Chapter 69: The Aftermath in the Mist

Land of Water.

Hidden Mist Village.

In the shopping district.

"What are you planning to do with the Fourth Mizukage?"

Shishou, eating the ice cream Mei Terumi gave him, looked at her curiously.

Ever since Mei saw his true form, she insisted he remain in his original appearance when with her.

Shishou knew this was her peculiar preference but didn't mind.

After all, enlarging his body consumed Mangekyou Sharingan's ocular power.

Even though his Mangekyou was of the supportive type and consumed less power, Shishou planned to save as much as possible until he successfully transplanted Hashirama cells.

"Originally, I planned to have the Fourth Mizukage operate from the shadows, leading the Mist's Anbu."

"But now, it's a bit tricky."

Mei Terumi rested an arm on Shishou's shoulder, licking her ice cream and sounding somewhat helpless.

She was wearing a cool, form-fitting dress that accentuated her curves.

The Fourth Mizukage, feeling deeply guilty for his actions while under control, wanted to commit suicide to atone.

But Mei had stopped him.

"What's the problem?"

Shishou grabbed Mei's mischievous hand on his face and asked curiously.

"The elder Yagura and the others worry the Fourth Mizukage could be controlled again by that mysterious man."

"So..."

Mei sighed and licked her ice cream again.

"So, they want the Fourth Mizukage to atone and then choose a new Jinchuriki?"

Shishou guessed from Mei's words.

Mei didn't speak but nodded.

"They don't intend to make you the Jinchuriki, do they?"

Shishou glanced at Mei and asked.

"Yes," Mei nodded helplessly and continued, "Also, the elder Yagura and the others thought that Tree World Birth was the work of the masked man."

"It nearly scared them to death."

"So they've been a bit worried, fearing he might come again and use that move on the Mist."

"Though I know it's impossible, the people in the Mist are somewhat anxious."

Mei finished and paused.

Shishou glanced at Mei, surprised she had kept his secret.

Though the secret wasn't a big deal to him.

This girl is really likable.

Pleased, Shishou asked, "Then what?"

"Then, Elder Yagura and the others have been trying to strengthen the Mist's visible combat power to deter that mysterious man."

"Because of this, they've called back Six-Tails' Jinchuriki Utakata and several elite ninjas who were out on missions."

"And once I become the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, my strength will increase significantly."

"That way, they can finally be at ease."

Mei Terumi finished, sounding a bit sullen, and stopped talking.

No wonder I hadn't seen the Six-Tails; he was out on a mission.

Shishou glanced at Mei and remained silent, eating his ice cream.

He was very opposed to Mei becoming the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki.

The Akatsuki were eyeing the Tailed Beasts, and becoming a Jinchuriki now would put her in their sights and be very dangerous.

Moreover, Mei couldn't instantly become a perfect Jinchuriki like the Eight-Tails.

In the short term, becoming a Jinchuriki would offer Mei limited power boosts.

"Actually, you can tell Elder Yagura and the others that I used Tree World Birth."

Shishou suggested after thinking for a while.

"No."

Mei pouted and shook her head.

"Why not?"

"Because only under the threat of such a powerful external enemy can the Mist Village unite and face the threat together, instead of scheming against each other."

"So you're deliberately not telling them, letting them think Tree World Birth is the masked man's work?"

"Yes, and I also concealed Tsunade's presence and embellished the story."

"How did you embellish it?"

"Hmph, I said the masked man's wife was killed by Mist ninjas during the Great Ninja War, so he harbors a deep grudge against the Mist and will never give up on revenge."

Mei snorted, clearly proud of her fabricated story.

"Uh..."

In a way, that's actually true...

Shishou stared at Mei for a few seconds, confirming she was indeed making it up.

Shishou was speechless at Mei's story, which was incredibly close to the truth.

He didn't expect her random guess to hit the mark.

"Don't become the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki."

"I'll tell you about the masked man's abilities. As long as you're well-prepared, there's no need to worry about the Three-Tails being controlled again."

"With a stable Three-Tails Jinchuriki and the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, the Mist Village's strength can deter other villages."

"This will prevent unrest and strengthen their unity."

Shishou suggested after thinking.

"Shishou, why do you keep helping us?"

Mei didn't nod or agree with Shishou's plan. Instead, she stared at Shishou, curious.

"First, I'm a pacifist. I want peace in the ninja world."

Shishou raised a finger.

"And second?"

Mei blinked, looking expectantly at him.

"Second, it's because of you, of course."

Shishou pinched Mei's hand, giving her the answer she expected.

"Heehee, you're so nice!"

Mei pressed her cheek against Shishou's and laughed happily.

"If I'm so nice, how will you repay me?"

"What do you want?"

"I want to go to the beach with you."

"Tsk, you just want to see me in a swimsuit."

"Ah, you found out."

"Hehe..."

Finishing their ice cream, they chatted and laughed all the way to the Mizukage's office.

After Mei dismissed all the Anbu,

Shishou detailed Uchiha Obito's Mangekyou Sharingan abilities and his grudge against the Mist.

"So, everything I embellished was true?"

Mei was stunned after hearing Shishou's explanation of the masked man.

She hadn't expected her fabrication to hit the truth.

"Yes."

"That's why I was so shocked when you said it, thinking you knew everything."

Shishou nodded, laughing.

"No wonder your expression was so strange."

Mei pouted.

Then Shishou whispered something in Mei's ear.

"What I told you, keep it to yourself. Don't tell anyone; it'll bring trouble."

"Mm, I understand."

Mei nodded heavily.

She hadn't planned to share what Shishou told her.

It was Shishou's trust, and she didn't want to betray it.

Knowing the masked man had the Mangekyou Sharingan and space-time ninjutsu gave Mei a headache.

But it also gave her a direction to prepare for.

Suddenly thinking of something, Mei grinned mischievously at Shishou.

"By the way, I plan to send someone to inform the Third Hokage about the masked man using Tree World Birth."