Go back and overthrow the Fourth Mizukage? Replace Yagura yourself?!
Terumi Mei was stunned, her entire body trembling at the weight of those words.
She nearly lost control of her chakra, the water in the air around her rippling violently.
Mufasa had just said something utterly outrageous.
But he stood there, calm, as if he had just made an offhand comment about the weather.
A smirk tugged at his lips, his confidence unwavering.
Terumi Mei swallowed hard.
This man… he wasn't just arrogant.
He was bold.
Toppling a hidden village's leadership right out of the gate?
Silence stretched between them.
Her mind was a stormy sea, waves crashing violently, suffocating her.
Mufasa glanced at his assisstant, Suzy, who immediately poured a glass of water and handed it over.
"Here, drink this. Calm down."
Terumi Mei took the glass, downing a sip.
"Got a smoke?" she muttered, her voice steady despite the chaos in her head.
Mufasa reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and handed it to her.
She placed it between her lips.
With a snap of his fingers, a small flicker of fire appeared at his fingertips—Fire Release, a subtle yet precise control.
Lighting his own cigarette, he took a slow drag.
The two of them sat in the dimly lit command room, the air thick with smoke and tension.
Terumi Mei exhaled, her face partially veiled by the swirling tendrils.
In the low light, she looked striking, dangerous even.
"Is this even possible?" she asked, as much to herself as to Mufasa.
He exhaled a thin stream of smoke before answering.
"Yes."
His voice carried absolute certainty.
"Yagura's Blood Mist policy has left Kirigakure in the dark. He's driven out some of the strongest shinobi, even the Seven Swordsmen abandoned the village because of his tyranny. He's lost the people's trust—there's your foundation."
He leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto hers.
"Then there's me. Sunagakure will provide whatever support you need."
"But most importantly... there's you."
Terumi Mei raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
Mufasa nodded.
"Yes. You're the key to this. You can lead Kirigakure to prosperity. The sea is full of untapped resources. If we work together, we can make Kirigakure wealthier than ever before.
The days of fear and bloodshed will be over. No more Blood Mist... instead, it will be Golden Mist, a village of peace and power."
She stared at him, processing his words.
Slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Why me?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Mufasa smirked but didn't voice his first thought—because you're beautiful.
Instead, he said,
"Because you're strong. A brilliant and capable kunoichi. You have what it takes to lead and bring real change."
Terumi Mei chuckled, shaking her head.
"Hmph, smooth talker."
But inside, she was pleased.
She was no fool.
She knew her own strength.
Wielding both Lava and Boil Release, she was easily at Kage level.
If anyone had a chance at challenging Yagura, it was her.
"Fine," she said, exhaling another puff of smoke.
"You've convinced me. I'll seriously consider it."
Mufasa grinned. His influence would grow once Terumi Mei was in power.
Who said the ninja world had to be all about war? He had his own way of shaping the future.
Terumi Mei leaned back.
"I'll need time. I have to reach out to allies. This isn't something I can do alone."
Mufasa nodded.
"I'll keep in contact. If you need anything, just ask."
"Good." Her expression turned serious.
"Now, what does the great Kazekage-sama want in return? If your demands are too high, I won't agree. My first priority is protecting my village."
Mufasa sighed inwardly.
Women… One moment they were friendly, the next they were all business.
"Relax," he said, putting out his cigarette.
"Everyone knows I'm kind and generous. I wouldn't exploit the struggling people of Kirigakure. You've been suffering under Yagura for years—your economy is in ruins. I won't demand large sums of money."
Terumi Mei crossed her arms. "Then what do you want?"
Mufasa turned to the large map on the wall, his finger tracing the vast ocean surrounding Kirigakure.
"The sea is huge," he mused.
Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes. "And?"
"There are a lot of uninhabited islands."
She frowned. "What about them?"
Mufasa grinned. "Sell some of them to Sunagakure. The surrounding waters too. That'll serve as your payment."
Terumi Mei blinked.
"(ツ?)."
Of all the things he could've asked for—gold, rare weapons, artifacts—he wanted uninhabited islands?
"I get it if you want seafood or pearls, but... why islands?" she asked, genuinely baffled.
Mufasa scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Honestly? I've always wanted to be... an island tycoon."
Terumi Mei stared at him like he had grown an extra head.
"You're from the desert. There isn't even a river near Sunagakure. How does someone like you dream of being an island tycoon?!"
Mufasa chuckled. "Maybe it's in my nature to want what I don't have."
She shook her head in disbelief.
"You're a strange one, Mufasa."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
...
For the Mist Ninja Village, the islands scattered across the sea held little value—except for a few offshore ones.
The distant ones? Nothing more than decoration.
A worthless existence.
Exchanging a few broken islands for the advanced technology of the Sand Ninja, along with their financial and equipment support, was a perfect trade.
Terumi Mei pondered the deal.
It seemed more than fair.
Meanwhile, Mufasa was still lost in his dream of becoming an island tycoon.
His eyes gleamed as he painted a vivid picture in the air with his hands.
"Picture this—the white sands, the crystal-clear waves, the blazing sun overhead, bikinis everywhere, fine wine in hand..."
He sighed dramatically, "Running along the beach at sunset... Now that is the dream."
Terumi Mei stared at him, her lips twitching.
This idiot.
His expression was completely serious, like he was crafting the next great village strategy.
She exhaled through her nose. "The sea is nothing special when you see it every day."
Mufasa pouted slightly but said nothing.
Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
If Mufasa was this eager to give up resources for such a ridiculous dream, why not take advantage of it?
Without hesitation, she grasped his hands with both of hers, looking deep into his eyes.
"Lord Kazekage, say no more," she said with exaggerated sincerity.
"I can feel your burning passion. Your dream of becoming an island tycoon shall come true."
Mufasa blinked. "Eh?"
Terumi Mei grinned mischievously. "Once I become Mizukage, you can take your pick of any island you want."
Mufasa felt his heart melt. "Oh. Ohhh. That's great."
Terumi Mei mused to herself. 'Kazekage is really a good person.'
Mufasa thought to himself. 'Mizukage is really a good person.'
The two exchanged knowing glances, then burst into laughter.
"Heh heh heh."
"Hahaha!"
Mei's laughter faded as she leaned back.
"By the way, have you already decided to help Tsunade?"
Mufasa nodded.
"Yeah. I sent the Sixth Squad of Kamen Riders to deal with Hiruko."
Terumi Mei's eyebrows shot up.
"Kamen Riders, huh…"
She had seen these warriors in their dazzling armor.
They were as fearsome as they were flamboyant, their advanced technology bordering on the absurd.
Some wielded weapons that could slice through steel, others harnessed powers that defied logic itself.
And they all had ridiculous posing habits.
She respected their abilities but would rather not deal with too many of them at once.
Mufasa turned towards a large screen displaying a sleek, black aircraft.
Its wings were lined with massive engines, its shape both predatory and elegant.
"This is the Blackbird," Mufasa said proudly.
Sasori designed it based on some X-Men schematics that Mufasa provided.
"Its an aerial vehicle called Jet, it's ridiculously fast and perfect for special missions."
The image alone made Mei's lips part in awe.
"If we had something like this, travel between the islands would be so much easier," she muttered.
Her mind was already calculating the possibilities.
With aircraft like this, Mist Ninja could expand their reach, scout enemy movements faster, and establish complete naval dominance.
She turned to Mufasa, eyes burning with interest.
"Can you build one for us?"
Mufasa shook his head.
"Not worth it. Takes too much effort, and it's not practical. Passenger planes might be better for you in the long run, but ninjas and planes don't mix."
Mei tilted her head. "Why?"
Mufasa gave her a knowing look.
"Because every ninja is a walking explosive device. One little chakra mishap, and boom—you lose an entire aircraft. Trains, boats, and armored vehicles are much safer."
Terumi Mei nodded slowly.
He had a point.
The idea of a squad of Fire Release ninjas inside an aircraft sounded like a recipe for disaster.
After several days of inspecting the Sand Village's infrastructure, Terumi Mei and Ao boarded a bullet train back to the Mist Village.
They had seen firsthand the advancements Sunagakure had made and the immense gap between their villages.
Ao, usually skeptical and reserved, was deeply impressed.
The decision had been made.
"I will help you claim the title of Mizukage," Ao said, his voice firm.
Terumi Mei met his gaze and nodded.
"Once I am in power, I will lead the village to prosperity. Master Kazekage is right. Our sea is vast—we should not be struggling in poverty."
Her eyes flickered with resolve.
As for Shimura Danzo…
'Hmph.'
Once she took control, his reign of corruption would come to an end.
...
Meanwhile, Danzo himself was far away at sea, aboard a colossal whaling ship, his cloak wrapped tightly around his body.
A massive harpoon launcher was mounted at the front of the ship, tracking a massive whale in the distance. The air smelled of salt, blood, and oil.
Suddenly, a wooden boat bobbed into view, its passengers waving desperately for help.
Stranded fishermen.
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Hmph. The weak Mist Ninja dare to fish in my waters?"
He scoffed, turning away.
"Ignore them."
As the massive whaling ship pressed forward, the waves it generated capsized the smaller boat, sending the helpless men plunging into the depths below.
Danzo smirked.
"Pathetic."
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Kakashi left Tsunade's office in silence, his movements eerily mechanical.
Hiruko's puppet curse had completely taken hold.
His personal consciousness had faded—there was only the mission now.
Straight to Mount Shumisen.
As he passed through the streets, Naruto stepped out of Ichiraku Ramen, stretching after a satisfying meal. He caught a glimpse of Kakashi moving strangely and immediately felt something was off.
"Huh? Kakashi-sensei?"
He watched as Kakashi effortlessly took down two guards and made his way toward the village gates.
Alarm bells rang in Naruto's head.
"Kakashi-sensei! Wait!"
Before he could follow, a shadow dropped from above.
Kunai glinted in the air as Shikamaru landed between Naruto and the exit.
"Naruto," Shikamaru said coolly. "Let it go."
Naruto clenched his fists. "Shikamaru, move. I have to stop him!"
Shikamaru's expression didn't waver. "Tsunade-sama already decided. You're not getting involved."
Naruto growled. "I don't care! I—"
Shikamaru sighed. "Then I'll have to restrain you."
Deep in the forest, a group of shadowy figures observed the unfolding chaos from afar.
"Does Konoha brats better not mess with our mission, if not, I would deal with them myself." Michiki muttered under his breath, annoyance evident in his voice.
"Their an ally, don't move recklessly, Michiki," Jin scolded, as he adjusted his high-tech visor, locking onto Kakashi's heat signature.
His infrared vision painted the target in a bright red glow.
"Tracking locked," he muttered. "No way he's getting away."