"Lady Mizukage, are you heading to Konoha yourself?"
Ao's brow furrowed deeply. He had a feeling he already knew the answer.
Mei Terumi offered a small, knowing smile, removing the Mizukage's hat and setting it gently on the table.
"I have something important to discuss with Uzumaki Naruto."
She glanced at the hat again. "Take this to the elders."
"They've probably already guessed what I'm planning."
Without waiting for Ao's reply, Mei turned and walked toward the window, her gaze stretching out to the sea beyond the village.
Her usually charming expression grew serious.
"No one is to approach that area."
Ao stood frozen, uncertain whether to protest or obey.
Seeing him hesitate, Mei Terumi rolled her eyes.
"As long as the elders haven't named the Sixth Mizukage, I am still the Fifth."
"Well?" Her voice hardened. "Are you ignoring the authority of the Fifth Mizukage?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Ao broke into a cold sweat.
Thud—
In the next second, Ao dropped to his knees.
"Lady Mizukage, the village needs you!"
Mei frowned, clearly annoyed. "Stand up. Speak like a man."
"If the shinobi of Konoha saw this, they'd laugh at Kirigakure."
Ao's pupils contracted, and he quickly scrambled to his feet.
"My apologies, Mizukage-sama. I've shamed the village."
Mei Terumi shook her head. "The shinobi world has changed."
"While we can't erase the hatred built over the years overnight… there's still one more thing I need to do in Konoha."
Ao hesitated, then asked cautiously, "Is this about Uchiha Obito?"
Mei's lips curled as her eyes turned icy. "Exactly."
"I'm handing the hat to the elders mostly because of him."
"But why?" Ao's voice was laced with confusion.
"Because I intend to offer up half of Kirigakure's treasury."
"What?!"
Ao took an instinctive step back, stunned.
Mei's smile was calm. "Money can be regained."
"But some losses… can only be repaid in other ways."
Ao understood instantly.
His eyes reddened. "Then let me carry this burden!"
Mei waved him off. She took a deep breath and looked down at the bustling village streets.
People from all over the shinobi world now walked those streets.
A mischievous grin tugged at the corner of her lips.
"That man… he's impressive."
"This time, I'm doing it for myself."
She turned back to Ao, whose expression was still conflicted.
"The era of the Blood Mist nearly destroyed our village."
"I never wanted to be Mizukage. But someone had to lead."
"Frankly, I'm not a perfect Kage."
"But if I must trade half our wealth to bring Uchiha Obito's head back to Kirigakure…"
"I will."
"I'll ask Konoha's Edo Tensei experts to resurrect him—then execute him before the entire village. Right there, in the remains of the Blood Mist."
"I want him to kneel in that cursed fog for all eternity."
Then she gave a sly laugh. "Maybe it'll become a tourist site someday."
"Just like how Konoha used Danzo's legacy to draw interest. Look how much profit that brought in."
Ao gave a long sigh and bowed deeply.
"Mizukage-sama… take care."
Mei didn't reply. She simply turned and walked away.
Ao picked up the Mizukage's hat, ready to carry out her orders—only to find that several elderly figures had already gathered outside the office.
"Elders…"
Before Ao could speak, the oldest among them raised his hand to stop him.
"We know."
"Ao, prepare what the Mizukage requires."
"Also, inform the village—it's time to prepare. Your Mizukage is going to Konoha to find a groom."
"If she succeeds, give her your blessings."
"If she fails… ridicule her thoroughly when she returns."
A smile, warm and rare, appeared on the old man's face.
Another elder added sternly, "No one is to approach that stretch of sea, starting today."
"And Ao," he continued, "you'll oversee all matters related to Uchiha Obito during this time."
"The ninja world is at peace now, and it didn't come easily."
"Kirigakure must move on from its past grudges…"
"But not the grudge against Uchiha Obito. That one, we preserve—to honor the victims of the Blood Mist era."
The lead elder shut his eyes slowly.
"If that girl wants to use half the village's fortune… no one will object."
"She's the Mizukage. There are things only she can do."
"But there are also things only we elders must shoulder."
Ao's eyes grew misty.
He couldn't help but think of the Four Elders of Konoha—their decisions, their legacies, and their ends.
He looked at these ancient figures of his own village, and smiled.
"Yes! I'll see it through!"
Meanwhile…
Mei Terumi had already set off for Konoha, watching the endless sea stretch before her.
She couldn't suppress her grin.
"That fox better not be lying to me. I'm giving her everything—money, support... all for a shot at a marriage partner."
But when she thought about her age… and his age… a strange unease stirred inside her.
To be honest, the fiancé arranged by her clan had died during the Blood Mist years.
The wedding had never happened.
Now, at 28, Mei Terumi was still unmarried.
Add her explosive personality into the mix, and it was fair to say—Mei Terumi was desperate to marry.
Her dream was simple: become a good wife, a good mother.
She had given her youth to reforming Kirigakure.
She never craved power.
She had devoted the first half of her life to her people—now she wanted to live for herself.
Before she turned 30, she had to find someone.
When she'd first met Naruto—and his father, Minato—she'd felt a strange pull.
But Naruto was too young.
And Minato… married.
She had given up on both dreams.
Who would've thought that just as she was about to depart for Konoha, a fox would appear in front of her—smirking, arrogant, and utterly shameless.
He asked for an enormous sum of money.
Naturally, she sneered and refused.
But then... the dreams began.
Every night, a new photo would mysteriously appear on her pillow—without fail.
No explanation was ever needed. Anyone who saw the pictures would know exactly who the subject was.
Different angles. Different poses.
Every single one flawless.
Mei Terumi's summary: Handsome from every angle~
But one day, the photos stopped coming.
It felt like the sky had fallen.
She tossed and turned through sleepless nights, unable to rest without her nightly delivery.
Then, a small note appeared on her desk the next morning:
[One ticket costs ten thousand ryō. No tricks!]
[In-person experience available! Only more than half of Kirigakure's wealth required. Can't pay? Full refund!]
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Cloud Village...
A stunning blonde woman with short hair, pale skin, full curves, and a graceful presence sat quietly on the sofa, murmuring to herself.
"The ninja world now… it's nothing like I imagined."
"A peace that doesn't come from war, but from cooperation? That's not something humans could have achieved on their own."
She looked out the window.
"In the future, if he stands at the center of it all... he'll shine brighter than the sun."
"If possible... Kumogakure should also place its bet."
"If every village in the future carries the bloodline of that man… maybe war will become obsolete."
Samui exhaled softly.
She wasn't one for long speeches. But once she'd made up her mind, she wasn't one to sit still either.
The image of the man brought back by Yugito Nii lingered in her thoughts.
"There's no more time to hesitate."
She stood.
Her twin summoning beasts stirred beside her—creatures as fierce and commanding as Lady Tsunade's Katsuyu.
Just then, a figure slipped down from the rooftop like a whisper of wind. She passed through the window and landed beside Samui.
Tall, graceful, with long hair cascading to her waist—Yugito Nii carried herself with quiet pride, her aloof aura enough to keep most people at a distance.
But now, she crossed her arms and tilted her head like a curious cat.
"No more hesitation? Where are you going?"
Samui didn't hide it. "Konoha. I'm going to see Uzumaki Naruto."
"What?" Yugito blinked. "Why?"
"Just a mission," Samui said simply.
"I'm coming too," Yugito declared immediately. "I've never been to Konoha!"
She added after a pause, "And Uzumaki Naruto… he was the one who saved me last time, wasn't he?"
"Matatabi told me everything. I want to thank him myself."
Samui frowned. "You're a Jinchūriki. You can't just—"
"But the Fifth Kazekage is a Jinchūriki too," Yugito cut her off. "He goes to Konoha all the time."
"And honestly… being a Jinchūriki doesn't seem like a big deal anymore."
Samui fell silent.
She narrowed her eyes, examining Yugito carefully.
"What?" Yugito asked, uncomfortable under the intense gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Samui reached out, pinching her chin thoughtfully.
Her two spirit beasts leaned against her on either side.
"…Breed?"
Not long after, the two women arrived at the office of the Fourth Raikage, A.
However, Mabui greeted them with a calm expression and a clipboard in hand.
"Lord Raikage isn't here. He left to supervise the construction efforts."
"No need to pass a message," Samui replied coolly. "Just let him know when he returns—Yugito and I are heading to Konoha."
Bang—
The clipboard in Mabui's hand slipped and fell to the floor.
Samui raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Mabui shook her head slowly. "You're taking Yugito with you?"
Yugito stepped forward. "I want to see Konoha for myself! Everyone talks about how amazing it is… the greatest village in the ninja world, right?"
She added, more sincerely, "And I want to thank Uzumaki Naruto in person."
Mabui gave them both a look, then raised one finger.
"You two… are underestimating the situation~"
She turned her sharp gaze to Samui. "You want to meet Uzumaki Naruto too, don't you?"
Samui gave a small nod. Yugito chimed in, "Me too!"
Mabui smiled faintly. "Then let me ask you—do you know what the situation in Konoha is like right now?"
The question fell like a kunai between them. Both women suddenly understood the implication.
"…Mabui, then please fill us in."
Yugito, usually calm, dropped her aloofness among familiar faces.
"Mabui, is it really that hard to meet Naruto?"
Mabui crossed her arms and met Samui's gaze, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Hard? It's practically like trying to climb into the heavens."
Samui's expression darkened. Her plans were shifting again.
At that moment, Mabui placed her clipboard firmly back on the desk.
"How should I put this…? Lord Raikage seemed to expect you'd make a decision like this, Samui."
"He didn't approve or oppose it. He just said—don't embarrass yourself."
Yugito blinked, puzzled. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Samui sighed, glancing at Mabui. "…Then what do you think we should do?"
With a quiet confidence, Mabui led the two women out of the office.
Her composed demeanor transformed into something more authoritative—refined intellect paired with poise.
"It's simple," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"I'll take you both there myself~"
...
TN:
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