"Is this Konoha? It really feels so different from Kirigakure!" Terumī Mei stood at the gates of Konoha, gazing inside at the bustling crowds, a stark contrast to Kirigakure's sparse population.
"Miz— *cough*, Mei, mind your conduct. You're representing Kirigakure right now!" Ao, standing beside her, nearly slipped and called her "Mizukage", but even though he caught himself, he didn't escape Mei's sharp glare.
'Just you wait. If I find even the smallest fault in you later, I'll break your legs!'
To others, Terumī Mei was a gentle and charming beauty—only Ao ever bore the brunt of her temper. This wasn't because she held any special feelings for him, but purely because he had a knack for saying things that infuriated her.
Like... marriage.
Does a woman have to get married?!
Does a woman have to take care of children?!
Sure, she wanted to get married, but the problem was finding a strong, handsome guy who could win her heart.
(Ugly guys? No thanks.)
"You Konoha shinobi are taking way too long!" Mei complained, irritation clear in her voice. "We're emissaries from Kirigakure, and you've left us waiting here for half an hour already! Can we enter or not?"
The moment Mei saw Konoha, only one thought crossed her mind: shopping.
Beautiful clothes, dazzling jewelry, handsome men... ahem, the last one wasn't for sale.
According to Mei, this was all part of observing Konoha's daily life and gaining insight into the state of the village.
Ao could only offer a strained smile.
The boss's decisions are always right.
As for Chōjūrō, he was even less of a concern.
If Obito was Rin's simp, then Chōjūrō was Mei's. Whatever Mei said was law. If she wanted to shop, he'd carry her bags. If she wanted to attack Konoha, he'd be the first to charge in.
Simps swear allegiance to their goddess, forgetting life and death in devotion.
"So handsome!"
Hearing Mei's praise, Chōjūrō pouted and looked over.
Two handsome men were approaching at high speed. One had his left eye covered by a forehead protector, wore a mask, and had spiky silver hair—that had to be the legendary Hatake Kakashi.
'He's dressed like me, so why does Mei-sama think he's handsome?'
"Hey, Ao, who's that good-looking guy next to Kakashi? You've got five minutes to give me his full profile!" Mei struck a domineering pose, issuing her command like a CEO.
Ao's mouth twitched. He looked at Kamizuki Hikari in the distance and could only curse inwardly.
Just as they spoke, Kakashi and Hikari arrived at Konoha's gates.
"Greetings, envoys from Kirigakure!"
"I'm Hatake Kakashi, a jōnin of Konoha. Since we haven't had visitors from the Kiri in a while, the verification process took a bit longer."
Mei quickly composed herself, putting away her fangirl expression.
"Greetings! I'm Terumī Mei, a jōnin from the Kirigakure. I have long heard of the Copy Ninja's fame. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved!"
"You flatter me. Please come with me. It's getting late, so your lodgings have already been prepared. As for the Hokage, you'll meet with her tomorrow morning."
Kakashi outlined the arrangements.
Mei glanced at the sky—it was just past noon. Tsunade wasn't seeing them? Was she just putting on airs?
(Tsunade: "I'm just exhausted and need rest! You unwanted woman, you wouldn't understand this kind of fatigue!")
(Mei: "You bitch, die! Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!")
"So, I haven't caught this shinobi's name yet. Being at the Copy Ninja's side, he must be someone important in Konoha, right?" Mei eyed the drowsy, half-asleep Kamizuki Hikari.
Her first thought: 'He must be exhausted from overwork.'
'So handsome, yet so hardworking—why don't we have someone like this in Kirigakure?! If he were ours, I'd take care of him so well!'
(Tsunade: "You shameless woman, you just want to drag him into your bed! Trying to steal a man, huh?")
(Mei: "Get lost! Don't interrupt my view of this hottie!")
Important? Kamizuki Hikari?
Kakashi glanced at him in surprise. Only now did he realize he'd just dragged Hikari along on impulse.
Could he admit that he didn't bring him because he was useful, but because he'd forgotten?
Of course not.
"This is Kamizuki Hikari, a chūnin in Konoha. Mostly handles errands and basic tasks."
"I see."
Mei looked Hikari up and down, growing more and more enamored.
"He seems friendly. Since we're new here, why not let him guide us? It'll make communication between us much smoother."
Hearing this, Ao just wanted to bury his face in his hands.
'Disaster. Mei's fanatic crush had to strike at a time like this.'
'Didn't the doctor say her condition was mostly cured?'
Kakashi glanced at Hikari, saw no sign of protest, and nodded.
"Alright. From now on, Hikari will be in charge of communication between our villages."
(Hikari: "Kakashi, you bastard. Are you jealous just because Shizune was nice to me once? I'm practically falling asleep, and you still expect me to argue? Are you insane?")
"Great! Since we just arrived and need to buy some necessities, why don't we go shopping first? What do you think, Kakashi-san?"
Under normal circumstances, shinobi from another village visiting Konoha would be under constant ANBU surveillance to ensure they didn't cause trouble. After all, shinobi couldn't be judged by normal standards.
Kakashi glanced again at Hikari. Seeing he didn't object, Kakashi nodded in agreement.
"In that case, please go ahead. I'll host a welcome dinner for you tonight. I still have work to do now, so please make yourselves at home!"
"Appreciate it."
After exchanging pleasantries and watching Kakashi leave, Mei flashed a mysterious smirk.
She was the Fifth Mizukage—did anyone really think she'd lose herself to a handsome face?
This was all an act for outsiders. Anyone who believed it was a fool.
'Wow, he's really handsome. I wonder if he's married...'
With that thought, Mei warmly approached Hikari.
"Hikari, that's what Kakashi-san called you, right? Is it okay if I call you that too?" Her sweet tone sent shivers down Ao's spine.
Watching her back, Ao wanted to scream to the heavens:
"PLEASE! Can't Kirigakure just have one NORMAL Mizukage?!"
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