At dawn, Natsume opened the door and saw Terumi Mei.
"Lord Takashi, Elder Genji has agreed to your plan."
She was slightly out of breath as she spoke, obviously having rushed over as soon as she got the news.
But her expression was relaxed.
It was clear she was very happy.
"That's good. I was worried I'd come away empty-handed."
Natsume smiled. "With people like you in Kirigakure, things are bound to change."
"It's all thanks to you, Lord Takashi."
Terumi Mei looked into his eyes and suddenly wanted to know what his face looked like under the mask.
From his voice, she could tell Natsume was young.
But he was experienced and spoke with sophistication, more like a mature middle-aged man.
The contradiction made her curious.
[Because of your actions, Terumi Mei's fate has changed. You gain 100 Fate Points.]
Why is it maxed out?
That's not normal.
Is there something else I don't know about?
"Let's go issue the missions."
Natsume said calmly, "Please lead the way."
"No problem."
Terumi Mei walked ahead, suddenly noticing her bangs were a bit messy.
She instinctively straightened her waterfall-like brown hair.
Natsume followed behind, noticing her gesture.
He really wanted to ask who designed that hairstyle.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the mission hall.
"So many?"
Natsume's generosity shocked Terumi Mei.
Not only were many ninja needed, but the rewards were generous.
Just this batch was enough to match Kirigakure's yearly income.
As everyone marveled, someone quickly slipped away to report to the Mizukage's office.
Strength rules all.
Some people couldn't stand Yagura's bloody rule, but others were obsessed with it.
Thus, Kirigakure was roughly split into two factions.
One was the die-hard supporters of the Mizukage.
The other, led by Elder Genji and Terumi Mei, cared more about the village's future.
….
"Lord Mizukage, just now Terumi Mei took the wealthy Takashi from the Land of Water to the mission hall and issued a bunch of commissions, all related to sea shipping."
A Jonin reported respectfully.
"That Terumi Mei, she even dares to defy me."
Yagura's face was displeased. "Looks like Elder Genji has spoiled her too much."
"Lord Mizukage, should we kill her?"
The Jonin's face twisted with hatred.
After years of bloody tradition in Kirigakure, Kekkei Genkai ninja had it especially hard.
Not only ninja, but even ordinary villagers hated them.
Like Haku.
Because his mother awakened Ice Release, his father killed her.
You can see how dire their situation was.
Terumi Mei had both Lava and Boil Release. If Elder Genji hadn't protected her, she'd have died long ago.
The Jonin Eigi became Yagura's supporter because his brother died protecting him from a Uchiha with the Sharingan Kekkei Genkai.
With that as an excuse, he found redemption by slaughtering Kekkei Genkai ninja.
At Eigi's words, Yagura closed his eyes. After a moment, he said, "Leave it to you."
Uchiha Obito had just relayed his order.
She could be killed.
Terumi Mei had a good reputation with Kirigakure ninja.
Her death would only make things more chaotic.
And that's what Obito wanted.
Besides, he was tired of playing with Kirigakure.
All the famous Kekkei Genkai clans had been wiped out by him.
Kisame Hoshigaki and Jūzō Biwa had been tricked into joining Akatsuki.
The only strong ones left were Yagura, Ao, and Terumi Mei.
If they died, Obito could return to Akatsuki and focus on the Uchiha's affairs.
…
Mission Hall.
Because of Natsume's actions, it was bustling.
Ninja, for all their talk of the Will of Fire and such, ultimately did it for money.
Kirigakure's poor environment made everyone poor.
A generous client naturally caused a sensation.
And the missions didn't involve fighting—safety was emphasized.
After all, most people couldn't accept bloody rule.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many missing-nin, including the upper echelon Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Terumi Mei watched the enthusiastic ninja, feeling tempted.
It had been a long time since Kirigakure had seen such excitement.
She saw hope.
And it was all thanks to Natsume.
She felt it was a pity he wasn't a Kirigakure ninja.
With his abilities, he could easily be a Mizukage advisor.
But he was just an ordinary person.
Terumi Mei sighed.
As the future Mizukage, she knew Kirigakure lacked two things most: money and talent.
Natsume had both, just not a suitable identity.
How could she get him to stay and help build Kirigakure?
"Terumi Mei."
Natsume turned and saw her daydreaming, so he called again. "What are you thinking about so seriously?"
"Sorry."
Terumi Mei snapped out of it, her face a little red at being caught.
"Nothing."
Natsume just smiled.
At least he'd enjoyed a nice view.
Terumi Mei might not match Tsunade, but she was far above most women.
And her dress was generous in all the right places.
It reminded him of a certain fan art he'd seen before crossing over.
The only pity was her brown hair blocked his view of her jade-like back.
Natsume composed himself. "For the next few days, I'll have to trouble you to accompany me."
This was the field inspection and protection they'd discussed before, so Terumi Mei agreed without hesitation.
Now, with Elder Genji's backing and Natsume's importance, she could even provide bodyguard services for free.
"Where are we going tomorrow?"
Terumi Mei asked.
"Of the five shipping routes, I'm most concerned about the eastern one."
Natsume thought for a moment. "Let's go to the Land of Whirlpools first."
The Land of Whirlpools was in a prime location.
West was the Land of Fire, east was the Land of Water, north was the Land of Hot Water, south was the Land of Bears.
All shipping routes converged there.
But its current state was complicated.
The powerful Uzumaki clan had founded Uzushiogakure there.
At its peak, it was just under the Five Great Nations.
The Uzumaki were close relatives of the Senju, and their relationship was deep.
But no one expected Uzushiogakure to be destroyed overnight, with only a few survivors.
The original manga didn't say who was responsible.
It only said that, fearing the Uzumaki's sealing techniques, many nations and ninja villages teamed up to attack.
Konoha's role was unclear.
Maybe they were too late to help.
In the end, all they took back was the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki, a bunch of sealing jutsu, and the temple storing the Mask of the Shinigami.
…
Night fell.
In the forests outside the great metropolis of the Land of Fire.
The group chasing Kazuma set up camp under cover of darkness.
"Asuma, your turn on watch."
Tsunade woke up in her tent. She hadn't slept well and had been dreaming restlessly.
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, stood up, and looked like he wanted to say something.
"What is it?"
Tsunade glanced at him. "If you have something to say, say it."
"Lady Tsunade, while you were sleeping, you called out a name about ten times."
Asuma asked curiously, "Is this Natsume someone who owes you a lot of money?"
He'd left Konoha in a fit of pique, so after becoming one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, he hadn't returned and didn't know who Natsume was.
Tsunade was stunned, her lips moved as if to explain, but in the end, she said nothing.