Kazekage's Office.
Aizen guided Terumi Mei through a curtain of sheer silk. Standing before Rasa's obscured figure, he reported the series of affairs he had investigated in the Land of Water.
While Aizen spoke, Terumi Mei's eyes often wandered to the shadowy outline of Rasa behind the veil, trying to glimpse his expression.
It was rumored that after clashing with Konoha's S-class rogue, Uchiha Kenya, and suffering serious injuries a year ago, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had withdrawn from the frontlines.
Except on extremely important occasions, he rarely appeared in public. Most affairs were now handled by the Minister of Anbu, Aizen, which seemed to confirm the rumors.
When Aizen finished his report, Rasa, hidden behind the veil, nodded and said,
"Your actions were correct, Aizen. Yagura's tyranny should not be ignored."
Terumi Mei's eyes lit up, but then Rasa added calmly,
"However, Sunagakure is not mine to command alone. This matter must be discussed with the other village elders."
He paused, then continued,
"In the meantime, Aizen, you will host the future Fifth Mizukage."
Turning toward Terumi Mei, his voice grew formal,
"Although you have not officially assumed the title, I will address you as Mizukage. Please allow us a few days. You will have Sunagakure's answer soon."
"Lord Kazekage is too polite," Terumi Mei replied with a respectful nod.
But deep inside, she was perfectly aware: despite Rasa's courtesy, their positions were not equal.
First, she had not yet been recognized as Mizukage.
Second, she had come here to ask for help.
Her bargaining position was weak.
After leaving the Kazekage's building, Terumi Mei glanced at Aizen with a faint smile.
"Your Kazekage-sama asked you to be my guide. You won't just brush me off, will you?"
Aizen chuckled softly.
"Sunagakure isn't as prosperous as Konoha or the Mist, nor does it boast beautiful scenery. What would Mizukage-sama like to see?"
"Really, Aizen-kun, I told you to just call me directly."
Her lips curved playfully before she added,
"If that's the case, then take me to the places you like to go. I'll take it as a treat."
"My life is fairly dull, so you may be disappointed."
Aizen shrugged.
"That's not necessarily true. Let's go."
For years, Terumi Mei had lived under the suffocating weight of Yagura's Bloody Mist. Her nerves had been strung tight for so long. This was the first time she had truly felt at ease in ages.
Sunagakure itself held little entertainment, yet Aizen still guided her through the village. To his surprise, Terumi Mei seemed delighted at every stop. Her radiant smile never faded, her face aglow with contentment.
By evening, as the sun dipped low, Aizen led her to a rocky cliff overlooking the village—much like Konoha's Hokage Rock.
From there, the entire hidden village spread beneath them, bathed in the crimson glow of dusk.
Watching the sun sink below the horizon, its fiery light painting her features, Terumi Mei sighed softly,
"It's so beautiful…"
Aizen smiled.
"I come here often. Watching the village under the setting sun… it fills me with an indescribable peace."
Her sapphire eyes shimmered with warmth.
"It's a pity Aizen-kun wasn't born in the Mist."
"Even if I wasn't," he countered lightly, "once our alliance is formed, our villages will still support each other, won't they?"
"Aizen-kun, you really don't understand women. A woman's possessiveness can be terrifying~"
Her tone carried a playful hint of charm. The word "enchantress" suited her perfectly in that moment.
But just as the air between them grew faintly charged, a familiar voice called out—
"Teacher Aizen—!"
They both turned to see a sandy blonde-haired girl sprinting toward them in the glow of sunset.
"Temari?" Aizen said in mild surprise.
Her appearance tugged at something deep inside him. If his mother, Kaylera, were still alive, she would have thought Temari looked almost exactly the same as her younger self.
"This girl…" Terumi Mei thought with an inward chuckle. She had teased Temari about her hairstyle earlier that morning. Who would have guessed she'd change it so quickly?
"W-What do you think, Teacher Aizen?" Temari asked nervously, immediately regretting her impulsive dash. I really just ran here on a whim… doesn't this make me look too obvious?
After a moment's thought, Aizen smiled gently.
"Temari looks beautiful no matter how she wears her hair. Just follow what you like."
Temari pouted at his vague answer, gathering her courage to press further.
"Then… which one was better, before or now?"
Aizen's thoughts flickered briefly, his eyes cutting toward Terumi Mei. This is her fault.
Terumi Mei, of course, simply stood back, amused, enjoying the show.
"I think Temari's previous hairstyle was already very good. No need to change it deliberately."
And he meant it. While her new look was pretty, it lacked the bold charm and unique heroism that defined her.
"Really?" Temari's face brightened with joy. She turned and shot Terumi Mei a triumphant, almost provocative glance.
Terumi Mei's smile stiffened slightly, but she dismissed the petty challenge. Competing with a young girl was hardly worth it.
Two days later.
After Sunagakure's council concluded, Rasa once again received Terumi Mei in the Kazekage's office. He instructed Aizen to deliver two scrolls.
"Lady Mizukage," Rasa explained, "these scrolls contain Sunagakure's proposed terms. If you agree, sign them, and we will immediately dispatch reinforcements to help you overthrow Yagura's rule."
Terumi Mei carefully unrolled the twin scrolls, both written with identical clauses.
Compared to the harsh conditions once suggested by Konoha, Sunagakure's demands were far more reasonable. Though somewhat steep, they were still within acceptable bounds.
But what truly drew her eyes was one particular clause:
"An alliance with the Sand Shinobi is not equivalent to an alliance with Konoha."