The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were perhaps the most famous group in the ninja world after the Akatsuki—an elite force known across the land.
The previous generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been completely wiped out by Kiyosuke's team. And to take down the last one, he had chased them all the way to Kirigakure.
Did this guy have some kind of obsession with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
Mei Terumi couldn't help but wonder.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't have any weird fetishes or anything. I just happened to run into Jinpachi Munashi at the hospital back then. Total coincidence," Kiyosuke said as he slowly stood up and asked, "Can we go to the Mizukage Building?"
"No," Mei shook her head. "I already told you—we can't even get close to that place right now."
"Then where do you normally receive missions?" Kiyosuke asked.
"It used to be the Mizukage Building," Mei said. "But now? Missions are handed out by Anbu operatives. It's weird. I really suspect Yagura-sama is being controlled by someone."
"Why don't we go take a look? I'll head over to the Mizukage Building tonight."
"Then let's go."
Kiyosuke blinked in surprise.
Mei said, "Let's go out for a bit. I'll show you around the village. A lot's changed since you left—we've rebuilt parts of it. No harm in getting familiar again."
"Uh… is that really necessary?" Kiyosuke's face stiffened. Dressed like this... If Ao or someone else who knew him saw him like this, he'd die of embarrassment on the spot.
"Come on." Mei placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze.
"I…"
"I said come on." Her tone turned firm.
Kiyosuke had no choice but to nod.
"Alright, alright... Let's go."
Mei's mother chuckled quietly on the side.
Mm, he takes care of girls—good. No need to worry anymore.
She said, "Oh, Mei, don't be so pushy with Kiyosuke-kun. A man needs a little dignity in public, you know."
"Mother, what are you even saying?"
You were just calling him "san" a moment ago. Now it's suddenly "-kun"?
"You heard her, Mei. Give me some dignity here!"
Still hesitant, Mei rolled her eyes, grabbed him by the collar, and started dragging him out.
"Let's go, Kiyosuke. Did you know? Kirigakure's fish balls are absolutely delicious."
"I already had them!!!"
...
After they left, Mei's mother asked, "What do you think?"
Mei's father looked grumpy.
"Hmph! He's alright, I guess."
"Looks, strength, family background—all top-tier. It's just a pity he's a kid from Konoha." Mei's mother sighed.
"Let Mei decide for herself," her father said after a moment of silence. "Our daughter's grown up—let her make her own choices. If the three great ninja clans hadn't fallen, maybe she could have had a suitor worthy of her. But now..."
He shook his head and added, "Mei is the princess of the Terumi clan. Her partner can't be just anyone."
"If only that kid were from Kirigakure…"
"Kirigakure's environment doesn't raise kids with his kind of personality," Mei's father said, standing up.
"I have a mission to go on too."
"Take care."
"Mm."
...
Out on the streets of Kirigakure, Mei had changed into her ninja outfit, which perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her slim waist could be held in one hand. With curves in all the right places, she was a true beauty.
Behind her was a tall, slender, demure young woman following closely with quick, short steps.
She spoke softly, "Milady, where are we going?"
Her voice was sweet and gentle, like a spring breeze brushing against the heart.
"I'm taking you out to eat. You didn't have breakfast, right? Come on, let's go try the specialty fish noodles."
"Okay, thank you, milady."
Kiyosuke was swearing internally.
These tiny steps were killing him.
How much farther?!
About a minute later, Mei brought him into a fish noodle shop and called out,
"Boss, two orders of spicy sour fish noodles—one large!"
"Coming right up! Please find a seat."
The owner called back.
The place was fairly busy, with many people seated and waiting for their orders.
The air was rich with the aroma of broth. The smell of the spicy sour fish noodles was mouthwatering.
Before long, their orders arrived.
"Let's eat!"
She picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
Mei ate slowly and gracefully, taking small bites.
Kiyosuke, on the other hand, paid zero attention to his current image. The noodles were hot, but he ate quickly.
Hot? Please, like that would stop him.
Mei hadn't even finished half her bowl, but Kiyosuke had already polished off the whole thing—soup and all.
"Thanks for the meal!"
Mm. About 80% full. Not bad.
He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth, waiting for Mei to finish eating.
Just then, a voice called out, "Oh? Isn't that Mei? What a coincidence."
That voice...
Kiyosuke turned his head.
Wasn't that Ao?
What the hell was he doing here?
Oh, probably just eating?
Fine. Hopefully he wouldn't notice anything.
Ao walked over and saw the woman sitting next to Mei.
He asked in surprise, "Mei, who's this?"
Mei casually dabbed her lips with a handkerchief and said, "A maid assigned to me by my mother."
"Oh? That's odd. You usually don't bring maids when you go out," Ao said, surprised. Mei might be a noble lady, but she wasn't the spoiled type—she usually didn't take servants or maids outside.
"I just brought her out to buy a few things. Ao, don't you have a mission?"
"Ah, not at the moment." Ao sat down and ordered a bowl of noodles.
Kiyosuke quietly stood up, head lowered, and stood beside Mei.
After a brief chat, Mei left with Kiyosuke.
They turned into an alley.
Kiyosuke asked, "He didn't suspect anything, did he?"
"No. Ao won't question me."
"Oh? You two must really trust each other." Kiyosuke smiled. "So, where to next?"
"Sightseeing! I'll show you around Kirigakure."
"Eh?!"
"Come on!"
Blushing, Mei grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"Alright, alright."
Kiyosuke laughed and followed her.
They spent the whole day wandering around Kirigakure, buying a bunch of stuff.
Mei handled the buying.
Kiyosuke handled the carrying.
They had lunch out in the city, then continued shopping through the afternoon.
By evening, they returned to the Terumi household.
Mei's mother had prepared a grand dinner. Mei's father still looked grumpy, but after Kiyosuke had taken a bath and changed back into his normal clothes, he was allowed to sit at the table.
Clean face. Normal clothes.
He was downright handsome.
The only ones who could rival his looks were an unmasked Kakashi and the entire reader base.
"Let's eat!"
The Terumi clan was a traditional family—they followed a shared meal system, and dinner was unusually quiet.
Kiyosuke focused entirely on the food and didn't speak.
Once they finished, the servants cleared the table.
Kiyosuke looked at the darkening sky and said,
"Alright. Time for me to move."
"I'm coming with you," Mei said.
"It's too dangerous."
"That's why I called in help."
"Who?"
"Me."
Ao stepped in, led by a servant.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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