Inside the Hokage's office, the cicadas' chirping outside was blocked by the heavy curtains. Tsunade gently placed the Kirigakure's documents on the table, the gold-embossed seal gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
"Interesting," Jiraiya leaned against the window, stroking his chin with his fingers. "Jiraiya saw off the Sunagakure delegation, and now the Mizukage of Kirigakure has come to visit in person. This speed... it's as if they timed it perfectly."
Utatane Koharu, pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a sharp light. "The Kirigakure Bloody Mist Village is suddenly talking about peace? This change is too abrupt."
"No, that makes perfect sense." Mitokado Homura took the document and examined it closely. "In the future projected on the Heavenly Screen, Mei Terumi is indeed aligned with the Five Kage. Their current show of goodwill is probably..."
"It's to seize the initiative," Tsunade Teuchi, her fingers lightly tapping the words "eternal alliance" on the document. "It seems this Mizukage is more farsighted than we thought."
Shizune rushed in through the door. "Lord Hokage, the advance team from Kirigakure has arrived at the village entrance."
"First, send in the Anbu to strengthen security from the port to the village." Tsunade's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "Especially be wary of..."
"Danzo has already sent people to keep an eye on things," Shizune whispered. "However, the Root organization is indeed more active than usual."
On the forest path leading to Konoha, the Kirigakure delegation was proceeding at a leisurely pace. Mei Terumi the palanquin, toying with a strand of red hair between her fingers.
"Chōjūrō, what do you think the people of Konoha will look like when they see this alliance?" She suddenly chuckled.
The boy holding the Hiramekarei hurriedly looked up. "Um... you'll probably be very surprised, right? After all, we in Kirigakure are always..."
"Always known for its bloodshed?" Mei Terumi in, a self-deprecating smile playing on her lips. "That's why we need to make them see the current Kirigakure even more clearly." She gazed at the Konoha walls, now faintly visible in the distance. "The Heavenly Screen has given us the best opportunity."
Ao walked beside the palanquin, his Byakugan remaining ever vigilant. "Mizukage, we received word that Sunagakure left. Their Jinchūriki..."
"She's been released, I know." Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes. "It seems Princess Tsunade is more decisive than rumored. But..." She pulled a secret letter from her sleeve. "What we've prepared is far more sincere than Puppet Technique."
The words "Tailed Beast" were clearly printed on the sealing wax of the secret letter.
When the banner of the Kirigakure delegation appeared at the village entrance, the Konoha watching unconsciously held their breath. The Kirigakure Ninjas, who were once feared by all, were now dressed in formal attire embroidered with doves of peace.
"That's... the Fifth Mizukage that appeared in the Heavenly Screen?" Villagers whispered among themselves.
"I heard she possesses two Kekkei Genkai..."
Mei Terumi calmly Earth Flow from the palanquin, her emerald eyes sweeping over the Konoha members who were on high alert, finally settling on Tsunade. The two women's gazes met in the air, as if invisible sparks were flying.
"It's an honor to meet you, Princess Tsunade." Mei Terumi spoke first, her voice like a clear spring striking a rock, "I hope we bring more than just a promise of peace..." She glanced meaningfully at the wound on Tsunade's waist, "... and the power of healing."
Tsunade: "Oh? It seems the Mizukage also has knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu?"
"It's just that I pay extra attention to things that are 'beautiful'," Mei Terumi chuckled, then suddenly lowered her voice, "For example... the little tricks some people have used to try and intercept the delegation along the way."
The guards behind them immediately tensed up, but the two figures exchanged a smile. At that moment, they both saw each other's figures in the future they foresaw in the Heavenly Screen.
In the shadows behind the Hokage Rock, Danzo coldly observed the welcoming ceremony. Behind him, Root ninja knelt on one knee. "My lord, the secret document brought by Kirigakure has been confirmed; it concerns the Three-Tails..."
"Enough." Danzo raised his hand to stop her. "Since Tsunade insists on playing the alliance game..." He turned and left, the sound of his cane striking the ground particularly heavy. "Then let her see with her own eyes how long naive peace can last."
Inside the Hokage's meeting room...
The fragrant aroma of tea couldn't mask the tense atmosphere. Mei Terumi gracefully picked up her teacup, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim.
"To be honest," she suddenly broke the silence, "I thought I was going to see Kakashi of the Sharingan."
Tsunade paused slightly, her teacup still in her hand. "The Jonin are all on missions. However..." She glanced meaningfully out the window. "The Mizukage seems quite knowledgeable about Konoha's personnel."
"After all, we need to do our homework, especially since so much content has been shown on the Heavenly Screen." Mei Terumi chuckled, then suddenly changed the subject, "For example... your village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
The room temperature plummeted. Shizune nearly dropped the teapot from her hand, and even Jiraiya abandoned his nonchalant expression.
"Don't be nervous." Mei Terumi took out a scroll that shimmered with water from her bosom, "The Sealing Jutsu formula for the Three-Tails, how about it as a greeting gift?"
Tsunade's pupils suddenly contracted—this was tantamount to handing over Kirigakure's strategic weapon!
"Conditions?" she asked bluntly.
"Clever." Mei Terumi put down her teacup. "We need Konoha's medical team to help Kirigakure resolve the special ailments left over from the Blood Mist era."
In the room of the Konoha Guesthouse, the candlelight flickered softly.
Mei Terumi took off her straw hat, revealing her long, reddish-brown hair cascading down like a waterfall. She stood by the window, gazing at the myriad lights of Konoha, her expression slightly weary.
"Lord Mizukage, you've given the Three-Tails Sealing Jutsu to Konoha. What if something happens to us later...?" Ao stood to the side, his brow furrowed, his tone filled with worry.
"That thing isn't important." Mei Terumi interrupted him, her voice calm but undeniable. She turned around, her emerald eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the candlelight. "Besides, the Three-Tails hasn't been resurrected yet, and even if it were, we don't have a suitable Jinchūriki."
She walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, took a small sip, and continued, "Moreover, you saw what was being displayed on the Heavenly Screen — the Akatsuki's target is the Tailed Beasts. We no longer have our two Tailed Beasts, so our strength has indeed decreased, but this has also allowed us to avoid their direct threat."
Qing was silent for a moment, then whispered, "But, if the future is truly as the Heavenly Screen shows, those powerful beings... can our village withstand them?"
Mei Terumi put down her teacup, her gaze sharpening. "Pain, Madara Uchiha... even the Fourth Mizukage who was controlled for years. We still don't even have a clue about the mastermind behind it all." She sighed softly, "So, the reason we came to Konoha this time is to see if we can get any useful information or support from them."
"More importantly..." Her voice lowered slightly, "Many of the ninjas in the village who experienced the Blood Mist Era still suffer from mental anguish. They need the medical-nin of Konoha, especially Princess Tsunade's help."
Qing's expression softened slightly, and she finally nodded. "I understand."
Mei Terumi walked to the window, gazing at the Hokage Building in the distance, a faint smile playing on her lips, "The Heavenly Screen has given us an opportunity, allowing us to see the threats of the future. And now... what we need to do is prepare in advance."
"After all, true peace is never achieved through isolation."