On the bridge.
"Why did you let them go?"
Mei Terumi frowned deeply, seriously questioning Heiyan, "Do you really want to see the [Infinite Tsukuyomi] descend upon this world and turn everyone into walking corpses?"
She didn't understand his actions at all.
"Don't worry. Madara Uchiha's ambitions are destined to fail. Because he's nothing more than a pawn in someone else's hands."
Heiyan stunned Mei with just a few words, then revealed another shocking secret, "The true mastermind behind Madara Uchiha is plotting something far worse than the [Infinite Tsukuyomi]."
Something even more terrifying than the [Infinite Tsukuyomi]...?
Mei struggled to imagine what it could possibly be. She had already endured too many mental shocks today—her entire being felt numb.
"Alright, the show's over. Let's part ways here."
Heiyan lightly patted her shoulder, then turned around and summoned a thundercloud, stepping onto it.
"Wait."
Mei snapped back to reality, quickly chasing after him and standing on the thundercloud alongside Heiyan.
She had to admit, she was really curious about him.
He not only saw through every conspiracy of Akatsuki but also seemed stronger than Madara Uchiha himself. Perhaps the hope for saving the world of shinobi truly rested on this man's shoulders.
It all depended on whether or not he was willing.
"What's wrong? Are you sticking with me now?" Heiyan teased.
"...Yeah."
Mei responded boldly, her soft, voluptuous body leaning deliberately toward Heiyan, taking on the demeanor of an assertive older woman.
She wanted to uncover Heiyan's true identity and also wanted to find an opportunity to convince him to aid the Allied Ninja Forces against Akatsuki and help preserve world peace.
But Heiyan saw through her plan in an instant.
"Wanna get me on your side? Let me give you some advice. Persuasion won't work—you'd have to seduce me. Are you... ready for that?"
Heiyan gazed at Mei up close, his eyes burning intensely.
Mei blushed, her heart raced, and she hastily took two steps backward.
No matter how mature she appeared outwardly, the awkward truth remained that she'd never been in a romantic relationship before. When it came to physical closeness between men and women, she completely lacked experience.
Right then, Heiyan's teasing turned her into a flustered mess—like any awkward teenager.
"Don't panic. I was just joking. Besides, I already have a girlfriend."
Heiyan smiled, no longer teasing her, then steered the thundercloud skyward and shot into the heavens.
Mei plopped down onto the soft cloud, assuming a traditional Japanese sitting posture known as 'duck-sit.' Upon hearing Heiyan's words, she exhaled in relief—but strangely enough, also felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.
Half an hour later.
They safely returned to the Land of Iron, landing in front of a wooden cabin surrounded by icy, snowy scenery.
When he met Tsunade and others, Heiyan briefly recounted what happened at Three Wolf Mountains, repeatedly emphasizing that Mei had come with him voluntarily—mentioning she was the Fifth Mizukage from Mist Village.
Everyone naturally expressed great surprise.
Tsunade's expression darkened slightly.
Just when peace returned after saying goodbye to Samui, another strikingly attractive woman appeared—and this one packed quite a punch. Mizukage Mei Terumi wasn't just another single woman past her prime—she was a fellow Kage like Tsunade, making her a serious romantic threat.
Heiyan caught the shift in Tsunade's mood, so he slipped his arm around her waist and gently led her into the bedroom, offering her comfort and affection.
"Dare it be... that they're actually..."
Mei stared at their backs disappearing into the bedroom, lips slightly parted in surprise. Could it be that the girl Master Heiyan mentioned was none other than Tsunade?
"Master Heiyan and Tsunade-sama are in a romantic relationship."
Uzumaki Shinrin kindly explained to Mizukage Mei Terumi while reaching out to shake hands. "Sister, hello! I'm Uzumaki Shinrin. It's truly an honor to meet you."
"Hello."
Mei shook Shinrin's hand, looking surprised. From the moment her eyes landed on this girl with similar hair color, she felt an instant sense of closeness.
The two women hit it off almost instantly, chatting freely like old friends.
During this time, through Shinrin's introductions, Mei also got to know Izumi Uchiha, Haku, and Hinata.
Three days had passed.
What happened at the Five Kage Summit spread like wildfire across the entire world of shinobi.
Whether it was Heiyan's return, the slaying of the Interim Hokage Danzo, or the capture of Mizukage Mei Terumi, even Madara Uchiha declaring war on the whole world of shinobi—these were all significant events capable of shaking the world of shinobi.
On orders from various Daimyos, the Allied Ninja Forces quickly organized and mobilized, preparing for the final battle.
Meanwhile, inside a snowy wooden cabin located deep within the Land of Iron.
Mei Terumi had been having quite an enjoyable time recently.
Throughout her life, as the youngest ever Mizukage in Kirigakure's history—and a female one at that—she had constantly worked hard to prove herself, busy managing all kinds of village affairs day after day, often working until late at night and becoming overwhelmed by the workload.
Now that she had finally managed to take some time off, it was essentially like going on vacation. Although perhaps taking a break at such a crucial moment didn't seem particularly appropriate...
These past couple of days, she'd spent chatting with the three girls, experimenting with cooking delicious meals, practicing Ninjutsu techniques together, and even sharing a bed with Shinrin at night while listening to the latter recount stories about how Heiyan saved her.
In Mei Terumi's heart, Heiyan's image was becoming increasingly vivid.
He seemed like a reclusive sage detached from worldly affairs, belonging to no ninja village or faction, yet extremely powerful and kind-hearted, with a behavior style that remained elusive and unpredictable. In short... he was a uniquely charming and extraordinarily attractive man.
What a shame! Tsunade beat everyone to it.
Otherwise, Mei would definitely fall for him, because according to her standards, Heiyan was the perfect husband material.
Speaking of Tsunade.
Mei Terumi noticed that this Fifth Hokage had completely fallen head over heels. She kept hanging around Heiyan all the time, always blushing prettily on her beautiful face—clearly immersed in happiness.
Is being in love really that wonderful?
Mei couldn't help feeling envious.
Unlike young girls like Shinrin and Izumi who were still in the prime of their youth, or even Tsunade who was lucky enough to find true love in her fifties, Mei wasn't as fortunate.
She didn't have time on her side, nor did fate seem to favor her.
Was it really as that Heiyan guy said? Would she end up alone forever?
Just thinking about it made Terumi Mei shudder, not wanting to imagine the brutal fate that might await her.
So she quietly decided that as soon as the war was over, she'd drop everything and focus on finding someone special—and getting married.
After all, even if she was the Mizukage, she couldn't give every ounce of herself to the village forever, right?
But happiness never lasts long.
Two days later, the Fourth Great Ninja War finally began.
On the Akatsuki's side, Obito and Kabuto Yakushi teamed up, summoning an army of Impure World Reincarnation warriors and hundreds of thousands of White Zetsu clones, launching a full-scale attack on the world of shinobi.
On the Allied Ninja Forces' side, they responded quickly, but with two of the Five Great Village Kages missing, unity was weak from the start—putting them at an immediate disadvantage.
Tsunade stood by the window, lost in thought as snow fell outside.
"What's wrong?"
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