"Alright, let's talk business."
Kimimaro knew he couldn't push too far. He had stirred Mei Terumī emotionally, but someone like her wouldn't fall completely just because of a few bold moves. She was a high-level kunoichi, not some lovestruck girl. Still, what he'd done was enough—for now.
Mei Terumī had always longed for marriage, but it was hard to find a man who both dared to pursue her and was worthy of her. Most men admired her strength but were too intimidated to approach. Kimimaro, however, was different. He had the strength, the confidence, and the gall to make a move. That alone set him apart.
But Mei Terumī was no damsel. She had regained her composure swiftly and maintained her sharp gaze. Even so, their bond had deepened enough for Kimimaro to consider the opening move successful. There would be time later to follow through.
"Are you really going to give Hiramekarei to me?"
"Of course," Kimimaro replied calmly. "If you accept it, it means you acknowledge the bond between us."
Mei Terumī turned to glance at Chōjūrō standing behind her, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
"We can't be in a relationship... It's not that I'm unwilling," she added quickly, "but to be honest, I've always planned to pass Hiramekarei to Chōjūrō. He'll be my personal guard once I become Mizukage. He needs to grow stronger. If I let you keep it, someone at your level, I wouldn't be able to take it back even if I tried."
"But the real issue," she continued, "is that you can't be involved in my campaign. Chōjūrō can support me politically. You... your strength and position are too overwhelming. The elders would see it as foreign influence, even if the Land of Vegetables is a small country."
Kimimaro nodded slowly, acknowledging the political reality. Mei's words were shrewd.
Why was she ultimately chosen to be the next Mizukage? Her combat ability and charisma were factors, but her Kekkei Genkai—Boil and Lava Release—also symbolized a break from the "Bloody Mist" era. She represented change. The Hidden Mist, having lost many of its Bloodline Limit clans, needed a figure like her: powerful but without strong political backing or clan ties.
If she openly dated a man with Kage-level power who ruled another country, it would create unease. The Hidden Mist leadership had just escaped from Yagura's tyrannical reign; they wouldn't want another strongman pulling strings from the shadows—even indirectly.
"If you're worried that I'll be a political burden, I don't mind staying hidden," Kimimaro said with a sly smile. "I can be your secret lover—your shadow, supporting you from behind."
"Pah! You're the most shameless person I've ever met." Mei Terumī laughed despite herself. "Are you really just giving Hiramekarei to me? Doesn't it hold value for you?"
Kimimaro shot a glance at Chōjūrō but said nothing.
"Chōjūrō is one of us," Mei reassured him. "You don't have to worry."
Chōjūrō's hands trembled slightly, overwhelmed by her trust. He clenched his fists and silently vowed that nothing about today's conversation would leave his lips.
"So I'm part of 'us' now too, huh?" Kimimaro grinned. "Just don't let too many men into 'us'—I get jealous."
"No, no!" Chōjūrō panicked, waving his arms. "I'm only Lady Mei's subordinate! I would never...!"
"Tch. You're possessive," Mei said, shaking her head. "You probably even have kunoichi warming your bed."
"What, are you jealous?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not that kind of woman, Kimimaro. Don't push your luck!"
"I meant I could ask Fubo to warm your bed," he teased.
"My pleasure," Fubo said, half-laughing.
Mei flushed crimson. "You're all crazy!"
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," Kimimaro said, turning serious. "Let's talk openly. Since Chōjūrō is one of us now, here's the real reason I came—I need Hiramekarei to revive the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Mei narrowed her eyes. "But didn't you say you had no intention of returning to the Hidden Mist or competing for the Mizukage position?"
That struck a chord. She suddenly thought: If he did compete, and I supported him... could he win? Could I step back and be the woman beside the Mizukage instead of Mizukage myself?
It wasn't an unpleasant thought.
Kimimaro interrupted her drifting thoughts. "How could I compete for the Mizukage position with my own woman? That title means little to me. But if you're aiming for it, I'll support you with everything I have."
Even though Mei Terumī knew he was likely sweet-talking her, his words still stirred something pleasant inside her. "Then why are you gathering the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"
"It's not really me. I'm just helping a friend."
"A friend?"
"Suigetsu Hōzuki."
"That kid from the Hōzuki Clan?" Mei raised an eyebrow. Of course she knew who Suigetsu was — Mangetsu's younger brother, a talented but unruly shinobi who once trained to wield all seven swords. "Does he want to revive the Hōzuki clan's status? Or is he aiming for the Mizukage seat too?"
"Not exactly," Kimimaro replied, now pondering the thought himself. Objectively speaking, Suigetsu's chances were higher than his own, especially as a Hidden Mist native and Mangetsu's brother. But that wasn't part of the long-term plan. The Land of Water could be influenced indirectly, but it wasn't intended to be Kimimaro's power base.
"Suigetsu just idolizes his older brother," Kimimaro explained. "He wants to restore the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to their former glory. That's all. Elder Sister, I'll give Hiramekarei to you so that Chōjūrō can wield it. Suigetsu will search for suitable candidates for the other blades. Eventually, the Seven Swordsmen will become a loyal and powerful force under the Mizukage's command again."
Kimimaro's tone turned serious. "I'll also do what I can to make sure the Hōzuki Clan doesn't obstruct your path to becoming Mizukage — maybe even earn their support. But if it becomes possible in the future... I hope you'll consider training Suigetsu as your successor."
That final request hadn't been part of the original plan, but Kimimaro had thought it up on the spot. Mei, however, answered without hesitation.
"Of course. That won't be a problem."
She hadn't officially assumed the Mizukage role yet and hadn't seriously considered grooming a successor. While she had taken a liking to Chōjūrō, his shy nature and lack of confidence were limiting. Suigetsu, despite his bluntness, had more charisma and raw potential.
She assumed Kimimaro's "in the future" was meant to sound considerate — as if he thought she had other candidates in mind. She had no idea that, in his mind, the entire concept of a "Mizukage" might not even exist in the distant future. His ambitions extended far beyond the confines of the Land of Water. But reshaping the world wasn't something that could be done overnight — and for now, ensuring that two successive Mizukage candidates were tied to him offered strategic security.
After discussing their plans, Kimimaro didn't leave. He stayed with her.
A persistent man could wear down even the strongest woman — and Mei Terumī, a nearly thirty-year-old shinobi who yearned for love despite her strength and pride, wasn't immune to such persistence. She found herself sharing a room with Kimimaro just days later, half-convinced by his charm, half-compelled by something deeper she didn't fully understand.
Eventually, Kimimaro even fulfilled his offhanded promise to let Fubo warm Mei's bed on occasion — a suggestion that had seemed like a joke at first. Of course, Chōjūrō had already been sent away by then. Though loyal, his presence would have made it difficult for Mei to relax in certain situations.
During one such intimate moment, Kimimaro requested two vials of Mei's blood, claiming it was for "research."
He didn't mention the Bloodline Gene Agent — not yet. Mei Terumī wasn't like Karin or others tied closely to him. Her status as a public figure, and her independence, meant that revealing such a secret would be dangerous.
In truth, Mei's genetic potential could provide material for at least five doses. But Kimimaro only had two prepared test tubes ready, and he didn't want to take too much at once without explanation — especially since she'd already... lost some blood that night.
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