Chizan knew Terumi Mei's personality like the back of his hand.
Although she was one of the rare female powerhouses, she longed deeply for love and marriage. Mm… her marriage prospects had simply been delayed. Tsk tsk, in a way, she was a rather pitiful person.
But since she'd joined under his tutelage, he could always play matchmaker a little and fulfill her wish.
"How about it? Become my disciple, Terumi Mei."
"I can tell you—this is the Land of Frost."
"It's far from the Land of Water. You don't need to worry about Kirigakure coming after you."
At the mention of Kirigakure, Chizan let out a disdainful laugh, his tone turning slightly mocking.
"And besides, I can guarantee that even if you disappeared, Kirigakure wouldn't bother looking for you."
"Under the Blood Mist policy, which of your higher-ups cares about whether a kid lives or dies?"
"Isn't that right, Terumi Mei?"
Stick and sweet date had to come as a pair. He'd already shown her Kakashi's photos; that meant she had to agree.
Otherwise, even if he had to use force, Chizan wasn't letting Terumi Mei leave.
She fell silent. Because she knew all too well—if she went missing, or even if she died, the village wouldn't care.
After all, death in Kirigakure was the most normal thing in the world.
"And leaving now doesn't mean you can't return in the future. You're still a Kirigakure shinobi."
"It's just that the current Kirigakure isn't suitable for you."
"A tree is dead, but people are alive—you have to learn to think for yourself."
"You and I both possess two kekkei genkai. If you don't polish your strength properly, that's wasting your talent."
Chizan opened a drawer, took out a cup, and skillfully made hot water, pouring it.
He placed the steaming cup in front of Terumi Mei and gestured casually to Tagitsuhime.
The latter understood immediately and released the restraints binding Terumi Mei.
As the binding technique dissolved, the numbness in her body slowly faded. But it would still take time before the paralysis fully left her.
She forced herself up, looked at the cup of hot water before her, and fell into deep thought.
After a long silence, Terumi Mei slowly raised her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Why me?"
"Logically, someone like me shouldn't catch the attention of the Konoha Ghost."
Chizan took a sip of water, not answering her directly.
Because someone else answered for him.
"Oi, don't ask too many questions."
"That different blood running inside you—I can smell it from three streets away."
"Since your Kirigakure doesn't know how to treasure talent, are we not allowed to dig talent for Chizan?"
Tagitsuhime snapped back at her with clear irritation.
Her pupils shifted into serpentine slits, her tongue flicked out, and her aura as a serpent maiden spilled out without restraint.
At the same time, Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime did the same. They revealed their forms and aura simultaneously, shocking Terumi Mei so much she couldn't speak for a long while.
Chizan laughed. This was true tacit understanding. After such a long time, he'd already blended completely with the snakes and maidens of Ryuchi Cave.
He didn't need to say a word—they'd already helped him.
"You all…"
Terumi Mei found herself surrounded again by the three snakes, and their serpentine forms left her utterly stunned.
In an instant, she recalled all the descriptions of Chizan circulating around the village—
Disciple of Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin. A terrifying man who commanded hordes of snakes—hordes…
"Stop scaring her."
"Disciple, you should actually be grateful to me, you know?"
Chizan's words left Terumi Mei stunned. Grateful? For what?
Looking at her confused expression, Chizan burst out laughing. He tossed two thick coats to her and put on his own.
After all, he was cold too.
"What?"
"Put it on. Then I'll take you for a walk along the coast."
Terumi Mei stared at the coat beside her. Although confused, she still put it on—she really was freezing.
By the time she finished dressing, Chizan was already waiting at the side.
Then came that familiar movement—Flying Thunder God activated.
A moment later, a biting ocean wind slammed into them.
They had already arrived at the northernmost coastline of the Land of Frost.
Ice and sea stretched before them, and Terumi Mei widened her eyes. It was her first time seeing snow.
Kirigakure was shrouded in mist year-round. Except for rain, she had never seen snow.
"Beautiful, isn't it? When I first came to the Land of Frost, I was mesmerized by this snow too."
"It really is beautiful."
Chizan gazed at the endless ocean, feeling the snow settle on him, and his mood eased.
Terumi Mei didn't speak. She simply extended her hands, catching snowflakes, excitement written all over her face.
This scene felt perfectly normal to Chizan. After all, she was still young—being captivated by new things was only natural.
"Terumi Mei, let me ask you—who started the Blood Mist policy?"
The sudden question made her pause, but every Kirigakure shinobi knew the answer.
"Lord Third Mizukage…"
"Right, that long-haired old bastard. If not for him, Kirigakure would never have fallen into such calamity."
Chizan walked forward, leaving Terumi Mei puzzled. Just as she wondered whether to follow, his voice echoed again.
"Do you know why he became the Third Mizukage?"
"Because he was strong. His Water Release was unrivaled, making him Kirigakure's number one powerhouse. In his hands, Water Release shouldn't be called Water Release—it should be called Sea Release."
Chizan stepped directly onto the sea, feeling the waves churn beneath him. Then he looked back at Terumi Mei in the distance.
"As a Kirigakure shinobi, Water Release is your specialty."
"But what you don't know is—I'm extremely good at Water Release as well. Become my disciple and you won't lose anything."
"Water Release…"
Chizan began forming seals, his speed so astonishing that Terumi Mei's eyes widened.
With the jutsu activated, a massive cyan treasure umbrella descended behind Chizan, water chakra surging violently around him.
"Water Release! Colossal Wave Giant!"
And it wasn't over. The raging water chakra condensed in an instant. The sea behind him surged upward—
A giant of water rose behind him, radiating overwhelming pressure.
"Terumi Mei, with this strength—am I qualified to be your teacher?"
Standing atop the sea, with the umbrella behind him and a water giant towering above, Chizan left Terumi Mei utterly speechless in shock.