Far across the sea...
Several oddly shaped warships sailed steadily through the waters.
"Two weeks remaining!"
Inside the lead ship:
"All units, prepare for deployment! Begin boarding procedures!"
Countless soldiers—dressed in strange armor and wearing masks—carried flight devices strapped to their backs. One by one, they stepped onto a stone platform resembling an elevator and ascended into the sky.
Bang—
The chains released, and the wings of their flight packs spread open with a snap. Like a flock of steel birds, they soared around the warships before heading toward an island at the edge of the shinobi world.
As they passed over a small city, they launched a coordinated bombing assault. Explosions echoed as one of the strange vessels slammed into a high-rise building.
Meanwhile, deep in slumber, Naruto frowned.
"Capable of conducting large-scale aerial raids... Back during the Second Shinobi World War, there was a faction of ninja who could use chakra to fly."
"The Land of Sky?"
"So, with Mount Myōboku in ruins and Ryūchi Cave temporarily sealed, the snakes are on the move—and the slugs have come to Konoha... Interesting. They probably don't realize how much the shinobi world has changed."
"Their next target... must be Konoha."
At the same time, civilians on the island had been evacuated into bomb shelters early on, but casualties still occurred.
A white-haired man rushed to treat the injured, pulling out a medical kit.
"Pneumothorax... air is leaking from the lungs into the chest cavity."
"If it keeps building up, the lungs will collapse and necrotize."
"Sensei?! Are you really coming here?"
"We need Konoha's help... Something terrible has happened in our village!"
The girl collapsed just in front of Konoha's gates.
"Hm?"
Mei Terumi, arriving hurriedly, was briefly stunned.
A child had collapsed without warning.
She narrowed her eyes, cautiously approaching before kneeling and turning the girl over.
"Huh? A girl?"
"Did she pass out from exhaustion?"
After a moment of thought, Mei decided to carry her.
"Sensei... Uzumaki... Uzumaki Naruto..."
The girl, half-conscious, whispered faintly.
Mei Terumi froze mid-motion, blinking in surprise.
"Sensei? Naruto?"
"Could she be Naruto's disciple?"
"I've never heard of that... Whatever. I'll take her to Konoha Hospital first."
"This gives me the perfect excuse to see Naruto~"
A smile curled at the corner of Mei Terumi's lips. Her excitement only grew.
At the gates of Konoha, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were diligently recording entries.
"Name, village—huh? Wait, it's the Godaime Mizukage?!"
"Please register here," Mei Terumi said with a light chuckle.
Izumo and Kotetsu flailed nervously. "No need, no need! Please, Godaime Mizukage-sama, come right through. We'll handle the paperwork ourselves."
"Thank you."
Carrying the unconscious girl on her back, Mei walked toward Konoha Hospital.
Kotetsu rubbed his eyes. "Why did she come alone?"
Izumo knocked him on the head. "Stop gossiping. Do your job."
After handing over the girl to the hospital staff, Mei made her way to the Hokage's office.
When she opened the door, she found Minato Namikaze and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, busy with paperwork.
"Yondaime. Nidaime Hokage."
Tobirama nodded without looking up, returning immediately to the documents.
Why is the Second here?
Why is Minato working with him?
Where's Tsunade?
Simple—Senju Tobirama was determined to bond with his great-grandson. When Kushina caught wind of it, she promptly kicked Minato out of the house too.
"Fifth Mizukage-sama," Minato greeted with a warm smile, setting aside his documents and standing to make tea.
Mei glanced at the two men, then shook her head in amusement.
"What brings the Mizukage to Konoha this time?" Minato asked, radiating his usual sunny charm.
Mei averted her gaze, suddenly recalling a certain photo Kurama had sent her. She suppressed the stirrings of excitement.
"There are three reasons I came. No—make that two."
Minato's smile didn't falter. "Oh? Do tell."
Mei nodded. "Hokage-sama, I heard your village has captured Uchiha Obito?"
Minato's eyes narrowed slightly, instantly grasping her intent.
"Is this about the Blood Mist Village?"
Mei nodded solemnly.
"Kurama said she'll be the one to decide Obito's fate."
The moment the words left Minato's mouth—
"She?!"
Mei Terumi's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face.
She quickly composed herself.
Right. The fox is obsessed with money.
If I go see her, she'll definitely demand some outrageous fee.
Tch... I already—ugh, whatever. Worst case, I can just sneak some funds from those old geezers back home. They'll never notice.
Resolving herself, Mei Terumi smiled again.
"In that case, could you tell me where I can find Lady Kurama?"
Minato wordlessly pointed out the window.
Mei followed his gesture to a building adjacent to the Hokage Tower.
A large sign read: Kurama Headquarters.
"Much appreciated."
Without hesitation, Mei turned and left the office.
Minato scratched his head—but Tobirama called him back to help with the never-ending mountain of paperwork.
Outside Kurama Headquarters, Mei Terumi took a deep breath.
"Whew—"
She stepped inside, ready for whatever came next.
"Success or failure depends on this one move..."
With that thought, Mei Terumi instructed someone to notify Kurama of her arrival.
Soon enough, under the guidance of a Konoha civilian, the Fifth Mizukage was led to the headquarters of the village's most notorious fox.
Inside the Kurama Headquarters
"Oh?" a lazy voice rang out.
"Isn't this the Fifth Mizukage?"
Kurama didn't even get up from the recliner, simply waving her hand to dismiss the other staff in the room. Her fox ears twitched slightly, eyes half-lidded with amusement.
"Back again, Mizukage-sama? You're an old client at this point. What brings you this time? Don't tell me you're here to return merchandise?"
The teasing tone instantly set Mei Terumi on edge.
But knowing how dangerous and unpredictable Kurama could be, she forced a smile and bowed slightly.
"Forgive the interruption. I didn't mean to disturb you..."
Turning with a huff, she made a show of preparing to leave.
One... two... three...
Still no reaction?
Mei bit the inside of her cheek in frustration. So she really wasn't going to stop her?
"Tch... So Lord Kurama doesn't value Kirigakure anymore, huh?" she muttered with a disappointed sigh. "I had hoped to discuss business, but it seems that was a waste of time."
Kurama's ears perked up.
Whoosh—
In a blink, she was standing in front of Mei Terumi. The easygoing air vanished. A cold, commanding presence took its place.
"What did you say, Mizukage-sama~?"
"I was just brewing some Da Hong Pao, a specialty tea from Konoha... And you're leaving already? How cold."
"No need for that," Mei snorted. "Clearly, Lord Kurama looks down on my village now. No need for me to embarrass myself by staying here."
Kurama quickly caught her wrist, but released it just as fast.
"You're a VIP, Mizukage-sama. At least stay for a cup."
She then walked back to her recliner and began sipping her tea, as if the conversation meant nothing.
Completely unbothered. Almost insultingly so.
But...
Mei Terumi's eyes caught a glimpse of something: a photo on the table.
She leaned closer, barely suppressing a gasp as her pupils shrank.
Is that...?!
The tips of her ears flushed bright red.
She quickly snatched the photo and stuffed it into her sleeve.
Two-stage reversal—complete.
From sulking noble to desperate fangirl in under ten seconds.
"Lord Kurama~" she said sweetly, voice suddenly filled with flattery.
Kurama, reclining once more, closed her eyes and began to hum a light tune.
Defeated, Mei Terumi pulled out a carefully wrapped deed from her robe.
It was the ownership document for a planned commercial district in Kirigakure.
"Kurama. Name your price."
"I want to see him."
"No more pictures—how many are left? I'll take them all!"
Kurama cracked one eye open, gave the deed a casual glance, and replied flatly:
"Not enough."
"Photos are priced separately."
"And Uchiha Obito? That price isn't cheap either."
"You're not the first to ask me about him. The offer from Amegakure is... substantial."
"Sure, you're a big customer. But so is Amegakure. They've got plenty of wealthy clients. This is... difficult."
Mei Terumi twitched.
"We've got plenty of rich elders in the village!"
"They watched me grow up. I could... borrow a little. They won't notice."
Kurama's eyes narrowed in amusement, her slender white fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Just like Mei's own frantic heartbeat.
"This matter..."
Before Kurama could finish, Mei cut in:
"This is my limit. But—there are two urgent matters I need to speak with Naruto about."
"Oh? Only two?" Kurama crossed her arms under her chest, a mischievous smirk forming.
Mei let out a resigned sigh.
"First, there's been strange activity near the seas surrounding Kirigakure."
"It's similar to what happened in the Land of Demons... It may be related to the Yomi."
Kurama raised an eyebrow at that.
"And second?"
Mei hesitated—then looked away, her bold nature suddenly evaporating.
"...I just saved his disciple."
Kurama let out a long, amused "Ohhh..."
"Then what?"
"Come on, Mizukage-sama, you know how busy I am," Kurama said lazily, reclining once more.
Just then, the door slammed open.
"KURAMA!" a loud voice rang out.
It was Kushina Uzumaki, storming in with her signature fiery glare.
"The fox's tail is still wagging, huh? I told you to come back for dinner ages ago—what are you still doing here?!"
She stopped mid-rant as her eyes landed on Mei Terumi.
The Fifth Mizukage instinctively straightened up, her expression going tense. With practiced elegance, she stood and bowed deeply.
"Uz—Uzumaki-sama, it's an honor..."
Kushina raised an eyebrow, then her eyes gleamed with sudden interest.
Wait a second... if I remember right... this Mizukage is single, isn't she?
And her bloodline is absurdly strong too...
Kushina's gaze suddenly narrowed.
Her eyes had spotted something tucked in Mei Terumi's inner sleeve—a photograph.
A familiar one.
"...Is that... a photo of my baby boy?"
She turned to Kurama, expression sharp. "Kurama. Don't tell me you're selling pictures of Naruto again?"
Kurama just grinned and gestured smoothly. "Let's go, Mizukage-sama. Why don't you join us for dinner?"
Mei Terumi's face flushed red on the spot.
Only then did she realize that the photo had slipped partially into view. She clutched her chest awkwardly, trying to hide it.
Why is this happening in front of his mom?!
We're practically the same age! This is beyond humiliating...
She lowered her gaze, willing herself to disappear.
And then—
A gentle swish.
She felt it—Kurama's tail had moved.
Her title deed... was gone!
She took it?!
So... does that mean she accepted the deal?
Later, Terumi would reflect on this moment with complicated emotions.
Because once money entered Kurama's hands, not even the Hokage himself could retrieve it.
Elsewhere, at the Uzumaki Residence
"Hmm~"
Lady Slug, the summoned miko of the Shikkotsu Forest, let out a soft hum.
She looked down with faint reproach at the boy sleeping restlessly in her lap—Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage.
Slowly, Naruto stirred.
"...I'm here..."
Slug blinked, confused. "Naruto-sama, what's coming?"
Naruto rubbed his eyes and sat up sheepishly. "Sorry. It was just... too comfortable. I nodded off."
Slug let out a small sigh and shook her head.
Naruto yawned, then added, "Since we've just returned to Konoha, let's take a few days to relax. I'll head to the Shikkotsu Forest with you soon enough."
Meanwhile, Outside the Hidden Cloud Village
The Fourth Raikage stood speechless.
He looked at the mess in front of him, then at the three departing figures.
"Where the hell are you all going?!"
He had expected Samui might travel to Konoha—but the other two?
Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, and Karui in her ceremonial gear, were tagging along too.
Losing one of them would be bad enough.
But all three at once?
The Hidden Cloud will be in mourning by tomorrow...
...
TN:
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