Let’s turn the clock back a bit. These events started shortly after Chiyeko defeated the ninja hunter Keizo.

 

Keizo sighed. He and Chiyeko sat at a table, empty bowls in front of them. His tears had finally dried up as well.

Truly, how was something this delicious allowed to exist?

 

“Um…what now? I can’t go back now that I’ve failed my hunt…”

 

“Well, what do you want to do?”

 

“What do I…want?”

 

Keizo tilted his head. Eventually he sighed.

 

“I…don’t know.”

 

Chiyeko smiled softly at him.

 

“That’s fine. Why don’t we figure it out?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“You’re still young. I can help you get started, we can probably get you into a school. You’ll have all sorts of experiences the village never gave you there. Maybe…you’ll find something you want to do in the meantime?”

 

Keizo hummed for a bit, then shrugged.

 

“Might as well. Um…well…”

 

She grinned at him.

 

“Yes, the food is like this.”

 

“I’LL DO IT!”

 

---

 

Keizo tugged at the collar of his clothes. The uniform of this…’school’ was strange. Sure, he could hide some weapons in the sleeves, but the jacket seemed…overly restrictive to his movements compared to his combat uniform.

 

Still…to give clothes woven from such luxurious fibers to mere children…how strange the outside world was.

 

“Oh no! I’m going to be late!”

 

Keizo heard a shout as he turned around the corner, barely catching sight of someone running straight towards him from the side. He flickered and reappeared on a nearby tree, kunai at the ready.

It was a girl, wearing the uniform of his new school.

And she had…some sort of food in her mouth?

He watched as she ran down the sidewalk before he sighed and put away his knife.

Not an intentional attack attempt, it seemed. She was frightfully unaware for a trainee of her age. Although…if the thought of being late had put her in such a state…

 

Keizo decided to hurry.

 

---

 

“Good morning class, starting today we have a new transfer student! Please welcome: Miyabe Ieshige.”

 

“Greetings, everyone.”

 

Keizo took his seat after the greetings. Oh hey, it was rushing food girl, sitting right next to him.

 

“Hi! I’m Hitarashi Hana. It’s nice to meet you, Miyabe-san!”

 

Keizo raised an eyebrow.

 

“We met before, though?”

 

“Eh?! When?! I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen you before!”

 

Huh?

She hadn’t…seen him?

Keizo began to feel very uneasy about the quality of training in the outside world…

 

---

 

“Let’s go over the legislature. The National Diet is divided into two branches: The House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. For a new law to pass, it must be approved by both houses, and then promulgated by the Emperor.”

 

As the lecture continued, Keizo froze, his spine shooting straight and his eyes going as wide as they could.

 

“Laws…can be changed?”

 

“Ahahaha what are you saying, Miyabe-san? Of course they can! You’re so funny.”

 

Keizo’s heart began to pound. Laws…and governments…can change? Traditions…can be discussed?

Doesn’t that mean…the village could change too?

They could stop the fighting.

They could stop sending his friends to war.

They could be allowed to earn money.

They could enjoy the food of the outside world.

A heat spread throughout Keizo’s chest, like a roaring flame had lit in his stomach. He pulled out his notepad, his hand flickering as he recorded every word the teacher spoke.

 

He had much to learn.

 

---

 

Several years later, Keizo stood on a podium before a small crowd. He tested the mic and began his speech.

In the next town, he tested the mic and began his speech.

And in the next.

And the next.

 

At the exact same time.

 

He held in his smirk. Shinobi were forbidden from using their abilities for monetary gain…but technically there were no rules about using them to win an election! It turns out the founders had not anticipated the democratic process when they laid down the founding creed, who would’ve guessed?

They also hadn’t developed any training methods for giving speeches though…as evidenced by the bored faces in front of him.

Suddenly something flickered at the edge of Keizo’s vision. He saw a man grab a woman’s purse and push her to the ground. Keizo leapt from the podium, landed with a roll, and rushed down the street. He slammed his knee into the man’s back, knocking him to the ground and landing on top of him. He grabbed the flying purse before it could burst open and flipped back to land in front of the woman, extending a hand to her.

 

“Are you all right, miss?”

 

“I-I’m fine…thank you.”

 

“Think nothing of it. Ah, here’s your purse.”

 

“T-Thanks.”

 

Keizo turned back and placed a foot on the man, waiting until the cops arrived. A small crowd had gathered, whispering to one another. They followed Keizo as he returned to the podium.

 

This time…they decided to pay attention as he spoke.

 

---

 

Keizo sat on a couch in a small room. Before him was a heavyset man with a large grin on his face.

 

“I assure you, Miyabe-sama, this will be worth your while. My benefactor is quite resourceful, with his support the election is as good as yours.”

 

“That would be much appreciated. However, is this location truly correct?”

 

The man grinned wider and nodded.

 

“I know, it’s not exactly standard, but until you win my benefactor needs to keep his privacy, you see. Were the party to catch wind of him supporting an independent candidate, it may jeopardize your chances. You know how it is.”

 

Keizo nodded.

 

“That is true enough. Very well, I will be there.”

 

“Excellent, I’ll let him know. He looks forward to meeting you.”

 

Keizo shook the man’s grubby hand and left the office. Once he had left the man burst out laughing.

 

“What an absolute idiot. Sorry kid, but you never had a chance. Consider this a lesson, you’re about to learn the way the world really works.”

 

---

 

The next day, the man’s doorbell rang. He cursed as he got up, opening the door.

He froze.

 

There stood Miyabe…completely unharmed.

 

“Hello again.”

 

“M-Miyabe-sama, w-what are you doing here?”

 

“I came to check on your benefactor.”

 

“Huh?”

 

The man trembled as Miyabe casually walked into the room.

 

“You see, I met some ruffians at our meeting spot. I handled it and passed them over to the authorities, but I could not find any sign of your benefactor. I am concerned about what may have happened to him if he arrived before me, so I thought to check with you on his health.”

 

The man gulped.

 

“O-Oh…y-yes…h-he is…completely fine. H-He, um, apologizes that he…uh…couldn’t make the meeting. W-We’re very sorry you had…an unpleasant experience.”

 

Miyabe just raised an eyebrow.

 

“Truly? Well, I would have appreciated a heads up if he couldn’t come, but I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”

 

“Y-Yes…it c-couldn’t be helped.”

 

Miyabe looked at the man, narrowing his eyes.

 

“Would he be willing to reschedule? I am still quite interested in meeting him.”

 

“O-Of course! I’ll get in touch with him right away, Miyabe-sama!”

 

“Excellent. You wouldn’t mind if I rest here, while you set things up?”

 

“O-Of course not! M-My home is yours, Miyabe-sama.”

 

“That is most generous of you.”

 

The man slowly backed into another room and leapt for his phone, quickly dialing for his client’s number.

Those guys were the best! A perfect record, no matter what kind of bodyguards they had to get past! They even had some former military on the team!

 

So who the heck was this guy?!

 

---

 

Keizo stepped into the office at the local party branch. A handful of older men sat around a table.

 

“Ah, Miyabe-kun! Come in come in.”

 

Keizo bowed and then took a seat.

 

“Thank you for having me.”

 

The group made some polite small talk. Eventually, the head man cleared his throat and crossed his hands in front of him.

 

“Well, let’s get into it, then. You’ve made an impressive showing, Miyabe-kun. We think you could be a serious contender.”

 

The man’s mouth curled into a sneer.

 

“But you must understand, there are certain steps to this. I know it is a tad troublesome, but that’s just the way society works, you know? You can’t go straight to Prefectural Governor, why, you wouldn’t know what to do even if you managed to win! It would be…a bit of an embarrassment, and we would spare you that.”

 

One of the other men began to grin as well.

 

“However, good talent is to be nurtured. Why don’t you join the party? You can start as one of our interns. In exchange, we’ll show you the ropes, teach you how all this really works. And who knows? Maybe one day, you run, with the full backing of the party. And then, you can bring real change!”

 

Another man nodded.

 

“We don’t normally do something like this. But we feel you are worth making an exception, you see. Please understand, this is a special offer. It is in your best interest to respond positively, and with all due haste. We wouldn’t want any…misunderstandings.”

 

Keizo closed his eyes and smiled.

 

“I understand.”

 

The men all began to sneer.

 

“We’re glad you saw reason…”

 

Keizo reached into his jacket and tossed a handful of papers and photos across the table.

 

All the men froze.

 

“What…is this…”

 

“My counteroffer. You see, the backing of the party would be most appreciated. For this very election, in fact.”

 

“...where did you get this?”

 

“I’ve been busy, you know? As have you, Mr. Representative. If that’s what you call it. I am not sure what counts as work, seeing as I don’t know how things go around here and all.”

 

“Y-You dare threaten us, boy? Do you understand who we are?”

 

“Now now, I don’t normally do something like this. But I feel your resources and influence are worth making an exception. As you said, why I wouldn’t know what to do with the office even if I won! So I’m making you a special offer, so that we can bring real change together.”

 

Keizo smiled at the men and crossed his hands in front of himself. The men grunted and grit their teeth.

 

“It is in your best interest to respond positively, and with all due haste. We wouldn’t want any…misunderstandings.”

 

---

 

Shortly after Xiong Huang’s fight with the shinobi, Ieshige hiked through the Iya Valley. He was followed by a young woman and several men in suits and sunglasses. The woman let out a yelp as she tripped over a rock. Ieshige flickered, catching her in his arms.

 

“Are you all right, Hana?”

 

She flushed a bit.

 

“I-I’m all right, just lost my balance a bit.”

 

Ieshige smiled and shook his head.

 

“You know, you didn’t have to come all this way.”

 

She looked into his eyes, frowning.

 

“Yes I did. This is where you came from, isn’t it? I already told you, Ieshige, wherever you go, I go.”

 

He smiled and helped her regain her balance.

 

“For the record, I don’t think any of us should be out this far, Miyabe-sama. The rumors of this valley…are not encouraging. And we’re a long way from help should anything happen.”

 

Ieshige turned ahead and narrowed his eyes.

 

“That is why we are here.”

 

The group continued into the forested valley. Eventually, they came to a small clearing. Ieshige raised an eyebrow. There was a small hut set up. A visitor lodge? Strange.

There was a gust of wind and two shinobi appeared before them, kunai at the ready.

 

“You are bold to come here, rogue-nin. Are you prepared to die?”

 

Ieshige smiled.

 

“Oh, you can’t kill me.”

 

“I see the outside world has made you arrogant. But a traitor like you is no match for a true shinobi!”

 

Ieshige reached into his jacket and pulled out a document.

 

“It’s Miyabe Ieshige now, I’ve had my name legally changed, you know? And you stand before the rightfully elected Prefectural Governor of Tokushima. In other words…the civil servant of the Emperor appointed to watch over these lands.”

 

The shinobi froze.

 

“You cannot kill me, it is against the creed for a shinobi to raise their hand against a servant of the Emperor, is it not?”

 

“T-That’s a lie! You couldn’t possibly have been appointed by the Emperor!”

 

“I have the proof right here. And until you prove it as false, you cannot harm me. No…in fact you must welcome me in, and heed my words, for that is your law is it not?”

 

“Guh…”

 

The shinobi ground their teeth.

 

But they lowered their knives. Ieshige smirked at them.

 

“Come, let us go to the village and discuss the future. There is much in the outside world I would share with you.”

 

---

 

There was a great deal of debate, of shouting, of threats, and gnashing of teeth.

But ultimately, the shinobi could not defy a direct order from a government official that did not conflict with an order from their lords. And their lords were long gone.

Not to mention…the specter of the Eternal Night Sect hanging over them. The Murderous Bloody Fist had not come for them yet…but they knew she would not forget their transgressions against her.

 

And they could not defeat her alone. The shinobi villages were doomed, one way or another.

 

And so it was…that the shinobi villages were dismantled for good, the shinobi themselves brought into the service of the Japanese government. The name of Dr. Ueda spread through the world as she facilitated the transition of a veritable army of traumatized supers back into society.

And when monsters and villains began to appear in the streets…the shinobi got to work, saving countless lives. As the one who found them and brought them into the government’s service, Miyabe Ieshige became a national hero. Thanks to his ties to the shinobi, along with his unnatural ability to navigate the nation’s politics and get things done, the people began to call him by another name:

 

The Political Process Ninja.