She stared at the crystal, at the pure energy flowing within it, unlike anything she had ever seen.
Her instincts told her it was real.
This man had not lied. The crystal contained power beyond the chakra system.
And Kirigakure behind her had rotted to its core.
The Blood Mist Policy had persisted for over a decade, and countless prodigies had died in internal purges.
The great clans fought both openly and in secret, while a handful of people monopolized the resources.
Common-born shinobi had no hope of ever rising, and those with kekkei genkai were either recruited or executed.
Was a Kirigakure like this still worth saving?
"Why... choose me?" Mei Terumi asked softly.
"Because you're smart enough, and ruthless enough." Liuyu withdrew the crystal. "You know when to compromise and when to act.
You know Kirigakure needs to change. You simply lack the power and the means."
"And I," he said with a faint smile, "can give you both."
Mei Terumi fell silent.
She lowered her head, looking at the shackles around her wrists, the dried blood on her uniform, and her bedraggled reflection on the floor.
Then she slowly raised her head.
The conflict, hatred, and resentment in her eyes faded bit by bit.
In their place came a cold, almost brutal clarity.
"What can Las Noches give me?"
"Power, status, resources, and-" Liuyu paused. "True peace.
Not a false peace bought through compromise, but an order no one dares challenge, after absolute power has crushed all resistance."
"And the people of Kirigakure... no, the Las Noches Archipelago?"
"Those who obey will enjoy peace and the chance to evolve.
Those who resist," Liuyu's voice turned cold, "will become nourishment."
Mei Terumi closed her eyes.
Three seconds later, she opened them.
There was no hesitation left in them.