For a teenage girl, Terumi was far too developed for her age.
And that natural allure of hers—it was far more effortless than Tsunade's cultivated figure.
Of course, when it came to shape, she and Tsunade were almost evenly matched.
Hakken gave her a brief, appreciative glance before withdrawing his gaze.
"I've already killed the Mizukage," he said evenly. "Now, I'll give you three choices."
He tossed his Zanpakutō onto the table with a sharp clatter.
Given the situation, he had no interest in wasting time analyzing details.
He'd lay the terms out clearly—if she refused, he'd find someone else more obedient.
Kirigakure was full of ambitious people like her.
"First, I kill you. Or I capture you and take you back to Konoha as my maid."
What kind of choice was that?
Terumi froze, stunned.
If this was supposed to be a negotiation, wasn't that just a death sentence in disguise? And being a maid? Just thinking about it made her blood boil in humiliation!
So what if he was Konoha's Kenpachi? She was a woman who had sworn to become Mizukage—she would never kneel to anyone.
That first option was out of the question.
The Mizukage might command the seas, but becoming someone's maid and serving tea was out of the question.
"Second," Hakken continued, "I'll make you the Fifth Mizukage—the hero who ends the Blood Mist Policy."
Terumi blinked.
What kind of option was that? Compared to the first, this one was too good to be true.
Her initial rage faltered as suspicion crept in. Something about this wasn't right. She frowned.
"Say your terms, little man."
"You're sharp," Hakken said with a faint smirk, "but I'm not little. You haven't seen it, so don't speak nonsense."
Then his tone hardened.
"The condition is this: from today onward, you swear loyalty to me. Kirigakure will regularly send resources and funds to Konoha. Every major decision in your village must first be approved by Konoha. Kirigakure will be completely transparent."
"You will become a vassal of Konoha. And when Konoha launches the unification war in the future, you'll fight for us. All military power will fall under Konoha's command."
"Impossible! Never!"
Terumi shot to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes.
If her chakra hadn't been sealed by those who subdued her earlier, she would've unleashed a torrent of Lava Release right then and there—to show this arrogant man exactly what a kiss filled with molten love felt like!
"Listen to the third option," Hakken said, his expression turning cold.
"Speak."
The girl glared at him, her tone like ice.
Compared to those conditions, she'd rather choose the first one. To betray Kirigakure was unthinkable—being a maid would almost be preferable!
"The third," Hakken said softly, "is that I make you accept the second."
He snapped his fingers.
Kakashi understood immediately and dragged Genji into the room.
Swish!
The blade flashed. Genji's head flew through the air.
No hesitation. No warning.
Blood spattered across the walls, staining the room crimson.
"Next."
Hakken flicked the blood from his Zanpakutō and looked toward Kakashi.
"You're a demon!"
Terumi's scream echoed through the chamber, raw and furious. Outside, several elders in the council room lost control and wet themselves in terror.
"Next," Hakken repeated, frowning. "Didn't you hear me?"
He didn't even acknowledge Terumi's words.
Genji's death was inevitable. In Kirigakure, his authority was second only to the Mizukage's. If he had been willing to cooperate, fine. But a man like him would only bring trouble for Konoha—perhaps even unite the Mist against it one day.
The moment he had opened his mouth, accusing Konoha of provoking the Fourth Shinobi World War, Hakken knew—he would never accept this new order.
"I agree! I choose option two!"
"Please, please don't..."
The moment Kakashi turned away, Terumi finally made her choice. Tears slid down her cheeks. Unable to bear seeing this already tormented village bleed any further, she could only consent.
"Smart."
Nodding, Hakken took Terumi's hand, and the two walked toward the partition door.
Just as they were about to leave the compartment, Hakken's voice grew calm.
"Alright. Watch the changes in the Ninja World. One day, you'll be glad you made this choice."
"Good choice. From now on, you are my subordinate."
Striding into the meeting room, Hakken took a deep breath.
"From this day forward, Terumi is the Fifth Mizukage of the Mist Village."
"I won't bother asking who supports or opposes this—I'm simply here to inform you of the decision."
"Beyond that, she is the hero who pulled the Mist Village from the blood mist, the hero who defeated Yagura."
"Possessing both the Melt Release and Boil Release Kekkei Genkai, her strength is more than sufficient to bear the title of Mizukage."
Having spoken in one breath, Hakken gave Terumi's small hand a firm squeeze.
"The foundation remains yours. Remember your choice."
"If you betray me, the consequences will be dire."
Releasing her hand, Hakken turned and left the meeting room with his men.
At that moment, the trembling Kirigakure elders fixed their gaze upon the departing figure of the youth.
Power formidable enough to defeat the Fourth Mizukage.
A presence so terrifying it silenced all resistance.
And a mastery over human hearts that chilled them to the core.
What kind of monster had Konoha produced?
The man who seized control of Kirigakure's political landscape with thunderous force—what would he do next?
Awe, grief, and loss filled the room.
The first two emotions were easy to understand. After all, having their village overthrown so violently was deeply unsettling.
But that third emotion—loss—carried something deeper.
Some couldn't help but wonder: Why wasn't I the one taken into that private room?
If it had been me, would I too have emerged transformed, destined to become the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure?
That was the source of their loss.
Only Terumi watched Hakken's retreating back with a complicated expression.
The words he spoke before leaving made her wonder—was what happened today truly good for Kirigakure?
...
Becoming someone else's subordinate.
Yet the village's deepest wounds had been healed. In time, Kirigakure would recover its strength and spirit.
Kirigakure—one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—was it really resolved so easily?
As Hakken stepped out of the meeting room, Jiraiya, who had been watching in silence the entire time, let out a wry smile.
He had once thought the deeds etched on the Wall of Honor represented this boy's peak.
But who could have imagined that the moment he left Konoha, he would shake the world this much?
To turn one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages into Konoha's vassal...
Such a thing had once been unthinkable.
Hakken glanced at Jiraiya, sighed, then turned to Kakashi.
"Take our men and observe outside Kirigakure for a day."
"You, come with me."
Grabbing Jiraiya's hand, he led him up to the highest structure atop the Mizukage Tower.
"What are we doing here?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.
"To greet tomorrow's sunrise," Hakken replied. "I want you to see Kirigakure's transformation."
Without another word, he handed Jiraiya the sake gourd in his hand.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Jiraiya accepted it.
Watching the sunrise from the highest point of the Mist Village... what exactly was this "transformation" he spoke of?
Jiraiya sighed softly.
At that moment, his heart was filled with nothing but confusion.
Hakken or Yahiko—who was right?
He truly didn't know.