Yes, the Hokage

"It's nothing, it's just that I spent half the day playing mind games with those guys, and I feel really tired."

At this moment, the layout inside Kamui Space was even a bit cozy. In one corner, there was a kotatsu, cushions, hot tea, snacks, and even comics. The few little ninjas who came with them seemed to be on vacation.

Seeing Minato's exhausted appearance, Rin quickly helped him lie down on the cushion: "Minato-sensei, did you just clash with the Kage? You look so tired, were those guys very strong?"

Don't ask!

Obito, who had witnessed Minato being instilled with the DDF concept by Fenglan along the way, cried out in his heart, but it was too late.

Sure enough, Minato immediately perked up: "Let me tell you, I was incredibly brave today, I didn't fall behind at all, and when faced with the Raikage and Tsuchikage's questions, I used what Feng Lan had said..."

Then, everyone was immersed in Minato's endless "Maple Mist Says".

Kakashi looked at Obito with a puzzled expression, as if asking, "When did Minato-sensei become like this?"

Obito gave him a helpless look, indicating that they hadn't served as guards for long. He had witnessed how Minato-sensei gradually became like this, and sometimes he felt a genuine fear of Lord Fenglan.

This subtle brainwashing ability is truly terrifying. Even Obito, who was just watching, felt his sanity level dropping rapidly.

While it's unlikely that tentacles will actually grow, it would be a piece of cake for him to use a little trick to subdue Kakashi.

Chapter 117 It's this chaotic world that ruined you!

Compared to the cozy atmosphere inside the Kamui Space, the outside room, although not cold, had a rather frigid atmosphere.

However, this atmosphere had no effect on Feng Lan. He sat down at the low table and poured himself a cup of tea: "Come sit over here."

Pakula moved over almost instinctively. Although she hadn't spent much time with Feng Lan in Amegakure, she had undoubtedly been infected with some of the Minato-era symptoms. Now that she didn't know what to do, listening to Feng Lan was always the right thing to do.

"Actually, I should apologize to you." Feng Lan put away his usual fake smile and poured tea for Pakula while saying calmly, "If I hadn't asked, Sunagakure wouldn't have given up on you. You could say that I'm the culprit who caused you to fall into this situation."

"Do not……"

Pakula finally spoke, his voice completely devoid of the hearty and unrestrained tone he had when inviting her for drinks earlier in the day; instead, it was indescribably hoarse: "Lord Fenglan is only acting in the best interests of his own village. Anyone would have done the same."

"You're quite understanding," Feng Lan chuckled. "Judging from this, you probably don't hate the Wind Shadow and the village that abandoned you."

"I……"

Pakura hesitated. Rationally, she knew that sacrificing herself to save the village was the best option, but humans are not purely rational monsters, and neither are ninjas!

Putting aside those lofty reasons, what about on an emotional level?

If Granny Chiyo had prepared her mentally the night before and offered kind words of advice, Rasa wouldn't have been so indifferent, and Pakura might not have been so upset. But thanks to Maple's manipulation, everything happened too fast!

Without any psychological preparation, she went from being a hero of Sunagakure to a rogue ninja. What was most devastating was that she was not directly ordered to "die," but was forced into a dilemma where she would die no matter what she chose. In the end, she "voluntarily" bowed her head while unable to breathe.

It's easy to say "I don't hate," but how can one possibly let go of it in their heart?

“The Sand Village higher-ups are unwilling to get their hands dirty, yet they've made you bear all the consequences of your choices. It's normal to feel resentful.” Feng Lan pushed the cup towards him. “Compared to empty obedience, mechanical answers, or becoming a tool out of despair, feeling hatred at least proves you're still alive, doesn't it?”

"Lord Fenglan..."

After a long silence, Pakula finally spoke again: "Please tell me... who should I hate?!"

Yes, she harbored hatred, but couldn't find a specific target to hate, because everyone's choices seemed to be correct, yet it was precisely these correct choices that led her to her doom.

Her anger had no outlet, so it could only devour her internally.

“I once heard a really crappy saying: ‘It’s not me who ruined you, it’s this chaotic world that ruined you.’” Feng Lan shrugged. “Although it still sounds pretty crappy now, it seems quite accurate when applied to you.”

Pakula fell silent again. Was it this chaotic world that had ruined him...? It seemed to make some sense, but something still felt off.

"This is just sophistry. If you can't accept it, then hate me. In reality, I'm the one who caused you to become like this." Feng Lan continued to sip his tea unhurriedly. Logically speaking, with his methods, he could easily manipulate this little girl who had nowhere to go and felt extremely empty inside. However, he unusually did not show his smiling tiger demeanor.

Pakula instinctively followed the other person's lead and thought, should she hate Feng Lan... How strange, she found that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't do it.

“I think, rather than asking me who I should hate, you want to ask me what I should do.” After a moment, Feng Lan interrupted her thoughts, “Although it is strange to ask an enemy about hatred at this time, I… please forgive my boasting, but I am indeed the person who can give you the best advice at this time.”

"Then, Lord Fenglan, what should I do now?" Pakula asked anxiously, as if grasping at the last straw.

"Well, let's put ourselves in your shoes now. If I were in your situation, what would I do?" Feng Lan smiled.

Pakula didn't answer, but his body leaned forward slightly, clearly absorbed in the moment.

"I must state first that I am a very cold-blooded and ruthless person. I never care about friendship, bonds, or villages. Since Sunagakure has betrayed me, I will not show them any mercy. Konoha... is obviously an excellent choice. Not only is it powerful, but its leader, Minato Namikaze, is also a soft-hearted and easily manipulated guy."

"So if it were me, I would definitely cut ties with Sunagakure without hesitation, desperately cling to Minato's coattails to demonstrate my value, and climb to a higher position. It's not so that I can turn around and trample on Sunagakure after I've reached a high position, but simply so that I can live a better life. Once you become a high-ranking person, anyone who wants to sacrifice you will have to think twice."

Taking the opportunity, Fenglan began to instill her dark philosophy in Pakula: "Don't be a pawn that can be sacrificed at any time, nor a knife that is wiped clean or discarded after being stained with blood, which is entirely up to people. Be a chess player, and be the one who wields the knife."

He looked at Pakula's blank expression and shrugged: "Of course, having been instilled with the idea of ​​sacrificing for the village since childhood, you probably can't accept my bold and crazy ideas. I don't expect to actually recruit you with this rhetoric. I'm just telling you what kind of person I am."

“If I can’t be like you, then I have to choose another way of life.” Feng Lan shrugged. “I’m going to see Terumi Mei now. Do you want to come with me?”

Pakula was slightly taken aback. Although it had only been a few hours, his argument with Mei Terumi in the tavern seemed like it had happened centuries ago. Back then, he was still clashing with Mei Terumi of Kirigakure over the affairs of Sunagakure. Now, thinking about it, it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Yes."

She instinctively chose to obey. Perhaps it was just like that... Obeying Lord Fenglan was a good choice. Just follow his orders and erase her own consciousness. After all, Lord Fenglan had never made a mistake.

The two set off immediately. Feng Lan's Flying Thunder God Technique had been taught by Tobirama, so even when he teleported back with three people before, he was not seriously injured like before, and he could still use his sensory abilities.

【Um……】

After walking around the Land of Iron for a while, Fenglan quickly confirmed Mei Terumi's location: [Interesting. She didn't return to the inn, and there's no other chakra nearby. Has she been waiting for me to come to her?]

After all, the Five Kage Summit is tomorrow. In theory, everyone should go home after the meeting. Kirigakure is also implementing the closed policy of the Blood Mist Village, so it will indeed be difficult to see Feng Lan again.

He quickly walked to the door of the room and knocked gently: "Miss Terumi Mei, I am the one who holds the Flying Thunder God Mark."

"Mr. Fenglan!" The door was suddenly pulled open, and Mei Terumi rushed out. It was clear that she was in a real hurry. "You've finally arrived. In a little while, I'll have to return to the Mizukage's side!"

"Sorry, I had to take care of a few things." Feng Lan shrugged. "Let's get right to the point."

Mei Terumi did not immediately agree, but deliberately glanced at Pakura.

"Don't worry, she won't come in." Feng Lan smiled, then took out two items and put them in Pakula's hand. "Now, follow your heart."

Before the other party could ask any more questions, he went into Mei Terumi's room and slammed the door shut.

Pakula was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked down. The thing in his left hand was a pass. With this, he could leave the Land of Iron without any hindrance and even travel through the Land of Fire without leaving any trace.

The other thing was a scroll filled with a large amount of money, enough for her to live a life of luxury without doing anything.

Clearly, Fenglan gave her two choices: either stay here to protect her and truly become her subordinate, or take the money and run away to find a secluded place to live out her life in anonymity.

Compared to the choice Sunagakure presented them with either becoming a sinner or a rogue ninja, these two options were so precious, so comforting...

"Mr. Fenglan, it sounds like someone is crying outside." Hearing the noise outside the door, Mei Terumi smiled charmingly, "Did you start a relationship with that country girl from Sunagakure and then abandon her?"

"I think I've said it before, your personality isn't really suited to using your beauty to seduce people."

Fenglan sat down opposite Terumi Mei. Although she appeared very hot and open, Terumi Mei was actually a rather traditional and gentle Yamato Nadeshiko. This could be seen from her care for ordinary people... cough cough, I mean Chojuro. As for Ao, it was only because this guy always touched on the Mizukage's sore spot of wanting to get married that he was threatened with being blackened.

"Everyone is under a lot of time, so let's just speak frankly."

"Indeed, even though I've been cultivating an image of myself as someone who likes to flirt with handsome men in taverns, I have to leave in five minutes at most, otherwise the Mizukage will become suspicious."

Mei Terumi frowned, forced to abandon her pointless probing: "Kisame Hoshigaki killed Suigetsu Fuguki."

"Wow, impressive." Feng Lan clapped his hands. "As expected of the man I value. Now I have two questions: After he killed Suigetsu Hozuki, what was the Fourth Mizukage's reaction? And what is your stance?"

"The Fourth Mizukage has identified him as a rogue ninja and is currently issuing a warrant for his arrest. Kisame was forced to steal Samehada and leave the village to wander outside, while I am his collaborator."

Mei Terumi said seriously, "There are also people in Kirigakure who are very dissatisfied with the policies of the Blood Mist Village. At that time, we also found out that Suigetsu Fubuki was a scoundrel who betrayed the village's information for his own selfish reasons, so we prepared to assassinate him. Unexpectedly, before we could take action, Kisame beat us to it."

“Continue…” Feng Lan had already entered the smiling tiger form, which indicated that his brain was working at high speed. How much of what Mei Terumi said was credible, and how much was fabricated?

Perhaps she really wanted to cooperate with Kisame to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage, or perhaps Kisame had already been captured or even killed, and this guy was coming to her with his token for some other purpose.

“With our help, Kisame Hoshigaki successfully escaped Kirigakure, so our faction has gained his trust,” Mei Terumi continued. “Given his current status, he absolutely cannot appear at the Five Kage Summit, so he entrusted this to me and asked me to come to you for help.”

"What were his exact words?" Feng Lan's squinty eyes opened slightly.

“I’m now determined to save the village, even if it means making a deal with a bastard, so you can see this.” Mei Terumi waved the other half of the Flying Thunder God kunai in her hand.

[Yes, this tone should be Kisame's original words, and judging from the original plot, Mei Terumi is the terminator of the Bloody Mist Village...]

Feng Lan quickly reviewed all the information in her mind and gave her reply: "You should have a way to contact Kisame, right?"

“Yes, I have his summoning beast, the shark, but I can only contact him once.” Mei Terumi nodded.

"Tell him to go to Amegakure to find Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki, and settle down there first. I will go to see him after I have dealt with things here."

"it is good."

As Mei Terumi spoke, she stood up and walked out, clearly in a hurry. However, when she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Mr. Fenglan, I know your personality and your abilities, but Kisame and I are just business partners. This message is only to help him out, and it doesn't mean I would welcome Konoha's interference in Kirigakure's affairs."

"Our Kirigakure's affairs will be resolved by Kirigakure itself. Kirigakure... will never become the next Sunagakure!"

"That's quite an ambition." Feng Lan smiled. "However, if I were you, I would conceal my true thoughts and first use the power of Konoha to achieve my own goals."

"The last person to think like that was probably Amegakure. I've seen what they've become." Mei Terumi shook her head. "I don't think I have the ability to negotiate with a tiger, so I won't provoke you in the first place. So... please don't provoke me either, or next time, we'll be facing each other on the battlefield!"

"I know that Kirigakure is no match for Konoha, but we will fight to the last moment. All you will get is a ruined village and corpses everywhere!"

Chapter 118 Pakula's Destiny

"puff--!"

Feng Lan spat out the hot tea in his mouth. He never expected that Mei Terumi would say something like "fight to the last moment and commit suicide to return to heaven." Has the Naruto world also been corrupted by the will of heaven?

Seeing his rare loss of composure, Mei Terumi was clearly very satisfied: "It's good that Mr. Fenglan is willing to listen to me. Once Kirigakure ends the Blood Mist Village, perhaps we can become true allies with Konoha."

After saying that, she didn't give Feng Lan a chance to reply and pushed open the door to leave.

"Tch, this little brat got away with it." Feng Lan curled her lip. "Just you wait, when we go to Wuyin, you'll be in for a world of hurt."

He stood up and walked out the door, and as expected, he saw Pakula standing there blankly, like a wooden doll.

“Looks like you haven’t made up your mind yet, after all, you only have five minutes.” Feng Lan shrugged. “But don’t worry, you have all night. As long as you don’t show up at the Five Kage Summit tomorrow morning, Sunagakure will not pursue you because they know they are in the wrong. As for Konoha, don’t worry, I’m very busy here.”

After saying that, he strode away. Pakula subconsciously wanted to speak, but it seemed that some invisible barrier was blocking her mouth. After hesitating for a moment, she just lowered her head and followed behind Feng Lan.

Returning to his room, he found a note on the table left by Obito, saying that Minato had overworked his brain and fallen asleep in the Kamui dimension, and that he would be responsible for waking him up the next morning, so Fenglan could rest assured.

"That's a good coincidence." Feng Lan smiled, not in a hurry to go to sleep, but sat down at the low table and began to write down a backup plan for tomorrow's meeting.

The door was left a crack, and the cold wind blew in from the outside, but this actually made the room less stuffy.

Pakula stood there by the gap, undecided about whether to go in or leave. She clutched the pass and the money scroll in her hand, the edges of the papers crumpled. There were tear stains on her cheeks, but she had already wiped them away.

She thought a lot, but her mind was actually blank. Questions like "What should I do?", "Where should I go?", and "What else can I do?" swirled in her mind all night, each one like a pebble thrown into water, creating a few ripples before sinking to the bottom, leaving no result.

A gust of wind blew in from the end of the corridor, causing her clothes to flutter slightly. She hunched her shoulders and suddenly realized she no longer felt cold. Nights in the Land of Iron should be very cold, but she had been standing there for so long without feeling any chill. Perhaps it was because the charcoal fire in the corridor was burning brightly, or perhaps it was for some other reason.

She looked down at the two items, then looked up at the crack in the door. The light from the fireplace shone through the crack, casting a long, thin, warm glow on the floor, and at the end of that glow, a small flower bloomed in the cold wind.

Perhaps it was because the temperature in the corridor was warm, or perhaps someone was taking special care of it; in any case, in the Land of Iron, where snow falls all year round, one can actually see a flower.

But what use is such a flower? Pakula picked it and held it in his hand, just like his own situation. Even though he was alive now, he couldn't get real sunshine and warmth, and he would die in the cold wind sooner or later.

Perhaps it was this flower, or perhaps it was that ray of light, that became the last straw that broke the camel's back. She suddenly pushed open the door and went inside: "Lord Fenglan!"

A biting wind howled in through the door, and Feng Lan calmly pressed down on her scraps of paper: "Hmm?"

"I……"

Pakula closed the door, but suddenly it seemed she had shut out her courage as well. She took a deep breath and clenched her fists tightly around the two objects, as if trying to draw some kind of power from them.

Then, she knelt down, bowing before Feng Lan in a dogeza (a traditional Japanese kneeling posture): "Please let me become yours!"

"Um?!"

Feng Lan raised an eyebrow slightly: "An interesting title. Not from Sunagakure, not from Konoha, but something that belongs to me... You crave an identity, even if that identity is 'Feng Lan's personal possession,' it's better than having nowhere to go, isn't that what you think?"

“Yes.” Pakula could not control her emotions in the end. She did not know what those emotions were, but they were definitely not love. “You can use me as whatever you want, as a ninja, a knife, a tool, or even… a woman. Please let me stay by your side.”

Before this, Pakula had never cared about her charm as a woman, but now it came out quite naturally.

"Ah, what a convenient multi-functional doll." Feng Lan put down her pen. "Generally speaking, I should have agreed without hesitation at this point, right?"

Pakula did not answer or look up, but silently waited for Fenglan's reply, as if awaiting some kind of judgment.

"But unfortunately, I refused."

"Why, why?!" Pakula felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. She desperately raised her head to try and see what the other person was thinking, but she was so shocked and desperate that she didn't even have the strength to straighten up. She could only slump there.

“Because the people around me, whether they’re my boss, subordinates, pawns, or even opponents, have to be at least human beings.” Feng Lan glanced at her. “If they’re just objects, it’s a bit… too boring.”

“Boring…?” Pakula murmured the word. She had expected to be rejected, but she hadn’t expected it to be for this reason.

"Well, I can understand your urgent need for a place to belong, because I've been there too." Feng Lan shrugged. When she first transmigrated, her situation was even worse than Pakula's. After all, she still had her skills, the money she received, and the pass to pass through.