Team 7 goes to Kirigakure

Ryuu connected himself to Obito and Kakashi.

"We don't know if Madara is still in control here, black Zetsu is just as good at manipulating as Madara, if not better.

Just be careful and keep that in mind."

"Let's go!" Kakashi and Obito spread out while Ryuu walked towards the Mizukage's building.

'Kirigakure was covered in thick mist and was surrounded by giant mountains, it was almost as well covered as Konoha.

The buildings here look so modern, most of them are taller than the ones at home.'

Ryuu entered the Mizukage's building.

He was welcomed with multiple Kunai directly at his throat.

"If you don't take those Kunai out of my neck, I'll bury them in your ass."

Ryuu calmly said.

"Ryuu-sama, I'm glad you made it safely."

A man with an eye patch walked in.

He wore the standard striped grey suit, with a green haori that had white trimmings that stop halfway down over them.

"Anbu, Ryuu-sama comes as a guest, take the Kunai's away from his neck, this is an order from the Mizukage."

They took them from his neck and vanished.

"I'm Ao, the Mizukage's assistant, pleased to meet you." He held his hand out for Ryuu, and Ryuu accepted it with a smile.

"Pleased to meet you, too."

"Allow me to escort you to the Mizukage's office." Ryuu nodded.

They walked to Yagura's office.

He was sitting on a chair that was too big for him, facing the other direction, from Ryuu's perspective, it appeared as if no one was sitting on the chair.

"Mizukage-sama, our honored guest, has arrived." He turned around, holding a stick with a coral leaf on top.

"Welcome to my village, Ryuu Uchiha."

Ryuu nodded.

"It's an honor to be here on better terms," Ryuu stated.

"Please, no need to conceal your identity here, have a seat."

Ryuu nodded.

Ryuu took his mask off and sat opposite the Mizukage.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I asked for you specifically, aren't you?" Ryuu nodded.

"It's not every day you get a personal letter from a Kage, is it?"

"No, it's not," Yagura said as he poured himself and Ryuu a cup of tea.

"It's hard to think that a few years ago I was under a genjutsu and you were the one who saved me…

I've never paid you back, have I?"

"Is that what this is about?" Yagura nodded.

"That's exactly what this is about.

I want to pay you back for saving my life that day."

Ryuu took a sip of the tea.

'This is good. But I hope it's not poisoned, that would be a drag.' Ryuu thought to himself.

"Maybe you can pay me back by telling me where you got the tea leaves from.

It's quite delicious, you know." Yagura smiled.

"Mizukage-sama, I can only think of one way you can pay me back."

"Ryuu-sama, I've done my research on you and I believe I know what you want." Ryuu nodded.

"I've already got the documents for an alliance here, all that's needed is clearance from the fire Daimyo and the Hokage." Ryuu's eyes widened.

He smiled and took the documents.

"I'm sure someone of your stature knows this already, but before you saved me, Kirigakure was heading into a dark era.

Madara Uchiha controlled me, and during that time I did multiple awful things. The village despised me for it and I can't blame them; I killed all who opposed me and I let the village fall.

I wouldn't blame you if you thought Kirigakure would betray you just like Kumo did, but you should know, Kirigakure was almost destroyed and it's only thanks to you releasing the genjutsu I was in, that I stopped the downfall of the village, we have no reason to betray you."

Ryuu nodded.

"I know that.

But I don't speak for the village, I'm an Anbu captain, but my goal will never change.

I want to unite the 5 great nations, and I want my descendants to call Kirigakure and other villages their home, I grew up In a world where all we do was fight, and I don't want to raise my children in such a world, and I'm sure you don't want that as well.

As long as we both understand each other and we both understand that goal, I'm sure we can agree."

Yagura nodded.

"You're nothing like what they say you are." Ryuu tilted his head.

"What do you mean? Do I have a poor reputation?"

"To Konohagakure, you're a hero, a leader who almost seems like a god.

But to the rest of the Ninja world, you're a tyrant, a monster even scarier than a tailed beast, I should know.

When I invited you here, I expected you to be cold-hearted, given how many people you've killed on the battlefield.

Instead, I understand you, you're nothing like that."

"I see…

Well, I'm no hero, but I'm also not a villain, I'm… A defender, I save the defenseless; I kill those who want to destroy peace, but I befriend those who walk on the same path as me.

People like you, we both want what's best for our people, you know." Yagura nodded.

"However, maybe I should try to improve my reputation, from what you said, it makes me sound like Madara Uchiha, you know," Ryuu added with a nervous smile

He finished his tea.

"Mizukage-sama, allow me to send one of my teammates back to Konoha and he'll speak with the Hokage about this.

I came with two teammates, I wasn't sure if I'd need them or not, but I trust both of them with my life, and you can trust that they won't stir up any trouble." Yagura nodded.

Ryuu connected himself with Obito.

"Obito, the Mizukage wants an alliance with Konohagakure, take this message back to Hokage-sama, he has already talked with the water Daimyo and awaits talks from the Hokage and the fire Daimyo."

"No problem." Ryuu disconnected himself from Obito and connected himself to Kakashi.

"Ryuu, something is off-putting in here, I don't trust this place."

"See if you can find anything out, but be careful." Kakashi nodded.

Ryuu disconnected the links.

"Mizukage-sama, where did you get these tea leaves, they're splendid, you know."

"Ryuu, please call me by my name, we're equals even though you aren't a Kage."

Ryuu nodded.

"Alright, Yagura."

"These tea leaves are from the land of tea, they gave the best tea in the world."

Ryuu nodded.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"I'm busy!"

The door opened anyway.

"Yagura, we need to talk, unrest in the village is growing and-

Oh, I didn't realize you had a guest in here."

Ao walked in with a sour look on his face.

"Mizukage-sama, I tried to tell her but…"

Yagura signaled Ao to leave the room.

"Yes, sir." He said before closing the door.

A tall, slender woman with fair skin walked in. She had green eyes, ankle-length auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top-knot tied with a dark blue band, and four bangs at the front.

"Ryuu, this is Mei Terumi, she's been helping me regain the people's trust, being one victim of the bloody mist village, she knows far more than I do about the struggles people went through while I was in the genjutsu."

Ryuu extended his hand toward Mei.

"I'm sorry for attacking your village. I hope I can make amends for the number of people I killed." Mei shook his hand with a slight blush.

"You're taller than I expected."

Ryuu smiled.

Despite being younger than most of his peers, Ryuu grew a lot more than them in height.

"Pleased to meet you, Mei, I'll leave the room if you need.

However, if there's something I can do to help, I'm willing to help."

"Why would you help another village?" Mei asked as she took a seat.

"Well, we are going to become allies anyway. Why wouldn't I help?"

"Well, if your help is needed, I'll tell you.

For now, I want to speak with the Mizukage."

"Ryuu, Ao will help you and your friend with a room here."

"Thanks." Ryuu left the room.

"Mei, you can't just burst into the room, this deal is important to the village…"

"He's cute." Yagura tilted his head.

"What?" She poured herself a bottle of wine.

"I said he's cute, remind me, how old is he again?" Yagura facepalmed.

"It doesn't matter, you said we have a problem?" Mei nodded.

"Changing how Genin are selected isn't enough, there are some who still believe you aren't fit to rule the village.

There's a group of terrorists that formed recently. They want to use force to overthrow you.

Zabuza Momochi told me all about this group, following your recent changes, he has a little hope in you, but he says how you handle this group will help defy where he stands." Yagura nodded.

"One more thing, Zabuza says they have a ninja who wields one of the seven swords Fuguki Suikazan. Given his history with our handsome visitor I don't think he'd be happy to see him around or hear rumors that Ryuu Uchiha is in the village even as a guest," Mei added.

Yagura poured himself more tea as he thought of a solution.