Music, videos, games, social networking...
All these ideas were gathered together and handed over to the tech department, where programmers were now racking their brains to bring them to life. The goal was to have something ready by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Commerce was tasked with finding a trustworthy state-owned enterprise capable of handling the job. The Ministry of Military Affairs would oversee the transition process. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent to the Land of Water's Daimyō's residence to secure funding for setting up computer access points.
Initially, Yagura had wanted to call these locations "internet cafés." However, considering the initial investment and the fact that each location would start with just one to four computers, he abandoned the idea for now. They could revisit the name once the machines were capable of running games like Snake, Tetris, 100-Floor Challenge, or Thunder Strike—though such advancements would likely take another five years.
...
September 15 arrived.
While the battles on the continent raged on, Kirigakure welcomed a new school year at the Ninja Academy. Yagura decided to make an appearance and give the new students a morale boost. It was a last-minute decision, but within the Mizukage's office, it was taken very seriously.
Up until now, only those working in the office truly knew what Yagura had been doing since taking over a few months ago. He hadn't even had time to deliver an inaugural speech. This wasn't just a simple academy entrance ceremony—it would be Yagura's first public appearance in Kirigakure's eyes.
...
Standing in front of a mirror, Yagura adjusted his outfit and sighed.
"Time flies, Mangetsu."
"Yeah, hard to believe we were just starting here a year ago."
As one of Yagura's guards, Mangetsu naturally accompanied him. His outfit was simple and didn't require much adjustment—his signature white-gray hair complemented a black sleeveless top and standard ninja trousers, making him look sharp and ready for action.
Zabuza dressed similarly, also wearing a black sleeveless top and ninja trousers, with several layers of bandages wrapped around his neck. Compared to them, Yagura's outfit seemed excessive, as if he stood out too much.
Glancing at the two, Yagura remarked, "If you two didn't look so different, people might actually mistake you for brothers."
Their relationship had matured over the past year—at the very least, they no longer fought at first sight. But Yagura's comment still tested their limits.
"Ugh, that thought makes me sick." Zabuza exaggerated a gag. "Who would want a gelatinous freak like him as a brother?"
"I wouldn't want you as a brother either, okay?" Mangetsu shot back, narrowing his eyes with a smug smile. "My ideal little brother would be cute and obedient."
He scoffed. "If my little brother were anything like you, I'd rather not have one."
"Shut up! You're only a year older than me!"
"One second older is still older!"
...
Having started the chaos, Yagura casually stepped aside to enjoy the show. Honestly, he couldn't help but think about Hōzuki Suigetsu's future obsession with his older brother. Maybe Mangetsu's dream would come true one day.
...
Bang!
The door to the lounge swung open, and Mei Terumī strode in, reprimanding them. "Seriously, I could hear you two arguing from outside. What are you even bickering about now?"
The three boys froze.
Mangetsu kindly reminded her, "Mei, this is the men's lounge. What if we weren't wearing anything?"
Mei gave them a sweet smile. "Would you like me to melt you all with Acid Mist?"
"No need for that," Mangetsu waved his hands. Zabuza took a step back.
In terms of sheer intimidation, Mei still had the upper hand over them.
Ignoring the two childish idiots, Mei turned to Yagura, her brows furrowing as she scrutinized him from head to toe.
Yagura checked himself, ensuring his buttons were fastened properly and that his clothes weren't inside out.
"What is it, Mei?"
"You're really going in this outfit?" Mei couldn't help but frown.
"I always wear this."
This had been his signature attire since the beginning.
"But today's an official event. You can't just wear anything." Mei turned and called out, "Give me a moment."
She brought in her mentor—a gentle young woman who would one day mature into an elegant lady. The moment she saw Yagura, her eyes softened with amusement.
Mei, still dissatisfied, turned to her mentor. "What do you think, Miss Murasaki?"
The woman covered her mouth with a chuckle. "There's nothing wrong with it. The Mizukage looks adorable. He'll look good in anything."
With a nod, Murasaki turned to Yagura. "Mizukage-sama, it's about time we left for the academy."
She then subtly pulled Mei aside and whispered, "Mei, we'll go shopping after work today."
At the mention of shopping, Mei instantly stopped worrying about Yagura's outfit. She eagerly nodded, afraid her mentor would change her mind.
"Alright! Yes! Let's go!"
Murasaki dismissed her with a smile. "There's some work on my desk. Go take a look. I'll accompany the Mizukage to the academy."
Mei, now excitedly looking forward to their shopping trip, was easily shooed away.
With a small laugh, Murasaki approached Yagura and lowered her voice to explain,
"Mei has been obsessed with shopping lately. Apparently, she's already spent all the allowance she received from the Terumī clan."
Mangetsu and Zabuza exchanged looks of shock.
"I see." Yagura nodded. "No wonder she's been wearing a different outfit every day lately."
As long as Yagura understood, that was enough.
Murasaki smiled, nodding knowingly before raising a finger.
"Still, Mei isn't entirely wrong. Mizukage-sama should start paying a little more attention to his attire."
Such a cute face—it'd be a shame not to decorate it a little.
But… dressing up? What even is that?
As a straight man with a combined total of thirty years of experience, Yagura truly had no clue.
Feeling a bit awkward, his hands hovered uncertainly before he hesitated and said,
"Uh... does it really matter?"
"Heh, I actually have a little gift for you, Mizukage-sama. Would you like to try it on?"
Yuki Murasaki opened her hand, revealing two simple hair clips.
One was a soft lavender, the other a deep blue—colors that matched Yagura's own hues quite well.
"Thank you."
A bit puzzled, Yagura accepted them and fiddled with the clips, pressing them open and shut a few times.
"So, uh… how do you use these? They go in the hair, right?"
Murasaki stifled a laugh. "That's right."
After a moment of thought, Yagura clipped them onto the bangs over his right eye, pinning back the slightly longer strands against his forehead.
Turning to the mirror, he saw that his hair looked much smoother now.
It actually… kind of looked better than before.
Yagura scrutinized his reflection, tilting his head slightly.
Maybe it was just because he'd gotten too used to his usual appearance, but this small change was surprisingly refreshing.
Behind him, Mangetsu let out an exaggerated "Ehhhh~~~?" dragging the sound out dramatically.
"That's not fair! Why don't I get one too?"
Zabuza and Yagura both rolled their eyes at him in perfect unison, their expressions full of disdain. Seriously, kids… they'll fight over anything.
Mangetsu, however, remained unfazed, merely pouting in response. What? I am a kid!
Murasaki, who was quite petite herself—just barely over 150 cm—crouched slightly so she was at eye level with Mangetsu.
"Mangetsu-kun, Zabuza-kun, you two already look very cool just as you are. You're a different type from Mizukage-sama."
Mangetsu was only half-satisfied. "A different type?"
"That's right. When you two grow up, you'll be strong, powerful, and incredibly cool men."
Caught off guard by the sudden, straightforward compliment from the kind young woman, both boys blushed slightly, falling silent.
Mangetsu quickly turned his head away to change the subject. "Then what about Yagura? What type is he?"
Just as Yagura was about to tease Mangetsu for his reaction, he suddenly found himself in the hot seat instead. Now, all eyes were on him, and he tensed slightly, waiting for the verdict.
"Mizukage-sama, when you grow up, you'll be different from them. You'll probably be the charming type—the kind that girls really like."
Zabuza bared his teeth in a grin and cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Got it. So basically, the flirty, lady-killer type."
"Zabuza! If you don't know how to talk properly, then say less! Where the hell did you even learn those words?!"
Flustered and furious, Yagura grabbed a couch pillow and hurled it at him.
Zabuza ducked just in time, dodging the attack. Seeing Yagura's exasperated expression, he let out a victorious laugh and made a quick getaway.
After all that commotion, it was already getting late.
Using the excuse of chasing after Zabuza, Yagura and the others headed out, making their way toward the ninja academy