Alliance

Terumi Mei was the product of a marriage between two of Kirigakure's bloodline clans. She herself possessed the rare ability to wield two bloodline releases, and was now one of the Mizukage's advisors, with a status slightly higher than that of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

She was also one of the power players in Kirigakure. Unlike Fuguki, Terumi Mei's strategy had always been to win over the clans with bloodline abilities and secret techniques. The Hozuki Clan naturally fell within her efforts to build alliances.

"Little Hozuki, don't get the wrong idea. I just didn't want those nobodies seeing us meet."

Terumi Mei said lightly.

She had a pretty good relationship with the Hozuki brothers.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and asked, "What can I do for you, Sister Mei?"

"Don't put it like that!"

Terumi Mei raised a hand to smooth her long hair at her temple and said flirtatiously, "It's just been so long since I saw you, little Hozuki. I've missed you."

She slowly walked toward him.

She was about the same age as Zabuza, two or three years older than Hozuki Mangetsu.

"I heard Orochimaru set his sights on you when you were coming back?"

Terumi Mei asked quietly.

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded. "The Sannin certainly live up to their reputation. If I hadn't acted quickly this time, I might not have made it back."

"That bastard Fuguki must have been behind it."

Terumi Mei gave a few cold laughs. "Has he already been so impatient that he's making a move against you?"

Then she looked Hōzuki Mangetsu up and down a few times and smiled flirtatiously. "You really are the one I had my eye on. You managed to escape from one of the Sannin, Orochimaru. I'm suddenly rather tempted. You know, I've always liked pretty boys."

Trying to sweet-talk me?

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. Terumi Mei's sweet words wouldn't sway him. Besides, this woman was no simple figure. Backed by two of Kirigakure's bloodline clans, she was every bit as powerful as Fuguki.

"Little Hozuki!"

Terumi Mei smiled warmly. "Have you decided what to do about the matter I discussed with you a while ago?"

She was an ambitious woman, and the Hozuki Clan's powerful Hydrification Technique made them one of her key targets for recruitment.

An alliance?

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

Unfortunately, the original Hozuki Mangetsu had been powerful but lacked political acumen. In the end, he had turned down Terumi Mei's offer and died tragically in a plot by his colleagues.

But now that Hōzuki Mangetsu had taken his place, he wouldn't let that tragedy happen again.

After only a few seconds' thought, Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded at once. "All right. I'll form an alliance with you on behalf of the Hozuki Clan."

What?

Terumi Mei froze, staring at him in disbelief.

Why had he changed his mind so quickly?

The Hozuki Clan was one of Kirigakure's strongest clans, and Hozuki Mangetsu was a Mist prodigy. He had turned down Terumi Mei's offer more than once.

Seeing him agree so readily, Terumi Mei could hardly believe it.

"Little Hozuki, I'm serious."

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded too. "So am I."

This alliance could only benefit the Hozuki Clan. First, he knew Terumi Mei would become the Fifth Mizukage and emerge as the final victor among the Mist Ninja. Choosing to ally with her now would be like offering timely support; in the future, she would repay the favor by treating the Hozuki Clan well. Second, the original Hozuki brothers had been fixated on collecting Ninja Blades and had neglected political struggle. That was why they had ended up losing their family and their lives. Hōzuki Mangetsu wouldn't let that happen.

So he immediately decided to form an alliance with Terumi Mei.

Terumi Mei was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Excellent. Let's seal our alliance in blood right away."

As she spoke, she brought out a scroll bearing the names of one great clan after another, each with its clan leader's signature beneath it.

So many great clans had already allied with Terumi Mei.

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

After putting the scroll away, Terumi Mei smiled flirtatiously again. "Now that we're allies, we're all on the same side. If you need anything, little Hozuki, just tell me."

Hōzuki Mangetsu scratched his head. "Actually, there is something I need to ask you, Sister Mei. When I'm away, I hope you can look after Suigetsu."

It was the year 53 of Konoha. Many things would happen the following year, and he no longer had time to rest.

"No problem!"

Terumi Mei agreed at once.

She licked her lips and smiled. "You know, if you'd turned me down again this time, I probably wouldn't have let you leave alive. I was torn up inside just now, worried you might refuse. I really couldn't bear to kill a handsome little brother like you."

What?

Hōzuki Mangetsu's heart sank.

Had this woman originally planned to assassinate him?

Swish, swish, swish!

A dozen figures appeared behind Terumi Mei. The one at their head was tall, with his right eye covered.

But he too wore a broad smile.

"Hozuki Mangetsu, welcome to our side!"

The man stepped forward and extended his right hand, speaking warmly.

Ao!

Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately recognized him. He was another of the Mizukage's advisors and an elder of Kirigakure.

Behind Ao stood a group of powerful Mist Ninja.

Byakugan, Lava Release, and Boil Release.

Terumi Mei really hadn't planned to let him leave alive.

Hōzuki Mangetsu broke out in a cold sweat. He had always thought Hozuki Mangetsu had died at Orochimaru's hands.

But from the looks of it, Hozuki Mangetsu had most likely died at the hands of his own people. That also explained why Hiramekarei had ended up in Chojuro's hands.

Good thing he'd changed his mind in time. Otherwise, he'd probably be lying dead right now.

Looking at Terumi Mei's smiling face, Hōzuki Mangetsu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Politicians really were ruthless.

Behind Terumi Mei's dazzling smile lay a ruthless heart.

Hozuki Mangetsu's cooperation pleased Terumi Mei immensely. With this, she had most of the clans in the village under her control.

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

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

So it was him!

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded.

Chojuro, the third wielder of Hiramekarei, was shy and lacked confidence, but possessed tremendous explosive power. He would later become the Sixth Mizukage and a formidable leader.

But for now, he was just a child, only a year or two older than Suigetsu.

"Chojuro, m-meet... meet Senior Mangetsu!"

Just as in the original story, the boy was a little shy. After only a few words, his face had turned red.

Terumi Mei smiled. "Little Hozuki, this is a junior from my clan. He's always admired the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I hope you'll give him some proper guidance."

"P-please teach me, Senior!"

Chojuro stammered.

Was this a trade?

Hōzuki Mangetsu narrowed his eyes. He understood what Terumi Mei meant: she wanted Chojuro to become his apprentice and take the first step toward joining the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

"The Hozuki Clan's secret techniques aren't passed on to outsiders. But since you've asked, Sister Mei, I'll take him as my disciple!"