Land of Water, near the sea.
The fast boat carrying Mei and the others silently approached a desolate coast under the cover of night.
On deck, Mei wore black, her face hidden behind a cold mask that concealed her expression.
The salty sea breeze mixed with the damp scent of earth filled her nostrils.
Familiar, yet strange.
This was her first time returning since leaving her homeland.
There was no glorious return, no triumphant homecoming.
Only the identity of a traitor and a heart full of hatred.
"Madam," Keisuke approached and spoke in a low voice, "we have reached the designated landing point and all team members are ready."
"Mm." Mei answered softly, her voice slightly hoarse. "Proceed as planned."
"Yes."
Keisuke said nothing more and turned to give the signal.
The next moment.
More than a dozen figures leaped off the boat, landing silently and disappearing into the rocks and shadows along the shore.
Mei was the last to disembark.
As her feet touched the soil of the Land of Water again.
This had once been her home.
Now it was the target she had to destroy herself.
"Let's go." Suppressing the turmoil in her chest, Mei gave the order.
The group quickly vanished from sight.
Their first target was not Kirigakure, nor the shinobi forces stationed around the country.
Instead, it was a clan that once held an important position in Kirigakure.
The Kaguya clan.
This once influential and powerful clan, dissatisfied with Yagura's policies, was now on the verge of extinction.
Even so, they still held considerable strength.
They controlled nearly twenty percent of the Land of Water's mineral resources, acting as Kirigakure's financial backbone.
Precisely because of this, Yagura had constantly made things difficult for them.
As a result, they harbored deep resentment toward Yagura, whose Blood Mist policy had pushed the Kaguya clan toward decline.
They were the perfect target for Mei's plan.
The Kaguya mansion stood beside a picturesque lake in the capital of the Land of Water.
Late at night, the mansion was brightly lit and heavily guarded.
In the study, the current Head of the Kaguya clan, Kotsuzumi, was frowning over a pile of account books.
Ever since Yagura took office, Kirigakure's taxes on mineral resources had increased year after year.
His life, once that of a wealthy financier, was becoming more and more difficult.
"Clan Head," a trusted butler entered, his face uneasy, "there is someone outside who wishes to see you."
"Who?" Kotsuzumi asked without looking up, feeling irritated.
The butler's voice trembled. "She said her name is Mei."
The pen in Kotsuzumi's hand froze. A drop of ink fell and spread into a blot.
Mei?
Hadn't she defected?
How did she dare come here?
Kotsuzumi tightened his grip on the pen. After a moment he spoke coldly, "Let her in."
He wanted to see what this former leader of the Kirigakure Resistance intended to do.
Soon, Mei appeared at the study door.
She still wore her mask, but the distinctive Fire Country Anbu uniform and the oppressive aura of a strong kunoichi made Kotsuzumi's heart skip.
"Mei, you are bold."
"Aren't you afraid that with one order I could have you captured and sent to Mizukage-sama for a reward?"
Kotsuzumi leaned back in his chair, trying to hide his unease.
Mei stepped forward and said calmly, "Clan Head Kotsuzumi may try."
"However..." She paused and gently placed a scroll on the desk. "Before you call anyone, look at this first, then decide."
Kotsuzumi's brows tightened.
He hesitated, then picked up the scroll and unrolled it.
There was only one line of text: an official document appointing Mei as the wife of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
In the bottom corner, a vivid red seal represented the Daimyo's authority.
"This..."
Kotsuzumi's hand shook and he almost dropped the scroll.
He understood instantly.
The woman before him had already allied with the Land of Fire. She was no longer an isolated rogue shinobi.
Behind her stood the strongest political power in the world, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Kotsuzumi narrowed his eyes. "What exactly do you want?"
"It is very simple." Mei pulled over a chair and sat, crossing her legs with elegance.
"I offer you a choice."
"Either continue being Yagura's dog, letting him drain the Kaguya clan until it is completely gone."
"Or..."
"Change to a new master, one who can bring your clan unprecedented prosperity."
Kotsuzumi's breathing grew heavy, his throat dry.
This was a bribe.
A gamble on the Kaguya clan's future.
If they won, they would break free from Kirigakure's control and possibly restore their former glory with the support of the Land of Fire.
If they lost, the Kaguya clan would be finished.
"Why should I trust you?" he asked hoarsely, trying to negotiate more leverage.
"Because of this."
Mei took out another item and tossed it onto the table.
Thud.
A pure gold token engraved with the Fire Daimyo's crest.
The Chiba family emblem.
Kotsuzumi trembled.
He knew exactly what this token meant.
"Daimyo-sama said he welcomes any clan that seeks refuge with the Land of Fire," Mei said. "He said that as long as the Kaguya clan shows enough value in the coming upheaval."
"Then one tenth of all future trade between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire will be led by the Kaguya clan."
Boom.
Kotsuzumi's breathing turned hot, greed and excitement flashing in his eyes.
He stood up abruptly and paced around the room.
Then he stopped and said, "Three tenths."
Mei shook her head. "Do not be greedy. Your current situation is not worth that price."
Kotsuzumi fell silent.
Mei met his gaze without backing down.
"You were not this kind of person before."
"I carry the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's child."
A sharp gleam shot across Kotsuzumi's eyes.
The Daimyo's child.
Which meant an heir.
After a long silence, Kotsuzumi stepped forward without hesitation.
Thump.
He knelt on one knee.
"Kotsuzumi is willing to serve Daimyo-sama with everything he has."
Mei's identity and the child she carried were enough for the Kaguya clan to take this gamble.
"You made the right choice." Mei looked at him calmly. "This is your opportunity, and the Kaguya clan's chance to rise again."
She placed the token into his hand.
"Wait for my message."
With that, Mei disappeared as silently as she had arrived.
Only Kotsuzumi remained, clutching the warm token, ambition burning in his eyes.
This was only the beginning.
Mei still had another person to meet, another flame to ignite.
She intended to completely destroy and rebuild Kirigakure.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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