Chapter 21

Genji is the village elder, has the same status as the Mizukage, and takes part in deciding the most important matters, which essentially makes him the law of Kirigakure.

He holds more power in his village than even the elders from the Leaf Council in Konoha.

On the surface, the Mizukage controls all of Kirigakure, but in fact at least half of the power is in the hands of Genji. Therefore, Mei really dislikes the elder, but is forced to reckon with him.

Of course, the Fifth Mizukage had respect for Genji, like all the inhabitants of Kiri, she just tried not to show it.

Because the soul of this old man really hurts for the village.

In a spacious meeting room.

At the head of the oval table sat a wrinkled old man of very advanced age with an unusually firm and clear gaze.

"Terumi Mei, don't you realize that your antics can come back to haunt the entire village?!" – a stern voice rang out in the hall.

In response, the lips of the Fifth Mizukage, who was sitting right on the edge of the oval table, curved into an indifferent smile.

This is not the first time something like this has happened, far from it. Now, as usual, she will have to listen to a bunch of reproaches and admonitions from the elder, and if she doesn't interrupt, he will cool down faster.

Genji sighed helplessly when he saw the complete indifference in Mei's gaze. He had no complaints about the power of the Fifth Mizukage. But as for the rest... she still has to grow and grow!

In fact, he would never allow such a woman to take the post of Mizukage if there were other worthy candidates besides her.

Now their village is weaker than ever: the strength of the shinobi is uneven, and the younger generation has degenerated due to the politics of the bloody fog.

Huge Kiri's combat power is too low!

- Well, okay, tell me, where have you been? You're not that irresponsible..." Genji lowered his hands helplessly.

Mei was taken aback by the elder's words; obviously, she did not expect to get off so easily and even receive meager praise from the old man. But then she showed unusual seriousness.

"I was just about to tell you that I risked running away from the village because of the news about... Yudao-sama!" – she jumped off the table and, after a dramatic pause, declared the Fifth Mizukage.

- Why didn't you say anything? – the usually calm and imperturbable elder jumped up sharply from his seat at the woman's words.

"Well... everything happened so unexpectedly, and uncertainly, that I decided to go there personally..." Mei said carefree and, without allowing the elder to get a word in, she continued with notes of awe in her voice. "I convey the words of the First Mizukage: let the top brass get ready for work, but the villagers shouldn't know yet!"

Genji's breathing quickened sharply at Mei's statement, and flames flashed in his eyes, the old man grew younger before his eyes.

- Eat! – he exclaimed after a short silence and asked Mei with an expression of shock on his old face. -Where... where is he now?

- How should I know, he just said that he would take a walk around the village, don't ask me about that again, we won't understand his thoughts! – May shrugged her shoulders carefree.

- Oh, you're great, just great! – the elder fixed an inquisitive gaze on the Fifth Mizukage, but after a short silence he exhaled and, for no apparent reason, laughed all over his old face. – My God, you managed to meet the hopes of so many generations of our village! Life will not be in vain if I can see Yudao-sama before I die!

For a long time, tears rolled down the wrinkled cheeks of the old man, who had suffered for so many years due to the gradual decline of his village. The return of the First Mizukage promises a bright future for all of Kiri!

***

Meanwhile on a crowded street.

Yudao looked helplessly at the girl with his mouth full, she sat safely on his neck and dangled her legs! He himself didn't particularly care about money, but the wallet wasn't his...

Although nothing terrible happened. Even though Haruna ate everything that was poorly laid out on the shelves, the snacks cost pennies.

And the longer their walk lasted, the more Ameyuri blushed. Apparently, Haruna's gluttony did not come as a surprise to her.

The girl kept casting curious glances at the young man who was leisurely strolling, holding his sister tightly by the hand.

While walking around the village, she became convinced that the young man had no hidden goals other than a basic shopping trip.

In addition, he clearly knows some places even better than she does, despite the fact that in general he is clearly less familiar with the village.

It was as if he had lived here for a long time.

And although Ameyuri, with all her might, did not find the slightest hint of evil intentions, she did not relax and secretly gave a signal to the Jounin.

"Little sister, that's it, it doesn't bother me anymore," Haruna turned to her sister with a satisfied expression on her face.

Why did she blush again and helplessly roll her eyes: "Why do I need all this, how can I feed you with such a brutal appetite!"

- Brother, you are so good, usually my sister never gives me enough to eat! – Haruna exclaimed happily, looking at Yudao.

"Can't she really feed you, shinobi seem to pay a lot of money for missions?" – Yudao asked, squatting down.

The shinobi profession is famous not only for its danger, but also for its good salary. At least for a normal shinobi it would not be difficult to feed a large family.

"Thank you for the invitation and a bunch of food for your sister, come stay at Ringo's house if you have the opportunity," Ameyuri said politely, dragging Haruna away, who wanted to take a longer walk.

"Definitely," Yudao nodded carefree, noticing her intention.

Phew!

Just at that moment, a rumble was heard and Ao appeared in front of them.

- Ao-sama! – after a short confusion, the taken aback Ameyuri bowed politely.