Land of Vegetables.
It's a small country without Ninja.
The Daimyo of this country had always adhered to the philosophy of peaceful development… of course, it might also simply be because they lacked sufficient military force.
With the Daimyo setting an example, the residents here were generally gentle and kind, even teased by people from other countries as 'naive do-gooders'.
But since it's 'generally', there are inevitably a few exceptions.
A few powerful ministers dissatisfied with the status quo colluded with foreign Ninjas. They not only killed the original Daimyo of the Land of Vegetables but also used a scheme to imprison the princess of the Land of Vegetables in another country, creating the false impression that the 'royal bloodline was severed', thereby gaining legitimacy to rule.
In the ten years that followed, their rule became increasingly stable. Considering the princess might try to reclaim the country, these powerful ministers decided to go all the way and simply kill her.
Originally, that's how things should have been.
Unfortunately, on the way to ambush the princess, two Ninjas appeared out of nowhere, quickly dispatching the Ninjas they had colluded with.
Afterwards, these two mysterious Ninjas helped the princess of the Land of Vegetables reclaim her country and purge the traitorous ministers.
The cost was that they wanted a place where they wouldn't be disturbed by others to live in seclusion.
The names of these two Ninjas were Momochi Zabuza and Haku.
To be honest, they didn't really like that selfish princess.
Facing crisis, she unhesitatingly abandoned her subjects and companions, and even considered using the residents of the Land of Vegetables as decoys.
But one thing at a time.
Solving this princess's troubles wasn't much trouble for Zabuza and Haku.
Plus, the Land of Vegetables was indeed suitable for seclusion, so they reluctantly agreed to the princess's request.
Afterwards, the princess did fulfill her promise, allocating them a separate area on the edge of the Land of Vegetables to live.
However, she would still occasionally visit proactively, wanting Zabuza and Haku to truly become Ninjas of the Land of Vegetables, to become her subordinates and protect her.
Of course, these efforts were futile.
Early morning, Haku got up from his bedroom and began fetching water and cooking.
Zabuza was responsible for chores requiring strength, like chopping wood.
Haku greatly enjoyed this tranquil daily life.
In his view, as long as he could live together with his Zabuza-sama, any life was acceptable.
As for Zabuza...
At first, he was somewhat unaccustomed.
After all, he was a tough character from the Bloody Mist Village. The first half of his life was spent either hunting others or being hunted.
Suddenly transitioning to such a peaceful life always made Zabuza feel he didn't deserve it.
He constantly worried that a former enemy would suddenly appear from somewhere seeking revenge.
Fortunately, after living in the Land of Vegetables for so many days, aside from that somewhat annoying princess, there hadn't been any other outsiders.
It seemed this peaceful life could continue indefinitely.
Until…
"I never thought the [Demon] would be willing to live in seclusion in such a small place. It's really-"
A pleasant female voice suddenly came from not far away.
It wasn't the princess of the Land of Vegetables who often bothered the two, but a woman somewhat familiar to Zabuza.
"Terumi Mei."
Zabuza put down the axe in his hand, instead single-handedly grabbing the Kubikiribocho hidden in the woodpile, adopting a combat stance.
This large blade had previously been accidentally broken by Naruto.
Later, Zabuza found it again and repaired it with blood.
Haku in the kitchen also heard the noise and immediately rushed out, standing beside Zabuza and also assuming a combat stance.
He didn't recognize the sexy woman in front of him, but Haku knew that anyone who could make Zabuza show such a serious expression was definitely not simple.
"No need to be so tense."
Mei pushed open the fence of the small yard and walked in gracefully, showing no intention of attacking throughout.
"I was just passing by by chance. After hearing rumors of a 'Ninja wielding a large sword', I came to take a look."
"I never thought it was really you- By the way, is this your wife?"
Halfway through, Mei's gaze turned to Haku.
Although unwilling to admit it, Haku was indeed better-looking than her, if only a little.
'Especially that gentle, flawless aura. No wonder he could attract the [Demon].
"I am male."
Haku's reply was as consistent as ever.
"Oh~ Male… Male?!"
This caught Mei off guard, disrupting her rhythm.
Gently rubbing her temples, Mei decided not to dwell on the fact that a man possessed beauty surpassing her own, and turned her attention back to Zabuza.
"Zabuza, are you interested in returning to Kirigakure?"
Mei put her hands down, her expression turning serious.
"Are you joking?"
Upon hearing this, Zabuza immediately frowned.
He thought Mei was messing with him.
After all, he had attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage back then.
Having committed such a crime, how could he possibly return to the village?
"Mizukage-sama was being controlled."
Mei also understood Zabuza's concerns, so she directly told this 'junior' what she had discovered, including the situation Ao investigated with his Byakugan.
"No wonder the Mizukage made those outrageous decisions."
Zabuza didn't doubt Mei's words much.
If anything, this made more sense.
"Right now, we need to break the control over the Mizukage. But before that, we need to subdue him."
"Therefore, Kirigakure needs to gather all the forces we can unite."
As she spoke, Mei reached out her hand to Zabuza.
"As long as you join us, I believe this matter will be enough to clear your name."
Faced with Mei's invitation, Zabuza fell silent.
The reason he chose to assassinate Mizukage back then was because he was dissatisfied with the [Bloody Mist policy] and the persecution of Kekkei Genkai Clans.
After the assassination failed, he became that Rogue Ninja who killed for anyone who paid.
Before that, he, Momochi Zabuza, was also one of Kirigakure's talented Ninja.
As his thought reached this, Zabuza's hand holding the sword hilt slowly loosened, as if preparing to grasp Mei's hand.
But the next moment, he seemed to remember something and gripped the hilt again.
"Sorry, I don't want to get involved in these things anymore."
Hearing Zabuza's words, Haku also summoned the senbon he had put away. As long as Zabuza gave the order, he would not hesitate to attack Mei.
Looking at the expressions of the two opposite her, Mei seemed to understand something. She then withdrew her hand and chuckled softly.
"I never thought there would be something that could make you, the [Demon], willingly become human again."
"Is this the bond you found?"
Her gaze swept over Haku and Zabuza, and ultimately she showed no intention of pressing further.
Pat.
Just then, the sound of something falling caught Mei's attention.
Zabuza and Haku seemed to realize something, their faces immediately showing nervousness.
This instead made Mei show an interested expression.
After all, even when facing her, Zabuza hadn't been this nervous.
The next moment, a terrifying demonic sound resounded throughout the entire yard, stinging the ears of the three present, making them cover their ears.
"Waaahhh!!"
Bang!
The door was kicked open by a tiny foot.
A little black-haired girl, who looked only four or five years old, with features like carved jade, walked out of the room.
She let out meaningless shouts while rubbing her eyes and walked over to Haku.
Then, the little girl turned her dissatisfied blue eyes towards Mei, pointing her small, white, tender finger at her.
"You're the one who woke me up! Are you a bad person?!"
Saying this, the little girl bared her teeth, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
The little girl had her hair tied into two small buns, with the baby fat characteristic of young children on her face.
But even so, one could tell she had good features. Her large, blinking eyes stared at Mei, giving this woman who had never even been in a relationship an impulse to just carry her away.
'Too adorable.'
Unlike Mei, who watched the little girl with great interest, Zabuza and Haku immediately nervously tried to soothe the little girl, repeatedly emphasizing that Mei was not an enemy.
It was also the first time Mei saw that helpless, troubled expression on Zabuza's face.
"Is she… your daughter?"
As if asking for trouble, Mei suddenly opened her mouth and asked another question, making the little girl, whose grumpiness from being woken up had just begun to subside, upset again.
She easily broke free from Haku and Zabuza's hands, leaped lightly in front of Mei, then put her hands on her hips and said to her very seriously.
"Bad woman! Kousei is not Zabuza and Haku's daughter! Kousei's father is the [Great Hero]!" (T/N: Her name means Light Star, so I used to Kousei, which means Light Star in Japanese.)