Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

For this, Terumi Mei felt guilty.

As the Mizukage, her primary responsibility is always to Kirigakure.

Without being able to ensure the safety of the Hidden Mist Village, she simply couldn't offer more kindness to others; she had to prioritize the interests of the village.

However, on the other hand, Hiruko might have other ideas... Hiruko may be despicable, but after getting to know him closely, Mei Terumi realized what it meant to be the number one idea king in the ninja world. After all, his ideas for turning scientific research results into actual industries were truly invincible. No matter what problem he encountered, he could always come up with some ingenious solutions.

"Can't you think of another way..." Mei Terumi couldn't help but mutter to herself, her eyes filled with expectation.

Even she herself felt that she was a greedy woman, wanting the village to prosper but not wanting to offend those nobles.

But since he's become the Mizukage... thankfully, Hiruko wasn't angry; in fact, he seemed to approve.

"Actually, there is a way, but to gain something, you always have to lose something... All sorts of innovative approaches are bound to be rejected by those conservative elders. Are you sure you want to do this? This could put you under a lot of pressure and risk," Hiruko said meaningfully.

Mei Terumi hesitated for a long time, but still shook her head.

"No... now is not the time. The situation in the village is still unstable. If we act rashly, it may cause even greater chaos."

"A rational judgment." Hiruko nodded, indicating her approval of her decision.

The current Mist Village really can't withstand too much change.

The conservative elders eventually compromised, but that doesn't mean they were easy to bully.

They control a portion of the village's power and resources. If a real fight breaks out, it might turn into an ugly mess like the Hidden Cloud Village, plunging the village into internal strife.

Since that's the case, it's better to endure it for now.

After all, the cola factory can generate a lot of cash flow, and the other pillar industries of Wuyin are also stable.

Instead of rushing into a fight with the elders, it would be better to accumulate funds first and ease tensions between them.

In any case, when people have money, they are generally easier to talk to, and many conflicts can be temporarily set aside in the face of interests.

"I understand, but..."

"The best way, of course, is to make money first. A position that manages money carries weight in any industry. With money, you have a voice and can do many things you want to do."

Hiruko shared his experience, noting that he had accumulated considerable experience in industry management in Konoha based on his research achievements. However, he also reminded Mei Terumi, "But you should understand your current situation... Before that, we need to increase the loyalty of our wavering figures."

Our plan can only be successfully implemented if we can firmly secure the support of those who are wavering on our side.

"A swingman...you mean..."

"Who else could it be? Of course it's Zabuza Momochi," Hiruko said. "Because of Zabuza's great lack of virtue, the Mizukage faction has suffered repeated heavy blows."

Conversely, those who remain loyal to the Mizukage faction under such circumstances are naturally highly loyal, and there is no need to worry that they will betray the Mizukage faction during the ongoing upheavals.

Normal maintenance and courting are sufficient.

But Zabuza's situation is a little delicate... He is absolutely against the Blood Mist policy, and even dared to raise the banner of rebellion against the Mizukage for it.

After learning about Tu Zi Ge's perverse actions, he was willing to join the Mizukage's camp.

But this person is very ambitious.

—The official setting portrays him as very ambitious.

Supporting the Mizukage faction and supporting Mei Terumi are not entirely the same thing.

If Mei Terumi, like a certain unknown person, could revive Kirigakure in a short time, that would be fine.

Bowing to the strong is not a shameful thing.

Wisdom is also power.

However, due to the current special situation in Kirigakure, Mei Terumi will probably not be able to do much for quite some time... It's hard to say whether Zabuza will have any other ideas.

It's not even a question of whether we can win.

Mei Terumi must stabilize Zabuza, this crucial fighting force; she cannot allow the Mizukage faction to suffer any further losses.

“You’re right… but what should we do? Zabuza doesn’t seem to be short of money, and as for status… I’m not in a good position to promote him. He’s rather aloof and doesn’t seem to value power and wealth much.” This is indeed a problem.

Fortunately, Hiruko had already made plans.

"Some people value power, some value wealth, and some... just want a family."

"Zabuza is a family man." That does sound a bit far-fetched, but Zabuza is... a lonely man who is always searching for family and companions.

Many people don't realize that Haku, as Zabuza's comrade, is not allowed to kill.

Bai's personality is so gentle; her heart is full of kindness and compassion.

Even after fighting to the very end with Team 7, Haku held back against Naruto and Sasuke, not going for the kill directly, because she couldn't bear to harm those young lives.

You don't even need to guess what Bai will do at other times.

If it's a one-sided victory, then so be it.

In a high-stakes duel, this habit of not going for the kill can really be deadly.

Unlike ordinary rogue ninja, Zabuza not only betrayed the village, but also attempted to murder the Mizukage.

If Zabuza doesn't die, how can the Mizukage maintain his authority? Under these circumstances, Zabuza will definitely remain on the Anbu's blacklist for years to come.

The ANBU members who dared to come and hunt down the two would at least be Jonin, and they all had rich combat experience and great strength.

Holding back when the combat strength is similar is no different from suicide.

But Zabuza never paid attention to this issue, and even proudly declared to Team 7 that his Haku was a very powerful genius.

Zabuza is known for his ruthlessness. How could a master like him, who is skilled in silent assassination, not know the drawbacks of Haku?

Even so, he always kept Bai with him and did not try to force Bai to change his fighting style.

Even at the very end, he shielded Haku with his own body... Zabuza, from the very beginning, only wanted a partner or family.

He doesn't really care whether the opponent is strong or not, or whether they will hold him back.

He just hoped that there would be someone who wouldn't betray him and would always walk alongside him... After all, this wasn't the Jinjiang or Haitang world.

Considering that Haku has become Hiruko's daughter and that Haku is very attached to him, he can no longer send Haku to Zabuza as a companion.

Fortunately, given Zabuza's personality, it doesn't necessarily have to be Haku... He hopes to have a companion, but what kind of person that companion is is not important.

Mei Terumi was a little confused by Hiruko's strange words, but seeing his confident look, she didn't refute him. Instead, she asked, "So, what exactly should we do?"

"You mean... to give Zabuza a companion?" Mei Terumi raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Pretty much. What I mean is to give him a roommate. As for the reason... someone like Zabuza must be really bad at taking care of himself."

As the Mizukage, it's perfectly normal for you to find him a subordinate to take care of his daily needs and occasionally fight alongside him, right?

As Hiruko spoke, he gently twirled his fingers, as if he were devising a brilliant plan.

Mei Terumi gave a wry smile: "That's true, but there are relatively few female ninjas in the village, and even fewer female ninjas around Zabuza's age. I'm afraid we won't be able to find a suitable one for the time being."

Chapter 460

Due to some objective problems, the number of female ninjas has always been less than that of male ninjas.

Most female ninjas of Zabuza's age are already married... The casualties among ninjas are too high, so people are used to getting married early.

In Mei Terumi's opinion, it's really difficult to find a female ninja who is good-looking, strong, and single.

“No, we don’t need female ninjas.” Mei Terumi was somewhat hesitant, but Hiruko’s words immediately shattered her expectations.

As a research ninja, he always comes up with some outrageous ideas.

"It must be a boy, girls won't do. If possible... do you have any cross-dressers in your Mizukage faction? Cross-dressers would be preferred."

"A man with a woman's heart, especially submissive, especially cute." Hiruko squinted his eyes, as if sketching out that perfect image in his mind.

"As for strength, you don't need to be a Jonin, Chunin will do. If that's not possible, a slightly above-Genin will also be fine, but the person must be smart and quick-witted."

Upon hearing Hiruko's words, countless question marks appeared above Terumi Mei's head.

She had long known that once she became the Water Shadow, she would never be able to maintain her integrity again.

She could understand that in order to stabilize certain important figures, female ninjas would use seduction techniques... but the fact that it had to be boys, and specifically cross-dressers, was something Mei Terumi had never seen before.

"No... I don't quite understand... why does it have to be a boy? Why does he have to be cute, and submissive?" Mei Terumi couldn't help but ask.

Hiruko smiled slightly and began to explain: "Because in essence, Zabuza is not the kind of person who shows mercy to women—when he graduated from the Ninja Academy, he killed all his classmates. Don't even mention that there wasn't a single female ninja in his class."

He paused, then continued, "To him, women are just a euphemism for nagging, something that makes him want to wash himself."

On the other hand, cute boys don't have this problem.

He possessed both masculine decisiveness and striking good looks, making him easier for Zabuza to accept.

"As for why we need to find a bottom... In a group, if there are no women, then the most vulnerable boy will be effeminate as a girl by everyone."

Zabuza is tough and ruthless, which might be too much for a normal boy, but if he were a timid effeminate man, it wouldn't be a problem... That's called complementary personalities." Hiruko said eloquently, as if it were all well thought out.

"As for why it had to be a junior ninja or a very strong genin, it was to satisfy Zabuza's pride—this strong-willed guy would never open up to someone of his rank or even stronger."

"Only when facing someone weaker than himself can he let down his guard and reveal a sliver of his true feelings..." Hiruko said, pulling a bag of bear-shaped biscuits from his pocket, which he had borrowed from Kakashi.

“Even if they’re initially resistant, they should get along well once we arrange a scenario where they save each other.” Hiruko squinted, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"With the cross-dressing as a fulcrum, Zabuza should be able to accept you."

Mei Terumi's small mouth opened slightly, and for a moment she didn't know how to refute it.

Her emotions told her that Hiruko was talking complete nonsense.

But rationally speaking... it might actually work.

Within the Mizukage faction, there are indeed cross-dressing men around the Chunin level.

Under the immense pressure of continuous war, some people will inevitably become mentally unstable... but becoming a cross-dresser is still considered a good thing.

Aside from being counterintuitive and sounding outrageous, Hiruko's plan might actually work...

Mei Terumi thought about it again and again, and the more she thought about it, the more outrageous the plan seemed. But... she covered her face and said helplessly, "If you do this... but what if they really develop feelings for each other?"

Hiruko shrugged, looking nonchalant, and said, "So what's the point of transformation techniques... If all else fails, just go to the Land of Demons and learn those permanent transformation techniques."

"You shameless bastard!" Mei Terumi felt increasingly ashamed as she listened, and finally couldn't hold back any longer. She grabbed the Kirigakure ledger and threw it at Hiruko, yelling, "Hiruko, you'd better die!"

……

On this day, Zabuza, who had just returned to the village after completing a mission, received some news.