In Konoha, in the courtyard of the residential district east of the Hokage Building, there was a villa with a blue Mist Village forehead protector symbol displayed above its main entrance.
Inside the bedroom, the renowned Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, stood in front of a full-length mirror, shifting her posture repeatedly as she examined herself.
"No, this dress is too flashy. It doesn't match my hair color," she muttered, then promptly stripped it off and tossed it onto the growing pile of discarded outfits on the bed.
She changed into a blue low-cut evening dress and turned back to the mirror.
Her reflection revealed long, reddish-brown crisscrossed curls, with one eye concealed by her bangs. Her lips were soft and pink, full and inviting. The fabric of the dress pushed her chest together into a deep, dramatic cleavage framed by a mesh overlay—subtle yet provocative. The dark blue fabric clung tightly to her waist, showing off a smooth, toned abdomen with not a hint of excess, like a sculpture come to life.
The hem of the dress split at the calf, revealing a glimpse of sheer black fishnet stockings that added a daring allure. Her dark blue nail polish made her pale skin gleam with a soft glow.
This strapless blue evening dress highlighted every advantage of her figure, and even Mei had to admit—it was perfect.
But the moment she tried to walk, she noticed the tightness at her hips. The dress clung so closely that she could only shuffle forward in small steps. A longer stride either threatened to trip her or tear the fabric apart.
"Tch. I finally find something that fits, and I can't even walk in it?" she sighed.
After over an hour of trial and error, she finally gave up and slipped back into her usual blue combat uniform.
That dress, as it happened, had been custom-made and tailored in Konoha to match the style of her combat gear. It looked amazing—but wasn't practical at all.
Holding the dress in both hands, Mei stared at it for a long moment before sighing again.
"Another beautiful outfit I can't wear…"
She folded it carefully and stuffed it into the closet, then glanced at the wall clock. It was already ten in the morning.
Only then did she set out toward the Uchiha clan district—Uchiha Hikaru's home.
The decision to visit Hikaru had come suddenly. The idea took root yesterday when she visited Tsunade and overheard that Sunagakure had issued the first village-level commission to Konoha: afforestation and expanding their oasis.
That revelation set off an unexpected wave of insecurity in Mei's heart. She'd believed Kirigakure would be the first to align itself with Konoha's new development model. Now, she felt like she was falling behind.
She blamed her own complacency—the influence of being around her dear friend Tsunade and living a comfortable life in Konoha had dulled her ambition.
So, she made a decisive move. She asked Tsunade to set up a meeting with Uchiha Hikaru at noon to discuss Kirigakure's future relationship with the Ninja Association.
Tsunade had gladly tossed the responsibility to Hikaru. After all, the Ninja Association was his idea. It was beneficial to the peace and growth of the shinobi world—but Tsunade already had more than enough paperwork and responsibilities on her plate. She also had to oversee Sakura's training now and didn't want to be bothered with more diplomatic tasks.
So, she instructed the ANBU to inform Uchiha Hikaru and told him to be prepared.
As for Mei's little ulterior motives—how could Tsunade not see through them? In the end, if there was someone else willing to ease her burden and warm her bed at night, so be it.
Besides, she knew what kind of man Hikaru was—a sweet-talking pervert through and through.
…
As Mei arrived at Hikaru's home, her thoughts drifted. The surrounding scenery stirred memories—of the time when she'd been captured and held here as a prisoner of war.
Oddly enough, she found herself… missing it.
She also remembered the tube-top headband she'd left behind for Hikaru the last time she departed Konoha. The thought made her cheeks flush with heat.
A shame no one was around to appreciate the sight of her blushing so beautifully.
She raised her hand and knocked softly.
Knock knock knock~
Inside, Saya—dressed in a fitted black suit and an apron—put down her work, wiped her hands, and called out toward the door.
"Coming."
The door opened, and Mei Terumi was greeted not by Uchiha Hikaru, but by Saya.
"It's you. Where's Hikaru?"
"Lord Hikaru went to the Forest of Death early this morning to train. He should be back soon," Saya said warmly. "Please, come in and make yourself comfortable. Lord Hikaru asked me to prepare lunch in advance."
Mei stared at Saya's smiling face and decided not to voice the complaints bubbling in her throat. Instead, she made a mental note.
What a stubborn man. He knew I was coming, but he still chose training over seeing me. So damn unromantic.
She collapsed onto the familiar sofa and switched on the TV, letting her thoughts wander through the memories this house held—of the strange, tense, and flirtatious moments she'd shared with Hikaru. Including the time she had tried to seduce him outright… and failed.
Then, she heard footsteps outside.
Saya quickly trotted to the door. When Hikaru appeared, she welcomed him like a newlywed wife greeting her husband. She unfastened his combat uniform, gently took his coat, hung it in the closet, and placed his slippers at his feet with practiced grace.
There was a soft, serene smile on her face—one that made Mei Terumi lose focus for a moment.
"Welcome back, Master Hikaru," Saya said sweetly. "Your guest is here."
Hikaru glanced at the living room and ruffled Saya's hair with affection.
"I see. Please finish preparing lunch—I have something to discuss with her."
Saya nodded and returned to the kitchen.
Hikaru dropped himself onto the sofa opposite Mei Terumi, leaning back comfortably as he looked at her.
"Well then, Mizukage-sama, what urgent matter brought you to my doorstep?"
"This is a bit strange, don't you think?" he added with a grin. "We just sent someone to handle Sunagakure's commission yesterday, and now Kirigakure's Mizukage shows up in person today?"
"I've been so busy lately, I haven't even had time to properly train."
Mei's eyebrow twitched at the jab.
Why is this man like this? She knew he could be poised and eloquent at the Chunin Exams or at the Five Kage Summit—but in private? He was insufferably smug and insufferably casual.
"It's not strange at all," Mei said coolly. "You're the President of the Ninja Association. If that bastard Rasa can issue commissions, why can't I?"
"Or are you telling me that the so-called strongest man in the shinobi world is actually stingy?"
"If Sunagakure wants to move forward, so do we. Everyone sitting on a Kage throne right now knows—if you want to share in the benefits of the new era, you better stick close to Konoha."
Hikaru blinked.
He hadn't expected her to say all of that so bluntly.
He had figured Mei Terumi would try a more subtle approach.
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