Chapter 144: After All, It Is Impossible To Escape The Death Of The Society
"Ryosuke…"
"Fourth Generation… Your Honor."
Terumi Mei covered her mouth with a delicate hand, murmuring in disbelief.
"Don't be so formal. Just call me Captain Ryosuke."
Mizuki Ryosuke shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a warm smile.
As he spoke, he studied Terumi Mei in front of him.
Two years ago, after Mizuki Ryosuke ascended as the Fourth Mizukage, the original Team Ryosuke was naturally disbanded. Its three members went their separate ways, each developing their own skills, though their status as "former subordinates of the Fourth Mizukage" ensured they remained well-regarded within Kirigakure.
Terumi Mei had since shed her Chūnin rank and risen to Jōnin.
A sixteen-year-old Jōnin was already impressive enough to be called a genius in any Hidden Village, but with her close ties to Mizuki Ryosuke, the village had been especially generous in cultivating her talent.
Now, she led a squad of her own, guiding subordinates through various missions.
The once youthful Terumi Mei had gradually matured, exuding a natural charm that hinted at the striking woman she would become in the future. Even at sixteen, faint traces of her future allure were already evident.
For Terumi Mei, the disbandment of their team had left her feeling lost for quite some time.
Furthermore, with Ryosuke's rise to Mizukage, he became an increasingly distant figure. The chance to see him, let alone speak with him, had become rare.
From that day forward, a goal had been carved into Terumi Mei's heart—one day, she would be strong enough to stand at Ryosuke's side.
Yet, deep within her, a certain unspoken emotion had taken root, one she had never dared voice aloud.
Now, seeing that Ryosuke had not become cold or distant, a warmth spread through her chest. She suppressed her excitement and spoke calmly.
"Captain Ryosuke, you are…"
Terumi Mei's gaze swept over his casual attire, her curiosity evident.
"Haha! Work hours are over. Even a Mizukage needs to rest, right?"
Ryosuke chuckled, his lighthearted words coaxing a smile from Terumi Mei.
At sixteen, she had already begun blossoming into a captivating young woman. Though her usual demeanor was cool and composed, her smile carried the radiance of blooming flowers.
Then suddenly, as if remembering something, she discreetly shifted the book in her hands behind her back.
A faint blush crept onto her face.
Mizuki Ryosuke immediately noticed the movement. Though she tried to be subtle, his keen eyes caught the title of the book, and his expression twitched slightly.
Of course, he chose not to call her out on it.
After all, he had no idea why Terumi Mei was reading such an absurd book about him. Was it curiosity? Or just a typical case of gossip-loving instincts?
But being caught red-handed while reading such a book about someone standing right in front of her—if he exposed her, wouldn't Terumi Mei wish for the ground to swallow her whole?
Naturally, Ryosuke felt secondhand embarrassment.
"Ahem, by the way…"
"Have you been on many missions lately?"
Ryosuke quickly changed the subject, his smile slightly awkward but polite.
"N-No!"
Terumi Mei quickly waved her hands in flustered denial.
She explained that one of her squad members had recently been injured, so her team was in a temporary recovery phase.
Then, as if summoning all her courage, she took a deep breath and spoke softly.
"Captain Ryosuke…"
"Since work is over…"
"If you have nothing else planned, would you like to have dinner together?"
Her voice was calm, but her emerald eyes carried an unmistakable expectation.
She swallowed nervously.
As Kirigakure's leader, countless people sought to invite the Fourth Mizukage to meals, and the line of invitations could probably stretch from Mizukage's office to the village gates.
Ryosuke considered for a moment before finally nodding.
"Sure."
After all, it had been two years since they last spoke properly.
Besides, Ryosuke held a favorable impression of the future Fifth Mizukage. Building a good rapport now would only benefit him in the long run.
The two turned to leave the bookstall.
Due to the secrecy technique on Ryosuke, the repelling presence of his chakra had not yet dissipated, meaning the ordinary bookstall owner did not pay much attention to his presence.
In his mind, the man standing next to Terumi Mei was just another faceless stranger.
However, when the stall owner saw his "big customer"—who had been browsing for so long—leaving without making a purchase, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
"Hey, girl!"
"You've been picking through books for so long, at least buy something!"
"This one, Girls' Secret Guide to Making a Man Fall for You in Three Days—it's perfect for you!"
"Trust me! One read, and that guy next to you will be yours!"
"And this one—The Scandalous Story of the Fourth Mizukage and the Head of the Anbu! You've been eyeing it for a while! Why not take a copy home?"
The bookstall owner's voice rang out enthusiastically.
Terumi Mei froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.
Her face turned an alarming shade of red.
Not just her—Mizuki Ryosuke stood beside her, utterly mortified.
His gaze toward Terumi Mei became increasingly bewildered.
A perfectly fine girl… Why is she reading this? No wonder she was still unmarried in her thirties in my past life…
But before Ryosuke could fully process the situation, Terumi Mei, whose soul had practically left her body in shame, grabbed his hand and bolted.
As her slender fingers wrapped around his wrist, a strange sensation flickered in Ryosuke's heart.
Yet, he did not resist.
Instead, he simply let her pull him along.
Behind them, the bookstall owner clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Seriously, what's with young people these days?"
"If you're not gonna buy, just say so! What's with the running?"
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei, still gripping Ryosuke's hand, felt the warmth of his skin against hers.
Her already crimson face deepened in color.
Yet, for some reason, she made no move to let go.
Eventually, when they were far enough, she finally released his hand in guilty panic.
Yet, the words of the stall owner had already been said.
The damage was done.
Terumi Mei stood frozen, unsure of how to recover from this embarrassment.
"Hahaha, the weather's nice today."
Ryosuke suddenly spoke, skillfully breaking the awkward silence.
"Yes! Yes, it is!"
Terumi Mei immediately latched onto the topic, nodding rapidly.
"I know an izakaya nearby! It's really good! Captain Ryosuke, let's go!"
Her voice was still flustered, her face burning.
"Sure! Sounds great!"
Ryosuke smiled, as if nothing had happened.
With that, the two walked side by side down the bustling street of Kirigakure.
A passing villager happened to glance up at the perpetually cloudy sky.
Then, shaking his head, he muttered,
"Damn… youth."
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