Night was thick as tar, Water Country's signature dampness mixing with that sulfur onsen funk. Lanterns on the veranda tossed yellow glows, stretching two shadows into a tangled dance.
Mei stood there trying to look ice-queen cool, but her swagger was leaking faster than a busted balloon.
She locked eyes with the kid, channeling future Fifth Mizukage boss energy.
Those emerald, always-flirty eyes? Dodging like she owed him money. Couldn't hold his abyss-black stare for shit.
"You… you're still too young…"
Instant regret. Mouth-cannon queen knew that sounded wrong—especially with the HD flashback of the hot-spring reveal.
Tall, ripped, and that underwater glimpse? "Small" was the last word. Cognitive dissonance hit like a truck.
Makoto's smirk said busted. Mei's toes curled, cheeks hot enough to grill yakitori.
Eyes anywhere but him. "AGE! I meant age! Wait till you're… taller or whatever before talking smack!"
Voice dropped to a mumble. "Won't… disappoint…"
Less rejection, more accidental promise. She froze. Did I just—? Heart did a little flip—panic and secret sugar.
Makoto eased off. Knew the tease game: push too hard, she bolts.
Vibe dialed back to chill. "Looking forward to it."
"Business time. Midnight visit—emergency?"
Mei exhaled. Thank fuck. Boobs settled (still a war crime). Tiny sting of damn, over already?
She snapped pro-mode, blush lingering on ears. "Konoha ace spy—codename 'Walking Shrine Maiden.' Got made stealing Fourth Mizukage core intel."
"Pinned by Mist ANBU elites."
Paused, watched his face. "You're tight with Konoha. Know her?"
"If yeah… maybe pull a save. But—even for you? Suicide run. Blood Mist cream-of-the-crop out there."
Fingers twisted a chestnut curl—classic I hate asking tell.
Real talk: She wanted the dirt Nonou was chasing—Yagura's puppet strings. Key to toppling the tyrant, ending the terror, her throne.
But after Makoto sniffed her snooping? Guilt + random jealousy over his maid + village crisis = emotional smoothie. Future Mizukage? Low-key rattled.
"Walking Shrine Maiden…"
Makoto echoed. Brain flashed: elegant blonde, soft eyes, sad smile—Nonou Yakushi.
Why the hell is she diving into Kiri's shark tank? Straight at Obito-controlled Yagura?
His meddling saved her from the canon Pocket tragedy. Gave her freedom.
Now? Orbit shifted—she's here. Danzo blackmail with the orphanage kids again? Or her own play?
Decision: locked.
Save her. Duh.
Not just Nonou—top-tier medic and spy.
Buy-one-get-one: Pocket. No bloodline, but galaxy-brain IQ, learning hacks, war-starter potential. Worth.
Double karma: mom-save + indirect Root extraction = Pocket indentured for life. Kid's loyal to a fault—Nonou's the leash.
Pocket, buddy—you owe me generations. Lifetime intern.
Face blank. "Don't know any… shrine chick. But you hauled ass here at midnight—you want something."
"Need me to bail her out?"
Mei nodded, shook head, lips zipped. Zero decisiveness—cute.
Makoto shrugged. "Fine, you win." Smirk hidden. "Location. Plan."
Leaned in, voice low, intense—like her ask was life-or-death VIP.
Then—Oscar bait: soft eyes, tragic sigh. "If I die… don't feel bad. Just… remember me."
Mei: heart clutch. "NO—don't!"
"LOCATION. Worth dying for you."
PUA God Mode: ON. Every line scripted—heroic, tender, devastating. Mei = emotionally hogtied.
Coords locked. He spun—backlit drama king, wind howling, waters cold vibes.
"If I croak… miss me."
Flying Thunder God ripple. Gone. Last syllable melted in sulfur breeze.
Mei alone—eyes wet. Guilt drowned by feels. Hope, regret, swoon, self-hate cocktail.
Makoto? Triple kill. Mission, intel, and her heart. Chef's kiss.
Quick glance at Red Lotus (bed-warmer) and White (grind mode). Shook head.
Their tier? ANBU meat shields. Liabilities.
Dipped the ryokan. FTG activate.
Mind tendrils snagged pre-planted seal miles out.
Buzz.
Space rippled. Poof. Materialized beside a kunai jammed in rock—zero lag.
No pause. Chidori scream. Blue lightning exploded—arcs whipping, hair spiking, face demonic in the glow.
BOOM. Blue thunderbolt ripped night and fog. Afterimage scorched air, water flash-boiled—CRACKLE.
Wind screamed. Trees blurred. Speed? Fuck physics.
Deep in a moon-forsaken jungle—shadows so thick light gave up.
Pure black sludge-thing slithered—no sound, no presence. Kuro Zetsu.
Something pinged. Familiar chakra—impossible.
Head snapped up from gnarled roots.
"Fa… Father?!"