Terumi Mei hurried after him and asked in a low voice by Uchiha Yuzuru's ear, "Why would you tell me something like this?"
Uchiha Yuzuru glanced at her and replied calmly, "Because I feel you're the only one who might agree with my plan."
"As long as you become Mizukage and persuade everyone else, maybe my goal can be achieved without going through a war."
Hearing that, Terumi Mei snorted coldly. "What makes you think I'd agree with you? Unifying the ninja world sounds like something only a lunatic would do."
"At the end of the day, the only reason you were able to regain control of Konoha is because it was originally founded by the Uchiha. People from other villages don't acknowledge you at all."
Uchiha Yuzuru shrugged and smiled. "That's not something I need to worry about. You just need to remember one thing… if I ever attack the Mist Village and run into resistance from you, I won't hold back."
Getting a real glimpse of Uchiha Yuzuru's true intentions for the first time, Terumi Mei felt the world spin around her.
She seriously weighed the balance of power between the two sides and realized they truly weren't on the same level.
If Uchiha Yuzuru were to attack the Land of Water with the combined might of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire, they would likely have little hope of winning.
"Excessive stubbornness will only get more people killed. I've already told you everything—what you do next is up to you."
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru's shameless expression, Terumi Mei gritted her teeth. "You bastard, you're way too domineering!"
Uchiha Yuzuru lowered his gaze toward her and smiled. "So, do you like it?"
"I…" Terumi Mei shot him a sideways glance and said in a deep voice, "If that day really comes, then you'll have to marry me."
"Huh?!"
The expression of total control on Uchiha Yuzuru's face finally collapsed.
He stared at her in disbelief. "What are you thinking?"
Terumi Mei snorted softly and lifted her chin. "If I'm handing over the Land of Water anyway, I might as well treat it as my dowry."
"Using an entire country as a dowry to marry the strongest and most handsome ninja of this era—just thinking about it is exciting."
"Who knows? In the future, this might even become a legend people talk about!"
Uchiha Yuzuru was momentarily at a loss for words, completely stunned by her train of thought.
He reminded her, "Don't forget, I already have ten wives."
Terumi Mei said indifferently, "Even if you had a hundred, I wouldn't mind. After all, you satisfy every fantasy I have about a partner."
"It's settled then. Wait for my good news."
Watching Terumi Mei hop away cheerfully, a bitter smile appeared on Uchiha Yuzuru's face.
After living two lifetimes, this was the first time he'd ever felt like he'd been taken advantage of by a woman…
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Ninjas traveled quickly. In less than half a month, the group arrived at the Mist Village.
Gray mist hung everywhere in the village. Whether ninja or civilian, everyone wore a stern, unsmiling expression.
Obito Uchiha couldn't help complaining, "This place is really depressing. Everyone feels so cold and distant…"
Chōjūrō pushed up his glasses and retorted, "That's because of things that happened in the past. But it won't be like this forever. Everyone will gradually become warm and united again—don't underestimate the bonds between us."
"Is that so?"
Obito glanced at a trembling old grandmother up ahead and snorted. "A village where no one even helps an old lady cross the street? I don't believe a word you're saying."
Chōjūrō: "…"
While chatting, the group arrived at the Mizukage's office.
Karatachi Yagura spoke with a somewhat cold expression. "I am the Fourth Mizukage of the Mist Village, Karatachi Yagura."
Obito opened his mouth wide and pointed at Yagura. "Huh? The Fourth Mizukage is just a kid?"
"How rude!" Genji scolded him sharply and explained, "The Mizukage only looks like a child. He already has children of his own!"
"He has kids already?!"
Obito muttered under his breath, his mind wandering as a strange smile crept onto his face.
Since Obito was a ninja from Konoha, Genji couldn't say much more. He simply changed the subject and went over the outcome of the negotiations.
Yagura nodded and said indifferently, "Terumi Mei, you'll take these two to visit the Kaguya clan and the Yuki clan."
Terumi replied respectfully, "Yes, Mizukage-sama."
————
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After leaving the Mizukage Tower, Obito let out an annoyed snort. "What's with that attitude? So arrogant…"
"If this were Konoha, I'd definitely show him how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan is."
Already familiar with Obito's personality, Terumi Mei didn't bother arguing with him and simply led the way ahead at a brisk pace.
Along the roadside, Mist Village ninja stared intently at Uchiha Yuzuru and Obito, their gazes sharp and hostile.
Worried about misunderstandings, Terumi Mei explained proactively, "We rarely have outsiders in the village, so they're probably just curious."
Uchiha Yuzuru waved his hand. "It's fine. I'd actually welcome someone trying to cause trouble. At least it'd be a bit of fun."
Hearing that, Terumi Mei didn't know how to respond.
Saying something like that in another village…
Just how confident was this man in his own strength?
Half a day later.
Uchiha Yuzuru, Terumi Mei, and Obito arrived at a village not far outside the Mist Village.
The village was made up entirely of thatched huts and looked extremely simple.
Many men sat at their doorways repairing fishing nets, while women washed clothes and children ran about the streets, creating a sense of peaceful nostalgia.
Terumi Mei spoke up. "This is where the Yuki clan lives."
Obito looked around and couldn't help asking, "Doesn't the Yuki clan possess the Ice Release kekkei genkai? Why are they living in such a shabby place?"
"And these people look completely ordinary."
Terumi Mei explained, "Awakening the Ice Release kekkei genkai isn't easy, so the Yuki clan has been in decline for a long time."
"At present… it seems no one has awakened Ice Release anymore."
Hearing that, Obito was displeased. "Isn't this basically scamming us?"
Terumi Mei felt a bit awkward and could only fall silent.
Uchiha Yuzuru, however, didn't mind at all. Together with Terumi Mei, he walked into the village.
All he needed was someone to successfully marry into the Uchiha clan. Everything else was irrelevant. (T/N: Oyy author! Come on! Give us an update about the stats of his system…)