Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Mei Terumi remained silent for a moment before nodding. "I understand."

Having said all that, it would be inconsiderate of her to insist on staying any longer.

When are you leaving?

"I'm leaving today."

"So urgent?"

"Ok!"

"..."

Another period of awkward silence ensued. Suddenly, Mei Terumi took out a small walrus ivory comb from her sleeve. It was pure white and carved with intricate waves.

She handed it to Qingwu, saying, "This... is my personal item. Consider it... a keepsake."

Qingwu's gaze fell upon this "gift," and her thoughts stirred.

Mei Terumi feigned nonchalance and said, "It's just a small gift, you won't be too afraid to accept it, will you?"

"..."

Although the Heavenly Princess beside him had her eyes closed, that ironic energy fluctuation was back again.

Qingwu sighed inwardly, but did not refuse. He took the small comb and put it into his pocket. "Take care, see you in the Land of Fire!"

"See you in the Land of Fire!" Mei Terumi parted her red lips slightly.

Qingwu nodded, then turned and left without a trace of regret.

Princess Tianxin followed quietly behind her from beginning to end, like a silent shadow.

Mei Terumi stood there for a while until she saw the white light shoot into the sky, then she turned around, her skirt drawing a clean arc.

She left the villa with firm steps, heading towards the place that was about to become her own, a place destined to be anything but peaceful.

……

Three days later, in front of the Water Shadow Building in Kirigakure.

Despite the trauma of the shrine riot, Kirigakure managed to quickly put together a simple yet solemn succession ceremony.

The plaza was heavily guarded, and although there were not many Hidden Mist ninja present, they were all core members and powerful figures.

Elder Master Yuan personally attended and presided over the ceremony.

Mei Terumi changed into a brand new Mizukage robe.

She stood on the high platform, her face calm, her blue eyes sweeping over the crowd below, her composed aura suppressing all whispers.

The ceremony proceeded as planned.

The elder master's aged yet powerful voice proclaimed the verdict on the merits and demerits of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and commended Mei for stepping forward in a time of crisis and saving the village.

Finally, it was officially announced that Mei Terumi would succeed as the Fifth Mizukage.

There were few cheers; the atmosphere was solemn and heavy.

After years of darkness, the Hidden Mist ninjas do not know if the future will finally be bright!

Mei Terumi received the "Mizukage Hat," a symbol of the Mizukage's authority, from Genji. Everyone knew that behind this hat lay a heavy responsibility and an uncertain future.

"I, Mei Terumi, hereby swear that I will do everything in my power to lead Kirigakure to end the shadows of the past and usher in a brand new future!"

Her voice was clear and firm, echoing in the square and reaching the ears of every Hidden Mist ninja.

...Qingwu and Tianxin stood in an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the square, watching the ceremony from afar.

Yes, he did come, but... with the illusion concealing him, no one noticed.

He looked at the dazzling figure on the high platform from afar, smiled slightly, and felt a sense of participation in personally changing history.

"Let's go."

He whispered to the goddess Tianxin beside him.

"Ah."

The two disappeared silently from the crowd of onlookers, as if they had blended into the air.

……

Several days later, at a port in the southern part of the Land of Hot Water.

Tenzo had just finished a mission to clear out a bandit stronghold and was squatting by the stream washing his kunai and the bloodstains on his hands.

Even after the New Year, the weather remained cold, and the captain still had no definite return date.

His loneliness grew stronger with each passing day.

Speaking of which, he grew up in the Roots and later joined the Shadow Guard with the captain. In the past... he had never acted alone.

Over the past two months, he has gained a completely new understanding of the ninja world and people.

"Hey, Konoha!"

A familiar yet annoying voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

Tenzo didn't even turn his head, continuing to clean the kunai: "Hidan, I told you, I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."

"Tch, who wants to talk to you about that?"

Hidan strolled over, squatted down next to Tenzo, picked up a rock and idly paddled in the water. "I'm here to tell you that I'm going on a long trip."

Tianzang paused, turning his head to look at him: "Going on a long trip? Where to?"

"none of your business."

Hidan pursed his lips, but a hint of barely suppressed excitement flickered in his eyes: "Let's go to... a place where we can find 'that'."

"What an annoying brat," Tianzang thought to himself. "You were the one who came to talk to me first."

However, he was quickly drawn in by what the kid said next.

"Wait until I get back, hmph, Tianzang, just you wait and see how I gain true power, then..."

A dangerous glint flashed in Hidan's eyes. "When the time comes, you'll be the first one I test my skills against!"

Tenzo disregarded the fact that Hidan's joke seemed both real and unreal, and his heart sank.

The "that" Hidan mentioned is probably the evil forbidden technique that required a "living sacrifice" that he mentioned before! Has he... found a specific clue or location?

"Hidan, you..."

"Stop!"

Hidan raised his hand to interrupt him and stood up:

"We're on different paths, so we can't make plans together. I only said those things to you that day because I felt sorry for you. Humph, I'll walk my own path! You... better watch yourself. I hope you'll still be this... naive when we meet again!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

His slicked-back silver-gray hair looked a bit messy in the cold wind, but his back view exuded a sense of resolute... madness!

Tenzo watched Hidan's figure disappear into the woods, his brows furrowed.

This dangerous little devil seems to be sliding faster and faster into the abyss.

What should I do? Stop him? From what stand? And how should I stop him?

Just as Tianzang was in turmoil, a familiar and gentle aura suddenly appeared behind him.

Tianzang was startled and turned around abruptly.

Qingwu stood there quietly, a faint, reassuring smile on his face, while Tianxin Shenji stood beside him with her eyes closed, as always.

"Captain!"

Tianzang almost jumped up. The grievances, worries, and loneliness in his heart found an outlet at this moment, and his eyes instantly turned red.

"You, you're finally back!" Tianzang's voice was even a little choked up.

"Yes, you're back." Qingwu reached out and ruffled Tianzang's hair as he always did, even though Tianzang had grown quite a bit taller.

"You've worked hard these past few days." Qingwu looked Tianzang up and down, sensing the changes in him from the inside out. "You've done a great job."

The simple affirmation made Tianzang feel that all the waiting and suffering of the past two months had been worthwhile.

He shook his head vigorously: "I'm not tired. What the captain is doing is the important thing, the things in Kirigakure..."

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Qingwu interrupted him, her gaze sweeping in the direction Hidan had disappeared. "Who was that person just now?"

Tenzo quickly recounted his encounter with Hidan, Hidan's various extreme statements, and his recent search for forbidden evil techniques, his tone filled with worry.

He was always so kind.

"Hidan... Jashin Cult... Immortality..."

A look of understanding flashed in Qingwu's eyes. So it was that guy. No wonder he was full of crazy ideas at such a young age.

However, Hidan probably hasn't acquired that troublesome immortality ability yet.

“This person is dangerous. Although he is not a threat now, if he becomes your enemy in the future, do not hesitate to stay away from him immediately.”

The ability of the Death Possession Blood is too overpowered; it's easy to fall victim to it if you're not careful.

Qingwu didn't want Tianzang to be in danger until a solution was found, especially since... he felt that Tianzang considered that kid a friend.

Of course, given his current level, there's no need for him to waste his energy on a mere kid.

"Yes, Captain!"

Tianzang agreed with slight hesitation. Although he didn't understand, the captain's clear instructions lessened his hesitation and inner conflict.

"Let's go back to the front-line base first."

Qingwu summoned the Silver Pegasus, and the three of them flew towards the eastern border of the Land of Fire.

……

Nara Suzaku did not ask any questions about Seigo's "punctual" return.

They simply listened to Qingwu's "personal report" and didn't delve any further.

Given Qingwu's current strength and status, this level of "absenteeism" is nothing.

"Nothing's wrong here, but things are better on the western front..."