A battle erupted on the sea.
The two sides had roughly equal numbers, so neither held a numerical advantage.
Yechen stood atop the tower, not joining the fray right away.
Only after the five warships left the area around Watchtower Five did he turn his attention to the battle on the sea.
A female Kirigakure ninja immediately caught his eye.
She had long, ink-black curls that cascaded down her back, their ends swaying with her movements and lending her a lively air. Her fair skin made her moist blue eyes seem all the clearer. Their slightly upturned corners gave her a chilly look when she was not smiling, and a sharp edge when she focused on battle.
Her figure was slender, yet years of combat had given it a firm sense of strength. She wore Kirigakure's signature dark combat uniform, with lightweight shoulder guards and arm guards outlining her clean silhouette.
The Kirigakure forehead protector on her brow gave her an air of competence, yet could not conceal her distinctive radiance. She possessed both the vitality of a young ninja and the composure forged through countless battles.
Although she still retained the youthful innocence of her girlhood, Yechen recognized her at a glance.
She was Mei Terumi, the future Fifth Mizukage.
Mei Terumi, the genius kunoichi with two kekkei genkai who would end the Fourth Mizukage's bloody policies and introduce an open-door policy to revive Kirigakure.
"So it's her."
Seeing Mei Terumi, Yechen felt the urge to recruit her. This woman was far from ordinary. She was not only gifted but intelligent, too; otherwise, she could never have secured her position as the Fifth Mizukage. He needed someone like her by his side to assist him.
Unfortunately, winning her over would not be easy.
Mei Terumi finished off a Konoha