"I mean, it's not like I'm some kind of demon, Kiyosuke-kun. You don't actually have to crossdress—you can just use the Transformation Jutsu. If we get found out, we'll both be in serious trouble."
Terumi Mei twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, looking every bit the girlish beauty.
Kiyosuke clenched his teeth.
As a shinobi, shame is a luxury I can't afford!
There are some battles a man simply must face!
"Fine, I'll wear it!"
Terumi Mei's beautiful face lit up with an even more radiant smile.
But the more Kiyosuke looked at her, the more he felt like she was enjoying this a little too much...
Her cheeks were flushed with a suspicious glow, like some strange switch had just been flipped.
Ah, crap...
I get the feeling I really shouldn't have agreed to this.
"Here, I'll show you how to put it on."
Terumi Mei guided him, step by step, teaching him how to wear the outfit.
Wearing a kimono was a real hassle, and Kiyosuke still didn't understand why Mei had picked this particular outfit for him.
With her help, he finally managed to get it on, and Mei helped pin up his hair.
Fortunately, Kiyosuke had never cut his hair too short, so she had enough to work with to give him a decent hairstyle.
She slid in a hairpin and a few accessories, then began applying makeup.
Kiyosuke's facial features were on the softer side—not too sharp—so makeup went on surprisingly well.
He lowered his head to keep his Adam's apple from being visible, and he didn't need to worry about his frame being too big either, since Mei had picked out a rather loose-fitting kimono.
Looking at the gorgeous person now standing before her—whose beauty could rival her own—Terumi Mei smiled.
"Kiyosuke-kun, you're even prettier than I imagined."
Kiyosuke stared at her with dead-fish eyes.
"This is not the kind of 'pretty' I ever wanted to be. Are you messing with me? Is this just some weird fetish of yours?"
"I-I am not!"
Mei turned her head away, voice suddenly dodgy and unnatural.
"Oi, look me in the eyes when you're talking!"
"I said I'm not!"
This time, she met his gaze head-on.
Wearing this was unbelievably awkward—and his head felt heavy!
The ornaments on top of his head were ridiculously heavy.
How do girls even wear this stuff? Don't they feel the weight?
"Mmm, you're beautiful. As expected of my handiwork."
Terumi Mei looked pleased with her "masterpiece."
"Just stick with me. Aside from Ao, no one else will be paying too much attention. Just make sure to suppress your chakra. Otherwise, any sensory-type shinobi could sniff you out."
She gave a serious reminder.
"So where exactly are you taking me?"
"You'll see when we get there."
"Oh."
Kiyosuke stood up, only to trip over his long kimono hem and fall.
Thud!
He landed squarely on Mei's soft, delicate body.
Lifting his head, he locked eyes with her bright-red face.
Neither moved.
They stared at each other.
Getting closer…
And closer…
Crash!
The door suddenly flew open.
A middle-aged man stepped inside with a smile.
"Mei, I—"
The scene before him made his face freeze.
Behind him, a beautiful woman who resembled Terumi Mei glanced into the room and chuckled lightly.
"Our little Mei has grown up, huh? But remember, your partner should at least be a man!"
Her voice was gentle, but carried an unmistakable air of authority.
Ma'am, I am a man!
"Get off of me!"
Terumi Mei shoved Kiyosuke off and hurriedly straightened her clothes, blushing furiously.
"Father, why didn't you knock before coming into my room?!"
"Because it's urgent," her father replied.
Then he shifted his gaze to Kiyosuke, who was now kneeling quietly to the side.
"But now, it's even more urgent."
With a flicker of movement, he vanished and reappeared in front of Kiyosuke, grabbing him by the collar.
"You little brat! Sneaking into my house to seduce my precious daughter? You've got some nerve! Which village are you from?!"
"Wait... a man?"
Terumi Mei's mother looked surprised.
After spotting the Adam's apple, she nodded.
"He really is a man."
She calmly closed the door and turned to her daughter.
"Mei, I was worried about your marriage, but it looks like you've already found someone."
"Wait, no! Mother, this isn't what it looks like!"
Terumi Mei turned crimson and tried to explain.
"Young man, you'd better explain yourself, or I'll chop you up and feed you to the fish!"
Help! Somebody save me…
"Mei…"
Kiyosuke looked at her pleadingly.
Terumi Mei covered her face.
"Father, he's just my friend. He had no choice but to disguise himself like this for... certain reasons."
Her father narrowed his eyes.
Certain reasons?
Could it be... one of those clans?
The hair color didn't match either the Hōzuki or Kaguya clans.
Mizuki men tended to be effeminate, but this kid, while he looked feminine, it was clearly just makeup.
Without it, he'd probably be a pretty handsome guy.
Hmm… Might even compare to how I looked back in my prime!
"So, which village are you from?"
"Well, I'm, uh... cough, from Konoha."
"Oh, from Konoha, huh? That's—huh? HUH?!!"
Terumi's father suddenly tightened his grip on Kiyosuke's throat.
"You little bastard! A Konoha shinobi dares sneak into my house to seduce my daughter?! I'll end you!"
He clenched his fists slightly.
Splat!
Kiyosuke's head fell clean off and rolled onto the ground.
Terumi's parents froze in shock.
Terumi's father stumbled back.
Crap, I killed my daughter's man!
I didn't even use full strength! Do I really have natural superhuman strength?!
Terumi Mei sighed.
"Alright, Kiyosuke, stop scaring my parents already."
The severed head on the ground turned into flames and flew back onto Kiyosuke's neck.
He smiled.
"Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I'm Asakawa Kiyosuke, a shinobi from Konoha."
"Asakawa... Kiyosuke…"
That name was infamous in Kirigakure.
The one who killed the Third Mizukage.
The man currently being hunted by the Fourth Mizukage.
Kiyosuke's bounty was sky-high in Kirigakure—kill him, and you could be rich overnight.
Terumi's parents exchanged a glance.
One blocked the door.
The other sealed the window.
Her mother said coldly,
"Mei, how could you do something like this? He's an enemy of the village! You're bringing a wolf into our home!"
Her father growled,
"She's right! Don't forget—you're a shinobi of Kirigakure. You carry the hopes of our clan!"
"Uh…"
Kiyosuke raised his hand.
"Look, I'm not here to cause trouble—I just came to find someone."
"Find someone? A Konoha shinobi sneaking into Kirigakure to look for someone? Are you trying to start a war?!"
"No, that's not—"
"Hmph! You Konoha rat! Just because you killed the Third doesn't mean you can disrespect us!"
"Please, just listen—"
Terumi's father interrupted him again.
"Listen to what? There's nothing to discuss! Mei, for the sake of Kirigakure—kill him!"
"Father!"
Terumi Mei was just about to explain, but Kiyosuke grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, then—
Smooch!
The whole room went silent.