Before long, Ao found Utakata.
Utakata was out shopping with another boy who looked like a girl. It was Haku.
After being captured, Utakata had settled down in Konoha. The village hadn't placed him under strict supervision. Instead, it had even let him attend the Ninja Academy.
Haku and Utakata were in the same class, and both were quiet and gentle, with little interest in fighting, so they'd become friends.
"Lord Mizukage..."
Utakata turned and saw her graceful figure.
"Utakata..."
Terumi Mei saw how close Utakata and Haku seemed, and felt conflicted.
"How have you been settling in Konoha?"
"Has anything been troubling you?"
Utakata shook his head.
"Nothing's troubling me. Thank you for your concern, Lord Mizukage."
Every year, Terumi Mei kept in touch with Utakata and showed him care, hoping that even after he grew up, he would still stand with the Mist Ninja. After all, a Jinchuriki's power was an extremely valuable bargaining chip.
But every year, Terumi Mei's hopes came to nothing. Not only was Utakata himself uninterested in fighting, but Konoha had also given him a stable environment in which to grow.
"And Haku..."
Terumi Mei looked at Haku, unwilling to give up.
"There are still members of your clan in Kirigakure. You can go back and see them."
"You might even have relatives there."
As a victim of the Mist Ninja's Blood Mist Policy, Haku was, in theory, a talent Kirigakure had lost.
Terumi Mei found that deeply regrettable.
"Lord Mizukage..."
Haku smiled gently, but spoke with considerable distance.
"I'm a Konoha Ninja now. I have no connection to the Mist Ninja..."
"Lord Terumi Mei should focus more on Kirigakure..."
Haku naturally felt not the slightest affection for the Mist Ninja.
"Lord Mizukage..."
Utakata spoke hesitantly.
He understood Terumi Mei's intentions perfectly, but couldn't