sign a contract with any other race before then. If you do, you’ll regret it. The only reason I told you this much is to convince you not to attempt summoning.”

Kaoru blinked. “Why not?” he asked.

“You’ll understand when the time comes,” Maru replied cryptically. Then, with a stretch of his massive wings, he added, “Now, I’ve wasted enough time talking. I’m going to enjoy some flying before my summoning time runs out.”

Without waiting for a reply, Maru lifted off into the air, his wings slicing through the wind as he began circling the valley. Kaoru and Maki watched him, Kaoru still trying to process the invitation and the vague promise of tests to come.

“Akura, I know you trust him, but I have doubts,” Maki said firmly. The usual carefree Maki and the Maki who worried about Kaoru were two entirely different people.

“I understand,” Akura replied calmly. He had expected her to feel this way, but they didn’t have to make any decisions yet. “I’m not asking you to trust Maru’s friend outright, but the Eagle Tribe never breaks their promises. If Maru says Kaoru’s safety will be guaranteed, it means he’s absolutely certain of it. Besides, Kaoru can’t even go for another two and a half years.”

“Why are you talking about me like I’m not standing right here?” Kaoru chuckled. “I want to go. Just the fact that Maru knew I can see chakra with my eyes and even mentioned the true form—it’s clear they know way more about the Takime kekkei genkai than we do. Our clan doesn’t even have proper records for training it! I’ve been coming up with training methods myself. Imagine how much I could progress if I learned from them.”

Kaoru’s passionate speech was full of conviction, but Maki didn’t budge an inch.

“Ru, let me make this very clear. If I’m not convinced it’s safe, you’re not going. I’ll lock you up if I have to,” Maki declared, her eyes blazing with determination.

Kaoru’s lips twitched, and then he pulled out his ultimate weapon—a pout. “But if you do lock me up, I’ll be unhappy, and my life will be miserable. You wouldn’t want that for me, right? You’re my beloved sister, after all.” His innocent cyan eyes sparkled as he spoke.

Akura nearly choked. [Wow, this kid is good.] He could see right through Kaoru’s act, but even knowing it was a performance didn’t make it any less effective. [And it’s working, too!]

Maki’s resolve wavered. “Fine,” she said with a reluctant sigh, “but I’m going with you. That’s final!”

Kaoru broke into a wide grin. “I’ll be more than happy if you do, Maki.” He hugged her tightly.

Akura stood back, watching the scene unfold with an amused expression. I’m happy now,” he muttered to himself, chuckling quietly. Seeing Maki get outmaneuvered by the brat she adored was a rare and satisfying sight. [At least through Kaoru I can have some revenge,] he laughed and looked at helpless Maki again.

<<<>>>

As Takimura was expanding its forces and enjoying a period of relative peace, deep in the Land of Water, the Mizukage was making a rare visit to the capital where the Water Daimyo resided.

Mizuhana, the capital, was a breathtaking city spread across several interconnected islands, linked by elegant stone and wooden bridges. At the heart of it all lay the Daimyo’s palace, a grand structure surrounded by smaller islands housing government buildings, bustling markets, and neatly organized residential areas. Upon Yagura’s arrival, he was met by a large gathering of people at the entrance. Civilians lined the streets, though they kept their distance, while the Daimyo himself, along with his entourage, stood ready to greet the Mizukage. It was an act of calculated goodwill.

Though the Daimyo was, in title, the ruler of the Land of Water, everyone knew where the true power lay—in the hands of Kirigakure. In a world where the strong trampled the weak, shinobi were the ultimate authority. Still, the Daimyo retained influence due to the delicate balance of power among the nations. If one Daimyo were excessively oppressed or, worse, killed, the others would rally together, forcing their hidden villages to retaliate against the aggressor. While Kage often disregarded their Daimyo’s desires, the prospect of war—especially a coordinated attack from multiple nations—was a risk even the strongest villages could not afford. Moreover, missions commissioned by the Daimyo remained a vital source of income for hidden villages, maintaining a precarious relationship between the two powers.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Welcome, Lord Mizukage,” greeted the Daimyo warmly, his arms extended in a gesture of politeness. Though he detested Yagura, he maintained the act flawlessly.

“I’m glad to see you, Lord Daimyo,” Yagura replied. His words were formal, but his tone was cold, carrying an unmistakable hint of superiority. Standing behind him were several Oinin, their faces concealed by masks, but their sharp, murderous eyes betrayed their nature.

The Daimyo and his officials led Yagura and his entourage to the grand hall where a lavish feast was being prepared. The Land of Water was undoubtedly the poorest of the Five Great Nations, yet the Daimyo’s extravagant lifestyle remained untouched by the country’s suffering.

Yagura took his seat at the long table, casually lifting a cup of wine and taking a measured sip. His gaze settled on the Daimyo.

“Forgive me for visiting unannounced,” Yagura began. His sudden arrival had been announced only hours earlier, a blatant disregard for protocol and an intentional display of his influence. “But I could not delay. The Land of Water faces a troubling situation. Have you heard of the rebels calling themselves Takimura?”

The Daimyo’s expression remained composed, though tension rippled through the room. “Yes, I’ve heard of them,” he replied cautiously. “But aside from establishing their settlement, they’ve done nothing wrong, have they?”

The Daimyo and his council had already debated Takimura extensively. Some believed their existence would only cause chaos in the Land of Water, while others saw them as a potential tool—a counterbalance to Kirigakure’s dominance. Since Takimura was small and weak, the Daimyo believed they could be more easily controlled.

Yagura’s piercing gaze seemed to weigh the Daimyo’s every word. “That settlement,” he began, “was established by two criminal clans: the Terumi and the Takime. The Takime clan betrayed Kirigakure, killing many shinobi and civilians before fleeing like cowards. As for the Terumi clan, they defied Kirigakure’s traditions by refusing to send their youngest for training. When we extended a peaceful hand—sending a delegation with gifts to negotiate—they ambushed them and slaughtered everyone. One of the delegation members was one of the Seven Swordsmen, and they even stole the legendary swords he was carrying.”

The Daimyo’s eyes widened, though not from surprise. He was stunned by how shamelessly Yagura twisted the facts and fabricated events to paint Takimura as villains. The sheer audacity of the Mizukage’s lies left him momentarily speechless.

"That's terrible," the Daimyo said, feigning sadness. "I wish our people could set aside their differences and focus on external threats instead of tearing each other apart. But, Lord Mizukage, I suspect there’s a reason you’re bringing this up." His tone was polite, but the subtle edge hinted he wasn’t buying Yagura’s story.

Yagura didn’t flinch. “The valley their settlement occupies is nearly impossible to capture without heavy losses because of the Takime clan’s leader. I’d like to ask Lord Daimyo to request that Shiomura cut their trading ties with Takimura,” Yagura finally revealed.

The Daimyo paused as if weighing his options. It was a deliberate move, a show of diplomacy. “I can do that,” he said at last. “I’ll personally travel to Shiomura and ask them to sever their ties with Takimura. However, this will not be an easy negotiation, and it won’t come cheap.” He shrugged, implying that if Yagura wanted to use him, there would be a cost.

“As soon as I return, I’ll send shinobi to complete all the missions you’ve commissioned, and we’ll cut the costs by half,” Yagura replied without hesitation. It was clear he’d already prepared this offer before setting foot in Mizuhana.

The Daimyo frowned ever so slightly, displeased but not bold enough to press further. “Alright then,” he said with a polite smile. “I’ll let you know the results when I return.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, though neither was interested. Both were merely counting the seconds until Yagura would leave.

—

“Why did you agree, Father?” the Daimyo’s son asked once the Mizukage was gone.

“I had no choice,” the Daimyo replied. “Maintaining a somewhat normal relationship with Yagura is essential. He’s becoming more difficult to manage, and I suspect he’ll only grow worse.”

“Then why not let Takimura continue to threaten Kirigakure? That would help us balance the scales. Now, if Shiomura cuts their trade routes, Takimura will starve…”

The Daimyo smirked, “In diplomacy, you must lie in a way that leaves no room for accusation. I promised to ask Shiomura to stop trading with Takimura, and I will. But I don’t have to succeed.”

The son blinked in surprise. “You’re saying Shiomura will reject your request?”

“Exactly,” the Daimyo replied, his smile widening. “I’ll ensure my request is slightly weak, vague, and dismissable. When Shiomura refuses, Yagura will retaliate against them, driving up tensions. He’ll likely penalize us as well by increasing the costs of our missions, which will be inconvenient but manageable. Meanwhile, Takimura will still have a chance to survive, and their threat to Kirigakure will remain intact.”

“But won’t your reputation suffer if you fail so publicly?” the son pressed.

The Daimyo waved a hand dismissively. “My reputation is already tarnished in the eyes of the people. Shiomura, however, will understand my true intentions, and they won’t share them with Kirigakure. They dislike Yagura even more than they dislike us. Besides, my personal involvement is critical. Yagura needs to see me fail with his own eyes for this deception to work.”

The Daimyo plucked a grape from a bowl and popped it into his mouth, leaning back in his chair. He glanced at his son, who was still deep in thought, trying to piece together the strategy. [This way, at least you might inherit a Land of Water strong and peaceful enough to live freely,] he thought, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes as he watched his heir trying to analyze everything that had had just happened.

**

A/N -

So the time for Kaoru to learn more about his clan’s Kekkei Genkai has been set. The mysterious creature—or rather, the tribe—that invited him is deeply connected with Suijingan. This connection and its secrets will be explored in-depth as the story progresses. This is a completely original addition to the lore, diverging from canon, and will likely get its own arc.

I’ve always felt that the world beyond the "mainland"—the five great nations—is underexplored in the canon. So, I’m excited to gradually introduce new regions, tribes, and dynamics, giving the story fresh depth and expanding the world in unexpected ways.

Character Notes:

Kaoru - Excited - “I wanna learn more about Suijingan”

Maru - Flying - “Flying is the best!”

**