Gigue and Mei Terumi

On Konoha's streets, Mei Terumi and Gigue made quite the eye-catching pair, though both of them had grown used to it.

Mei Terumi had been a little nervous at first while walking through the streets with Gigue. Though she was always going on about wanting to get married, she was only in her twenties. Before this, she had lived through Kirigakure's mad period—the Bloody Mist era. Until becoming Mizukage, she had never even been in a relationship, though she had killed plenty of people.

As the leader of a village, Mei Terumi quickly adjusted her mindset. What had begun as awkward small talk with Gigue gradually turned into laughter and easy conversation.

Gigue had only invited Mei Terumi out on a whim this time. Of course, that was also because he had already had a good impression of her. A mature beauty with both strength and looks was undeniably charming, especially since, in that Five Kage meeting room, Mei Terumi had seemed utterly out of place beside the other four Kage.

After walking for a while, Gigue discovered that Mei Terumi's personality was even better than he had expected. She was poised and generous, knew how to take a joke, and the occasional dirty joke she tossed out caught even him off guard.

The two strolled and stopped along the way, even sharing a barbecue meal at a restaurant. By the time they reached the cliffside atop the Hokage Rock, there was hardly anyone around. Mei Terumi looked down at Konoha below, clasped her hands behind her back, and suddenly sighed.

"To be honest, I sometimes really envy Konoha. The living environment and climate here are both ideal for people."

Gigue smiled at that.

"What? Is the Mizukage planning to move to Konoha?"

Mei Terumi shook her head.

"How could