Mei Terumi: How Did I End Up on a Pirate Ship? I Am Still Myself, and That Has Never Changed

Night fell like an inky tide, silently engulfing the vast sea.

Far from the bloodshed and clamor of Kirigakure, the four of them settled on a deserted island.

The waves gently lapped against the rocks, making a rhythmic splashing sound that mingled with the crackling of the campfire burning on the island, creating a rare sense of tranquility.

Tsunade and Kushina did indeed look tired from their journey, Chiyo noticed this and chose this place to rest.

Without needing to say much, the four of them tacitly divided the work and got to work.

Mei Terumi was still somewhat reserved and confused.

My mind is full of questions.

How did I end up on this pirate ship?

But her survival instinct silenced her questions, and she quickly sprang into action, silently helping to gather dry firewood.

Mei Terumi was able to grow stronger through the Blood Mist Policy.

They also understand the importance of being pragmatic and timely.

With a few casual Fire Style, Chiyo ignited a campfire, dispelling the chill and darkness of the sea night.

Kushina, meanwhile, enthusiastically formed hand Hand Seals.

" Summoning Jutsu!"

With a soft thud, a large iron pot, big enough for several people, appeared on the open ground.

"Hehe, watch this!"

Kushina's eyes sparkled in the Hokage.

She deftly prepared the fresh fish that Chiyo had casually caught from the beach.

He then took out the clean vegetables and seasonings he carried with him, which were preserved in Sealing Scroll, and began preparing dinner.

Her movements were practiced and focused, with her long red hair occasionally falling down.

She casually tucked it behind her ear, making her profile appear exceptionally soft in the Hokage.

Chiyo leaned back, watching Kushina's busy figure, his eyes slightly dazed.

Time seemed to rush backward and then forward again at this moment.

He still remembered the first time he met her in Konoha.

That little girl, who was somewhat sensitive because of her special identity, like a little hedgehog, yet also as delicate and stubborn as a bean sprout.

Before she knew it, she had blossomed into a beautiful young woman.

This experience also means I've witnessed war.

They have shed their naivety and gained composure and maturity.

That unique optimism and resilience that belonged to her has never changed.

An indescribable feeling, a mixture of emotion and a touch of unease, quietly began to grow in his heart.

It seems so.

It's almost time for the harvest!

Just then...

Tsunade walked over, her golden hair dancing in the Hokage.

She didn't speak, but simply reached out and gently tugged at Chiyo's sleeve.

He gestured for him to follow him behind a large rock not far away.

Mei Terumi, who was helping to watch the fire, looked up when she saw this, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Watching the two disappear into the shadows of the rocks one after the other, she felt lost.

Chiyo, the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan...

Of course she knew.

Tsunade, on the other hand, is the most famous female ninja in the Shinobi World!

The granddaughter of the Senju Clan, a Senju Hashirama!

She knew that too.

Why just now...?

Don't they have family rifts?

They seem quite intimate.

She dared not think too much about it, though a fire of gossip had been ignited in her heart.

But he could only continue to keep his head down and carefully tend to the campfire.

Behind the reef.

The sea breeze picked up a bit, causing Tsunade's clothes to flutter.

She stopped and turned around to face Chiyo.

The darkness and the shadows of the rocks blurred most of her expression, but Chiyo could clearly sense the focus in her gaze.

A warm hand gently caressed Chiyo's cheek.

His fingertips trembled slightly, as if confirming something of utmost importance.

The touch was gentle yet tinged with worry.

Chiyo paused slightly, then spoke with some doubt, his voice becoming somewhat lower amidst the sound of the waves.

" Tsunade? What's wrong?"

Tsunade paused for a few seconds, seemingly organizing her thoughts, before speaking in a low voice.

His voice carried a barely perceptible hint of difficulty.

"I... I'm just a little scared."

"Fear?"

Chiyo was even more puzzled. Could there still be anything in Kirigakure that could frighten her now?

"Um."

Tsunade nodded, her fingers still resting on his cheek, feeling his real body temperature.

"I'm afraid you'll lose yourself because you have too much power."

I'm afraid your gaze is growing colder and colder.

I'm afraid of you...

He will eventually become another Madara Uchiha, heading towards the extreme of only power and conquest.

Forgot... forgotten the original self."

Her words were broken and intermittent, yet they completely revealed the worries hidden in her heart.

She witnessed firsthand how his power was devastating and how it made the entire Shinobi World tremble, and she also saw the occasional, almost godlike indifference that flashed in his eyes.

She loved him, but she was also deeply afraid that this power would eventually devour him.

Chiyo was stunned, and then a huge warm feeling welled up in her heart.

So that's what she was worried about.

He raised his hand and covered her hand that was pressed against his cheek; his palm was warm.

He couldn't help but smile, a smile that dispelled some of the coldness on his face, revealing a look she recognized.

"Fool, what are you thinking?"

He gazed into her eyes, and though the light was dim, he was confident she could see his earnestness.

"Power is merely a tool; it can end this chaotic world and bring peace."

It can protect Konoha, and even more so... you.

"I am still Chiyo Uchiha, and that has never changed."

His voice was calm, yet it carried a convincing power.

Tsunade gazed at the certainty and a hint of barely perceptible tenderness in his eyes.

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, eased a little, but my cheeks involuntarily felt slightly warm.

Chiyo felt the temperature of her hand rise, and then, taking advantage of what she had just said...

He deliberately moved closer, lowered his voice, and added a touch of mockery.

"I never expected Lady Tsunade to show such a worried and frightened side, like a little woman."

This is truly rare... it makes me want to offer some comfort.

Although the two often got together to exchange tips on Taijutsu techniques.

But in this environment, listening to his deep, amused voice and his almost whispered teasing...

Tsunade's heart began to race uncontrollably.

Bang bang bang.

Like a young girl in the throes of first love, her cheeks burned intensely.

She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Chiyo gripped it even tighter.

Chiyo watched as she rarely showed such shyness and helplessness, which, against the backdrop of the moonlight and the distant campfire, gave her a unique charm.

A sizzling, mature woman reveals a pure, first-love-like demeanor...

What a contrast!

Absolutely amazing!

This only piqued Chiyo's interest further, and he wanted to get even closer.

"Brother Chiyo! Lady Tsunade! Dinner's ready! Come back and eat!"

Kushina's clear, resonant voice rang out with tremendous force, instantly shattering the ambiguous atmosphere that had been building behind the reef.

As if startled awake, Tsunade abruptly pulled her hand back.

He subconsciously took half a step back and coughed lightly to cover up his blunder.

"There are still younger generations!"

Chiyo chuckled, glancing regretfully in the direction from which Kushina's voice came.

He looked at Tsunade again, his eyes filled with lingering amusement and a hint of heat, giving her a meaningful look.

He said it silently with his mouth.

"Wait for me."

Tsunade's heartbeat had just calmed down a bit when those words made it race again.

The blush on her face hadn't faded, and her eyes darted around for a moment.

However, he did not refuse verbally, but nodded very quickly and lightly, almost imperceptibly.

Then he turned around first, and somewhat hurriedly walked out from behind the rocks toward the warm campfire.

Chiyo watched her retreating figure with a smile on his lips and slowly followed after her.

Beside the campfire, Mei Terumi was carefully helping Kushina serve fish soup, the rich aroma of seafood and vegetables filling the air.

Kushina greeted the two with a smile on her face.

"Come quick, eat it while it's hot!"

My cooking skills were specially trained with Mikoto...

Her gaze fell on Chiyo, and she playfully stuck out her tongue at him.

He then handed the fish soup to Tsunade.

Tsunade had returned to normal, took the bowl and chopsticks, and hummed in agreement.

However, a suspicious blush remained at the base of her ears.

Chiyo sat down naturally.

He accepted the full bowl of soup from Kushina, looking at the steaming soup and the three people sitting around it.

The nights on the island no longer seem so desolate.

And his gaze occasionally met Tsunade's.

They would always exchange a knowing, expectant look that only they understood.

The night is still long.

It seems war is about to break out again!