Ninja World
Land of Lightning
Yunjie Mountain Bathhouse
Inside a lavish private room, Bai Ye lay comfortably on a massage table while Terumi Mei, her hands trembling slightly, worked on his back.
He sighed in satisfaction. The bathhouse in the Land of Lightning was certainly impressive, but the attendants weren't quite to his taste—hence, he had pulled Terumi Mei into service instead.
Bai Ye had always been a man of direct action. If he had already anticipated why Terumi Mei sought him out, there was no need to waste time. And knowing her purpose, he was quite certain he would agree.
After all, dinner with Kurenai and the others later was far more important than dragging out negotiations. What could be more crucial than sharing a meal with his captain, beloved wife, and concubine? Certainly not this.
What others saw as monumental, Bai Ye often considered trivial.
"The Blood Mist policy has had a significant impact on Kirigakure," Terumi Mei began, her voice carefully measured. "However, after Zabuza's graduation, the methods have been reformed."
Bai Ye, still lying on the table, spoke without turning. "Then you're here because you want me to deal with Yagura? Dispel his genjutsu? Or something else?"
Behind him, Terumi Mei stiffened. He had once again seen through everything.
"The fact that Mizukage is under control hasn't been widely revealed," she admitted. "Ao was the first to notice it."
Bai Ye nodded. It made sense. Ao's Byakugan granted him unparalleled insight into chakra flow and anomalies.
"If you can, dispelling the illusion would be ideal," she continued. "But his guards are vigilant. Whoever controls him has arranged for Anbu and loyal subordinates to watch over him constantly. Access is nearly impossible."
"So, a confrontation is inevitable?" Bai Ye asked flatly.
Terumi Mei bit her lip. "Yes. We need your strength."
Bai Ye chuckled, finally shifting to face her. "Not enough."
Terumi Mei's heart pounded as he suddenly flipped over and pinned her beneath him, his voice steady and unyielding. "If that was all, you wouldn't need to come to me personally."
She shivered beneath his gaze. Indeed, if it were merely about removing a genjutsu, Kirigakure could have handled it internally. In the original timeline, they had done just that.
"Lord Bai Ye, I wasn't trying to deceive you," she said earnestly, her face flushed from their proximity. "That was Ao's initial plan. But when we passed through the Land of Lightning recently, he sensed a powerful chakra surge. With his Byakugan, he saw you."
Bai Ye's expression remained unreadable. So, that was it. That day, he hadn't taken precautions against being observed. He had descended from his Susanoo without concern. If others witnessed his strength, so be it.
"So you want to go beyond just freeing Yagura?" he prompted.
Terumi Mei took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "I want to become the Fifth Mizukage."
She had ambition, strength, and the resolve to change Kirigakure. Under her leadership, the village would never again be shackled by tyranny and bloodshed.
Bai Ye smirked. "Now that explains why you sought me out personally."
"I am willing to pay the price," Terumi Mei declared. "What Raikage can offer, I can as well. And what he cannot give, I can."
Bai Ye raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Once I take office, Kirigakure will declare itself under the protection of the Konoha Guard," she continued, her voice steady. "You will stand above me, and I above them."
That was something Raikage could never offer.
Bai Ye nodded in approval. He had already made his presence known in Kumogakure. If Terumi Mei understood the stakes, then she was truly prepared for this.
She moved closer, pressing her body against his, sealing their pact with an unspoken agreement.
---
The deal was made, but in doing so, Bai Ye had missed his dinner.
Fortunately, Tsunade and the others had ventured to the casino Raikage had arranged. There was still time.
Wearing the cloak of justice, Bai Ye supported a slightly weakened Terumi Mei and clenched his fist.
Boom!
A crack tore through the space beside him. Holding her close, Bai Ye stepped forward, instantly transporting them to the entrance of the Mizukage building in Kirigakure.
"Terumi Mei?! Why are you here? And who is that—?"
Yagura's guards reacted instantly, moving to block their path. But a single glance from Bai Ye left them frozen in place, entranced by his overwhelming chakra.
"Go. In Mizukage's name, summon all high-ranking officials and clan leaders to the conference hall within five minutes," he ordered.
No one dared disobey.
Bai Ye turned as another spatial rift opened behind him. The scarlet-eyed Yagura emerged, staff in hand, lunging at him with a killing blow.
Boom!
Bai Ye shattered Yagura's weapon with a single strike before sending him crashing into the ground with a brutal punch. He didn't kill him—yet. Yagura would be needed soon.
Within minutes, they arrived at the conference room. Bai Ye dropped Yagura unceremoniously to the floor and took the Mizukage's seat, arms still around Terumi Mei. He closed his eyes, waiting.
Five minutes passed.
Leaders filtered in, confusion and anger written on their faces.
"Why are we being summoned at this hour?"
"What's going on? Where is Master Gengetsu?!"
"Enemy attack! Mizukage-sama is down!"
More voices clamored, some readying for a fight.
"Sit." Bai Ye's command, laden with unrelenting pressure, silenced the room instantly. The Ghost Lantern and Hōzuki clan heads recoiled, sensing imminent death.
"Who is missing?" Bai Ye asked coolly.
"Master Gengetsu…" Terumi Mei murmured.
The old advisor was deeply respected. But fifteen minutes later, when the frail figure finally entered the room, he found himself staring into the face of death.
Boom!
With a flick of Bai Ye's wrist, Gengetsu's body exploded, his blood staining the misty air.
"He wasted fifteen minutes of my time. That was his price. Now, what about the rest of you?" Bai Ye's voice was calm, almost indifferent.
The room fell into dead silence.
Bai Ye turned to Yagura, his fingers moving subtly. The dormant Mizukage gasped as the genjutsu unravelled, his scarlet eyes clearing as he regained his mind.
"I will say this once." Bai Ye's voice echoed in the silent hall. "From this moment, Terumi Mei is the Fifth Mizukage."
His eyes swept across the gathered leaders, his presence suffocating.
"Who is in favor?"
"Who opposes?"
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