"In this way, we should be able to avoid most of the enemy's detection."
Aizen said to the two beside him.
"As expected of the man second only to the Kazekage in Sunagakure—no, Aizen-kun, your strength truly leaves me speechless."
Terumi Mei sighed in admiration.
"You flatter me. Let's head to Sunagakure first—time is short."
Aizen's words were not without reason.
Though Terumi Mei, the future Fifth Mizukage, had already agreed to form an alliance with the Sand, it would be foolish to let Obito slip away again. A victory earned without resistance would never be valued as much as one hard-won.
Aizen needed to unite the Sand and Mist, then successfully take Kirigakure, in order to further secure the alliance between the two villages.
The journey itself was uneventful.
A few days later, they arrived in the Land of Wind.
As soon as they entered, the fierce yellow sand swept against their faces, and the blazing sun overhead made Terumi Mei feel as though her delicate skin might burn away.
Though she often complained about the damp climate of the Land of Water, she had never expected the Land of Wind to be even harsher.
No wonder many Sand shinobi painted markings on their faces like Kankurō, or wore wide straw hats to shield themselves.
"Ming, you look uncomfortable."
Aizen jogged ahead, glancing back.
Terumi Mei smiled lightly. "It's nothing. It's just my first time in the Land of Wind—I wasn't prepared."
She was no pampered princess. No matter how harsh the desert might be, it was nothing compared to surviving countless battlefields.
Led by Aizen, the two soon arrived at the main gates of Sunagakure.
"Lord Aizen!"
The Sand shinobi guards immediately called out upon seeing him return.
"Prepare an entry pass for this lady. I need to take her to meet Lord Kazekage at once."
Aizen gestured toward Terumi Mei at his side.
Few men could resist glancing at her natural, effortless beauty, but when they saw that she had returned together with Aizen, a silent understanding passed among them. Whatever their relationship might be, it was not their place to pry. The shinobi quickly looked away.
Once the registration was complete, Aizen officially led Terumi Mei into Sunagakure.
"Lord Aizen!"
"Lord Aizen, thank you for your hard work!"
"If you have time, please visit our shop again!"
Though he had only been gone for a little over ten days, the villagers' enthusiasm was overwhelming. People from all corners of the street ran forward to greet him warmly.
Aizen raised his hand in response, smiling faintly.
Terumi Mei chuckled. "You're truly admired by the people of Sunagakure. But honestly, it's well-deserved."
"Ming, don't tease me. I've just been fortunate enough to do a few things that people remember."
Aizen replied with his usual modesty.
"Lord Aizen!"
Just as they neared the Kazekage's office, a familiar voice rang out.
Turning, Aizen and Terumi Mei saw Temari hurrying over. Behind her, Gaara and Kankurō followed at a slower pace.
"Lord Aizen, you're back!"
Temari stopped in front of him, her eyes filled with delight.
"Yes. Have you been training well during my absence?"
Aizen asked gently.
"Of course! We even completed a C-rank mission without a jōnin leading us. If conditions allow, we're ready to try a B-rank mission next."
Temari's expression clearly said, Now, praise me!
But before Aizen could reply, Terumi Mei spoke first. "Ara~ Aizen-kun, this adorable child is…?"
"Ah, I forgot introductions. These are my disciples—Temari, Gaara, and Kankurō. They are the children of Lord Kazekage."
The siblings turned their attention to the striking woman beside Aizen. With her refined beauty and elegant presence, it was clear at a glance she wasn't from their village.
Temari's gaze lingered briefly on Terumi Mei's chest, her teeth clenching as she muttered bitterly under her breath, Damn it… too big…
"Lord Aizen, who is this woman?"
Temari's tone was edged with displeasure.
"Temari, don't be rude. This is Terumi Mei of the Mist—the future Fifth Mizukage."
Even in front of his students, Aizen used the honorific when speaking of her.
"Mizukage!?"
The three siblings were visibly shaken.
"Ahh, Aizen-kun, you're awful. I told you I don't need honorifics, yet here you are breaking our agreement."
Terumi Mei pouted, poking his shoulder playfully with her slender jade-like finger.
Temari's eyes flared with jealousy, but in the face of the Mist's future leader, she bit back her anger. As the Kazekage's daughter, she understood when to hold her tongue.
Still, this woman is infuriating!
Terumi Mei's smile deepened. As a woman herself, she easily recognized the envy burning in Temari's heart. And when Aizen had suddenly addressed her so formally earlier, she had been slightly annoyed—so now she couldn't resist teasing.
"Well, enough, Ming. It's getting late—we should see the Kazekage first."
Aizen's tone carried a trace of helplessness, only making Terumi Mei smile more sweetly.
"You three, keep working hard," Aizen told the siblings before heading toward the Kazekage's building.
As she passed, Terumi Mei reached out and patted Temari's spiky "durian head," narrowing her eyes with a teasing grin. "Such a cute little sister… though with hair like this, no man will ever like it~~"
Laughing softly, she skipped ahead to catch up with Aizen.
"That damn woman!"
Temari ground her teeth in fury. She nearly drew her iron fan to smack Terumi Mei on the head, but held back at the last moment. Instead, she turned on her brothers with fiery eyes.
"Is my hair ugly?!"
Kankurō's mouth twitched. He knew better than to answer—best to disappear before he got caught in the storm.
Gaara, ever impassive, turned away without a word. This had nothing to do with him.