After saying that, Shigure turned around and left the room in a casual manner.
Left behind, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a look, their gazes lingering on Shigure's back.
Both of them felt a pang of regret.
Although the safety of the village outweighed everything else, was it truly right to send such a genius to Kirigakure?
This boy wielded a unique sealing jutsu that could bind even the First and Second Hokage.
Some might dismiss it as "just a sealing technique," but anyone who had witnessed Shigure's battle with the two Hokage would never underestimate him.
"Forget it, Koharu. The village must come first," Homura muttered, more to convince himself than her. "He's only a genius from a minor clan… such talents appear once in a while."
But Koharu's expression only grew more severe. Shigure wasn't just talented as a shinobi — his sharp perception was troubling.
No one outside their small circle should have known about Danzō and their scheme. Yet this child had guessed it instantly.
He saw through political transactions between villages with a single glance. A mind like that was more suited to leading Konoha than raw talent alone.
"Homura… maybe we really did make the wrong choice. If Hiruzen wakes and discovers this, what will he think?" Koharu asked worriedly.
Homura sighed deeply. "Even if we're blamed, so be it. We can't hesitate now — everything we've done is for the sake of the village."
That was why they had sent Jiraiya to find Tsunade. That was why Jiraiya was told to bring the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki with him.
Konoha was not safe anymore.
Shigure walked out of the Hokage Building, but before he had gone far, someone appeared in front of him.
It was none other than Ao, the sensor-nin who served as Mei Terumi's aide.
"Come with me," Ao ordered.
Now that Shigure had been formally traded to Kirigakure, Ao's attitude toward him was less hostile than before — though still condescending. That, more than anything, rubbed Shigure the wrong way.
Especially now, when his mood was at its lowest.
"Are you talking to me?" Shigure asked coldly.
Ao froze for a moment at the boy's sharp tone. Shigure's eyes glinted with a frigid light.
Ao wasn't foolish; he understood how being treated as nothing more than a bargaining chip would sour anyone's mood.
"Shigure, you'll have a brighter future in Kirigakure," Ao said, softening his voice.
"The Mizukage herself has high expectations for you. Compared to Konoha, overflowing with geniuses, the Mist — in this time of transition — will value your strength more."
Shigure narrowed his eyes but eased his killing intent.
To be honest, his bond with Konoha was shallow. He had never inherited the so-called Will of Fire.
Leaving Konoha didn't matter much to him… but being traded like a commodity was infuriating.
He bore no ill will toward Kirigakure itself. In the end, every great village was the same.
"Let's go."
Ao smiled faintly at his compliance. "Don't worry. With your Ice Release bloodline, the Mizukage will surely invest in your growth."
Together they walked to the Mizukage's residence.
Chōjūrō spotted them approaching, awe shining in his eyes.
He didn't fully grasp the politics behind village exchanges. What he knew was simple: a ninja as powerful as Shigure would soon join Kirigakure as his future comrade.
Admiration turned quickly to idolization.
Before even stepping foot in Kirigakure, Shigure had already gained himself a little fan.
Ao stopped outside the Mizukage's chambers. "Go on. The Mizukage will see you now."
Shigure pushed the door open and entered.
Inside, Mei Terumi sat relaxed on a sofa, sipping from a cup.
Her damp hair spilled over the shoulders of a loosely tied bathrobe — the scene suggesting she had only just emerged from a bath.
Shigure arched a brow. Did I arrive a step too late to catch her in the act?
"Well, well," Mei said with a knowing smile.
"Looks like I was right. You were bound to come back with me to the Mist Village."
Shigure smirked faintly. "Did I ever say I would go back to the Mist with you?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Wait—Konoha hasn't told you?"
"Whether I belong to Konoha or not is beside the point. What I didn't say… was that I'd follow you to Kirigakure."
With that, Shigure calmly seated himself across from her.
In that moment, he didn't look like a twelve-year-old boy at all.
"I don't agree with the deal Konoha made with you," Shigure said firmly. His tone was calm, but his words carried weight.
"But since things have already come to this, I'll make my own terms. If I'm not satisfied with what you offer, I won't go to Kirigakure. Even if it means becoming a wandering ninja, I won't compromise."
Mei Terumi didn't flare up at his defiance. Instead, she leaned back slightly, her expression steady.
"What do you want, then?"
"Tell me first what you're prepared to give."
"If you return with me to the Hidden Mist Village, with your strength and talent, the village will do everything in its power to train you," Mei said, setting down the cup in her hand.
"Konoha is overflowing with geniuses," she continued.
"But Kirigakure has suffered greatly from the era of the Blood Mist. You would have no true rivals there. To be honest… the Mist would suit you far better than the Leaf ever could."
Shigure closed his eyes for a moment, tempering his irritation with thought.
Konoha and Kirigakure… two rival companies. Konoha's politics are far too messy. With that old fox Danzō scheming in the shadows, the village will never know peace. Even if Tsunade returns as Hokage, nothing will change for me.
Kirigakure, by contrast, is simpler. A once-great enterprise now weakened, desperate for talent to lift it back up. The Blood Mist purges wiped out countless shinobi and crushed the influence of old clans. In some ways, that clean slate might not be so bad.
When he opened his eyes again, determination gleamed in them.
"Well? Have you decided?" Mei asked, curiosity flickering across her face.
Shigure locked eyes with her. "One last condition. If you agree to it, I'll go to Kirigakure."
Her gaze sharpened. "And what is that condition?"
"I want… you."
"Eh?" Mei blinked, momentarily thrown off.
Did this little brat just… ask for me? she thought incredulously. A wry smile tugged at her lips. Handsome, strong, absurdly gifted — he's destined to become an extraordinary man. But he's twelve! By the time he grows into that future, I'll be past my prime. Even if I wanted to wait…
She couldn't help but feel like she'd just been proposed to by a child.
"The position," Shigure clarified, smirking. "I want to become Mizukage."
"…Hah." The corners of Mei's lips twitched, caught between disbelief and exasperation. For a second, she thought the boy had already planned out their wedding and chosen names for their future children.
Unaware of her inner thoughts, Shigure saw her hesitation and frowned. "What's wrong? You don't agree?"
Her voice turned cool, but resolute. "Fine. I agree."
"But before that, answer me a question."
Shigure narrowed his eyes. "What question?" Is she going to ask about my Ice Release? Or maybe the truth behind my abilities?
Instead, Mei leaned forward slightly, her eyes playful. "Do you think I'm beautiful?"
"…Huh?" Shigure stiffened. Is this really part of Kirigakure's recruitment test?
"Yes," he answered after a pause.
"You're beautiful."
And it was true. Mei Terumi's beauty was on par with Tsunade's, but her mature charm gave her an edge all her own.
Mei's lips curved into a smile.
"Do you like me?"
Shigure's mind raced. What kind of question is this? How am I supposed to answer? If I say no, I'll offend her. If I say yes…
"I… like you," he admitted at last.
What choice do I have? She's the leader of Kirigakure. If she asks, I can only answer one way.
"Good," Mei said with a warm smile that lit up her face — so different from her earlier seriousness.
"Then it's settled. Let's return to the Mist together."
Shigure stared at her in silence for a moment, then muttered under his breath:
"…Strange woman."
...
TN:
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