Chapter 65: Terumi Mei — This Man Isn't Normal!
"There aren't ten thousand, but eight thousand!"
Terumi Mei found that hard to believe.
How could that possibly be true?
But if it wasn't, why would he say something so absurd with such confidence?
"Are you really not kidding?" she asked, unable to hold back her disbelief.
Her reaction was within Gang Zitie's expectations.He didn't bother to explain much — instead, he spoke calmly:"About Konoha, you don't need to ask me anything. I can only tell you one thing — God bless Konoha."
"God bless Konoha…?"
The words sounded simple, yet they left Terumi Mei feeling strangely unsettled.
What the hell had happened to Konoha?
At that moment, Izumo Kamizuki — who had gone ahead to report — returned.
"Shinobi from the Mist, the acting Hokage has agreed to meet you. Please, come with me."
"Thank you," said Elder Genji (Yuan Shi), nodding as Ao helped him forward.
The Mist ninja delegation followed behind, entering Konoha.
Terumi Mei trailed a few steps back, mulling over Izumo's earlier words.
Acting Hokage?
So, Konoha hadn't chosen a Fifth Hokage yet?Instead, someone was temporarily acting in that role?
Who could it be?Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin?Or perhaps Shimura Danzō?
Terumi Mei's intuition told her that whatever was going on in Konoha… this "acting Hokage" was at the center of it.
They followed Izumo through the quiet streets.To the Mist delegation's surprise, Konoha felt like a ghost town — the streets were empty, shops were shuttered, and even civilians were scarce.Everywhere, there were signs of destruction and rebuilding.
At first glance, it really did look like Konoha had been devastated.
Yet… something about it felt off.
"Hey, where are all the ninjas from your village?" Terumi Mei asked Izumo curiously.
"Sorry, no comment," he replied politely, smiling faintly.
Of course, Izumo knew the real reason no one was visible — everyone was currently gathered in the manga copy world, gleefully beating up Danzō.But that wasn't something he could tell outsiders.
Terumi Mei clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed. Two straight men in a row, and both refused to talk — this was not her day.
Soon, the group reached the front of the Hokage Building.
Elder Genji motioned for the others to wait outside while he, Ao, and Terumi Mei followed Izumo inside to the conference room.
When they entered, Terumi Mei froze.
The room was filled with Konoha's Jōnin — all of them seated, all of them watching her with sharp, assessing eyes.
The oppressive atmosphere was immediate and heavy.
Terumi Mei frowned.She hadn't expected a meeting already in progress. It almost felt like Konoha was deliberately trying to pressure them.
"Oh? Is this how Konoha treats guests?" she asked dryly, her emerald eyes sweeping across the faces before landing on Izumo."Where is this acting Hokage you mentioned?"
"This," Izumo said, gesturing toward the upper seat, "is the Hokage — our Acting Hokage, Lord Su Li."
Following his gaze, Terumi Mei turned to look—
And froze again.
There was indeed a man sitting there… but she hadn't noticed him until that very moment.
What?
How could she have missed him entirely?
Even with her trained senses, she hadn't felt a trace of his presence — no chakra, no pressure, no aura. Nothing.
It wasn't that Terumi Mei's perception was dull — it was that Su Li's existence did not register at all.
Even Ao, standing beside her with his Byakugan active, was visibly startled. He gave her a nervous glance, his expression saying everything: I didn't sense him either.
That settled it.
Something was definitely not right with this man.
"You're… Konoha's acting Hokage?" Terumi Mei asked, suppressing her unease.
"Yes," Su Li replied calmly, without standing. "Nice to meet you. My name is Su Li — the current Acting Hokage of Konoha."
His tone was casual, almost lazy — yet every word carried weight.
Now that she'd seen him properly, Terumi Mei realized he was young. Too young for such a position.
A nobody who'd suddenly become the Hokage's successor?
This man wasn't simple.
"Bring a chair for Elder Genji," Su Li said lightly. "He's the Mist's representative — and a senior. We can't let him stand."
Ao and Terumi Mei remained behind the elder as guards, as was proper.
Elder Genji chuckled kindly as he sat. "Lord Su Li is young and promising indeed. To govern a village as vast as Konoha at such an age — truly, the future belongs to the young."
"Senior flatters me," Su Li replied evenly. "So then — what brings you to Konoha?"
Straight to the point — no small talk.Elder Genji nodded approvingly. "Impatient, are you? Very well, I'll be frank.
I received reports that the rebel Orochimaru and the Sand Village attacked Konoha, causing severe damage.
We thought Konoha might need allies.
Our Mist Village is willing to cooperate with you — to stand together against the Sand Village."
Unlike the other great nations who coveted Konoha's fall, the Mist genuinely sought alliance.
After all, their own situation was dire.The Bloody Mist era had torn their village apart, and after discovering that the Fourth Mizukage had been manipulated by genjutsu, their confidence had shattered.
Even though the Fourth Mizukage was gone, the chaos he left behind wasn't easily resolved.
If the Mist Village was to recover, they needed to open up — to trade, to rebuild, and to ally.
Elder Genji had come in person, hoping to establish that alliance.
Hearing his words, the Konoha Jōnin in the room exchanged complex looks.
First Sand, then Cloud, and now Mist… everyone seemed to have their eyes on Konoha.
And yet, thanks to Su Li, Konoha's strength had grown immeasurably.
In truth, God really had blessed Konoha.
Even if they couldn't take on all four great nations at once, they could certainly hold their own against any one of them.
All because of Su Li.
The thought made every Jōnin's gaze drift toward him with a quiet respect.
Su Li smiled faintly."An alliance sounds nice," he said, "but I'm afraid things aren't as you imagine.
See, we don't need anyone's help against the Sand Village — mainly because…"
He paused, his smile widening.
"…we've already married into the Sand Village."
"???"
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Elder Genji, Ao, and Terumi Mei all stared wide-eyed.
"What—what did you just say? Married?"
Terumi Mei's voice rose in disbelief.
Konoha and Sand? Married?
Had Konoha forgotten who killed their Third Hokage?Did they forget who slaughtered their own people?
This was insane!
Elder Genji finally spoke after a long pause."May I ask… what exactly do you mean by 'married'? Who married whom?"
In that moment, countless theories flashed through his mind, none making sense.
How could two villages that were recently at war suddenly become in-laws?
Su Li merely smiled."Well, that's Konoha's private matter. I'm afraid it's inconvenient to discuss further."
He wasn't ready to reveal the existence of the manga world yet.
Eventually, the secret would spread, but for now, it was best to keep it contained — especially with someone as unpredictable as Terumi Mei.
If her pride were challenged, she'd cause trouble before listening.
Elder Genji sighed quietly.It seemed that Konoha neither needed support nor wanted alliance.
Still, Su Li wasn't finished.
"With all due respect, Elder Genji," he said smoothly, "your Mist Village currently lacks any powerhouse to speak of.
You didn't even realize your own Mizukage was under illusion.
Even if we did form an alliance, wouldn't it just slow us down?"
"What did you just say?!" Terumi Mei exploded.
It wasn't just the insult — it was the fact that this man knew about their Mizukage's secret.
And to speak about it so condescendingly!
Mist Village — without a single strong shinobi?
Unforgivable!
"Enough," Elder Genji interjected, raising a trembling hand to stop her.They hadn't come here to pick a fight.
Terumi Mei bit her lip and fell silent, though fury still burned in her eyes.
Elder Genji looked at Su Li again — this time with deeper respect.
Unlike Terumi Mei, he heard the layered meaning behind Su Li's words.
"It seems, Lord Su Li," he said slowly, "that your intelligence network is quite formidable… But somehow, I suspect your intention isn't simply to mock us, is it?"
Su Li's lips curved. "As expected of a senior — you see right through it.
No, an alliance is off the table.
But business… business we can talk about."
"Business?" Elder Genji repeated, frowning in confusion.
Su Li leaned forward, smiling.
"Yes — a business that could make your Mist Village stronger.
Would you like to hear more?"