Mei bit her lip uncontrollably.
Her beautiful eyes glanced at Naruto, then at the four figures beside him—Guren, Izumi, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro.
The more she looked, the colder her heart grew.
Because she realized that even if she could deal with Naruto, it would be nearly impossible to defeat these four.
After all, the battle with the Sanbi had drained much of her stamina and chakra.
At this point, her combat strength was below that of an average jōnin.
"Mei-sama..."
Ao's expression was grim as he hurried over.
Naruto glanced at him and ordered, "Guren, take care of that guy. But don't kill him yet."
"Yes!" Guren responded obediently.
She turned to Ao, formed hand seals, and declared:
"Shoton: Suishou Rokkaku-shou!" (Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Hexagonal Pillars!)
In an instant, the ground cracked open, and pale purple crystals erupted like a prison, trapping Ao within.
"Damn it..."
Ao gritted his teeth, veins bulging around his Byakugan as he drew a kunai and frantically struck the crystal.
But no matter how he slashed, the kunai couldn't even leave a scratch.
"Give it up."
Guren watched him struggle and calmly continued forming seals.
"Crystals formed by Crystal Release are harder than steel. Even the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku can't compare."
Kimimaro didn't argue.
"Shoton: Kesshou Gokaku Rou!" (Crystal Release: Crystal Pentagonal Prison!)
As Guren spoke again, the pale purple crystals completely engulfed Ao's body, sealing him entirely within, as if he were a statue.
"Ao!"
Mei's anxious gaze was fixed on Ao.
Her eyes shifted, and she glared at Guren in anger. She opened her mouth and spewed a highly corrosive white mist.
"Futton: Kiri Ryu no Jutsu!" (Boil Release: Mist Dragon Technique!)
Guren's expression changed slightly as the white mist spread toward her.
But she soon relaxed.
Because she saw Naruto make his move.
"Kō!!"
A furious, flaming punch surged forward, and in an instant, it evaporated the corrosive mist.
Before Mei could unleash a second jutsu, a streak of fire appeared in front of her.
Flames erupted, and Naruto's figure emerged from within.
He reached out and firmly grasped Mei's delicate hand that was preparing to form seals.
"You..."
Mei glared at Naruto, her eyes blazing with fury.
She opened her mouth, red light glowing in her throat.
"Let me give you a scorching kiss!"
"Yōton: Yōkai no Jutsu!" (Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!)
Just as the molten liquid was about to be unleashed, she saw the blond youth in front of her suddenly smile.
"Well then... I guess I'll have to personally feel just how hot your kiss can be."
Leaving behind those words, Naruto, under Mei's stunned gaze, smirked slightly, placed one hand around her waist, the other at the back of her head, and pulled her in.
Their faces pressed together.
In the next moment—
Their lips met.
Mei's pupils dilated to the extreme.
The molten liquid she had intended to spew was instead forced back, swallowed by Naruto through the kiss.
"Mm...!"
"Mm...!"
Mei struggled with all her might, trying to push Naruto away.
But no matter how hard she tried, it was futile.
Just like that, they kissed for a full ten minutes.
By the end, Mei's face was flushed a bright red, almost as red as the sun.
Only then did Naruto lift his head, licking his lips as he smiled.
"That was quite the fiery kiss."
If he hadn't used his elemental transformation ability, relying on his body alone, he would've been melted into liquid by Mei's Lava Release.
Mei collapsed to the ground, her face flushed, trembling, and looking at the blond youth with a fearful gaze.
"Y-You... actually..."
The fact that the molten liquid—powerful enough to melt even the Sanbi's shell—had no effect on Naruto, especially when it had been ingested, was beyond her comprehension.
"That's right. Refusing a lady's passionate kiss would be disrespectful."
Naruto spoke matter-of-factly.
Seeing that Mei was trying to buy time, Naruto didn't give her the chance.
He lightly tapped her neck with his hand, and the elite jōnin—future Fifth Mizukage—fainted on the spot.
When Mei regained consciousness, she saw a familiar ceiling.
"This is...?"
She looked around in surprise.
This wasn't a hospital, nor the afterlife, but rather...
Her own office as the Mizukage.
"What's going on!?"
Her awakening drew attention.
Naruto glanced at her and smiled.
"Awake? If you're up, sit up. We need to talk about what happens next."
"What is there to talk about!?"
Mei forced herself to sit up, glaring at Naruto with gritted teeth.
"You bastard! You took advantage of my weakness to defeat me. Do you think you're strong just because of that!?"
She snorted coldly.
"Don't kid yourself. This is Kirigakure. If I shout for help, a whole army of shinobi will come running. No matter how strong you are, you can't fight an entire village..."
"Who says I can't?"
Naruto smirked.
Forming hand seals under Mei's terrified gaze, he said:
"Guess what jutsu I'm going to use next?"
Mei's expression darkened, and she gritted her teeth, saying each word coldly:
"You bastard... Don't tell me... you're going to summon the Sanbi here!?"
"Correct."
Mei's heart sank.
A Tailed Beast, synonymous with calamity, appearing in Kirigakure would be a catastrophe for the Land of Water.
"Stop!"
She rushed forward to stop him.
But Naruto easily pulled her into his embrace.
With a playful flick on her nose, he grinned and said:
"Do you want me to burn this place to the ground?"
Ignoring Mei's struggles, Naruto leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"You have two choices: either die here to protect Kirigakure, or... become my subordinate from now on."
Mei trembled with fury, her teeth grinding together.
"Dream on! I won't bow to anyone!"
Naruto chuckled.
He extended his hand toward the window, and with a thunderous boom, a torrent of flames burst out, igniting the building.
The Mizukage Tower was engulfed in flames in an instant.
Mei's body trembled.
She heard the panicked cries of Kirigakure shinobi in the distance.
She saw the flames devouring the Mizukage Tower.
And then, she looked at the blond youth before her...
She nearly ground her teeth to powder.
But in the end, she could only close her eyes in humiliation, clutching Naruto's clothes, and whispered:
"Namikaze Menma... I surrender."
(End of Chapter)
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