Mei Terumi, Fifth Mizukage

The next morning.

Konohagakure)

A hidden underground space.

"Chief, the mission may... have failed!!"

A masked man bowed and reported to a man whose head was wrapped in bandages.

This person was none other than Shimura Danzō, the leader of the Root.

"Possible?"

Danzo recognized the key words in his words.

"The men we sent have not returned yet. We've sent people to search for them, but they're nowhere to be found. My subordinates suspect they may have been eliminated by the target and their bodies disposed of!"

The masked man spoke, bowing his head even lower.

Danzo's face turned half ashen.

"The Five-Way Barrier of the Five-Man Group is strong enough to withstand a full-force attack from Kage Level expert. If that kid were trapped inside, he would have no chance of escape. It seems that the Five-Man Group were ambushed by him, and the barrier failed to function."

"It seems I underestimated that kid. That's right, someone with a zero mission failure rate in the Shinobi World War isn't so easy to deal with!"

For the first time, Danzo considered Long Ye a formidable opponent worthy of serious consideration.

"Chief! If I'm not mistaken, this person has already gone to the Land of Water. Should we set a trap for him on his way back?"

The masked man asked cautiously.

"No need! Judging from the fact that the Five-Man Group were all killed without leaving a trace, he was an extremely cautious and dangerous person. He was not simple in terms of either strength or strategy. The price to pay for a direct confrontation would be too high..."

Danzo grinned, as if he were smiling.

"However... there are many ways to kill someone; it doesn't necessarily have to be with a knife."

Long Ye successfully entered Kirigakure.

As expected, after the guards reported, he was granted a personal audience with the Fifth Mizukage.

When he arrived at the Mizukage's Office, he immediately saw Mei Terumi sitting behind the desk, wearing a blue Water Shadow Hat and with long orange hair.

After more than half a year apart, Mei Terumi, dressed in her Mizukage attire, exuded a new sense of solemnity she had never possessed before.

Upon seeing an old acquaintance, Mei Terumi's eyes lit up with joy, and she instinctively wanted to stand up to greet him. However, she quickly considered her status and sat back down as soon as she stood up.

"All of you, get out!"

Mei Terumi glanced at the dozen or so people standing in rows on either side.

After everyone else had left, one middle-aged man remained completely still.

This person stood next to Mei Terumi, acting as her protector.

But the Long Ye saw this person, her expression changed slightly.

The person wore an eyepatch over their right eye and wore a pair of talismans as earrings.

Seeing this person's attire, Long Ye guessed his identity.

"Green!!"

The reason Long Ye knew about this person was mainly because he had been on Konoha's gold-lettered wanted list.

The reason is precisely because of his right eye.

The person is wearing an eyepatch over their right eye, but that doesn't mean they are blind. It's because it's the Byakugan, a trophy they obtained in a previous war against the Konoha Hyuga Clan.

Noticing Long Ye's gaze, Mei Terumi turned her head and said, "Ao, you can go down now too!"

"Lord Mizukage..."

Qing's expression turned anxious when he heard that Mizukage was even going to dismiss him.

But before he could say anything more, Mei Terumi raised her hand to stop him.

"Don't you have confidence in my abilities?"

Hearing the Mizukage's stern tone, the man feigned weakness. "I wouldn't dare. Lord Mizukage is the strongest in Kirigakure; no one dares to question him. I shall take my leave..."

Qing and Long Ye passed each other, Qing slowed her pace, glanced at him with her one eye, and then walked out the door.

With Mei Terumi no longer needed to maintain her composure and revealed a warm and approachable smile.

"Long time no see!"

Long Ye smiled and said, "It'll only be a year!"

"A year?"

Mei Terumi was slightly stunned.

Looking back, she realized it had indeed been less than a year, but for some reason, it felt like a long time had passed, at least two or three years.

"Life is unpredictable! Last time we were teammates on a mission together, but who would have thought that a year later, your status would have changed so much that even I have to salute you."

Although he was Konoha's top enforcer, his opponent was the highest leader of a country. The difference in their status meant that they could no longer talk and interact freely as before.

Mei Terumi clearly understood the meaning behind his words, and a bitter smile appeared on her face.

"Alright! Let's get down to business!"

Long Ye took out a scroll, opened it, and a seal appeared. After breaking the seal, a strange weapon appeared in her hand.

It was the same Lightning Blade from back then.

The two Lightning Blades are a set; the other one was taken back to Kirigakure by Mei Terumi more than half a year ago.

"We mean what we say, and we'll return it to its rightful owner!"

Long Ye placed the sword with both hands on the table in front of Mei Terumi.

With his current strength, the Lightning Blade's assistance to him is negligible. Since he came here with another purpose, he can also use this item to gain the other party's favor.

"However, Kirigakure failed to keep its promise and launched a surprise attack on Konoha in less than six months." Mei Terumi felt somewhat ashamed.

The two had agreed that if Kirigakure and Konoha held talks for more than six months without any further war, Long Ye would return the Lightning Blade. However, Kirigakure clearly failed to keep that promise.

Long Ye smiled and said, "It was Karatachi Yagura who started the war. If he were in power now, I certainly wouldn't hand over the Lightning Blade."

Mei Terumi hesitated for a moment, then finally said:

"Actually... everything the Fourth Mizukage did was not his original intention. He was under the influence of a villain's Genjutsu, and it was only through Ao's Byakugan that the Genjutsu was broken, allowing him to be freed."

A look of realization dawned on Long Ye's face.

He thought to himself: So the so-called disappearance was fake; the real thing was that he died after his Genjutsu was broken. What kind of Genjutsu is this? It's so terrifying. Could the mastermind behind it all be Madara Uchiha?

Subsequently, Long Ye relayed Minato Namikaze's message, and the two countries officially resumed friendly exchanges.

Although both countries suffered heavy losses in the several wars, it was impossible to continue the war indefinitely.

Moreover, both leaders have only recently taken office, and maintaining stability and restoring strength are their most pressing concerns.

Having returned the Lightning Blade as a gesture of goodwill and completed her mission, Long Ye finally revealed the main purpose of her visit to Kirigakure.

"To be honest, I came to Kirigakure this time to personally consult with the Hokage. Besides the two matters mentioned earlier, there is another matter that is of paramount importance to me."

His words made Mei Terumi look puzzled.

"Speak freely. Considering you returned the Lightning Blade, and... that we've been through life and death together, I will absolutely not refuse to help if I can."

Mei Terumi was quick-witted; upon hearing Long Ye's words, she immediately guessed that the other party might need her help with something.

Hearing her promise, Long Ye was secretly delighted.

If this person, as the Mizukage, can lend a hand, the matter will undoubtedly be mostly settled.

"I'd like to ask, does anyone in your Kirigakure possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai?"

Long Ye's heart tightened, and she nervously watched Mei Terumi, afraid of seeing him shake his head.