Daimyo manor, side hall.
Shin was enjoying a song and dance.
Takeshi suddenly entered with light, quick steps, silently bowed and stood to the side. Only when the song ended did he speak in a low voice.
"My lord, there's a situation."
Shin turned his chair, his gaze returning from the dancing girls. "What is it?"
"Reporting, my lord. One of the candidates for this selection... I find her suspicious."
"Suspicious?"
Shin was curious. His fingers stopped tapping.
Takeshi was in charge of this selection of consorts, and also handled a portion of intelligence work.
If he found it suspicious, then the matter was probably more than just interesting.
"Tell me about it."
"Yes."
"This woman calls herself Shizumi. Her identity papers state she's the daughter of a ruined merchant family from the southern border, who came to the capital to seek a future by participating in the selection."
"The documents themselves are flawless."
"But the problem is, I've seen her before."
Shin's eyes instantly sharpened.
"Oh? Where have you seen her?"
A person capable of being a steward—his memory was trustworthy.
"Just recently, when the Land of Water delegation came to attend your ascension ceremony."
Takeshi's expression was serious. "At that time, Aono was responsible for covert surveillance, and I assisted."
"I remember very clearly that among the Land of Water delegation's group, this woman was not originally present."
"She appeared suddenly."
"Afterward, this woman was among the Land of Water's escort guards, wearing the standard uniform of a Kirigakure shinobi."
"Although she kept her head down, I could never mistake that extremely rare brown long hair."
Kirigakure.
Brown long hair.
Female.
A stunningly beautiful face instantly appeared in Shin's mind.
He recalled the Kirigakure intelligence provided by Biwa Juzo.
It detailed the various factions under Kirigakure's Blood Mist tyranny.
Among them, intelligence on the rebel army was considered top priority.
And one of the leaders of the rebel army.
Was Mei Terumi, with brown long hair.
The report described her as possessing the bloodline limits of lava release and boil release, formidable in strength, and resolute in mind.
Juzo specifically mentioned that although this woman was young, she possessed a decisiveness unsuited to her age, and to overthrow Yagura's rule, she would stop at nothing.
And at the end of the report was the dire situation of the rebel army.
Their funding had dried up, supplies were exhausted, and they had reached a dead end.
All clues connected at this moment.
Mei Terumi!
So... this is your 'stop at nothing'?
Shin's lips curved upward.
Interesting.
So interesting!
He was just wondering how to intervene in Kirigakure, and unexpectedly, the other party delivered herself to his doorstep.
And in such an enticing way.
As for assassination?
While possible, it wasn't likely.
A woman capable of becoming Mizukage certainly wasn't a fool. She wouldn't engage in such a meaningless suicidal act.
The only explanation was for aid.
Using herself, using her beauty and body, which would one day be unmatched in the shinobi world, to exchange for the future of the rebel army?
This thought made the mischievous streak in Shin's heart surge out.
An arrogant, beautiful, strong woman who should have become a generation's Mizukage.
For the sake of what she cherished, she had to set aside her dignity, attempting to beg for mercy from her enemy with her most basic assets.
This script... tsk tsk!
I like it!
Shin's smile grew even wider.
He looked at Takeshi and suddenly asked a question, an extremely revealing one.
"Has she... been examined?"
Takeshi was visibly stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting his lord to ask so directly, but immediately bowed.
"Reporting, my lord, she has been examined."
"All participating women undergo the strictest inspection. This is a rule I set, absolutely without error."
"Three of the most experienced palace women personally checked and confirmed her... virginity."
Shin's smile was completely uncontrollable.
He could even imagine.
That proud woman, that future Fifth Mizukage.
Like an object, how humiliated she must have felt inside when being scrutinized by several old women.
How truly pitiful.
"My lord, should she be..."
Takeshi made a gesture of slitting a throat.
In his opinion, an enemy shinobi with a suspicious identity, regardless of her purpose, dealing with her was the safest method.
"No, no need."
Shin waved his hand.
"Let her continue."
"I'd like to see what kind of play this beautiful bird, who willingly flew into the cage, intends to perform."
Takeshi was puzzled but dared not hesitate for a moment.
"I understand."
"Go."
Takeshi respectfully withdrew.
The side hall returned to silence.
Shin toyed with the wine glass in his hand, feeling extremely pleased.
He had originally thought life would become boring after conquering Konoha.
Unexpectedly, a new toy had delivered itself so quickly.
He returned to his study, pacing to the large map, his gaze crossing the territory of the Land of Fire and landing precisely on the map of the Land of Water.
Mei Terumi... the future Fifth Mizukage!
Offering your body in exchange for hope?
How naive.
How adorable.
He chuckled softly.
I truly want to play with her properly!
At the same time.
Daimyo manor, administrative office.
Minister of Finance Tanaka was receiving envoys from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious, showing no trace of the war that had once occurred between the three parties.
Tanaka, with a gentle smile, personally poured tea for the envoys from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
"Envoys, have you come because your daimyo has news?"
The two envoys, representing their respective nations' daimyo, were the true wielders of power, controlling the economic and livelihood lifelines of their countries.
The Land of Earth envoy took the teacup, speaking earnestly. "Indeed."
"The cultural exchange proposed by Minister Tanaka last time—our daimyo has pondered day and night, deeply feeling that this is an excellent way to eliminate tension and forge peace!"
"Therefore, I was specially sent to discuss specific cooperation matters with the Land of Fire."
The Land of Wind envoy also seized the opportunity to speak. "Our daimyo shares the same sentiment."
"War is over. The future should focus on peaceful development."
"However, I wonder if the Land of Fire has any ideas regarding cultural exchange?"
Their words were sincere, yet their tone was probing.
Tanaka, upon hearing this, showed an appreciative expression and nodded slightly. "That both daimyo possess such foresight is truly a blessing for your nations, and also for the shinobi world."
Before his words finished, he abruptly changed course.
"However, while cultural exchange is important, it cannot be achieved overnight."
"The exchange of art, ideas, and customs requires time, and even more, a stable foundation."
"A foundation that makes the people prosperous and the nobility at ease."
The Land of Earth envoy immediately pressed, "May I ask, minister, what is this foundation?"
"Trade."
Tanaka smiled slightly, slowly uttering two words.
He pushed the two cups of tea toward the envoys, his movements unhurried.
"Culture is built upon prosperity."
"If the people are still worrying about their post-war livelihoods, and the nobles are anxious about their shrinking coffers, how can we speak of cultural exchange?"
"The daimyo's intention is that before initiating cultural exchange, our three nations can first begin with the most basic commercial trade."
"We'll exchange what we have, restore our economies, and allow everyone to profit from peace."
"Imagine, when the silk, tea, and exquisite handicrafts of the Land of Fire are continuously transported to your nations."
"And your nations' specialties can be sold in the Land of Fire at a fair price."
"Allowing everyone to gradually become wealthy in peace!"
"Tell me, isn't this a tremendous good deed?"
The two envoys' eyes instantly lit up.
They had originally expected to face harsh conditions.
But they never thought it would be trade.
The Land of Wind envoy quickly asked, "May I ask what the specific content of this trade is?"
"That depends on what you have," Tanaka said with a smile. "How about this—the two envoys first return and report to your daimyo, and then draw up a trade list."
The two envoys exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.
"Good!"