World News VI [Timeskip]

News spreads throughout the world, Kirigakure is officially shuffling it's chain of command now that the Miuzkage is retiring; reasons left private for the time being. Meanwhile the report of a new village cropping up in the west of the Land of Water, more specifically The Land of Whirlpools, is it said that Daimyo of the land is a one, Murakami, Kisuke who had recently retired from his position as Jounin Commander within Kirigakure; alongside him, are previous Kiri-nin, Makikomu, Okui; Hozuki, Nobugetsu and Horiuchi, Itazura. It is said the trio that had left Kirigakure without notice are within positions of power within the village named as Uzushiogakure. This is clearly a bad sign for Kirigakure, given that it is already in a weak spot and there have been reports of several shinobi and kunoichi going missing...

It'll be up for those within Kirigakure's leaders to decide whether or not to pursue these traitors and if now is the best time to do that, if so.

The Land of Water is in a rough spot; despite the Abyss going silent and the Cult having been all but defeated, the future is slightly uncertain. Kirigakure is still waiting on that so-called final attack, but thanks to operations performed by it's ninja, this has likely been delayed massively --if not, outright pushed back and dismantled. However, with prominent and promising Genin have gone missing after the Chunin exams, some are wondering if loyalty to the village is a problem; more specifically that, it wasn't trained into them that well by the previous generation and Mizukage. Nobody knows, but for now they focus on the future, not the past.

In the upcoming year; a squadron of Kiri-nin will be dispatched to Sunagakure, of course to the world, they'll be seen as mercenaries, but to Kirigakure? A way for it to pave an alliance with Sunagakure and for Sunagakure to hasten it's chance to develop a cure and bring an end to it's highly deadly... 'Sand Plague'.

Uzushiogakure was once an impoverished village, but thanks to recent aid and an injection of ryo; it's economy and status has seen a positive bloom and by proxy The Land of Whirlpools has benefitted from this. Both the wealth, political influence and size of the once fledging land has increased; whilst not as big as The Land of Water, it is still a feat nonetheless.

It is a secluded village nestled within The Land of Whirlpools. It is said that Kisuke's subordinates are taking positions of power within the village's hierarchy; previous Kiri-Nin. Ontop of this, it is reported that The Land of Whirlpools will be forming trade relations with The Land of Fire and continuing to keep itself to itself; given The Land of Fire's cooperative and diplomatic nature in current times, it is likely by the end of the year, such trade deals will be finalised with The Land of Whirlpools seeing a further boost to it's economy and political influence.

Sunagakure and The Land of Wind are currently in a dangerous position; it has been failing to fend off the dreaded Sand Plague. So far it is unsure where it came from or how to truly combat it or cure it, with deaths from the disease now hitting the thousands, with more to follow. It has fully withdrawn it's focus away from Kumogakure as of now to focus on this epidemic and seeks to forge alliances next time it goes to war. Something which Kirigakure is seeking to exploit; after all, it is no small secret that Kumogakure is hated by Kirigakure.

Should Kirigakure be successful in it's next few steps, it'd be the start of a shady but workable alliance...

Kumogakure has recently been silent; keeping to itself, it is highly likely it is preparing itself to crush Sunagakure and The Land of Wind. However, one thing is in it's way, The Land of Fire and Konohagakure. It is said that heavy diplomatic talks have been taking place. The Land of Fire has yet to submit to The Land of Lightning's demands.

Aside from diplomatic issues with The Land of Lightning and the ongoing development of trade deals with The Land of Whirlpools, Konohagakure and The Land of Fire has been enjoying what they declare to be the start of a golden age for them; being the strongest nation currently in the Shinobi World. Despite this, they seem to be closing off it's borders to both The Land of Wind and The Land of Lightning, to both keep the plague from reaching it's nation and to prevent any war breaking out within it's lands.