The Land of Fire, now stripped of any power to resist.
In the eyes of every faction, it had become a fragrant cake sitting on every table, begging to be sliced.
Its rich lands, resources, and wealth lay completely exposed, tempting every power to take a bite.
But sadly.
This delectable cake!
Only the Land of Water and the Land of Earth dared to eat. Every other faction could only watch with envy.
After the Land of Fire's forces collapsed, Terumi Mei and her group voluntarily withdrew from the conflict and returned to the Hidden Mist–Second Village.
Because the next phase no longer required their involvement.
With the Land of Water and the Land of Earth rapidly seizing territory.
Konoha Year 61, June 30th.
The war that had lasted roughly half a month finally ended.
The northwestern portion of the Land of Fire went to the Earth Country. The southeastern portion went to the Water Country. The entire Land of Fire had been divided in two.
The shinobi world's turmoil finally came to a close.
This brought a collective sigh of relief to the remaining nations and villages.
In the blink of an eye.
The destruction of the Land of Fire and Konoha had turned them into pages of history.
So much had happened in such a short time that the other factions were left stunned, though everyone recognized these events as irreversible fact.
Of course.
The fall of the Land of Fire had also bought the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning some breathing room.
At the very least!
Until the Land of Water and the Land of Earth had fully digested the Land of Fire's territory, the next war would not erupt.
This interval gave them precious time to recover and prepare.
Therefore, after the war concluded.
The Daimyos of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind immediately showered their respective shinobi villages with resources and financial support.
The Land of Wind, in particular.
Previously, the Wind Daimyo had been wary of the Hidden Sand Village within his borders. He not only withheld material support but also secretly undermined them.
The Hidden Sand's relative weakness was largely attributable to the Wind Daimyo's cold treatment.
Now.
The Wind Daimyo had become extraordinarily generous, providing money and resources without hesitation.
Carts full of supplies were being hauled to the Hidden Sand Village.
During this war.
The successive assassinations of the Fire Daimyo's cabinet had awakened the Wind Daimyo to the critical importance of shinobi.
No matter how poor you were, you couldn't afford to neglect your shinobi!
Faced with the Wind Daimyo's sudden enthusiasm, the Hidden Sand's Ebizō and other elders were left agape.
The Hidden Sand shinobi couldn't help but wonder if they should thank the Hidden Mist.
The war had dramatically reshaped the shinobi world.
But all of this.
Yuto couldn't have cared less about. What truly made him happy was that Terumi Mei had finally returned–meaning he was finally free.
Hidden Mist–Second Village.
The newly established Mizukage's office.
Yuto watched Terumi Mei walk through the door, his face openly radiant with joy.
"Mizukage-sama."
Chōjūrō, standing to the left, quickly set down the documents in his hands and bowed respectfully.
Konan, standing to the right, also looked up at Terumi Mei, her voice carrying a note of respect: "Lady Mizukage."
Terumi Mei nodded gently to Chōjūrō, her green eyes turning toward Konan.
Though she hadn't been present during this period, that didn't mean Terumi Mei was uninformed about what had been happening in the village.
"You've been a great help with our village's affairs, Konan."
Terumi Mei's eyes held a subtle flicker of something unreadable, though her face remained warm as she addressed Konan with a note of gratitude.
As she spoke, Terumi Mei's gaze briefly darted toward Yuto.
"It's no trouble at all."
"During this time, I've learned a great deal from Lord Yuto."
Konan shook her head gently, her expression serene and composed.
"Oh?"
Terumi Mei's face brightened with a dazzling smile.
Chōjūrō looked between the smiling Mizukage and the serene Konan with a hint of confusion.
Neither seemed to be behaving oddly, but for some reason, Chōjūrō felt the atmosphere suddenly grow strange.
"Um… Lord Yuto."
"There's an urgent matter that requires my attention. If you'll excuse me."
Chōjūrō gathered a stack of documents from the desk, bowed to Yuto, and hurried out of the office.
Click.
After stepping out, Chōjūrō quickly closed the door behind him and let out a quiet breath of relief.
Though he hadn't detected anything specific, Chōjūrō's instincts told him that staying longer might end badly for him.
Best to leave this place of potential trouble as soon as possible.
Chōjūrō clutched his documents and vanished in a flash.
Meanwhile, in the office.
With Chōjūrō gone, Konan turned back and calmly closed the files she had been reviewing.
She then gathered several documents she needed to process into a neat stack.
"The first group of Hidden Rain civilians should arrive today. I'll go handle the arrangements."
Konan held the documents against her chest and addressed Yuto softly.
"The first group? That's wonderful."
"I'll leave that to you."
Yuto's eyes lit up. The arrival of the Hidden Rain civilians would finally help ease the emerging tensions.
"It's the least I can do. I should be the one thanking you."
Konan shook her head, then nodded to both Yuto and Terumi Mei before turning to leave.
Terumi Mei watched Konan go with a faint smile, then turned to look at Yuto.
"Lord Yuto, it seems you've found yourself a fine secretary."
Terumi Mei's face held a charming smile as she spoke.
Yuto blinked. He could hear the underlying message in her words.
Was she jealous?
"You know perfectly well the Hidden Rain civilians are being relocated here."
"Who could be more suited than Konan? Besides, Konan isn't exposed to the village's secrets."
"And even if she were to learn something, it wouldn't matter. The Hidden Rain is our vassal state–hardly an outsider."
Yuto opened his palms and spoke with righteous conviction.
Terumi Mei rolled her eyes. Only he could make slacking off sound so noble.
At this point, the office contained only Terumi Mei and Yuto.
Suddenly.
A mischievous gleam flashed in Terumi Mei's eyes. She strode around the desk on her long legs and stopped before Yuto.
Before Yuto could react to her unusual movements.
Terumi Mei gracefully sat on his lap, wrapping her slender, pale arms around his neck.
"Lord Yuto, during the time I was away… did you miss me?"
Terumi Mei's eyes sparkled with a fiery, unambiguous gaze.
Her entire body assumed an intimate posture, half-reclined in Yuto's embrace.
She was a mature, beautiful, and direct woman by nature.
Terumi Mei had no intention of concealing her feelings, displaying her affection for Yuto with full, unapologetic openness.
Facing the passionate Terumi Mei.
Yuto was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered.
Their faces were so close.
Yuto could clearly see her pink lips and catch the faint fragrance of iris flowers rising from her.
Only a fool would say "no" at a time like this.
"I did."
Yuto's expression softened as he wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
Though Terumi Mei's actions were sudden, neither of them found it awkward.
It felt completely natural!
Before the war against Konoha, while at their rear base, Terumi Mei had already confessed her feelings, and Yuto had responded in kind.
This moment.
Was simply the final confirmation of their relationship.
As she felt Yuto's gentle embrace, the last traces of nervousness deep within Terumi Mei vanished completely.
"Lord Yuto, I noticed Konan-nee seems quite lovely too."
Terumi Mei reclined comfortably against Yuto's chest, her dark blue painted fingernail tapping lightly against his chest. Her voice carried a teasing lilt.
In such an intimate atmosphere, she suddenly dropped this remark.
Yuto nearly choked.
Thankfully.
Though Yuto had never been in a relationship, his previous life's internet exposure had taught him that in moments like this, anything you said would be wrong.
"Konan?"
Yuto adopted a blank expression, looking as if he hadn't the faintest idea what Terumi Mei was implying.
Seeing his bewildered face, Terumi Mei rolled her eyes.
"Konan is the leader of the Hidden Rain Village. Having such an eminent leader come work as your secretary–what do you think?"
Her voice carried a note of exasperation. She had realized her Lord Yuto was truly hopeless when it came to romance.
At the same time.
Terumi Mei felt relieved that she had taken the initiative. Given Yuto's personality, who knew how long things would have taken otherwise.
Yuto's lips twitched involuntarily.
In this atmosphere, Terumi Mei had brought up another woman. Whether it was intentional or some subtle test, he couldn't tell.
But regardless of the reason.
Talking about another woman in front of the one you were with was always a foolish move.
This situation had to be broken.
Thinking quickly.
Yuto tightened his arms slightly and lowered his head, pressing his lips to Terumi Mei's soft pink mouth to make his position clear.
"Mmm~"
A soft murmur escaped her.
Under this action.
The previously mischievous Terumi Mei instantly melted like a kitten, her entire body going limp against Yuto's chest.
Though Yuto didn't notice it, a flicker of triumph appeared at the corner of Terumi Mei's eye.
Getting Lord Yuto to take the initiative really did require some clever tactics.
Just then.
Bang!
The office door burst open. Ao strode in holding several documents.
But.
Ao had barely set foot inside when he saw Terumi Mei–her face flushed crimson–cradled in Lord Yuto's arms.
Yuto and Terumi Mei both turned to look at him.
Feeling their gazes.
Ao's entire body shuddered. Cold sweat poured from him instantly. He slammed the door shut and vanished from the threshold in an instant.
In that split second.
Ao had clearly felt the unmistakable, killing intent radiating from Mizukage Terumi Mei.
The door he had just closed was kicked open by Terumi Mei.
Gone was the kitten-like demeanor from moments ago. Terumi Mei now radiated a fierce, intimidating aura.
She stood in the doorway, gazing toward the direction Ao had fled, her face arranged in a brilliant, radiant smile.
"Ao…"
Her fist cracked with a tightening squeeze.
The atmosphere, the mood–everything had been perfectly set up, only for Ao to ruin it with a single intrusion.
"Ahem."
Yuto cleared his throat lightly at Terumi Mei, who had instantly moved from his lap to the doorway.
Terumi Mei turned around, gently closed the door she had kicked open, and walked back.
Now.
Her expression had returned to one of elegance and warmth.
If not for the clear boot print on the door, Yuto might have convinced himself it was someone else who had kicked it open.
His lips twitched at the sight.
Without the previous atmosphere, neither of them could pick up where they had left off.
But their relationship was now officially established. There was no rush.
Time to discuss business.
"These next few days, I'll hand over my duties. I need to return to the Land of Water soon."
Yuto's expression turned serious as he spoke.
"Alright."
Terumi Mei brushed back her hair and nodded in acknowledgment.
She was a mature woman who understood when it was time for what.
"Everything else is moving a bit slowly, but there's no urgent need."
"Our top priority right now is to ensure the village transitions smoothly and rapidly absorb the resources Konoha left behind."
Yuto twirled a pen in his fingers as he spoke.
Terumi Mei nodded. This was indeed the most pressing matter.
"So you'll need to coordinate with Tsunade on this."
Yuto's face carried a note of helpless amusement.
Both Terumi Mei and Tsunade were proud, confident women.
As two exceptional women, they inevitably shared certain stubborn traits.
As a result, the two could barely stand each other.
"Rest assured. When it comes to village matters, I'm not the type to let petty emotions interfere."
Terumi Mei pursed her lips slightly, her tone tinged with pride.
Petty emotions?
Yuto's peripheral vision caught the boot print on the office door, and his lips twitched again.
He would need to find someone to replace that door tomorrow…
[
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