Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

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"Lord Takashi, you came well-prepared," Mei Terumi said slowly, exhaling as she composed herself.

Despite being only twenty, Mei had been groomed as a Mizukage candidate from a young age. Her skills and insight surpassed those of many older shinobi. However, she hadn't anticipated that today's discussion would be led by Takashi.

Not only had she failed to gain the upper hand, but she found herself drawn into the terms and possibilities he presented.

If what Takashi said was true, even if Kirigakure hadn't initially prioritized controlling these waterways, they would need to reconsider. The strategic advantages were undeniable.

This could be an opportunity to change Kirigakure's blood-soaked traditions.

Opening the waterways would require more than elite shinobi—it would demand collaboration and ordinary workers. The village's brutal practices of culling its own would hinder such progress.

Natsume watched the flicker of realization in Mei's eyes and couldn't suppress a soft chuckle.

In truth, the waterways were already operational. In time, their strategic importance would fade. Even chakra-enhanced warships would be inconsequential compared to the power he foresaw in the future.

He had no particular interest in Kirigakure's prosperity. Bringing them into his fold served only as a means to further his own objectives. Shipping was merely the first step, though it seemed to have awakened Mei to new possibilities.

She hadn't realized how deeply shipping and ninja politics could intertwine.

"This is not a decision I can make alone," Mei said after some thought. "I'll need to present this to Mizukage-sama."

Natsume's expression darkened briefly.

Yagura Karatachi might have approved if he weren't being manipulated by Uchiha Obito. But Obito's goal was to destroy Kirigakure, not strengthen it. Intervening outright wasn't an option, but this could work in Natsume's favor.

If Yagura rejected the plan, Mei's faith in her leader would inevitably waver. While Yagura's strictness might have been tolerated in the past, his current actions were inexcusable.

Once doubts took root, Natsume would subtly guide Mei toward uncovering the truth.

"Lord Takashi, I appreciate the insight you've shared," Mei said with a respectful bow. "I'll contact you once Mizukage-sama has decided."

"Very well," Natsume replied, watching her leave.

To be honest, Mei Terumi was undeniably beautiful, but her hairstyle reminded him of a windswept pine tree. If the opportunity arose, he'd suggest she switch to sleek black hair.

---

Night fell, and Mei returned. Her expression was all the confirmation Natsume needed.

"I'm sorry, Lord Takashi," she said, forcing a smile. "Mizukage-sama rejected the proposal."

"Come in," Natsume said, gesturing to the food laid out before him. "I was just eating. If you haven't had dinner, you're welcome to join me."

Mei hesitated but eventually accepted, seating herself across from him.

"What reason did he give for the rejection?" Natsume asked, passing her a pair of chopsticks.

"There wasn't one," Mei said, frustration lacing her voice. "That's what I don't understand."

When she presented her proposal, Yagura hadn't just dismissed it—he'd thrown her out of his office without explanation.

She had suspected for some time that something was wrong with Yagura. Once, he had been a strong but fair leader. But over time, he became increasingly ruthless, driving Kirigakure into decline. His purge of the Kaguya clan, one of their most powerful bloodlines, was just one example of his descent.

Rejecting such a beneficial opportunity only deepened her doubts.

"I expected as much," Natsume said, observing Mei's troubled expression. "Don't let it weigh on you."

"How can I not?" Mei's grip on her chopsticks tightened. "As Mizukage, he should care most about Kirigakure's future, yet he acts like an enemy of his own people."

Her youth and the sting of rejection made her voice more vulnerable than usual. She wouldn't typically voice such thoughts, especially to an outsider, but Natsume's calm presence invited trust.

"What I mean is, you don't need to rely on Yagura," Natsume said, sliding a document across the table. "The Daimyō of the Land of Water has already approved my request to open a new shipping route."

Mei's eyes widened as she scanned the document. The realization hit hard—Yagura's refusal didn't matter. Natsume had secured the Daimyō's support, granting him the authority to bypass Yagura entirely.

But supporting Natsume would mean openly defying the Mizukage.

"It's simple," Natsume said, breaking the silence. "If the mission is issued through proper channels and you accept it, you're simply fulfilling a job. Yagura can't stop you."

Mei fell silent, weighing her options. Finally, she nodded. "I'll seek the elders' support."

Elder Genji was one of the most respected figures in Kirigakure. If she could secure his backing, she'd have the strength to challenge Yagura's authority.

"Good. I look forward to hearing from you," Natsume said, his tone lightening. "Now, relax and eat something. You've had a long day."

"Thank you," Mei replied, allowing herself a small smile. The tension in her shoulders eased as she enjoyed the meal.

After a moment, she spoke again. "May I ask you something, Lord Takashi?"

"Of course," Natsume said, meeting her gaze.

"Why do you wear the mask?"

Natsume paused, then answered smoothly. "An injury from my youth. It left scars I'd rather not show."

"I see. My apologies if I overstepped."

"Not at all," Natsume replied with a dismissive wave. "Now, back to business. I'll be conducting an on-site inspection of the waterways soon. Would you care to join me? I could use your protection, and of course, you'll be well-compensated."

"If the elders approve, I'll gladly protect you," Mei said with a playful smirk.

As the meal ended, Natsume sent Mei on her way. Watching her retreat, he sighed. She had eaten more than her share of the food.

With a grin, he performed a summoning technique, vanishing in a swirl of smoke and reappearing in Uzumaki Ena's room in Konoha.

---

Early Morning at Kirigakure

Natsume opened the door to find Mei Terumi standing outside, her chest rising and falling slightly faster than normal. It was evident she had hurried to deliver the news.

"Lord Takashi," Mei began, her voice steady despite her slight breathlessness. "The Elder has agreed to your plan." Relief tempered her tone, but there was a flicker of happiness in her eyes as well.

"That's excellent news," Natsume replied, offering a calm smile beneath his mask. "I was worried this trip might be for nothing."

"Thanks to you, Kirigakure has a real chance to change," Mei said, her gaze lingering on him. She couldn't help but wonder about the face behind the mask.

The contrast in him intrigued her—his youthful voice belied an air of wisdom and experience that spoke of someone far older, hardened by trials.

As if on cue, a familiar notification echoed in Natsume's mind.

[Due to your actions, Terumi Mei's fate has been altered. You have gained 100 Fate Points.]

Natsume's brow twitched ever so slightly beneath his mask. What unseen ripples had he set in motion this time?

"We should move forward with posting the mission," he said, grounding himself in the moment.

"Of course," Mei agreed, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face as she turned to lead the way.

Natsume noticed the small gesture and smiled inwardly. Who designed such a hairstyle for a battlefield leader?

---

The Mission Hall

The sight before them was nothing short of impressive. Mei's eyes widened at the sheer number of missions Natsume had commissioned.

"So many?" she murmured in disbelief.

The generous pay and volume of missions were staggering—enough to rival Kirigakure's yearly income. Word spread quickly, and whispers of admiration filled the hall as some shinobi dashed off to inform the Mizukage's office.

Kirigakure was a fractured village. On one side were the hardliners loyal to Yagura's oppressive regime, and on the other, reformists led by Mei and the Elder Genji, striving for a brighter future.

The crackling tension between these factions was palpable, but today, for the first time in years, the atmosphere buzzed with hope instead of despair.

---

At the Mizukage's Office

"Mizukage-sama, Terumi Mei has escorted a wealthy merchant, Lord Takashi, to the mission hall," reported Hideyoshi, a jonin whose loyalty to Yagura ran deep. "She has issued a wave of high-paying missions, primarily targeting the development of shipping routes."

Yagura's expression darkened, his sharp features tightening with displeasure. "Terumi Mei… has she forgotten her place?"

"Should we eliminate her, Mizukage-sama?" Hideyoshi asked, his voice steady but tinged with malice. Years of Kirigakure's infamous bloodline purges had left him bitter. He carried a personal vendetta against anyone who dared upset the village's fragile equilibrium.

Yagura closed his eyes in thought, weighing the risks. After a long pause, he nodded.

"Do it," he said.

Unknown to Hideyoshi, the order wasn't entirely Yagura's. The puppet strings of Uchiha Obito dictated the outcome. Mei Terumi's death would bring chaos to Kirigakure—chaos that Obito would mold to his advantage.

---

The Hall's Atmosphere

Meanwhile, the mission hall buzzed with activity. Natsume's resources had breathed life into the disheartened shinobi.

Mei observed the crowd, her heart swelling with an unfamiliar feeling: hope. For years, Kirigakure had been stifled by poverty and bloodshed, but today, the shinobi's eager faces reflected something new—a desire to build, not destroy.

Her gaze drifted to Natsume, standing amidst it all, his enigmatic presence impossible to ignore. A pang of admiration flickered within her.

"If only you were from Kirigakure…" she thought, imagining what he could accomplish as one of their own. With his talents and wealth, he could have been a cornerstone of the village's resurgence.

"Terumi Mei."

His voice broke through her musings. She blinked, startled, realizing she had been staring.

"Ah, my apologies," she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Natsume chuckled lightly. "No need to apologize. You seemed deep in thought."

Mei quickly composed herself. "You have my full attention now. What's our next step?"

"We'll need to visit key waterways over the next few days," Natsume explained. "The eastern route concerns me the most, so we'll head to the Land of Whirlpools first."

"The Land of Whirlpools?" Mei's brow furrowed. The Uzumaki clan's homeland, long destroyed, had become a desolate and dangerous place. Yet its strategic location, nestled between powerful nations, made it a region of great interest.

Natsume's tone suggested there was more to his plan, but he left her questions unanswered.

---

Elsewhere in the Fire Nation

Tsunade stirred from a restless sleep, her brows furrowed. Dreams of the past had haunted her again, their clarity unsettling.

"Asuma, your turn for watch," she called, stepping out of her tent.

Sarutobi Asuma, leaning against a nearby tree, straightened at her voice. But his expression gave him away—something was clearly on his mind.

"What is it?" Tsunade asked, crossing her arms.

Asuma hesitated before answering. "While you were sleeping, you kept saying a name. Natsume, over and over. Does he owe you money or something?"

Tsunade froze, caught off guard. She opened her mouth to respond but thought better of it. Instead, she offered a faint smile.

"Maybe," she said enigmatically, walking past him into the night.

Asuma scratched his head, baffled, as the question hung unanswered in the stillness.

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