The Alliance

Terumi Mei was the product of a marriage alliance between two great bloodline clans of Kirigakure. She herself possessed rare dual bloodline abilities and currently served as one of the Mizukage's advisors, holding a status slightly higher than that of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

She was also a key power broker in Kirigakure. Unlike Fuguki, Terumi Mei's strategy had always been to court the various clans possessing bloodlines and secret ninjutsu, and the Hozuki Clan was naturally within her scope of recruitment.

"Don't misunderstand, little brother Hozuki. Big sister just didn't want those small fry to see us meeting."

Terumi Mei said with an air of ease.

Her relationship with the Hozuki brothers was actually quite good.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and asked, "Does Mei-jie have any instructions for me?"

"Instructions? I wouldn't dare!"

Terumi Mei reached up to stroke the long hair at her temple, saying with a charming allure, "It's just been so long since I've seen you, little brother. Big sister has missed you."

As she spoke, she slowly walked forward.

Her age was about the same as Zabuza's, making her two or three years older than Hōzuki Mangetsu.

"I heard that you were targeted by Orochimaru when you returned?"

Terumi Mei asked in a low voice.

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded and said, "The Sannin are truly worthy of their reputation. If I hadn't been quick to read the situation this time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it back."

"It must have been that bastard Fuguki."

Terumi Mei sneered a few times and said, "Is he already so impatient to make a move against you?"

She then looked Hōzuki Mangetsu up and down, smiling seductively, "As expected of someone I have my eye on, to actually be able to escape from the hands of Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. Big sister is suddenly feeling a bit tempted; after all, big sister loves pretty boys the most."

Is this a honey trap?

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. He naturally wouldn't be swayed by Terumi Mei's sweet talk. Besides, this woman was no simple character; she had the backing of two major Kirigakure bloodline clans, and her strength was not inferior to Fuguki's.

"Little brother Hozuki!"

Terumi Mei said with a beaming smile, "What have you decided regarding the matter I discussed with you a while back?"

She was a woman of great ambition, and the Hozuki Clan's powerful Hydrification Technique made them a primary target for her alliance.

An alliance?

Hōzuki Mangetsu narrowed his eyes. According to Hōzuki Mangetsu's memories, Terumi Mei had tried to persuade him to form an alliance more than once.

Unfortunately, while the original Hōzuki Mangetsu was strong, he lacked political acumen and ultimately rejected Terumi Mei's goodwill, dying miserably in the conspiracies of his colleagues.

However, now that he had been replaced by Hōzuki Mangetsu, he would naturally not let such a tragedy repeat itself.

After considering it for only a few seconds, Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded immediately and said, "Fine, I will represent the Hozuki Clan and form an alliance with you."

What?

Terumi Mei froze for a moment, looking at him in disbelief.

How did this guy change his mind so quickly?

The Hozuki Clan was a powerful force in Kirigakure, and Hōzuki Mangetsu was a genius of the Mist who had rejected her overtures more than once.

Seeing him agree so readily, Terumi Mei found it hard to believe.

"Little brother Hozuki, I am being serious."

Hōzuki Mangetsu also nodded and said, "I am being serious as well."

This matter had a hundred benefits and no drawbacks for the Hozuki Clan. First, he knew that Terumi Mei would become the Fifth Mizukage and the ultimate victor of the Mist. Choosing to ally with her now was a timely act of support, and she would surely return the favor by treating the Hozuki Clan well in the future. Secondly, the original Hozuki brothers had been obsessed with collecting ninja swords while ignoring political struggles, which led to their family's ruin; Hōzuki Mangetsu would naturally prevent such a thing from happening.

Therefore, he immediately decided to form an alliance with Terumi Mei.

Terumi Mei was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Excellent, let us swear an alliance in blood immediately."

As she spoke, she produced a scroll inscribed with the names of one great clan after another, each followed by the signature of their clan head.

So, this many great clans had already allied with Terumi Mei.

Without a second thought, Hōzuki Mangetsu signed his name at the bottom of the scroll.

Putting the scroll away, Terumi Mei's face once again revealed a charming smile: "Since we are now allies, we are naturally on the same side. If you need anything in the future, just tell me."

Hōzuki Mangetsu scratched his head and said, "There is actually one thing I need to trouble Mei-jie with. In the future, when I am away, I hope you can help look after Shui Yue'er."

It was currently the 53rd year of the Konoha era, and many things would happen next year; he no longer had the time to rest.

"No problem!"

Terumi Mei agreed without hesitation.

She licked the corner of her lips and smiled, "Do you know? If you had rejected big sister again this time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have let you leave here alive. Just now, I was quite conflicted in my heart, fearing you would refuse. I really couldn't bear to kill such a handsome little brother like you."

What?

Hōzuki Mangetsu's heart sank.

Was this woman planning to assassinate him originally?

Swish, swish, swish!

More than a dozen figures appeared behind Terumi Mei, the leader among them being a tall man with his right eye covered.

Yet, at this moment, he was also wearing a face full of smiles.

"Hōzuki Mangetsu, welcome to our ranks!"

The man stepped forward, extended his right hand, and spoke in a gentle tone.

Ao of the Byakugan!

Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately recognized the man's identity; he was another advisor to the Mizukage and a veteran of Kirigakure.

Behind Ao were other powerful ninja from Kirigakure.

The Byakugan, along with Lava Release and Boil Release.

Terumi Mei truly had no intention of letting him return alive.

Cold sweat broke out on Hōzuki Mangetsu's back; he had always assumed Hōzuki Mangetsu died at the hands of Orochimaru.

But looking at it this way, Hōzuki Mangetsu had likely died at the hands of his own people, which also explained why the Hiramekarei was in the possession of Chojuro.

It was fortunate that he had changed his mindset so quickly, otherwise, he would probably be lying on the ground by now.

Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at the smiling Terumi Mei, unable to help but sigh in his heart.

Politicians were indeed ruthless.

Buried beneath Terumi Mei's radiant smile was a heart of cold cruelty.

Hōzuki Mangetsu's cooperation left Terumi Mei extremely satisfied; with this, the majority of the clans in the village were now under her control.

"Little Brother Hozuki, let me introduce you to a junior!"

Terumi Mei clapped her hands, and a shy child wearing glasses walked out.

So it was him!

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded.

Chojuro, the third wielder of the Hiramekarei, was shy and somewhat lacking in confidence, yet possessed immense explosive power. He would later become the Sixth Mizukage and a formidable figure in his own right.

But for now, he was just a child, only a year or two older than Shui Yue'er.

"Chojuro, greetings... greetings, Mangetsu-senpai!"

Just as described in the original work, the boy was quite timid, blushing after speaking only a few words.

Terumi Mei said with a beaming smile, "Little Brother Hozuki, this is a junior from my clan who has always admired the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I hope you can provide him with some proper guidance."

"Please... please guide me, Senpai!"

Chojuro stammered.

Is this considered an exchange?

Hōzuki Mangetsu narrowed his eyes; he understood Terumi Mei's intention. She wanted Chojuro to become his apprentice so that he could step across the threshold into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

"The secret techniques of the Hozuki Clan are never passed on to outsiders, but since Sister Mei has asked, I will accept you as my disciple!"