"Ahhh!"
"So relaxing!"
"It's such a pity I don't have a human body. If I could scrub my back like you, it would feel even better."
A sapphire-blue snake floated lazily on the steaming surface of the hot spring, letting out continuous sighs of contentment.
The voice coming from the snake was soft and girlish, and anyone overhearing it might find their imagination running wild.
However, Sōmi, sitting in the center of the pool, remained completely unfazed. He had long grown accustomed to Ichikishimahime's voice, and to him, she was just a snake—nothing more.
"Alright, I'm heading to bed now."
"Sister Hime, take your time soaking. I've left some candy on the table in the room for you. Help yourself."
With a splash, Sōmi, wrapped in a white towel around his waist, stood up and walked toward his room.
"Stay with me a little longer!"
"I get so bored soaking here by myself..."
Ichikishimahime's snake head suddenly emerged from the water, her tone taking on a playful, almost coquettish edge.
"Sister Hime, I've been soaking for almost two hours already..."
"If I stay any longer, my skin will start peeling. Human bodies aren't like yours—they don't have protective scales!"
Sōmi replied helplessly.
"Really..."
"I think these scales of mine are ugly. They're not pretty at all. I think having fair, smooth skin like human women would be much more beautiful..."
Ichikishimahime glanced down at her own body, speaking with a hint of disdain.
The reason for her remarks? Earlier, she had swum through an intake pipe at the bottom of the hot spring and ended up in the women's section of the bath, where she got a close-up comparison of human women and female snakes.
"Uh..."
"Sister Hime, are you saying you want a human body too?"
Sōmi hesitated before asking.
"Yes, yes!"
"If I could switch freely between being human and being a snake, that would be perfect!"
"You know how to make that happen, don't you?"
Ichikishimahime's voice brimmed with excitement. Her body rose straight out of the water, standing upright on the surface. However, instead of exuding ethereal grace, her posture gave off an eerie, unsettling vibe.
"Not yet!"
"But I have an idea. If I figure it out, you'll be the first to know!"
In Sōmi's mind, the image of Orochimaru immediately surfaced. That guy's body was practically like that of a "snake spirit," capable of switching between human and snake forms at will.
"Oh..."
Ichikishimahime's snake body drooped back into the pool, splashing water everywhere.
But soon enough, she was back to enjoying the hot spring, her mood quickly lifted. After all, Sōmi had said there was a way, and that was good enough for her.
The Land of Lightning, located on a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, divided its territory with towering central mountains. Rivers flowed down from these mountains, creating winding coastlines at their mouths.
The unique geography also gave rise to numerous hot spring regions. Thunderous roars often echoed between the towering peaks, lending the country its name: "The Land of Lightning."
The next day, after leaving the Land of Hot Water, Sōmi arrived in the Land of Lightning. He considered finding another inn for Ichikishimahime to enjoy more hot springs.
Surprisingly, Ichikishimahime refused his suggestion this time, claiming that after soaking all night, she didn't feel like bathing again.
She also expressed concern that Sōmi might encounter danger and volunteered to return to supervise Shinga's work instead.
Whether it was because of Sōmi's casual promise the night before or her desire to perform well for the sake of their next hot spring trip, Ichikishimahime seemed unusually proactive.
Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.
The Raikage's Office was built atop a towering mountain peak that pierced the clouds. White clouds floated at the same level as the office, and a circle of greenery surrounded the building's top.
At the center of the greenery, a pointed spire jutted upward, as if designed to channel lightning directly from the sky.
The office's interior was spartan. In front of a red sofa stood a small coffee table, completely bare—even lacking a single cup for water.
To the right, a set of fitness equipment was neatly arranged, making the space feel more like a gym than a workplace.
Behind the sofa, large floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the village's majestic landscape, evoking a sense of grandeur and pride.
"You came alone to represent Sunagakure for negotiations?"
"If you were sincere, your Kazekage should've come in person!"
The Fourth Raikage, a dark-skinned, towering figure with light yellow hair, leaned back on the sofa with a dismissive and disdainful tone.
Whoosh!
Without a word, Sōmi activated the Chakra Mode of Shukaku, the One-Tail. A powerful whirlwind accompanied by dense yellow Chakra began to emanate from his body.
"Does this suffice to represent Sunagakure, Raikage-sama?"
Sōmi narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke.
The Raikage shot to his feet with a thunderous roar, like a provoked tiger ready to pounce.
Crackle!
Blue lightning surged across his body, arcs of white electricity occasionally flashing along his skin. The oppressive aura he emitted filled the room.
"So, you're truly the Perfect Jinchūriki of the One-Tail?"
"Sunagakure dares to let you come out alone. Aren't they afraid you won't return?!"
"But... if you think this alone gives you the right to throw your weight around in Kumogakure, you're gravely mistaken!"
"Our village wouldn't mind adding another Tailed Beast to our collection, even if it only has one tail!"
The Raikage's eyes glinted coldly, his malice unhidden.
"Kid!"
"This guy's too arrogant!"
"Let me out, and I'll deal with him myself!"
"One tail or not, I'll show him what I'm made of!"
Inside the sealing space, Shukaku, who had been dozing off, suddenly woke up, roaring furiously.
If Shukaku were in its wild state, it would spend its days alternating between playing and napping.
But ever since being sealed within Sōmi, Shukaku had been given an additional daily task: Sage Arts training!
Having experienced the immense power of Sage Arts, Shukaku's confidence had swelled (except when facing Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan). Its desire to become the "top Tailed Beast" was now stronger than ever.
Before Sōmi could respond, another man in the office, a dark-skinned individual in his forties, quickly stepped in to mediate:
"Raikage-sama! A guest is a guest."
"He represents the Kazekage on this diplomatic mission. If something were to happen to him, it would tarnish our village's reputation."
"Let's at least hear what the Kazekage's alliance proposal entails, Raikage-sama..."
Standing between the Raikage and Sōmi, the man exuded the air of a peacemaker.
"Hmph!"
The Raikage snorted, exhaling two heavy breaths through his nose, seemingly taking his subordinate's advice into consideration.
Sōmi, however, smirked inwardly. This tactic of playing good cop, bad cop to intimidate him was all too familiar.
After calming Shukaku in the sealing space, Sōmi handed over the alliance document drafted by Ebizō and signed by the Kazekage.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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