One day, Konan invited Mei over for lunch at her home and asked her if she had made any progress with His Majesty.
This question immediately brought a look of frustration to Mei's face.
"What's wrong?" Konan asked with a chuckle.
"Nothing, it's still the same as before," Mei replied.
"What about Pakura?" Konan asked again.
"She's… also the same as before," Mei said after a brief pause.
Konan was unaware that the two had recently formed an alliance.
That day, they had talked about how to attract His Majesty's attention and even considered bringing Konan into their ranks.
However, Mei had strongly resisted the idea.
She thought Konan was a good friend, and she knew Konan already had someone she liked.
Forcing her into this situation and breaking her apart from that person—Mei was unwilling to do such a thing.
But despite her reservations, Mei deeply desired to get closer to His Majesty.
That was why she felt so frustrated.
Konan was surprised and asked, "You two haven't done anything at all?"
"What do you mean by 'done anything'?"
"..."
Konan still vividly remembered the things they said when they were drinking that day—something about seeing who could win His Majesty's favor first.
"That was just drunken talk," Mei said with a soft laugh.
"Am I really supposed to go up to His Majesty and confess that I like him?"
Konan looked at Mei and suddenly said, "Why not? When you like someone, telling them your feelings—why shouldn't that be something you can do?"
Mei froze for a moment.
Konan's words weren't wrong at all, but… this was His Majesty they were talking about, not just an ordinary man.
Besides, His Majesty already knew about her feelings.
After a moment of silence, Mei chuckled nonchalantly, as if she didn't care.
"Why are you suddenly so invested in my love life? I remember you trying to set me up with Nagato before, and now you're suddenly supporting me in pursuing His Majesty?"
Konan felt a little guilty and let out an awkward laugh. "I just want you to be happy. As long as it's something you feel is worth doing, then that's all that matters."
Her words warmed Mei's heart, further strengthening her previous resolve—Konan was thinking about her well-being, so how could she possibly go and disrupt Konan's life?
"Oh, by the way, there's something I wanted to tell you," Konan said.
"What is it?"
"You know there are two Lady Tsunades in Konoha, right?"
"Mm." Mei Terumi nodded slightly.
One of them was a member of the Ten Crown Guards, though she wasn't the easiest person to get along with.
The other Tsunade, whom she had seen by His Majesty's side, also didn't seem particularly approachable.
Konan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Not long ago, His Majesty traveled to another world and brought back another version of me."
"Huh?" Mei was momentarily stunned.
Konan continued, "Just like Lady Tsunade, there is now another me in Konoha."
Mei understood what Konan was saying, but that wasn't what concerned her the most.
After a brief moment of thought, she asked, "Why did His Majesty bring another version of you back?"
"Well…" Konan pondered for a moment.
"His Majesty made a deal with Nagato from that world and gave him a promise."
She then briefly explained the situation of her counterpart in that other world, only mentioning that things had not been going well for her and that everyone around her had left, one by one.
Mei asked, "Does she look exactly like you?"
Konan nodded. "Yes, though she's a bit older than me. If you see someone in Konoha who looks like me but doesn't seem like me, that would be her."
"Oh…" Mei responded absentmindedly.
Then, suddenly, she recalled something Pakura had said before—that Konan was a beauty.
Would His Majesty…?
The thought made her fall into silence.
............
In the pavilion of the palace's front hall, Kaguya was diligently serving His Majesty the Emperor.
At this point, she no longer had many thoughts about the situation—not that she was particularly willing, but she simply felt that, compared to her long lifespan, trading this short period of time for long-term freedom in the future was ultimately worth it.
Serving as his attendant for now was no big deal.
Pouring tea, massaging his back—she had accepted all these tasks without complaint.
Even if, one day, he truly wished to enjoy her body, she would not resist.
Her emotions were different from those of humans, and the things she cared about were not the same as what ordinary people valued.
That was why she could face everything so calmly.
Because of this attitude, Samui had privately asked Makoto more than once when he planned to have Kaguya accompany him in bed.
Makoto, however, was in no hurry—fine things were meant to be savored slowly.
Pakura arrived to report on her duties.
She had just completed a mission assigned to her by Makoto over the past two days, and her efficiency pleased him greatly.
He was now considering assigning her a new position.
"You handled things very well. I plan to give you more responsibilities to help ease my burdens. Do you have any thoughts on that?" Makoto asked.
Pakura smiled playfully upon hearing this. "Is His Majesty planning to promote me?"
The position of the Ten Crown Guards was already prestigious enough, so the idea of a promotion was more of a joke.
Leaning back in his chair, Makoto replied, "Something like that. If there's any position you'd like, feel free to ask—I can arrange it for you."
He didn't bother beating around the bush and directly made her an offer.
Pakura thought about it seriously for a moment before smiling.
"Anything is fine with me. I only have one request—I'd like to stay closer to Your Majesty and be able to see you often."
Makoto chuckled lightly upon hearing her words, then casually took out a document and began writing, "Then I'll assign you to another province."
Just as the pen was about to touch the paper, a slender hand suddenly pressed down on it.
Pakura leaned in closer, her body actively closing the distance between them.
One hand propped against the desk as she bent forward, bringing her upper body toward Makoto.
Their proximity narrowed in an instant.
She was wearing a sleeveless halter top that exposed her back, exuding an alluring charm.
The faint fragrance from her body lingered in the air around Makoto.
"If you send me away, how will I help ease Your Majesty's burdens? Would you really be willing to part with me?" she spoke slowly, her tone teasing.
But at that moment, the door to the inner resting chamber suddenly opened.
Kaguya stepped out, carrying a tray with tea and fruit.
Her expression remained calm as she placed it on the desk.
With a third person present, Pakura could no longer continue her flirtatious act.
She straightened up but couldn't help glancing at Kaguya—then taking a second, more serious look.
She remarked, "Your Majesty is always surrounded by such beauties."
This woman was stunning.
And not just in an ordinary way.
The female pirate Hancock whom she had seen before was also incredibly beautiful, but the aura this woman exuded was simply extraordinary.
She made every other woman in her presence feel inferior.
Pakura truly felt that way.
Aside from a sense of inadequacy, she also felt a hint of crisis.
This woman wasn't just some ordinary plaything.
Makoto might not see her as mere amusement.
Makoto, however, didn't respond to her remark.
Instead, he said, "Do you still remember what I just said?"
Pakura chuckled lightly. "Wherever Your Majesty wishes to send me, I will go. Even if I'm assigned to another province, I will, of course, carry out Your Majesty's orders with dedication."
Makoto assigned her a high-ranking administrative position in the Fire Province.
Since Pakura had once been the Kazekage, he was confident she would be able to adapt to the role.
Before leaving, Pakura couldn't help but take another look at Kaguya.
She didn't rush to report to her new post.
For someone of her rank, such a transfer wouldn't be an overnight process.
Instead, she returned to her residence and then headed to Mei's place.
When knocking on the door got no response, she simply entered through the balcony.
Inside, Mei was lying on the couch, fast asleep.
The television was still on, playing a popular drama series.
Pakura casually grabbed a drink from the fridge before walking over to the couch.
She nudged Mei with her foot.
Mei slowly stirred awake, her eyes hazy with sleep as she looked at Pakura.
"You sleep soundly even when there's a burglar in your house. As a member of the Ten Crowns, your alertness is seriously lacking," Pakura teased as she plopped down onto the couch.
"I'm pretty sure I locked the door," Mei yawned as she sat up.
She wasn't really concerned about intruders.
This was Konoha, after all, and the Tower of the Solarity wasn't just for show.
If someone could bypass its surveillance, then she herself wouldn't stand a chance against them anyway.
"The balcony wasn't locked," Pakura replied, taking another sip of her drink.
"Do you need something?" Mei adjusted her posture and lay back down.
"I just came from His Majesty's place."
"…Oh."
"He assigned me a new position—Deputy Governor of the Fire Province."
"Oh."
Mei responded lazily, seemingly uninterested in what Pakura was saying, her eyes fixed on the television screen.
Seeing her like this, Pakura idly rubbed the drink can in her hands, then chuckled lightly and said, "I saw that His Majesty has another beautiful woman by his side."
"..."
Mei fell silent, tilting her head slightly to glance in Pakura's direction.
Pakura continued slowly, "She's very beautiful—far more beautiful than you or me. Even more beautiful than Miss Samui."
Mei's expression shifted in surprise and doubt. "Are you serious?"
Samui was already one of His Majesty's most favored women outside of his official wives.
Her figure and looks were top-tier, so if there was another beauty, at best, she should be on par with Samui.
Moreover, Mei couldn't quite accept the claim that this woman was far more beautiful than her.
She had always been confident in her own looks.
Pakura chuckled. "Her beauty is beyond words. You have to see her with your own eyes to understand."
"..." Mei pursed her lips, saying nothing.
Pakura suddenly sighed. "I wonder where His Majesty finds such beauties."
Mei suddenly recalled what Konan had mentioned earlier.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Maybe… she isn't even from this world."
Pakura frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Mei then explained how Konoha had had two Tsunades for a while and how His Majesty had recently brought back another version of Konan from another world.
Pakura was astonished.
After thinking it over, she chuckled and said, "His Majesty really stops at nothing when it comes to beauties."
Mei couldn't tell whether Pakura's words were praise or sarcasm.
Pakura then asked her, "Have you given any thought to what I mentioned before?"
Mei averted her gaze. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb—I'm talking about Konan." Pakura's words were straightforward.
Mei was silent for a moment before saying, "I can't do that. I can't destroy Konan's life."
Pakura, however, sneered. "This isn't destroying her life—it's giving her a better one."
Mei argued, "Konan already has someone she loves. Forcing them apart—how can that be considered giving her a better life?"
Pakura responded calmly, "She's just caught up in her little love story. She hasn't seen anything better, so of course, she thinks what she has now is the best. I'm not here to argue with you. I'm doing this so that both of us can have better lives. You understand that—otherwise, I wouldn't even be asking for your opinion."
Mei bit her lip. "If I do this, I'll feel guilty."
Pakura crushed the empty drink can in her hand and tossed it into the trash.
Gazing at the trash bin, she suddenly said, "Have you never wondered why His Majesty brought the other-world Konan back?"
Mei's heart trembled at those words.
Of course, she had thought about it.
When Konan first told her about it, that was the first question that had come to her mind.
Pakura's calm gaze locked onto her. "Are you planning to go against His Majesty's will?"
Mei averted her eyes. "I'm not! His Majesty hasn't said anything, and I don't know anything either—don't try to pin this on me."
Pakura chuckled mockingly. "You know very well what's going on. Do you think that just because you aren't the one stirring things up, you can wash your hands of it? If you care so much about your friend, why don't you actively help her? His Majesty will make a move on Konan sooner or later—are you really just going to stand by and watch it happen?"
Mei raised her voice, "That's the Emperor we're talking about! What do you mean by 'rescue'…"
Pakura remained expressionless. "You said it yourself—he's the Emperor. Countless women would give anything just to get close to him. Being favored by His Majesty is Konan's honor."
"..."
"This is the perfect opportunity. If we succeed, it would be something that aligns with His Majesty's wishes."
"..."
Mei fell silent.
She lay on her side on the couch, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
The TV continued playing, its chatter filling the room, but she wasn't listening to a word of it.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Mei's mind—if she really did what Pakura suggested, would she truly gain His Majesty's love in the end?
There were so many women around him.
Did he truly love each and every one of them?
Or, when the time came, would she be no different from them—just another pastime for him in his spare moments?
At that thought, she clenched her hands tightly.
She didn't want that.
She did want to be by His Majesty's side, that was true, but not in the way Pakura did—not by using her position to gain more power and benefits.
What she wanted… was His Majesty's love.
Even if it wasn't all of it, even if it was just a fraction, as long as there was some genuine emotion in the way he looked at her, it would be enough.
Mei turned to Pakura, gazing at her in silence for a long time before finally speaking.
"You're right…"
"But I won't do it. I won't push my friend into the fire. Not only will I refuse to go along with this—I will warn Konan. I won't just stand by and do nothing."
"Konan is my friend."
--------------
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