Now—
After ten years of exchanging letters, Mei Terumi had suddenly descended upon Konoha in person.
It seemed her patience had finally run out.
She wanted to move things offline.
To meet face-to-face.
To take the next step.
As for Uchiha Yusuke—
He remained completely unmoved.
He continued to abide by his three iron principles:
Don't initiate.
Don't reject.
Don't take responsibility.
As long as he never took the first step—
He would always remain in the undefeated position.
Meanwhile.
At the guest residence assigned to Kirigakure's delegation—
Inside the small Western-style villa where Mei was staying—
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique."
With a soft murmur, Mei formed hand seals.
Moments later, mist began to gather around the villa.
At first it was faint.
Then thicker.
Soon visibility dropped to less than five meters.
The entire area was swallowed by dense white fog.
"Strange… why did it suddenly become so foggy?"
"This mist is too thick. Our vision's compromised."
"If this continues, Hokage-sama's orders will be affected…"
In the surrounding woods and shrubbery, several ANBU operatives wearing fox masks lay hidden.
They had been ordered by the Hokage to monitor the Mizukage.
They hadn't questioned the mission.
Obedience was their duty.
And from a security standpoint—
Monitoring foreign dignitaries was standard procedure.
They were to observe, not interfere.
But this sudden fog—
It was clearly obstructing them.
"We can't see anything. We'll have to move closer."
"She's the Mizukage. If we get too close, she might notice."
"We don't have a choice. We carry out the Hokage's orders."
"…Understood."
As the ANBU cautiously advanced through the mist—
A shadow slipped silently away within the fog.
They noticed nothing.
Several hundred meters away—
Mei Terumi emerged into the open night.
She glanced back at the sea of white mist with a faint smile.
"Sending people to monitor me, Hokage… how attentive of you."
She was displeased.
No one liked being watched.
From a political standpoint, Tsunade's decision was understandable.
Mei was a foreign Kage in another village.
Surveillance was expected.
But Mei was proud.
Very proud.
"To monitor the Mizukage… how bold."
She snorted softly.
"I'll settle this later. For now—"
"Business first."
With a Body Flicker Technique—
Her graceful figure vanished into the darkness.
Tonight, she had one objective.
Uchiha Yusuke.
Though Tsunade had claimed he'd been sent to Sunagakure—
Given the Hokage's earlier hostility, Mei didn't fully believe it.
Better to confirm with her own eyes.
Fortunately—
She had prepared thoroughly for this trip.
Konoha's map was already memorized.
Locating the Hokage Tower in the distance, she quickly oriented herself—
Then moved toward the Uchiha clan district.
Yusuke-kun… I'm coming.
The Uchiha Clan Compound.
The Clan Head estate occupied vast grounds.
Security was airtight.
Under Yusuke's leadership, the Uchiha district had become the most tightly managed area in Konoha.
Patrol squads rotated constantly.
Guards stood at key positions.
And in the shadows—
Root operatives maintained vigilance.
After all, not far from the Clan Head estate lay a hidden Root base.
Few knew of it.
In terms of security—
No location in Konoha rivaled this one.
Under cover of night, Mei slipped into the outskirts of the Uchiha compound.
The outer residential zones were easier to navigate unnoticed.
But the deeper she moved—
The stricter the patrols became.
Teams moved with discipline.
Posts were reinforced.
Organization was meticulous.
Mei's brows furrowed slightly.
"As expected of Konoha's strongest clan."
She evaded another patrol.
"A typical Kage-level shinobi would be exposed here."
But she was no ordinary Kage.
She was the Fifth Mizukage.
Tonight—
Her destination was not Fugaku's former estate—
But the residence of the current clan head.
Uchiha Yusuke.
Luck was on her side.
Yusuke had only moved into the Clan Head estate days ago.
Otherwise—
She might have searched in vain.
After a series of careful maneuvers—
At last—
She reached the outer perimeter of the Clan Head estate.
Hidden within the branches of a tall, dense tree—
She gazed at the illuminated mansion.
The estate was large.
Lights flickered warmly within.
Her heart stirred.
"Yusuke-kun… just wait. I'm coming to find you."
And just then—
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