Daimyo Manor, side hall.
Arashi was enjoying a song and dance performance.
Gen suddenly entered with light, quick steps, silently bowed, and stood to the side. Only when the music ended did he speak in a low voice.
"My Lord, there's a situation."
Arashi turned his chair, his gaze shifting from the dancing girls. "What is it?"
"Reporting, Lord, one of the candidates in this selection… your subordinate finds her suspicious."
"Suspicious?"
Arashi's fingers stopped tapping, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
Gen was in charge of selecting consorts and also handled a portion of intelligence work.
If he found something suspicious, it was likely more than a trivial matter.
"Tell me about it."
"Yes."
"This woman calls herself Shizumi. Her identity papers claim she is the daughter of a ruined merchant family from the southern border who came to the Fire Capital seeking a future through this selection."
"The documents themselves are flawless."
"But the problem is, I've seen her before."
Arashi's eyes instantly sharpened.
"Oh? Where have you seen her?"
As a steward, Gen's memory was reliable.
"Recently, when the delegation from the Land of Water came to attend your ascension ceremony."
Gen's expression was solemn. "At that time, Lord Aono was responsible for covert surveillance, and I assisted."
"I remember clearly that among the Land of Water's entourage, this woman wasn't originally present."
"She appeared suddenly."
"After that, she was among the Land of Water's escort guards, wearing the standard uniform of a Hidden Mist kunoichi."
"Although she kept her head down, I could never mistake that extremely rare brown long hair."
Hidden Mist.
Brown long hair.
Female.
A stunningly beautiful face instantly appeared in Arashi's mind.
He recalled the Hidden Mist intelligence provided by Jūzō.
It detailed the various factions under the Hidden Mist Village's Blood Mist reign.
Among them, intelligence about the rebel army was considered top priority.
And one of the leaders of that rebel army was Mei Terumī, with brown long hair.
The report described her as possessing the Bloodline Limits of Lava Release and Boil Release, formidable in strength, and resolute in mind.
Jūzō specifically noted that although she was young, she possessed a decisiveness far beyond her years, willing to do anything to overthrow Yagura Karatachi's rule.
The report ended with the dire state of the rebel army.
Their funding had dried up, supplies exhausted, and they had reached a dead end.
All clues connected at this moment.
Mei Terumī.
So… this is your "stop at nothing"?
Arashi's lips curved upward.
Interesting.
So interesting.
He had just been wondering how to intervene in Hidden Mist Village, and unexpectedly, the other party had delivered herself to his doorstep.
And in such a seductive way.
As for assassination?
While possible, it wasn't likely.
A woman capable of becoming Mizukage wasn't a fool; she wouldn't attempt a meaningless suicide mission.
The only explanation was that she had come seeking aid.
Using herself, her beauty and body, which would one day be unparalleled in the Ninja World, to exchange for the future of the rebel army.
The thought made the mischievous streak in Arashi's heart stir.
An arrogant, beautiful, strong woman who was destined to become a future Mizukage.
For the sake of what she cherished, she had to cast aside her pride, trying to plead with her enemy using her most basic assets.
This script… tsk tsk.
He liked it.
Arashi's smile grew wider.
He looked at Gen and suddenly asked an unexpected question.
"Has she… been examined?"
Gen was stunned for a moment, not expecting his Lord to ask so directly, but quickly bowed.
"She has been examined."
"All participating women undergo the strictest inspection. This is a rule set by your subordinate, and there is absolutely no mistake."
"Three of the most experienced palace old women personally checked and confirmed her… virginity."
Arashi's smile became completely uncontrollable.
He could almost imagine it.
That proud woman, that future Fifth Mizukage, being inspected by several shriveled old women like an object, how humiliated she must have felt inside.
Truly pitiful.
"My Lord, should she be…"
Gen made a gesture of slitting his throat.
In his opinion, dealing with a suspicious enemy kunoichi, no matter her purpose, was the safest course.
"No, no need."
Arashi waved his hand.
"Let her continue."
"I'd like to see what kind of play this beautiful bird, who willingly flew into the cage, intends to perform."
Gen was puzzled but dared not question further.
"Understood."
He respectfully withdrew.
The side hall returned to silence.
Arashi swirled the wine in his hand, feeling immensely pleased.
He had thought life would become dull after conquering Konoha.
Unexpectedly, a new toy had arrived so soon.
He returned to his study, pacing before the large map. His gaze crossed the Land of Fire's borders and settled precisely on the map of the Land of Water.
Mei Terumī, the future Fifth Mizukage.
Offering your body in exchange for hope?
How naive.
How adorable.
He chuckled softly.
At the same time, in the Daimyo Manor's administrative office.
Finance Minister Tanaka Shigeru was receiving envoys from Iwa and Suna.
The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious, showing no trace of the wars that had once occurred between the three nations.
Tanaka Shigeru, smiling gently, personally poured tea for both envoys.
"Honored envoys, have you come with news from your Daimyo-sama?"
The two envoys represented their nations' Daimyo and held real power over their countries' economic and livelihood matters.
The Iwa envoy accepted the tea and spoke earnestly. "Indeed."
"The cultural exchange proposed by Lord Tanaka last time was deeply considered by our Daimyo. He believes it is an excellent way to eliminate estrangement and promote peace."
"Therefore, I was specially dispatched to discuss the specifics of cooperation with the Land of Fire."
The Suna envoy also took the opportunity to speak. "Our Daimyo shares the same view."
"The war is over; the future should focus on peaceful development."
"However, I wonder if the Land of Fire has any ideas regarding cultural exchange?"
Their tone was sincere, yet their words carried a probing undertone.
Tanaka Shigeru smiled appreciatively and nodded. "That both Daimyo-sama possess such foresight is truly a blessing for your nations, and also for the entire ninja world."
Before his words finished, he suddenly shifted the topic.
"However, while cultural exchange is important, it cannot be achieved overnight."
"The exchange of art, ideas, and customs requires time, and more importantly, a stable foundation."
"A foundation that allows the populace to prosper and the nobility to rest easy."
The Iwa envoy immediately asked, "May I ask, Lord, what is this foundation?"
"Trade."
Tanaka Shigeru smiled slightly, slowly uttering the word.
He pushed the two cups of tea toward the envoys, his movements calm and deliberate.
"Culture is built upon prosperity."
"If the people are still struggling to survive after the war, and the nobles are anxious about their dwindling wealth, how can we talk about cultural exchange?"
"Arashi-sama's intention is that before cultural exchange begins, our three nations should first engage in basic commercial trade."
"We will exchange what we have, rebuild our economies, and allow everyone to profit from peace."
"Imagine, the silk, tea, and exquisite crafts of the Land of Fire being transported to your nations continuously."
"And your nations' specialties being sold in the Land of Fire at fair prices."
"Allowing everyone to grow wealthy through peace."
"Tell me, isn't that a tremendous good deed?"
The two envoys' eyes lit up instantly.
They had expected difficult conditions, but instead, it was trade.
The Suna envoy quickly asked, "May I ask what the specific terms of this trade are?"
"That depends on what you have," Tanaka Shigeru replied with a smile. "How about this: the two of you return to report to your Daimyo-sama and then draft a trade list."
The two envoys exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.
"Agreed."
(To be continued.)