The land of Roran had long since changed. With the sands no longer encroaching upon it, the people had returned to a peaceful way of life.
Politically, it had once again become part of the Land of Wind, though it remained under the rule of Queen Sara.
With her assistance, Danzō attempted once more to absorb the power of the Ryūmyaku.
"It's working."
Feeling the natural energy strengthening his body, Danzō's eyes lit up.
However, before even fifteen minutes had passed, he withdrew his hand, his expression darkening. If he continued any further, he feared he would once again turn into wood.
And yet, he hadn't even absorbed a tenth of the Ryūmyaku's power.
Moreover, the natural energy he had taken in, just as the slug had described, felt as if it were being forcibly subjugated rather than naturally integrated. It followed his will under compulsion rather than truly becoming part of him.
He could use it, but it wasn't his. It lacked the seamless flow of chakra.
The sensation was strange.
Danzō vaguely suspected it had something to do with the Ōtsutsuki cells in his body.
Could it be that only after collecting the Tailed Beasts would he be able to take the next step toward the Six Paths Mode?
The sheer energy unleashed by the Ryūmyaku wasn't any weaker than the combined power of the Tailed Beasts—in fact, it was even stronger.
...
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Sara asked.
"Nothing. We're done here."
Hearing this, Sara finally ceased her control over the Ryūmyaku.
The vast, earthen-yellow energy slowly retreated into the depths of the earth.
Watching this, Danzō felt a twinge of envy. A person with no chakra at all was somehow able to control the Ryūmyaku.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Sara hesitated before stepping closer to Danzō.
"My lord, is it really possible to bring Minato back?"
"It won't be long now."
Danzō knew that this was one of the key reasons Sara had chosen to cooperate with him unconditionally.
After giving her a few more instructions, he didn't return to Konoha. Instead, using space-time ninjutsu, he teleported directly to a Root base in the Land of Water.
...
The Land of Water was currently suffering the repercussions of the "Bloody Mist" era.
The remnants of the Bloodline Limit clans, once oppressed by the Fourth Mizukage, had launched a rebellion.
Though they lacked the strength to attack Kirigakure head-on, they waged a relentless assassination campaign against the nobles of the Land of Water.
Had the country's aristocracy studied the turbulence that gripped the Land of Wind years ago, they would have realized that history was repeating itself.
Leading the hunt for these rogue ninja was none other than Hoshigaki Kisame and his Kirigakure Pursuit Squad.
...
Mizukage's Office
Mei Terumī set down the documents she had been reviewing and rose to her feet.
"You are all dismissed."
"Yes, ma'am."
Once the figures disappeared from sight, Danzō opened the office door and pulled up a chair, sitting down across from her.
"I hear you pushed Tsunade into power in Konoha, only taking a mere Elder's position for yourself. Are you interested in becoming an Elder of Kirigakure? I can offer you far more than Tsunade ever could."
Mei half-sat on her desk, leaning forward with a playful smirk. Her voice dripped with allure.
"Not interested. I came here for a reason."
"What kind of reason? If you agree to stay, I'll grant you whatever you desire." She winked teasingly.
Danzō felt a twitch of irritation. Each leader he had supported seemed to be more eccentric than the last.
But he also understood Mei's nature well. To her, politics came first, followed by her role as a shinobi, and only then did she consider herself a woman.
"Enough games. I need the Six-Tails jinchūriki to assist me in an experiment. Make the necessary arrangements."
Seemingly oblivious to the impatience in his tone, Mei tilted her body slightly, allowing her robe to slip down her shoulder.
"The mark you left on me is truly beautiful. Are you sure you don't want to admire it up close?"
The fabric slid just enough to reveal the delicate curve of her shoulder, where a peony tattoo adorned her pale skin, lending her an air of ethereal allure.
"To me, it's only beautiful when it's activated."
"How dull," she huffed, pulling her robe back up and sitting properly. With a quick hand seal, she called out.
Knock, knock.
"Come in, Ao."
The door opened, and Ao stepped inside—only to freeze in surprise at the sight of another person in the room.
Though he hadn't activated his Byakugan earlier, he hadn't sensed Danzō's presence at all.
"Mizukage-sama."
"Bring me the Six-Tails jinchūriki."
"Yes, ma'am."
With a quick bow, Ao departed to carry out her orders.
"You wait here quietly. Don't disturb me." Mei nonchalantly resumed her paperwork.
She truly was an alluring woman.
...
Before long, Ao returned, leading in a middle-aged shinobi whose body was covered in sealing markings.
Only then did Mei set her pen down and lift her gaze toward Danzō. The flirtatious playfulness was gone, replaced by the composed, businesslike demeanor of the Fifth Mizukage.
"How do you intend to conduct this experiment? Ao will assist you as needed."
"That won't be necessary."
Danzō stood and observed the vacant-eyed jinchūriki.
"This sealing technique is utterly subpar."
It didn't allow the jinchūriki to harness the Tailed Beast's power at all. At best, the host was nothing more than a disposable bomb.
Mei clicked her tongue in mild annoyance, watching as Danzō placed his hand on the jinchūriki's shoulder.
In an instant, the air in the office grew suffocatingly heavy. A crushing sense of dread filled the room, making it impossible for anyone to resist.
"Not again… damn it." Mei clenched her teeth, suppressing the shiver that ran down her spine.
Within mere moments, Danzō withdrew his hand.
The jinchūriki's vacant gaze regained clarity—but now it was filled with sheer terror.
"What did you do to it? It's afraid of you."
The creature that had tormented its host day and night was now cowering in fear, desperately trying to hide itself.
"The experiment is complete. Send him away."
"Ao."
Hearing Mei's call, Ao, his face pale, snapped out of his daze and quickly escorted the jinchūriki out.
"If you have no further business, leave. Don't interfere with my work." Mei sat down, her hand trembling slightly as she picked up her pen again.
Silence filled the room.
Mei lifted her eyes, only to find Danzō staring at her intently.
"W-What are you—"
Danzō stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Before she could react, he gripped her chin and pressed his lips against hers.
A long moment passed before he finally pulled away, looking down at her flushed, dazed expression, a thin string of saliva connecting them.
"Respect your superiors. Understood?"
And with that, his figure vanished.
"You bastard~"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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