"Konoha and Sunagakure are jointly hosting the Chūnin Exams?"
Terumī Mei fell into thought.
Genshi asked hesitantly, "S-So… what do you think? Are we… are we going to take part?"
Ao suggested from the side,
"Considering the situation with Yagura-sama, it would be better to focus our efforts on rebuilding the village for now."
After the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, had been manipulated, Kirigakure suffered devastating losses. Even now, the village still hadn't recovered. Participating in the Chūnin Exams, where death was a real possibility, would only weaken the younger generation further.
"That… that makes sense." Genshi nodded in agreement.
Ao added, "Besides, we don't really have time to attend some public gathering."
Public…?
No time for a wedding banquet?!
Mei was still sensitive about marriage matters. She misheard instantly, her expression darkening as she stalked over to Ao and whispered threateningly,
"Shut up, or I'll kill you."
Again?
Cold sweat trickled down Ao's back.
"So… does this mean we're giving up on the Chūnin Exams?" Genshi asked.
Mei composed herself, intelligence returning to her eyes. After a moment of thought, she turned to Kiyosuke, who was idly fiddling with a desk ornament nearby.
"Kiyosuke, with Konoha and Sunagakure hosting the Exams together, there must be another purpose behind it, right?"
"Maybe. I'm just the messenger. Whether you go or not is up to you."
Kiyosuke looked up with a grin.
"Ma~ Mizukage-sama, it's your call to make."
After a short silence, Mei decided, "Send a few teams. Chōjūrō, you'll go too—it'll be good training for you."
"Why? Mizukage-sama, this is clearly just a test. There's no reason to take part right now." Ao's sharp mind had already picked up on the hidden motives behind the joint Exams. He thought it unnecessary.
Mei answered, "I know exactly what they're plotting. And I intend to test them as well. More importantly, this is a signal to the outside world—that Kirigakure is no longer the same hidden, stagnant Mist. We can't let people keep thinking we're shut-ins who only fight amongst ourselves."
If Kirigakure wanted peace and openness, they had to face outward. The days of isolation had to end.
"T-That's true." Genshi hesitated, but in the end he sided with Mei. He was already old, with only a few years left to live. It was better to leave decisions in the hands of the younger generation.
Resettling back into his seat, he said, "Then let's follow the Fifth's lead."
"Yes."
Ao no longer pressed the matter. He left immediately to select promising young genin who would go to Konoha for the first stage of the Exams.
"This time, I'll go as well," Mei said. "I want to see what kind of person the Sixth Kazekage is. And at the same time, I'll use the Exams to announce to the world that Kirigakure is not the same as before."
"F-Fine. But your safety…" Genshi squinted at Kiyosuke standing off to the side. "Boy, what do you think?"
"Me?" Kiyosuke smiled. "If she's going, then of course I'll protect her."
"Oh?"
"Why? This… this isn't really your duty, is it?"
"So what? If it's something I want to do, I'll do it. No one can stop me."
"Young people…" Genshi stood, his words carrying extra weight. "The Fifth… I'll leave her to you."
"M-Genshi-sama." Mei coughed lightly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Genshi chuckled knowingly and left the Mizukage's office with his attendants. Chōjūrō remained at Mei's side as her guard.
Mei said, "Chōjūrō, you can go too. Don't worry about my safety. If he wanted to make a move, no one in Kirigakure could stop him anyway."
"But…"
"That's enough. Go."
"…Yes." Chōjūrō reluctantly obeyed and left.
"Now then," Mei smiled, "do you have something you want to tell me?"
Kiyosuke returned the smile.
"As expected of you, Mei. All these years, and you've truly grown into a great shinobi—Mizukage-sama."
But Mei only gave a bitter smile.
"If I had a choice, I wouldn't have wanted this. Becoming Mizukage was forced on me in a time of crisis. Still, for the village, I'll give my life. But what about you? Why do you look so troubled?"
She noticed the crease on Kiyosuke's brow, the sign of someone carrying heavy thoughts. That wasn't the cheerful man she remembered.
He had grown even more handsome with age…
Kiyosuke stood and stepped closer, gazing into her jade-green eyes.
"Mei, do you think I'm a coward?"
Mei scoffed.
"You? A coward? Kirigakure might as well be your own home. You come and go as you please, even waltzing into my private chambers. And you dare call yourself a coward?"
Even barging into her bedroom whenever he liked… and he had the nerve?
"Is that so?" Kiyosuke chuckled. "Then let's be together."
The sudden, out-of-the-blue confession completely threw Mei off balance.
The usually composed, gentle Mizukage was flustered in an instant.
"Y-You idiot! W-What are you even saying?!"
Kiyosuke said, "Certain things have made me realize I can't delay any longer. I planned to confess in a few years, but now I know waiting would be a mistake—for both of us."
He had finally come to terms with it. No matter the outcome, he couldn't allow himself any regrets.
He remembered what an older Sasuke once said—that after his death, Mei had wept at his grave for a long time, even cursed him, before finally taking his forehead protector and passing the Mizukage title to Ao, never involving herself in village affairs again.
Mei was a good woman. He couldn't keep her waiting forever.
She stirred feelings in his heart—feelings that would never fade.
Mei lowered her head, suddenly shy as a schoolgirl.
"But… I'm the Fifth Mizukage. It's not like you could ever marry into my household…"
Already thinking about marrying into Konoha?
"No rush. If I took you away now, Kirigakure might start a war with Konoha."
"That's true." Mei wasn't blinded by romance. She feared being left single more than anything. After calming down, she realized Kiyosuke was right. The situation would be difficult.
If he were to marry into Kirigakure, Konoha would never allow it. It could even mean war.
"But still, I'm happy you feel the same." Kiyosuke smiled, pulling Mei's soft body into his arms.
"Sorry for making you wait all these years."
"You bastard!" Mei gently wrapped her arms around him. "It's not too late at all!"
She fought back the tears of joy threatening to fall.
"Do you know how many people have practically broken down my door these past years?"
"Who would dare? They must have a death wish."
"Hehe… so if you don't treat me right, I still have plenty of backup options."
"Hmph! No one will ever touch you. You'll always be mine. Let me put a seal on it first."
"Wait, wh—mmph…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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