Kirigakure - Mizukage's Office
The morning sea mist had not yet dissipated Mei Terumi stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the Mizukage's Office, her fingertips lightly tapping the window frame. She gazed at the search team gathering at the distant port, a slight smile playing on her red lips.
"Qing, don't let me down!"
She turned and walked to her desk, her slender fingers tracing the nautical chart spread out on it. A dozen or so suspicious locations were circled in red pen among the numerous uninhabited islands scattered across the eastern sea.
"Lord Mizukage, the search team is ready." Chōjūrō stood nervously at the door, holding Hiramekarei.
Mei Terumi lazily raised her eyes. "Tell them to remember to report any clues immediately and not to act on their own." She narrowed her eyes, "Orochimaru, that venomous snake... isn't so easy to catch."
Chōjūrō nodded vigorously, his bangs swaying as he spoke, "Senior Ao said he'd use his Byakugan to stay alert at all times!"
"I hope so~" Mei Terumi chuckled and waved her hand, "Go ahead."
After Chōjūrō left, she stretched, her graceful figure casting a beautiful silhouette in the morning light. Things had finally calmed down a bit lately, giving her time to think about... personal matters.
Sigh...
She suddenly sighed and slumped listlessly onto the table. Ever since she gave those annoying nobles a good scolding, no one had dared to introduce her to any potential partners.
"She just wants to find a reliable partner..." she muttered, twirling a strand of brown hair between her fingers.
The faces I had seen at the last Five Kage Summit couldn't help but flash through my mind:
Raikage? -- Too violent.
Tsuchikage? -- Too old.
Kazekage? -- Too small.
Hokage...
"Tsunade is quite lucky..." she thought sourly, "I've heard that Konoha has a ton of excellent Jonin..."
Several figures suddenly flashed through my mind: the silver-haired Anbu Captain, the always lazy-looking Copy Ninja, and...
"Hmm..." She suddenly sat up straight, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I did see quite a few good-looking men when I went to Konoha last time..."
Mei Terumi's slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, her thoughts drifting towards a certain Konoha Jonin the door interrupted her reverie.
"Come in." She instantly regained the dignified demeanor befitting Mizukage.
A member of the Anbu knelt on one knee. "Lord Mizukage, an envoy from the Land of Earth requests an audience."
"Let them in." She gracefully crossed her legs, a playful smile playing on her red lips.
Three Iwagakure Ninjas entered in unison, the leader respectfully handing over a letter bearing the Tsuchikage's seal. Mei Terumi took the letter, her bright nail polish gleaming dangerously in the sunlight.
The letter rustled between her fingers. That old fox Ōnoki's words were polite, first offering a perfunctory expression of concern, then subtly suggesting whether they needed Iwagakure's support in searching for Orochimaru. Every word was courteous, yet each one struck at Kirigakure's sore spot.
"Please convey my message to Tsuchikage..." Mei Terumi gently placed the letter on the table, a perfect smile curving her lips. "The Kirigakure has already dispatched elite troops to patrol the nearby waters. If Orochimaru's whereabouts are discovered—"
She leaned forward slightly, a cold glint flashing in her emerald eyes. "I will take action myself."
After the Iwagakure envoys took their leave, Mei Terumi walked to the window. Watching the three Tsuchi ninjas walk away, the smile on her face gradually faded.
"Heh..."
Her slender hands gripped the curtains tightly. Ōnoki's seemingly well-intentioned letter was clearly a questioning of Kirigakure's strength! All that talk of "support" and "assistance" was just a way of implying that Orochimaru Kirigakure!
Outside the window, the sea breeze, carrying a damp scent, rushed in. She took a deep breath, savoring the familiar salty smell in the air. Once upon a time, the name of the "Bloody Mist Village" struck fear into the hearts of the entire Shinobi World. But now...
"It seems it's time for some people to rediscover Kirigakure."
She turned and rang the bell on the table, her voice as cold as a knife.
"Pass down the order: have the third and fifth squads of the Anbu assemble immediately. Inform Qing to fire a red signal flare immediately upon target sighting."
Her fingertips unconsciously traced the Kunai at her waist, Mei Terumi's eyes. She not only wanted to capture Orochimaru, but also to show the entire Shinobi World what was going on—
Kirigakure remains the fearsome "Bloody Mist Village"!
Coastal Training Ground...
The setting sun dyed the sea a golden-red hue, and the waves crashed against the rocks on the shore. Chōjūrō stood in the center of the Training Ground, gripping his twin swords, Hiramekarei, his bangs already soaked with sweat.
"Hiramekarei - Liberation!"
With a low shout, Chakra surged into the ninja tool like a tidal wave. The Hiramekarei instantly burst forth with a dazzling blue light, its blade expanding and deforming into a giant Chakra blade. Chōjūrō swung it with all his might, and a crescent-shaped shockwave roared out, splitting the target reef fifty meters away in two.
"Huff... huff..."
He knelt on one knee, panting heavily. Although the power of his move was considerable, the energy expenditure was also astonishing. Looking at the cleaved reef in the distance, Chōjūrō felt no joy.
"That kind of strength... is far from enough."
The images of cataclysmic destruction in the Heavenly Screen flashed through my mind:
Might Guy's heroic figure as he shattered Six Paths Madara with a single kick
The epic battle between Naruto Sasuke at the Valley of the End
The Second Mizukage's incredible Genjutsu...
"If it were me now..." He looked down at his trembling hands, "I probably wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move..."
Suddenly, an absurd thought flashed through my mind:
"If I used more Ninja Blade..."
He then shook his head self-deprecatingly. "What am I thinking?"
Just then, a hazy mist suddenly rose from the sea. Sunlight pierced through the mist, creating a strange mirage above the Training Ground —a simplified version of the Second Mizukage's signature Ninjutsu, "Mirage."
"That's right! Summoning beasts!"
Chōjūrō abruptly stood up, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Since it was difficult to improve his strength in a short time, why not follow the Mizukage and find a powerful summoning beast to aid him?
"The Second Mizukage's mirage... if we could find a similar summoning beast..."
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Kirigakure was nestled by the sea and had no shortage of all sorts of amazing aquatic creatures. If he could contract a summoning beast skilled in Genjutsu or Water Release techniques, his combat power would definitely increase significantly!
"I'll go ask the Mizukage tomorrow!"
Chōjūrō carefully sheathed the Hiramekarei, gazing at the gradually darkening sea, his mind made up.
--To protect the honor of Kirigakure, I must become stronger!