"Terumi Mei?!"
"Why are you here?!"
Not far from Uzumaki Raiden, Terumi Mei sat with her long hair loose, her calves submerged in the hot spring.
Her skin was smooth and fair, perfectly complemented by the flowing light blue dress draped over her figure. A pale belt cinched her waist, accentuating her already slender frame. Her features were clean and beautiful, and her curvaceous figure exuded a subtle allure.
Seeing this scene, Uzumaki Raiden was stunned for a long moment. It took him quite a while to regain his composure and avert his gaze, slightly embarrassed.
Despite his long tenure as a high-ranking shinobi in Konoha, this was the first time he had been tested like this.
Terumi Mei, after soaking her legs in the hot spring, slipped out of her long dress to reveal her undergarments, then entered the hot spring and leaned against a nearby rock wall. Hearing the sound of splashing water, Uzumaki Raiden instinctively turned his head. At a glance, he quickly looked away, his expression awkward.
"Who would've thought that Lord Raiden, who dominates the shinobi world, had such a side to him!" Terumi Mei teased, noticing his discomfort. She giggled, straightened her posture, and looked directly at him.
"I'm just afraid of awkward situations," Raiden replied, averting his eyes. "Why are you here? Is there some purpose for your visit to the Land of Hot Water?"
He didn't believe for a moment that her presence here was a mere coincidence. As the Mizukage, she wouldn't just abandon her post in Kirigakure to travel all the way to the southeast of Konoha without a reason.
"I'm on vacation, just relaxing," Terumi Mei said with a smile. As she spoke, Chōjūrō entered through the doorway, carrying a tray which he handed to her before turning and leaving without so much as acknowledging Raiden's presence.
The tray held a bottle of wine. Terumi Mei poured herself a glass, drank it leisurely, and seemed completely unbothered by Raiden sitting nearby. Shortly after Chōjūrō left, noise erupted outside the bath.
From the sounds of the argument, Raiden quickly deduced that Mist shinobi—likely Terumi Mei's guards—had blocked access to the bathhouse, keeping all others outside.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"It was the Land of Rain before, now the Land of Hot Water. What's your purpose, wandering through all these small countries bordering Konoha?"
"If you don't tell me, I can guess. You're trying to use these nations to apply pressure on Konoha. But if you think such petty strategies can hinder our development, you're being naïve."
Raiden spoke calmly, eyes closed.
"I know you won't believe me, but I really am just here to relax," Terumi Mei replied. "And to foster diplomatic relations between Kirigakure and the Land of Hot Water."
"This land borders both your Land of Fire and our Land of Water. It's only reasonable I'd visit to ensure the safety of maritime trade routes."
She placed her wine cup aside. Seeing Raiden with his eyes closed, the smile on her face only deepened.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"You're supposedly negotiating with the Land of Rivers—so what are you doing at their border with Konoha?"
"There aren't many roads leading here from the Land of Fire, but several come from the Land of Rivers' capital."
"Don't tell me the daimyo of the Land of Rivers is also resting here."
"And that boy's earlier behavior? Clearly, you knew I was here and came to find me!"
Raiden's thoughts raced. Terumi Mei's sudden appearance was no coincidence. He was certain she had another objective.
"You got me," she said with a sly smile. "You're right. I came to find you."
"Want to know why?"
Terumi Mei slid through the water toward Raiden, whispering in his ear. She was confident in her allure and truly curious to see the great Raiden flustered.
However, just as she got close, Raiden raised a hand and touched her throat with a single finger, a dangerous spark of lightning flickering in his palm.
"Of course, I want to know. And depending on your answer, your life may hang in the balance. Choose your words carefully."
He opened his eyes, a cold glint of killing intent within them.
"This bastard! How could he treat me like this?!" Terumi Mei cursed inwardly, her expression aggrieved.
Despite his threatening gesture, she slapped his hand away and huffed, arms crossed before her chest, her voice annoyed:
"I'll think about it. I'll tell you once I decide."
"If you're in such a rush, go ahead and kill me."
She closed her eyes, as if surrendering completely.
What had been a tense scene now looked more like a lovers' quarrel. Raiden was momentarily at a loss—he hadn't expected her to casually bat away his hand. Kill her? No, he wasn't that cold-blooded.
But if he didn't uncover her true intent, he couldn't be sure of the threat to Konoha.
The hot spring fell into silence. Raiden scratched his head, saying nothing.
After a while, Terumi Mei opened her eyes and glanced at him.
"There was a big battle near here. Even this small town felt the tremors."
"The mayor reported it to the daimyo of the Land of Rivers. At that time, I was a guest at the daimyo's mansion, discussing air route safety between our two nations."
"On our way back, the daimyo requested I investigate."
"My people spotted your trail, so we came to find you."
"I inspected the battlefield myself. The terrain damage was extensive. Whatever caused that destruction must've been a fierce battle."
"And you were nearby."
Her meaning was clear—she suspected Raiden had been involved in the battle.
"A battlefield with severe terrain damage?"
"Where?"
Raiden's brow furrowed.
"Huh?" Terumi Mei blinked. Judging by his reaction, that battlefield wasn't his doing?
"You're saying it wasn't you?" she asked suspiciously.
"It wasn't me. But once I see the battlefield, I'll know."
Raiden's eyes lit up. If the damage was recent, it was likely caused by Shisui's battle. That meant Shisui passed through the Land of Rivers—a valuable clue.
Raiden had left the village in search of Shisui, dead or alive.
His fatigue vanished in an instant. He rose from the water, splashing Terumi Mei.
"What are you doing?!" she snapped, but her voice weakened quickly. Her eyes fixated on Raiden's body, her cheeks burning red.
Water droplets clung to Raiden's frame, and from her angle, the glistening sheen was impossible to ignore. He wore only a pair of large underpants—nothing was hidden from her.
After stepping out of the hot spring, Raiden wrapped a towel around himself and said:
"Come. Take me to that battlefield."
Only once he had the towel on did Terumi Mei look away, touching her flushed cheeks.
"I just started soaking..." she muttered.
"Hurry. I'll wait outside."
But Raiden didn't wait for a reply. He left the bathhouse. Terumi Mei splashed the water angrily, stood up, grabbed her dress, and hurried off to change.
When she came downstairs, dressed in a long blue gown, hair still wet and steaming, she found Raiden already waiting, fully dressed. Several Mist shinobi stood around him, all glaring at Raiden with envy.
"Let's go," Terumi Mei said quietly as she approached. Her flushed face betrayed her mood.
They left the town at speed. Within ten minutes, guided by Terumi Mei, they reached a massive crater nearly a kilometer in radius.
Several rivers had been forced to change course, forming a basin that would soon become a lake. The pit's edges were scorched, charred by massive flames. Broken trees at the bottom, different from those in the surrounding forest, suggested immense destruction.
The trees surrounding the crater were all blown outward, indicating a terrifying shockwave.
"Though the chakra has dissipated, the signs are clear."
"Large-scale Fire and Wood Style attacks, all caused by battle."
"This... this is likely one of Shisui's battlefields."
Raiden examined the area. This battlefield in the Land of Rivers was the largest he'd seen, with more signs of combat than any before. This had to be where Shisui fought.
Activating Kagura's Mind Eye, Raiden scanned the pit, but found no trace of anyone in the water. Expanding the technique's range, he continued the search.
"What are you looking for?" Terumi Mei asked softly, suddenly at his side.
Raiden glanced at her. Just when she thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke.
"My disciple is missing. I'm looking for him."
"Your disciple? Uchiha Shisui or Uchiha Itachi?"
"Shisui," Raiden replied gravely. Then, as if sensing something, he moved southeast.
Terumi Mei followed. Soon, they arrived at a great river. Raiden searched the riverbank before crouching in the grass. When he stood again, a kunai was in his hand.
Etched into its surface was a small "light" character—the mark of Shisui's Flying Thunder God.
Raiden stared silently toward the river, then tucked the kunai into his cloak. A bit of tension left his face.
"As long as there's no body... it's still good news."
Sunlight streamed through the wooden house window. Uchiha Shisui, having recovered after days in bed, was finally able to walk.
Just as Misa had promised, her medical skills were excellent. Shisui could now walk without worsening the wound.
The weather was lovely. Misa took his arm and they strolled along the riverbank. A breeze tousled her long hair, and a soft scent wafted past Shisui's nose.
Beside her, he felt a peace he hadn't known before.
Misa listened to his stories of Konoha with admiration—and something more. After walking a while, they sat on the grassy bank. Misa leaned into Shisui's chest, smiling sweetly as she gazed at the flowing river.
Shisui, unaware, continued his tale, the corner of his lips curled slightly.
The sun was warm, the wind gentle. Unlike bustling Konoha, this place felt calm and beautiful. Shisui was enchanted.
"Shisui."
A hoarse voice shattered the peace. Misa flinched and turned.
Behind them stood a team of shinobi. Leading them was a handsome red-haired youth whose presence exuded authority. Misa instinctively hugged Shisui's arm.
Beside him stood a voluptuous brunette—Terumi Mei—who looked at Misa with undisguised envy.
If Terumi Mei had a dream, it was to marry someone she loved. Though it was her first time meeting Misa, she could clearly see the joy in her eyes.
The Mist shinobi behind them wore light armor and forehead protectors. Their sudden appearance on Konoha soil terrified Misa.
"Shisui, run!" she cried, standing to protect him.
"Master... I... I don't want to go back to Konoha."
Uchiha Shisui stood up, gently patted her shoulder, and stepped forward, addressing the red-haired youth.
(End Of Chapter)
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