Mei set her half-eaten slice of pizza down, the steam curling faintly in the lantern light. Her eyes, cool and assessing, lingered on Raven. "How will I contact you when I am ready to set up the funnel of children to your safe location?"
Raven reached into her sleeve and withdrew a small ivory card etched with intricate sealing marks that shimmered faintly under the glow. She slid it across the table. "I already have several subordinates who will respond to you. Drop a trace of your blood onto the seal engraved here, and it will alert one of my agents. They will arrange the extraction of the children—and any bloodline clans you can save."
Mei studied the card carefully, one brow lifting. "So this is some kind of sealing contact method?"
Raven nodded. "You could think of it that way. In the future, I intend to create more sophisticated communication systems. But for now, this will suffice."
Mei's turquoise eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean by 'in the future'? Are you only beginning to learn how to do all this?"
Raven waved the question aside, her tone smooth and dismissive. "None of that matters right now. What matters is your village. You should leave before Yagura's watchers begin to notice you have strayed too long from your mission."
Mei exhaled sharply through her nose, then gave a short nod. "That is true. He does not let important figures like me wander unnoticed. Very well. I will leave now." She stood gracefully, tucking the ivory card into her sleeve, and gave Raven one last steady glance before she slipped from the room.
When the door closed, silence filled the space. Raven leaned back in her chair, her pale hair falling over her shoulder as the glow of her Rinnegan dimmed. In the corner, Yumi sat in her fox form, her tail swishing lazily across the floor.
"Well, Yumi," Raven murmured, her voice soft but intent, "that was an unexpected surprise. But it looks like I can accelerate my plans for Kirigakure. When Yagura falls, Mei will take the Mizukage's seat."
Yumi tilted her head, amber eyes narrowing. "Raven, you are pushing things too quickly. I hope no one discovers you are still a one-and-a-half-year-old baby."
Raven rolled her eyes with faint irritation. "Small details. My chakra extraction is progressing smoothly. I have nearly mastered the Yin Seal to store chakra, and once that is done, I will have reserves most shinobi can only dream of. Sage Mode is closer than you think."
The fox gave a quiet snort. "Closer? You have not even begun one-tail training with my chakra yet. Mastering Sage Mode will take years. Do not leap too far ahead."
Raven inclined her head in reluctant agreement. "You are right. One step at a time. But with a few years before the academy, I will be ready to rewrite the future of the elemental nations."
Yumi's ears flicked, her tone heavy. "Are you truly planning alliances to change the course of the next great war?"
Raven's voice hardened. "Yes. If I am fortunate, I can prevent the Fourth Shinobi World War altogether. But even if I cannot, I have contingencies—even Kaguya herself, should I need her."
Yumi's tail lashed once. "You assume Black Zetsu would ever stop, even if Kaguya is freed. That creature serves powers older than her."
Raven's lips pressed together, her eyes glowing faintly again. "Perhaps. But that is for the distant future. For now, we need to find Gato."
The two left the restaurant, the night air cool and filled with the scent of salt. The streets of Takigawa Port buzzed with life—sailors staggering out of inns, merchants tallying their ledgers, shinobi cloaked in shadow watching everything with guarded eyes. Raven walked calmly, her steps silent as her gaze swept the crowd.
"A man like Gato is bound to be in the local casino," she remarked. "The rich and corrupt always drift to the brightest lights—and the most beautiful women."
Yumi padded beside her, ears flicking. "That does make sense."
They pushed open the double doors of the largest casino in the port, and sound immediately engulfed them—clattering dice, spinning wheels, the rise and fall of laughter and curses. Lanterns hung from the rafters, bathing the hall in warm gold. Raven paused just inside the entrance, her eyes locking onto a familiar figure at the heart of the chaos.
Tsunade Senju sat at the center table, her golden hair tied back but slightly loose from the heat of the crowd. A faint flush from sake colored her cheeks as she slammed her palm down when the dice landed against her favor. Beside her, Shizune wrung her hands, her dark eyes anxious as she tried to intervene.
"Lady Tsunade, please stop gambling! You are giving away all of our food money again!" Shizune pleaded desperately.
Tsunade waved her off with an impatient laugh, lifting a massive sake bottle in one hand. "Relax, Shizune. This time I'll win it back, I swear." She poured herself a drink, downed it in one motion, and slammed the empty cup back onto the table.
Raven exchanged a glance with Yumi, whose tail flicked. The fox muttered in a dry voice, "Well, what a coincidence."
Tsunade's eyes swept the room lazily before landing on Raven. Her gaze sharpened, and she kicked out the seat beside her with one leg. "Join me, girl. I hear you ripped off the last owner for a hundred thousand ryō. He is looking for you."
Raven walked forward, her tone calm. "I cheated that fair and square."
Tsunade's lips curved into a crooked grin. "Relax. I never pay my debts either. And I am not about to start now."
Raven sat across from her, her mask still in place. Her voice dropped quietly, cutting through the din. "Tsunade Senju."
Tsunade arched a brow, her amber eyes sharp. "That is right. Do I know you?"
Raven lifted her hand and slowly removed her mask, setting it on the table. White hair spilled freely over her shoulders, and the glow of the Rinnegan shimmered in her eyes as she met Tsunade's gaze head-on. "It is good to see you again."
For the first time that night, Tsunade fell silent. Her frown deepened as she studied Raven's face, her expression unreadable. "Who are you?"
She turned to Shizune, her voice suddenly curt. "Shizune, get me another drink."
Shizune hesitated, torn. "My lady, should I stay with you?"
"Go," Tsunade ordered firmly. Shizune bowed quickly and slipped into the crowd.
Tsunade leaned forward, her sake-hazed eyes narrowing on Raven. "Now tell me. Who are you?"
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