Look at this beauty—suddenly, I feel a bit helpless.
She knows that if she suddenly says something like this, others will definitely misunderstand, but Mei Ming doesn't care if Chen Xing feels cornered.
"Well then, tell me—how do you plan to hand over the body of Yagura Karatachi?" Mei Ming's tone carried a shadow of pressure, but she still had to tread carefully. If word spread in Kirigakure that she lost to a wandering "ghost" like Chen Xing, her reputation would take a huge blow.
"Don't hand over the corpse of the Mizukage so easily. Apart from money in exchange, at least tell me first—who are you? A kid like you, I've never even heard of…" Mei Ming narrowed her eyes. It wasn't easy to read Chen Xing's expression beneath his mask. She forced a small smile and asked.
Chen Xing noticed that Yagura's body seemed very important to Mei Ming. Otherwise, she wouldn't be negotiating with him instead of fighting.
"Uh… I am Mei Ming, from Kirigakure. Now then, shouldn't you tell me your name?"
Mei Ming looked up at Chen Xing floating in midair. Her gaze sharpened—there was a hint of anger in her eyes.
"That's not possible. If you want to find me, then keep searching. I won't make it easy." Chen Xing didn't want to reject her too bluntly, but he wasn't about to reveal his true identity.
"Then hand over Yagura's corpse! I swear, I will never seek revenge against you…" Mei Ming pressed on, her tone almost pleading, though fire still smoldered in her chest.
"Still no. But here's my last condition—let me see your face."
"Don't push your luck! My sister here is negotiating with you in good faith, and this is how you repay me?" Mei Ming's voice turned sharp. She clearly thought Chen Xing was mocking her.
"You misunderstand. I truly want to see what the future Mizukage looks like. I promise this is my last condition." Chen Xing patted his chest, putting on the air of someone who would never lie.
He then took out a sealed storage scroll containing Yagura's corpse and dangled it in front of her.
Seeing the scroll, Mei Ming hesitated. Even if she didn't want to rely on outside help, having Yagura's body back would be an invaluable asset for Kirigakure. She clenched her fists, then exhaled.
Looking at Chen Xing in midair, she finally said seriously, "Are you telling the truth? Don't lie to me. If you do, even if you run to the ends of the earth, I swear I'll hunt you down!" Her tone hardened, edged with killing intent.
Chen Xing only smiled, unfazed. "I swear in the name of the Peacock King—I would never lie to you."
"…Fine." After a pause, Mei Ming reluctantly agreed. It was only removing a mask, after all.
When she finally pulled the mask away, Chen Xing felt his breath hitch.
What a peerless beauty.
A snow-white face, delicate features, with a lock of hair falling across her right eye. Sharp brows framed water-like eyes, her lips a pale shade of red, her jade-like skin glowing in the moonlight. The faint flush across her cheeks only made her more alluring.
Chen Xing found himself briefly entranced. Below, Mei Ming caught his reaction and couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. No woman dislikes admiration, and the boy's honest amazement was praise enough.
"So this is the legendary beauty of Mei Terumi…" Chen Xing muttered to himself.
"Now, boy… give me Yagura's body. I'll pay you with the same value," Mei Ming said softly, her lips curling into a faint smile.
"Of course, that's only natural." Chen Xing didn't hesitate—he tossed her the scroll.
"Hm?" Mei Ming was briefly stunned. He handed it over so easily, without even waiting for her payment. Wasn't he afraid she wouldn't keep her word?
But Chen Xing only grinned. "Mei Ming, I don't want money. Consider this my… investment." With that, purple chakra wings flared from his back, and his figure shot into the night like a streak of light.
For a long while, Mei Ming stood frozen. Then, realizing what just happened, her cheeks burned with shame.
"That brat… he even dared to tease me. Just you wait!"
---
The wind whistled as Chen Xing flew onward, a smile tugging at his lips.
He hadn't given Yagura's body to Mei Ming out of pure goodwill. He simply knew when not to make enemies.
After all, Mei Ming was destined to become the Fifth Mizukage. Kirigakure was far from his concerns now, but one day, if he clashed with her as an enemy, things would get complicated.
Chen Xing believed that within a few years, his strength would be enough to rival the strongest shinobi. But he wasn't foolish enough to pick a fight with a future Kage now.
---
A few days later, in Konohagakure.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, exhaled a puff of smoke as he listened to Kakashi Hatake's report about the mysterious "Peacock King."
"So… his strength far surpasses your own?" Hiruzen asked quietly.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. His chakra manifests into a massive peacock, capable of both attack and defense. Even my Raikiri couldn't pierce his protection." Just recalling the battle made Kakashi uneasy.
Hiruzen's brows furrowed. "If he defeated you so easily, yet chose not to harm you, then it means—for now—he bears no ill will toward Konoha…" He took a deep drag from his pipe, pondering. This "Peacock King" was a variable he hadn't anticipated.
"You did well, Kakashi. You may go."
Kakashi bowed and left, leaving Hiruzen alone.
Moments later, Danzo Shimura entered, his bandaged right eye and arm hidden beneath his robes.
"What is it, Danzo?" Hiruzen asked tiredly.
"I want you to transfer Uchiha Sasuke into Root." Danzo's tone was calm but firm.
"No," Hiruzen replied instantly. His voice was flat but resolute.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "You refused to hand over the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki to me. But Sasuke Uchiha is a dangerous variable. Shouldn't you consider—"
"Sasuke is the younger brother of Itachi, who has already sacrificed everything for this village. I will not betray that promise," Hiruzen said sharply. His voice carried finality.
Danzo's face darkened, but he said no more.
Meanwhile, near the Fire Country border, Chen Xing roamed freely. His training had reached a bottleneck. For now, he focused only on refining chakra and tempering his body.
When he passed through a small region called "Yumigakure Ridge," he suddenly stopped, recognizing the name.
"This place… it's familiar. Wasn't this the site of my first kill?"