Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Page 266

"The Hidden Mist Village's initiative to break down its isolation and establish diplomatic relations with Konoha is of great strategic significance to Konoha. The Hokage and Konoha will do everything in their power to demonstrate the village's sincerity and friendliness."

"The highest standard, huh..." Mei Terumi lightly tapped her chin with her finger, her emerald eyes sparkling. Suddenly, she leaned forward, closing the distance between herself and Qingwu, a faint, elegant fragrance wafting over:

"Does that... include arranged marriages?"

"!!" Qingwu was stunned, not expecting her to suddenly throw out such a question, especially in such a teasing tone and manner.

He could sense that the natural energy fluctuations of the goddess Tianxin beside him seemed to be slightly disordered for a moment.

It was that damned "teasing" fluctuation again.

"Mizukage...you jest."

Qingwu's expression remained unchanged, and he leaned back slightly to create some distance. "The friendship between Konoha and Kirigakure is based on common interests and mutual respect, and does not require this kind of formality."

"is it?"

Mei Terumi did not back down because of his retreat; instead, her smile deepened, and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.

"But I've heard that in the history of the ninja world, political marriages are not uncommon in order to consolidate alliances."

"For example... the wife of the First Hokage of Konoha was a princess of the Uzumaki clan, which strengthened the relationship between Konoha and Uzushio Village."

"As the Mizukage, if I could marry one of Konoha's young talents, wouldn't that make the bond between Kirigakure and Konoha even stronger?"

"Qingwu-jun, what do you think?"

Her gaze was fixed on Qingwu, and the implication in her words was almost explicit.

Mei Terumi's words were half true and half false, a test and a joke, and perhaps even hiding a deeper emotion that she herself might not be fully aware of.

Qingwu felt a headache coming on.

This woman, now that she's become the Water Shadow, how come she hasn't changed her habit of "teasing" people at all? In fact, she's become even more extreme.

But he has no time to deal with that right now; he is representing Konoha, not himself.

"Lord Shuiying, this kind of joke is not funny," Qingwu said in his usual businesslike tone.

"The relationship between Kirigakure and Konoha should be based on pragmatic cooperation and mutual trust, rather than this unreliable marriage alliance."

At this point, he added meaningfully, "I believe that with your wisdom, you would never entrust the future of Kirigakure to this."

Seeing Qingwu's stern face, the playfulness in Terumi Mei's eyes lessened slightly, but a hint of charm and inquiry remained.

She sat up straight, gently smoothed her hair, and sighed.

"Alright, enough joking around. Qingwu-kun is still as... boring as ever. But you're right, the future of Wuyin depends on our own efforts."

She paused, her voice lowering, carrying a rare hint of seriousness:

"Qingwu, thank you."

"Not only for everything you've done for Kirigakure, but also thank you for... being able to talk to me like this now."

“I know that sometimes I go a bit too far when I talk to you, but sitting in this position, all I see are compliments and schemes.”

"Qingwu, there are very few people who can speak so easily like this, you know that?"

This sudden candor touched Qingwu slightly.

He nodded: "I understand, being a 'shadow' is not easy."

"Just call me Mei Terumi, in private." Mei Terumi smiled, this time her smile was much more genuine:

"Just like at the Hidden Mist Villa, those few days were one of the few times in recent years when I felt at ease and relaxed."

Qingwu didn't respond to that, "..."

He actually had a tiny bit of affection for Mei Hiramaki deep down, but it wasn't nearly as strong as that feeling.

Besides, in this chaotic world, he doesn't have the mood to think about matters of the heart.

The carriage was quiet for a moment, with only the sound of wheels rolling over the road.

Mei Terumi stopped "attacking" and instead asked about Konoha's local customs and traditions, as well as diplomatic issues that could be discussed.

Qingwu answered seriously, and the atmosphere between the two finally returned to the normal scope of work communication.

However, Hongdou, who was outside the carriage, vaguely heard snippets of conversation about "marriage alliance" and "young talents" thanks to her "gossipy heart".

Although I couldn't hear it clearly.

But considering Mei Terumi's alluring voice and the scene before the captain got on the carriage, her cheeks puffed up with anger, and her fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"You vixen, you're already a water shadow, and you're still so shameless."

Hongdou complained to Tianzang beside her in a low voice.

Tianzang looked bewildered: "Huh? Hongdou, what are you talking about?"

"It's nothing!" Hongdou glared at him irritably and turned her head away angrily.

Just then, a clear voice rang in Hongdou's mind: "No need to worry, Lord Qingwu knows what he's doing."

Hongdou was startled, but upon hearing Tianxin Shenji's voice, she felt inexplicably at ease.

However, that lingering unease... just won't go away.

……

Konoha Village, Root Base.

Deep within the cold, dimly lit passageway, filled with the smell of decay and decay, Shimura Danzo sat alone in a large chair.

One eye, visible through the bandage, was as somber as an ancient well, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

The year-long lockdown has long since ended.

He was outwardly reinstated to his positions as "Hokage's assistant" and "leader of the Root organization," and regained his freedom of action.

But everyone knows that after Thousand Hands Qingwu's "cleansing" of Root and its subsequent effects, the Root organization's strength and reputation are far from what they used to be.

Danzo's authority was also significantly undermined.

But he didn't seem to care, or rather, he buried all his emotions deep inside.

He became more secretive and patient, waiting for his opportunity.

Indeed, how could the Hokage's assistant of Konoha easily swallow such a humiliation after being humiliated in front of a mere youth?

Several pieces of the latest intelligence were spread out on the table.

A detailed report on the itinerary and support personnel of the Misty Water Shadow Imprinted Beauty Underworld Mission;

Summary of details regarding the withdrawal of Iwagakure troops on the western front and the peace talks;

There are also scattered summaries about the recent activities of the Uchiha clan.

This is the job of the Root organization; they must always pay attention to any "interesting" intelligence or developments in the ninja world.

Danzo's single eye slowly swept over the intelligence reports, finally settling on the Uchiha's report.

“Uchiha... Shisui…”

He murmured, his voice hoarse and dry, "Shisui of the Body Flicker... Uchiha Kagami's grandson... awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan... resigned from the Kagemusha..."

Danzo has not yet ascertained the specific abilities of Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan, and the Uchiha clan keeps this extremely secret.

However, he could glean many insights from Uchiha Shisui's resignation letter.

It must be... an extraordinary eye technique, and it's even very likely that it has already been targeted by the radical faction of the Uchiha clan, who are trying to use it as a tool to achieve their ambitions.

Otherwise, why would someone who was at the height of his power and was working alongside the powerful Thousand-Handed Qingwu resign from his position in the Shadow Guard at this time?

"The power of the Uchiha... is always so dangerous, and yet so... alluring."

Danzo Shimura tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "This power must be in the hands of... the right person."

"Yes, for Konoha!"

He thought of the Thousand-Handed Green Wutong.

That boy who has broken the rules time and time again, and is now about to return to the village in glory, carrying with him the "friendship" hidden in the mist and water and his tremendous achievements.

……

Chapter 255 The Darkness of Konoha

The rise of Qingwu has severely disrupted many of the Roots' plans.

This also made Danzo Shimura feel deeply threatened.

On the other hand, Qingwu's existence and his subtle attitude towards the Uchiha suggest that the Shadow Guard members have a good personal relationship.

So……

Perhaps... it could also become a variable that can be utilized?

"Kagami's grandson... seems to have a good relationship with the Senju kid..."

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes, "If those restless Uchiha... really want to do something..."

"Perhaps, this could be an opportunity."

“A chance that can weaken the Uchiha clan, test Senju Seigo's stance, and even… possibly obtain those Mangekyou Sharingan.”

He didn't need to know the specifics of Shisui's eye technique.

All he needed to know was that the Uchiha clan posed a significant threat to the stability of Konoha.

That's enough!

"Someone come here."

Danzo called out in a deep voice.

Whoosh!