Since Kazama had brought it up, requesting that Kirigakure lift the bounties on Zabuza and Haku, Terumi Mei had little choice but to agree, both out of reason and gratitude.
After all, Kazama had just helped Kirigakure deal with the threat of the Five-Tails Jinchuriki.
And with his strength, even if Kirigakure didn't lift the bounties, there was nothing they could do to touch Zabuza or Haku.
"No problem!"
Terumi Mei nodded readily.
"Zabuza and Haku were branded rogue ninja during the Fourth Mizukage's reign. His brutal rule wrongly labeled many good people as traitors. Since the Fourth Mizukage is dead, it's only right to clear their names."
"Thanks!"
As Kazama and Terumi Mei spoke, they started heading back toward Kirigakure.
"By the way, you're practically a hero to our village now, but I still don't know your full name, little brother."
"No need for formalities. Just call me Kazama!"
"Kazama? You're Sanada Kazama?!"
Terumi Mei's eyes widened in shock at his name.
"What, you've heard of me?"
Kazama was intrigued by her reaction.
Though he knew he was powerful, this was his first time in the Land of Water.
And since the Land of Water was completely isolated from other nations, he figured there was no way Terumi Mei would know his name.
"Of course I have! Your feat of single-handedly saving Konoha has spread across the Five Great Nations. And when you tamed the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, in Kumo's Land of Lightning, that story became legendary among all the ninja villages!"
"Really?"
Learning that his reputation had already spread across the Five Great Nations, Kazama felt a twinge of disappointment.
He'd been hoping to keep playing the underdog, but it seemed staying low-key was no longer an option.
"Little brother Kazama, you know our village is in turmoil after the Fourth Mizukage's death. Things are unstable both inside and out. If we were really driven out of the Land of Water, we'd have nowhere to go. So, could you maybe…"
Terumi Mei gave Kazama a pitiful look, deliberately sidling closer to him.
Now, Kazama wasn't some lecherous creep, but faced with a stunning beauty like Terumi Mei, it'd be a lie to say he wasn't tempted.
Still, he had more pressing matters—like rushing back to Kirigakure to save Zabuza and Haku.
Besides, he'd never intended to force Kirigakure out of the Land of Water in the first place.
So, Kazama gently pushed away Terumi Mei's attempt to throw herself at him.
"You guys were the ones who insisted on this arena battle with Otogakure. I never demanded you leave the Land of Water. If you say you've got nowhere else to go, just stay here."
"Really? Thank you so much! Wait, can you actually make decisions for Otogakure?"
Terumi Mei knew Kazama was strong but didn't yet realize he was Otogakure's leader.
"What do you think?"
Kazama shot back with a hint of annoyance.
"Oh, I get it! You're the real leader of Otogakure! And here you were, pretending to be just some ordinary ninja. Kazama, little brother, you've been playing us all for fools!"
Terumi Mei teased, throwing him a flirtatious glance.
"They say women in their thirties are like wolves or tigers—guess that's true!"
Kazama quickened his pace at the thought.
They were passing through a cornfield, and if he wasn't careful and Terumi Mei seized her chance, his "frail little body" wouldn't stand a chance!