Tekka Stationed in the Land of Waves, Has Mei Terumi's Spring Arrived??
Let's put aside Gato and the Land of Waves for now and return to Feng's side.
As the fleet approached Kirigakure's border post in the Land of Waves, Feng began to give orders:
"Genji, go and persuade them to surrender."
"Tekka and Quan, lead the Mobile Unit and Royal Guard to follow and surround the camp."
"Yes, sir!" The three men immediately obeyed and began to act.
The three returned shortly afterward, with several hundred more people joining their ranks.
Clearly, this border post did not have hardliners like those in the Ming Dynasty who would rather die than surrender, so with the Genji involved, the surrender was swift and thorough.
"My lord, of the five hundred Kirigakure Ninja stationed at the border of the Water and Fire Country, all but three stubborn resisters have surrendered."
As for the three who resisted, I have ordered Lord Tekka to execute them on the spot."
Genji was the first to speak, reporting to Feng.
When he spoke of the execution of three Kirigakure Ninja, his expression and tone remained completely composed, displaying only a professional and official demeanor.
"Well done. So, has the team been reorganized after being broken up?"
"They've all been scattered, and Lord Tekka and Lord Izumi have also added some of their people to their ranks."
As for the rest, sir, what do you think? Should we have the officials stationed elsewhere come and collect them, or send someone to deliver them?"
"Hmm...? That is indeed a problem."
However, it's too much trouble to have everyone come and pick them up; let's just send someone to deliver them."
Upon hearing this, Feng thought for a moment and then made arrangements.
"Izumi, you take care of this. Take half of the veterans from the Royal Guard and deliver the ninjas who were scattered in these two battles to the heads of the Mobile Unit in their respective bases."
He then gave instructions to Quan, paused for a few seconds, and spoke again:
"Mei Terumi, you will be in command of the Royal Guard while Izumi is away on a mission."
"Me?! Heh heh heh heh!"
"Lord Feng, are you sure you want me, someone who only recently surrendered, to command your Royal Guard?"
Upon hearing Feng's words, Mei Terumi burst into laughter as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Yes, it's okay, I believe you."
Feng returned with a bright smile.
He seemed open-minded and sincere, but in reality, it was just a test.
His territory is so large, and it will grow even larger in the future, requiring a great many talented people to manage it.
As for a talented individual like Mei Terumi, who has the potential to become the Mizukage, he couldn't possibly just put her in his Royal Guard as a bodyguard or a decorative figurehead.
But the other party was indeed, as she herself said, newly arrived and unsettled.
Just then, when Feng was arranging for Quan to leave, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of a very common plot in various TV shows and novels from his previous life: arranging for surrendered generals and soldiers to keep watch at night or join the Royal Guard to prove that the protagonist is open-minded and worthy of being surrendered to, and then the surrendered generals and soldiers will be completely loyal to him.
The reason Feng is now appointing Mei Terumi to lead his Royal Guard is based on this.
If the other party is sincere, then everyone will be happy, and Feng will be able to confidently give this future Fifth Mizukage from the original work more responsibilities.
Moreover, with Mei Terumi as a reference point, the people of Kirigakure feel more at ease and are more willing to integrate into Feng's ranks.
However, if the other party has impure intentions, Feng has the Nine-Tails within him to help Malice Perception, and he can use the Flying Thunder God Technique, so there is no need to worry about his safety. He can also use the other Royal Guard who also have ulterior motives and deal with them together.
Therefore, by temporarily appointing Mei Terumi as the head of the Royal Guard, Feng would not lose out regardless of the final outcome.
"Uh? Really? That's not necessarily true."
Upon Mei Terumi was visibly taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her smile and said noncommittally.
"I believe you. You are the most beautiful, gentle, and kindest woman in the history of Kirigakure Mei Terumi."
If even you are not worthy of trust, then who in Kirigakure can be trusted?
Feng answered again, even more decisively than before.
It also included a little bit of flattery, since the other party was a woman, and it was easier to coax her with nice words.
"You!? Heh, you'd better not regret it later."
Mei Terumi was stunned again, and even looked somewhat embarrassed and angry.
However, the corners of her mouth were turned up so high that it was harder to suppress than AK's smile, so it's not hard to guess that what she was thinking was probably different from what she said.
This is understandable, considering that the other party is a dual Kekkei Genkai user Kirigakure.
trust?
Kisame Hoshigaki was originally honest, but he was betrayed and nearly died, which led to him being persuaded by Obito to join Akatsuki.
The Kirigakure once had many ninja clans and Kekkei Genkai ninjas, but now only one or two out of ten remain.
Having witnessed two "Bloody Mist Village" battle royale tournaments held by the Third Mizukage and Fourth Mizukage, trust is the most luxurious thing in Kirigakure.
But now, someone who has only known her for two or three months is placing unwavering trust in Mei Terumi, who grew up in this environment.
That feeling...
Mei Terumi couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, especially since:
He also has such good taste and communication skills; he immediately noticed so many of my strengths.
Lord Feng, you are so kind!
With Feng's flattery, her mind instantly wandered off to who-knows-where.
"Hey! Mei Terumi, Mei, what are you thinking about? Wake up, snap out of it."
Izumi has already taken half of his Royal Guard; you should go and meet the Royal Guard half and get them to listen to you."
Seeing that Mei Terumi's eyes had suddenly gone unfocused and she was clearly lost in some kind of fantasy, Feng gently patted her shoulder to bring her back to reality.
"Ah?! Oh, Lord Feng, okay... okay, I'll go right away."
Mei Terumi, was somewhat flustered and stammered in response.
Then, feeling a little guilty, he glanced around. Seeing that everyone's attention wasn't on him, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left.
"Um, Lord Feng, I am your personal guard. You can call me without being so formal."
From now on, you can call me Xiao Ming, Ming-chan, or Mingming, whatever you like.
Suddenly, Mei Terumi, who was almost at the door, stopped abruptly and turned around, speaking to Feng in an extremely gentle tone.
Before anyone could react, he vanished without a trace.
Feng "???"
This is so strange, what does it mean?
The Genji and those acquainted with Mei Terumi: "???"
What... Xiaozhaomei just said sounded like she was being coquettish.
Hmm?! She's acting all cute and affectionate with Lord Feng!!
Thinking about this, the group looked at each other in disbelief. Although Mei Terumi often said she wanted to marry a handsome man, she always talked about marriage but never actually did it because her standards were too high.
But now, spring has arrived!?
Mei Terumi and Lord Feng?! What a great combination!
Genji and some of the Kirigakure couldn't help but think about many things at this moment.
"Slap! Slap!"
Feng clapped his hands twice to bring everyone back to their senses.
"Alright, let's ignore this nonsense for now and continue."
Tekka, you will be in charge of guarding this place from now on. Himi Risa will lead a team of ninja to assist you.
But just like in Inabi Uchiha, outwardly, Risa is the person in charge, and you are the deputy.
Do you understand?
"Understood, my lord." Tekka and Himi Risa.
"Well, there's something else."
There's a wealthy merchant in the Land of Waves named Gato. Tekka, find some time to have a good chat with him.
Make him willing to 'listen' to us, then bring him to see me; I have something to arrange for him to do.
But remember, this can't be rushed. It must be done discreetly, and you absolutely mustn't let the Konoha Ninja on the other side discover it."
Feng emphasized the word 'listen' slightly so that Tekka would understand what he meant.
Of course, if he still doesn't understand, it only means that the other party is hopeless and unsuitable to guard a region.
As he spoke, he pointed to the other side of the Land of Waves, in the direction of the Konoha Ninja's base.
There are several Hyuga Hyūga Branch Family ninjas there. If Tekka isn't careful and discreet enough when ordering Gato to obey, he could easily be discovered.
Fortunately, Gato was just a businessman. Even though he was adept at social maneuvering and had made many connections with powerful figures, a businessman is still a businessman.
This identity meant that even if he was controlled and exposed, not many people would care, and it wouldn't attract the attention of the hidden old foxes in the Ninja World.