"I can't believe it." Chojuro said in amazement.
The reign of terror finally came to an end. The civil war was over. The rebellion won the war.
"You really can't judge someone by their appearance or age." Ao added calmly.
Indeed. In the world of Ninja, you truly couldn't judge someone by their appearance or age.
Example number one: Momochi Zabuza. One of the Seven Swordsmen of Kirigakure, infamously nicknamed the Demon of Kirigakure. Once not yet a student himself, he killed over one hundred academy students.
Example number two: Uchiha Itachi of Konohagakure. Looking all girly in appearance yet he killed the entire members of his clan bar one boy at the young age of thirteen.
The boy who stood near their new Mizukage was also another of those examples. He couldn't be older than twelve, sickly pale skin, white hair, narrow blue eyes, and looking as harmless as a kitten.
He was far from harmless in reality. The boy single-handedly led them all to win the war. Too brilliant for his age. A true prodigy.
William Minerva. A name befitting for one as enigmatic as him.
"You know, I won't mind marrying a boy as handsome as you." Terumi Mei said to the young boy beside her in a flirty manner.
Ao immediately sweatdropped. "He is a bit too young for you, isn't he?" He called out which earned a glare from his new leader and a polite laugh from the boy.
"You are a very beautiful woman yourself, Terumi-dono. I am sure you will soon find a man befitting of your beauty." William Minerva said with a polite smile.
It came in a respectful tone that was to be expected from one as young as him to those who were probably twice his age.
Not in this case. It should be the other way around. They should be the one bowing and speaking politely to the boy. He was the true brain behind the success of the rebellion after all. Without him, the rebellion would needlessly suffer so much more.
They were losing with those small resources and fund. A boy came out of nowhere with a confident smirk on his face, providing them with countless ideas, strategies, and tactics that made the situation turned around in their favor.
Who would have thought that Yagura was being controlled with a genjutsu by someone? No one except him apparently. The boy proved himself to be an exceptional mind time and time again.
"Well then, my business is done here. I hope to see Kirigakure flourish again under your leadership, Godaime Mizukage." The genius boy said courtly, one hand raised for a formal handshake.
The new Mizukage clasped his hand with her own. "I wish you well in your journey, Mr. William Minerva. Please give my warmest regards to Emma."
Ah. That's right. Emma. Another enigma. The sole reason for William Minerva to help them.
Because it was Emma's desire.
They never found out who this mysterious person was until the end.
There were just three facts that they were absolutely certain about Emma.
First, Emma was a girl, around the same age as William Minerva.
Second, she wished for a change. She desired a peaceful world.
And lastly, William Minerva was willing to do anything for her happiness. He would use anything and everything, including himself, to accomplish it.
"I hope that you are willing to tell us your real name so we can properly thank you should our path cross again." Mei said with a smile before quickly letting go of the boy's hand.
Of course they knew that William Minerva was a fake name. They were not that stupid.
The boy still looked surprised for a moment before he gave a gentle smile and left without a word.
They were going to find out the boy's true identity after they managed to rebuild Kirigakure.
Meanwhile, in another place, something big also took place.
A business was essentially made up of connections to the people. A business would use it's trust to obtain a maximum profit. Trust was the absolute authority to change the market.
A corrupted business ran up by a ruthless and greedy tyrant was like a time bomb, it could go under with the simplest touch of an expert at any moment.
Like one Gato company for an example.
"How boring." Ray said blandly, both hands inside his pocket, his usual thick book nowhere in sight for once.
He was standing over a kneeling Gato, surrounded by thugs and fearful villagers.
There was countless paper money scattered on the ground around them but no one made a move to take them, their attention solely focused on the young boy and the defeated tyrant.
"Have mercy." Gato said pathetically, glasses cracked and cane missing, his whole body was trembling in fear.
It was pretty ridiculous to see a grown up man kneeling pitifully to a young boy in white.
The boy smirked. "That will probably work with Emma. Too bad I am different from her."
"Anyone who present me with his head will get a bonus." He called out dispassionately to the surrounding people, ignoring the panicked pleas coming from the kneeling man in front of him.
Karma got back at everyone. When you kill someone, you should also be prepared to be killed in the same manner.
Just like how Gato executed Kaiza by dismembering him in the past, he would also die in the same manner today.
A massive sword slammed into Gato's neck, completely separating the head from the body.
The thugs watched silently while the villagers screamed in fright.
"Satisfied?" The owner of the sword asked him, hand still casually holding his giant sword.
Ray only shrugged his shoulders in response, totally indifferent to the bloody execution that was just performed in front of him.
"The bonus is yours." Ray said to Momochi Zabuza in a deadpan tone.
He left as quickly as he came, mysterious and aloof, leaving a corpse of a cruel tyrant and a freed country behind silently.