Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Inform the Hokage? It seems too late.

In the brief moment that the Anbu hesitated, Mizukage Terumi Mei's figure had already disappeared into the shadows deep within the forest.

……

Within the territory, Qingwu checked the state of Zhishui.

The slug has returned to the Wet Bone Forest, and Shi Shui's injuries have stabilized. Now they are just waiting for him to wake up naturally.

"How long has it been since this guy had a proper night's sleep?"

Qingwu looked at Zhishui's calm face and smiled slightly.

Based on what happened to Shisui, he could easily imagine the immense pressure Shisui had been under during this time.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he stepped out of the wooden house and looked in the direction of the territory's entrance.

Immediately, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He sensed a familiar chakra, which was rapidly approaching him without any attempt to conceal it.

Why is she here?

Qingwu's heart stirred, and he gave the unicorns and great elves guarding the perimeter of his territory the order to "not attack".

Before long, a tall and graceful figure emerged from the woods and came into his view.

Her exquisite and charming face, her noble and dignified robe, and her beautiful eyes that were now fixed on him, filled with complex emotions.

It was the water reflection of the Five Dynasties that illuminated the beautiful underworld.

She seemed to be in a hurry; the hair on her forehead was damp with sweat, and her breathing was slightly rapid.

But her gaze remained fixed on the boy, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if to confirm his well-being.

Eyes facing each other.

Mei Terumi looked at the boy before her, whose aura seemed to have become even more profound, and at the calm yet warm smile on his face.

The anxiety that had been building up along the way because of the shocking news suddenly subsided for some reason.

But then, more emotions welled up inside her: worry, anger, and... a touch of heartache that she herself could hardly perceive.

She parted her red lips slightly, "Qingwu, I'm here."

A simple sentence, yet it resonated clearly beneath the ancient tree.

Looking at Terumi Mei, who was travel-worn and whose eyes were filled with undisguised concern, Qingwu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and a sincere smile appeared on his face.

"I didn't expect... you'd arrive so quickly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mei Terumi had already teleported forward and stopped right in front of him, very close.

I was so close I could smell a faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her.

Mei Terumi's emerald green eyes carefully scanned Qingwu's face, making sure he wasn't injured, before she spoke:

"I came as soon as I heard the news."

Her voice was calmer than before, "Are you alright? I heard you even fought with the Hokage of Konoha?"

"I'm fine." Qingwu shook her head and stepped aside to create some distance. "Well, there was a little conflict, but it's not a big problem."

"That's good." Mei Terumi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but then frowned again, her tone carrying a hint of reproach and lingering fear:

"You're such a troublemaker. You caused such a huge uproar in Kirigakure, and when you returned to Konoha, you actually killed one of your elders."

You know, when I heard the news, I almost... cough!!

She seemed to realize that her concern was too obvious, so she coughed lightly to cover it up, but her gaze remained fixed on Qingwu's face:

"What exactly happened? Danzo may not be a good person, but he is still an elder of Konoha. Why did you... act so impulsively?"

Killing someone in front of the Hokage? Do you know how dangerous that is? What if…”

"What if the Hokage turns on me and orders everyone to capture or kill me?" Qingwu continued, "I know..."

"But the situation at the time left me no room for hesitation. Danzo had gouged out Shisui's eyes and wanted to kill Kakashi to silence him. When I arrived, I was just a little short of being able to kill him."

"Under those circumstances, I couldn't possibly let Danzo go, as for the consequences..."

"Since I've done it, I can take responsibility for it. Besides, look at me now, aren't I standing here perfectly fine?"

Upon hearing this, Terumi Mei finally understood what had happened after Qingwu left in such a hurry that night.

However… she changed the subject: “You’re telling me all this because you’re afraid I’ll worry? You really are still…”

"Alright," Qingwu interrupted her, both amused and exasperated. "I just don't think it's a secret. I can talk to my good friends about it."

“You always have your reasons,” Mei Terumi continued teasingly. “But… are we just good friends?”

In truth, she was overjoyed. The two had interacted quite a bit before, but Qingwu had never said such intimate words to her face.

What happened to our good friend? Hmm, that's a big step.

Qingwu said helplessly, "Many people were there that night. Anyone who wants to find out will know, so... it's not that I'm afraid you'll worry."

Mei Terumi ignored his explanation and suddenly said:

"I've already refused to enter the village, so I guess I have nowhere to go? Your place looks nice, so I... I'll stay here?!"

……

Chapter 266 Internal and External Troubles

"What? You live here? "

Qingwu was stunned. What was this all about? The dignified Mizukage came to Konoha to establish diplomatic relations, and what kind of nonsense was it to stay in my house?!

After seeing with her own eyes that Qingwu was unharmed, Mei Terumi resumed her previous ambiguous tone: "What? Is it not allowed?"

The atmosphere between the two suddenly became romantic, and Mei Terumi seemed to enjoy it.

Just as Qingwu was having a headache, a weak cough came from inside the wooden house, "Cough..."

"Cough cough... Captain..."

It was Shisui who had woken up. Qingwu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately turned around and walked back to the wooden house.

Zhi Shui had struggled to sit up halfway, leaning against the wall. His face had regained some color, and his eyes had cleared.

His only remaining left eye looked at Qingwu who had walked in, and then saw Terumi Mei following behind Qingwu, and paused for a moment.

Seemingly recalling something, Shisui jolted, struggling to rise and bow: "Water... Water Shadow Lord..."

When the Shadow Guard was resting in the Land of Hot Springs, Shisui met Mei Terumi once with Seigo.

Later, when Mei Terumi became the Mizukage, he, being within the Uchiha clan, also heard about it.

"Don't move."

Qingwu quickly stepped forward and supported him, saying, "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet; you need to rest."

Mei Terumi walked up to him, looking at Shisui's empty right eye and weak face, a trace of pity flashing in her eyes.

She softened her voice and said gently:

"Uchiha Shisui, no need for formalities. I've heard about your situation. Focus on recovering from your injuries and don't worry about anything else for now."

"Thank you very much, Lord Mizukage..." Shisui said softly, then looked at Qingwu.

Recalling what happened last night, Shisui's lips moved, and she said guiltily, "I'm sorry, Captain, I'm so sorry, it's all because of me, because of me..."

Zhi Shui was emotional and couldn't continue speaking.

Before he lost consciousness, he saw the captain kill Danzo, and he couldn't even imagine what consequences the captain would face.

"Don't talk nonsense." Qingwu patted him. "That old dog Danzo has long disliked me. Even without your involvement, he would have come looking for trouble sooner or later."

Besides, we're teammates, we're comrades. Your problems are my problems. Don't say things like that again, understand?

Shisui's face was full of gratitude, "Captain..."

"Focus on recovering. As for your eyes... I'll figure something out," Qingwu said.

Zhi Shui's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in his remaining left eye. He nodded vigorously and said nothing more, but his gratitude and trust were beyond words.

Mei Terumi watched from the side, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She could tell that Qingwu genuinely regarded Zhishui as an important companion and was willing to take on huge risks and responsibilities for him.

This kind of friendship, in the cruel ninja world, especially in the face of her experience of the "Village of Blood Mist," seemed particularly precious and...something she envied.

"Alright, Shisui just woke up and needs to rest. Let's go outside to talk."

Mei Terumi spoke, breaking the slightly heavy atmosphere in the room. With others present, she became much more restrained in her speech.

Qingwu nodded, comforted Shisui a few more times, helped him lie down, and then left the wooden house with Terumi Mei.

Outside the wooden house, Mei Terumi stood beneath the ancient tree of life, which exuded a vast aura.

She looked up, feeling the almost tangible natural energy around her, and couldn't help but ask, "What... exactly is this tree?"

Having just visited the territory, her attention had been entirely focused on Qingwu.

Her attention shifted, and everything here shocked her. She felt like... a country bumpkin, a dignified Shui Xiang.

"Yes, it's growing."

Qingwu didn't explain much about the ancient tree's upgrade, but instead asked, "You came early, are you sure everything is alright with Wuyin?"

Previously, Mei Terumi's delegation traveled very slowly. In her words, as a visit by a dignified Mizukage, one should naturally make the most of the occasion.

Now, however, he has abandoned the mission and come alone, unburdened.

Qingwu guessed that Terumi Mei did this because she was worried about him, but she didn't want it to affect Kirigakure, which Terumi Mei represented.

After all, she had only recently taken office as Mizukage.

Mei Terumi withdrew her gaze from the ancient tree, her eyes sharpening, the wisdom and decisiveness of a Mizukage returning to them.

"Such a major event has occurred in Konoha, Danzo has died, and you have been placed under house arrest. There will inevitably be internal turmoil."

"I came here ahead of time to make my... cough, I mean, to make Kirigakure's stance clear before the Konoha leadership makes their final decision."

Mei Terumi said, "Seigo, I've come not only as a friend, but also as the Fifth Mizukage to formally inform Konoha—"