Regardless of whether the marriage between Terumi Mei and Uchiha Kage can ultimately be arranged, Sarutobi Hiruzen does not want to offend Kirigakure over such matters, especially since this future Mizukage is still so young.
"It's fine, then we shall take our leave, Hokage-sama."
Before even leaving the conference room, Terumi Mei proactively grabbed Uchiha Kage's arm.
Unexpectedly, this Third Hokage turned out to be quite agreeable. This was also the first time she had won an argument against that female teacher.
What a refreshing feeling.
Of course, what was even more delightful was that she now had a perfect reason to stay with Uchiha Kage all the time.
However, clearly, she only wanted to ride on top of this young man, so why did she always dream at night of being tied up by this guy, and even scenes of him using whips and candles on her?
Could it be that, on the surface, she liked to be the aggressor, but deep down inside, she was actually an M?
"Kage, accompany Mizukage-sama around the village first. Come to my Hokage office later."
"Yes."
He wondered how the Chunin Exams were going.
Uchiha Kage didn't particularly reject Terumi Mei's love-hate transformation, but now that he was back in Konoha, naturally, his "career" came first.
Besides, lately… the frequency had indeed been a bit excessive.
Even Kaguya had noticed something, saying that his firepower wasn't as strong as before.
Mikoto also said he was being too gentle and hoped he would be rougher.
It seemed he needed to collect more ninja fragments as soon as possible to increase his action points and enhance his stamina so he could return to his previous state. Where neither Kaguya nor Mikoto could get out of bed.
Though the main reason was still that he had spent a bit too much energy on Samui recently.
But putting that aside, just the physical boost from six action points alone was already somewhat insufficient given his current number of wives.
———
"Hokage-sama, Itachi is suspected to be a plant inserted by Root. Not long ago, someone saw him heading to Root's headquarters."
Not long after Uchiha Itachi left for Root's headquarters, an ANBU ninja arrived at the Hokage office to report.
"I see. You may leave for now."
Although he showed great trust in Uchiha Itachi on the surface, in secret, Sarutobi Hiruzen had still assigned people to keep watch.
What he didn't know was that many of the ANBU members he had sent to monitor Uchiha Itachi were actually undercover agents from Root.
"Itachi and Danzo…", Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows deeply, smoking from his pipe in the office.
He guarded against it day and night, yet still failed to prevent it.
In the end, Uchiha Itachi was just impossible to tame.
"Have the esteemed guests from Kirigakure been properly accommodated? If there's nothing else, tell Uchiha Kage to come see me."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
———
"After the written test of the Chunin Exam, it's still the Forest of Death? This Hokage really lacks originality."
Wearing a human-skin mask and disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, Orochimaru was inquiring with his subordinate, who was also disguised as a Kazekage bodyguard.
"Are there any particularly promising candidates in this Chunin Exam?"
Lately, Orochimaru had been a bit short on both funding and manpower.
So aside from carrying out his primary "mission goal" of destroying Konoha, he also wanted to procure some goods (kidnap some people) from Konoha.
And preferably…
"Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Neji, and Sunagakure's Gaara…"
"Uchiha Sasuke? The only survivor after the clan massacre?"
Hearing the name Uchiha, Orochimaru visibly perked up.
Due to dealing with the Kazekage, Kimimaro's deteriorating health had reached the point where his body was completely unusable, so Orochimaru had to settle for an exceptionally gifted female body as a vessel.
But what he truly wanted was still an Uchiha body.
The Sharingan, especially the Mangekyō Sharingan, was an absolute counter to a ninja like him who relied on jutsu.
Whenever he recalled Uchiha Itachi's genius, and how he had been instantly crushed in Akatsuki just by being glared at, Orochimaru felt not just seething hatred but an intense yearning.
After so many years of experimentation, he had long understood that in this ninja world, ordinary humans had limits. To become stronger, one had to—obtain rarer bloodlines.
That was why he valued the forbidden technique of Living Corpse Reincarnation so highly.
"There are two of them, Orochimaru-sama, but the other Uchiha did not participate in this Chunin Exam."
"Two? But if he doesn't even dare to enter the Chunin Exam, he must be mediocre. However, I'll personally test this Uchiha Sasuke."
Orochimaru was still very particular about his future body.
"From here on, you will pose as the Kazekage, Kabuto."
"Yes!"
Yakushi Kabuto respectfully accepted the human-skin mask from Orochimaru's hand.
———
"Konoha Village is truly bustling…"
After strolling through Konoha's famous scenic spots at a leisurely pace with Uchiha Kage, Terumi Mei and her entourage finally arrived at a well-built inn.
Compared to Kirigakure, Konoha was indeed much better.
But Terumi Mei thought to herself that she might be able to build Kirigakure into an even better place than Konoha in the future.
Just like in her dreams… that Kirigakure.
However, before that, she had to make sure she… snatched this Uchiha boy back to become the 'Mizukage's husband.'
The Hokage should soon relay the contents of the marriage document to him.
Before that, she had to determine whether this boy had any feelings for her.
If he did, then everyone would be happy. If he didn't… she would force it anyway.
"All right, the environment here seems nice. I won't go in. Let's part ways here."
Although wandering around Konoha with a beautiful woman was quite enjoyable, being constantly spied on by Hinata and Kurenai hiding nearby was a little tiring.
Better to go back and rest first.
Besides, it was time to deal with Samui's identity issue.
Uchiha Kage thought to himself.
"Wait…"
Terumi Mei first sent her two Mizukage bodyguards ahead to check the rooms in the inn, then quickly called out to Uchiha Kage, who was about to leave.
"There's something I want to ask you."
This time, she didn't use her seductive "big sister" tone. Terumi Mei's voice was very serious.
And her gaze toward Uchiha Kage was also very clear.
"What is it?"
Seeing Terumi Mei suddenly adopt a serious expression, Uchiha Kage was a bit puzzled.
"Do you want to live in Kirigakure?"
"No."
Although Kirigakure had a more serene environment and one could see the sea everywhere, Uchiha Kage still preferred Konoha.
"You…"
Being rejected so bluntly the moment she spoke, Terumi Mei's courage deflated by more than half.
"Is it because you dislike me? I was unreasonable before, and I always targeted you…"
"Of course not, I…"
Each of their confrontations had turned into an amusing interaction between them, so Uchiha Kage couldn't feel any animosity toward this Kirigakure kunoichi.
Not to mention that lately, he had been "serving" her frequently at night, listening to the delightful jingling of the silver bells on her ankles.
She was also the kunoichi with the most variety in play. Although she was still an NPC, she was already embracing him as much as Hinata and Kurenai in his dreams.
Maybe one day she would become real.
But just as Uchiha Kage was about to say something more, a ninja wearing a Sunagakure forehead protector and a white headscarf suddenly walked out of the inn.
"Hello."
Upon seeing Uchiha Kage and Terumi Mei, this unexpected ninja in front of them politely greeted them.
However, when he noticed Uchiha Kage's face, for a moment, he showed an expression of considerable surprise.
'This Uchiha… seems to have seen somewhere long ago?'
'Orochimaru?'
Similarly, from the snake-like pupils revealed in the other person's eyes and the powerful chakra emanating from him, Uchiha Kage guessed the identity of the visitor.
"So it turns out to be an esteemed guest from Sunagakure. May I ask if there is something on my face?"
Although their previous interaction had been relatively brief a long time ago, the fact that he could still remember his face until now showed that Orochimaru's memory was quite impressive.
Temporarily ignoring Terumi Mei beside him, Uchiha Kage took the initiative to look at Orochimaru.
"No, nothing, I just mistook you for someone else."
It had been forty to fifty years… How could that guy, who was always with Tsunade, still be just a teenager now?
There was no way he could have used something like Living Corpse Reincarnation to regain his youth like Orochimaru himself, right?
So, most likely, it was just a resemblance.
After just a brief daze, Orochimaru quickly returned to normal.
There were plenty of people in the ninja world who looked alike—nothing surprising about it.
However… even someone from Kirigakure came to Konoha? And judging by appearances, she might even be the Mizukage?
After calming himself, Orochimaru focused more of his attention on Terumi Mei.
But after just a brief glance, he continued walking forward without looking back.
Although the arrival of Kirigakure's people was indeed a variable, it didn't matter.
Konoha would be destroyed by him sooner or later—no one could defend it, no matter who came. That was what he had said.
"Hey, since you don't hate me, does that mean you—"
Although she was somewhat annoyed at being interrupted by a random passerby, Terumi Mei stubbornly wanted to continue questioning the boy's heart.
Not hating meant liking, right?
So… when should the wedding date be set?
"Konoha doesn't seem very safe recently. It's best not to wander around at night."
But Uchiha Kage, who had been focusing all his attention on Orochimaru, automatically filtered out Terumi Mei's question.
And after Orochimaru left, he also left the spot.
"Are you… worrying about me?"
'He really does care about me.'
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