Chapter 149: “When the Shinobi World War Erupts, Kumogakure Will Be the First to Fall!” — First Meeting with Mei Terumī

"I am Yagyu, an elite jōnin of Konohagakure. On behalf of the Land of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village, I've come to request an audience with the Raikage of the Land of Lightning. Here is my credential."

"Please wait a moment, dear envoy."

After leaving Iwagakure, Yagyu swiftly arrived at Kumogakure. Just as he had in the Land of Iron and Iwagakure, he presented his credential and introduced himself. The gate guards hurried off to notify their superiors.

"Yagyu-kun, long time no see."

Before long, a familiar figure appeared in Yagyu's view. Noticing Samui, who possessed a noticeable sway in her walk, Yagyu offered her a warm smile.

"Long time no see, Samui."

"I never got the chance to thank you properly. Pity you're still under twenty; otherwise I'd take you out for a drink."

Known in Kumogakure for her icy beauty, Samui gave the gate guards a dazzling smile that made them gape. She spoke in a soft tone:

"But if Konoha sent you as their emissary, something urgent must be afoot. I'll take you to see the Raikage."

"Thanks, Samui."

Yagyu nodded, quietly impressed. Among this "militant" village, Samui was one of the few notable brains. Her keen sense and manner of speech felt quite pleasant—his opinion of her only rose.

"So you're Konoha's Yagyu?"

Once Samui led Yagyu into the Raikage's office, the imposing Fourth Raikage—muscles bulging, dark-skinned, and short blonde hair—fixed a piercing gaze on him.

"I hear you've also mastered the Second and Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique?"

"Indeed. And what of it?"

Faced with the Raikage's overbearing attitude, Yagyu dropped his usual courtesy (used when dealing with elders) and locked eyes with him fearlessly, even flashing a provocative smile.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Iwagakure and Konoha signed a treaty of non-aggression. Yet Kumogakure remained at odds with Konoha long after the war ended, escalating tensions following the Fourth Hokage's death.

For instance, on Hinata's third birthday, Kumo sent "envoys" to Konoha, attempting to abduct her to obtain the Byakugan. When Hinata's father Hiashi caught and killed them, Kumo turned around and accused him of murder, threatening all-out war unless Konoha handed over Hiashi's corpse. Ultimately, the timid Third Hokage bowed to Kumo's demands, forcing the Hyūga clan to surrender the body of Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi—just so the Byakugan wouldn't fall into enemy hands. If Hizashi hadn't been Hiashi's identical twin, the Hyūga clan leader himself might have had to die.

From Konoha's standpoint, the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure were sworn enemies. Neither side would hesitate to kick the other when they were down.

Seeing the Fourth Raikage so rude, Yagyu had no intention of meekly showing him courtesy. In fact, Yagyu hoped he would throw a punch, so he could repay him in kind.

Crackle…

Both men's gazes sparked like electrical currents, a horizontal line of hostility lighting up the room. A terrifying aura suffused the Raikage's office.

Sensing trouble, Samui quickly stepped forward, struggling against the suffocating tension:

"Raikage-sama, Yagyu-kun is my savior and the Leaf's official messenger. He must have urgent news or critical intel to share."

At those words, the Raikage reined in his aura, regaining composure. He'd just considered testing his speed against Flying Thunder God—perhaps continuing his old rivalry with the Fourth Hokage—but decided otherwise, given that they were in Kumogakure, plus he knew Konoha's Wood Release range was legendary. Still, he spoke harshly:

"It's probably about the Akatsuki. Seems the annihilation of Konoha's four major clans—turned to ash—has rattled Lady Tsunade."

"Here is a letter from the Hokage to the Raikage. I suggest you read it."

Yagyu took out a letter and handed it to Samui, who promptly gave it to the Fourth Raikage. He opened it and began to read. His casual demeanor gradually turned grave.

"So Jiraiya's dead?"

Boom! Crack…

A silent shockwave seemed to ripple through the office. Objects around them cracked. Blue chakra flared around Yagyu as he spoke in a dispassionate tone:

"If you think losing four major clans and Lord Jiraiya weakens Konoha to the level we were at in Year 51, you're welcome to try the same tricks as before."

"Yagyu-kun…"

"Hmph! This is Kumogakure—don't get cocky, kid."

Samui had just begun to speak when the Raikage cut her off with a cold snort. Blue-white sparks crackled across his body, a similarly powerful burst of chakra crashing headlong into Yagyu's aura.

In seconds, the Raikage's gaze took on a note of caution and wariness. His pressure couldn't shake Yagyu at all. This guy's chakra, that presence—it was every bit as formidable as rumored.

"Yagyu-kun," Samui said hastily, "The Raikage-sama means no harm. Kumogakure is famous for its militant style, and we always speak this directly. Don't let it upset you."

Had it been anyone else, she'd have drawn her sword. But Yagyu had saved her life—she had no desire to see a fight between him and the Raikage, nor did she want the two villages to break off in hostility.

At her plea, Yagyu took one look at Samui's earnest expression and slowly withdrew his killing aura. The Fourth Raikage followed suit, reining in his own hostility.

Yagyu spoke evenly:

"Jiraiya-sama's sacrifice is how we uncovered that the Akatsuki's leader possesses the fabled Rinnegan. Their hunt for Tailed Beasts may be tied to that eye. Thus, Lady Hokage sent me with this intel to the major villages, inviting the Five Kage to meet in the Land of Iron to discuss a plan against the Akatsuki."

"The nine Tailed Beasts—five of which are in major villages—are their target. Suna has already lost the One-Tail. Kumo lost the Two-Tails. If they truly aim to gather all nine, it's only a matter of time before they come for your brother, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Bee."

"If you choose not to attend the Summit, I hope you won't regret it later."

"Hmph, you can't scare me. I don't scare easily." The Raikage snorted. "Akatsuki is just a den of rogue ninjas—most of them defectors from your own villages. That one named 'Hundred Faces' is your Hiruko. He took our Yugito Nii, and I haven't even demanded compensation from Konoha yet."

"Since you've brought an invitation, that's perfect. I'll demand satisfaction from the Hokage in person. Samui, see him out."

With a dismissive wave, the Raikage ended the meeting, not even offering courtesy.

"No need to escort me. Farewell."

Yagyu nodded to Samui as she approached, then simply vanished without a trace.

"It really is the Flying Thunder God… That brat…"

The Raikage recognized the instantaneous displacement—no sound or warning, the same dreaded jutsu he'd known for decades since Minato's time. His face clouded in fury. Flying Thunder God alone wasn't alarming; it was the fact that the user wielded such a technique and boasted legendary Wood Release chakra. He could teleport anywhere, anytime, unleash Tree World Birth, and disappear in a flash. No village under his watchful eye would know peace.

Even more daunting was that Yagyu likely didn't even need such "cheap tactics." Even with Konoha's losses—four clans gone, Jiraiya dead—the Raikage couldn't replicate what they did in the old days and seize an advantage. Not just him; the other villages probably felt the same. The deterrent power of Wood Release far exceeded the Nine-Tails.

...

Once Yagyu left the Raikage's office, he didn't appear at any other Great Shinobi Nation right away. He next materialized on a towering peak outside Kumogakure. Gazing back at the village, his eyes shone coldly. The Raikage's attitude reinforced his original plan.

When the next ninja world war breaks out, Kumogakure will be the first village I destroy.

He vanished again. Soon, Yagyu departed the mainland entirely, arriving on a large island: the Land of Water. With another flicker, he reached a point ten kilometers from a certain village. In a heartbeat, he was at the gates of Kirigakure.

"I am Yagyu, an elite jōnin from Konohagakure, here as an emissary of the Land of Fire's Hidden Leaf Village to see the Mizukage. Here is my credential."

Once more, Yagyu showed his credentials and announced himself. Unlike the neutral Land of Iron or the previously visited Iwa and Kumo, Kirigakure's guards were overtly wary, unsure if they recognized him or doubted his identity. After all, villages rarely send top-tier combatants on diplomatic missions—if war broke out, that would cost them a powerful asset. The Land of Water, isolated on its island, knew less about Yagyu than the mainland's other nations.

So the guards fetched a ninja manual to verify Yagyu's background.

"P-please wait a moment. I'll report this right away."

The moment the guard recognized Yagyu's age, his Wood Release, and his track record, his expression shifted dramatically. Gone was the suspicion. Now wearing a respectful mien, he quickly disappeared.

"Lord Yagyu, we've heard a lot about you."

Before long, a graceful woman with a mature presence arrived. She had red-brown hair in a crisscross style, a shapely figure accentuated by a strapless blue dress, and radiated an air of elegance and charm. She greeted him warmly:

"I'm Mei Terumī of Kirigakure. It's an honor to meet you."

"And I've long heard of Mei Terumī's renown, even on the mainland."

Yagyu smiled politely, noting that Mei stood around 174 cm—a tall woman by most standards.

"The Mizukage is away from the village on business. Elder Genshī asked me to handle your visit personally. My apologies," Mei said with a friendly smile.

Of course, this was a deception. In truth, the Fourth Mizukage had died, but only a select few in Kirigakure knew. Since the village had been debilitated by the "Bloody Mist" policy, its overall strength had plummeted—now even weaker than Sunagakure. If news of the Mizukage's death got out, it could spark conflict across the seas.

Hence, for some time now, Kirigakure had effectively been ruled by Genshī, who held the same authority as a Mizukage. Meanwhile, Mei—candidate for the Fifth Mizukage—had Genshī's support to pursue reforms, reversing the Bloody Mist's terror and reopening the country.

"No worries. I'm aware of Elder Genshī's name too."

Yagyu didn't poke at Kirigakure's sore spot. He simply took out an envelope and smiled at Mei:

"Lady Hokage specifically told me to place this letter into the Mizukage's hands. If the Mizukage's out, then I'll trouble you to guide me to Elder Genshī."

"Certainly. I'll take you to him now." Mei nodded with a gentle smile, though internally she felt a twinge of unease.

Sending the Wood-Release ninja as an emissary? Did something dire happen on the mainland? Our scouts haven't reported anything. Could it be a sudden event in the past few days, outpacing even our best informants?

Deep in thought, Mei led Yagyu toward Genshī's location, maintaining a calm pace. She struck up conversation:

"If I'm not mistaken, Lord Yagyu, you're only sixteen. Becoming an elite jōnin so young is impressive."

"I'm flattered."

Yagyu smiled politely:

"You're the impressive one, Lady Terumī. To my knowledge, aside from Hiruko—who forcibly steals others' bloodline limits—you're the only person in this era to possess two kekkei genkai."

"But what good is having multiple kekkei genkai compared to you? You have an exclusive one: Wood Release. Someday, you may earn the title 'God of Shinobi.'"

"That's just luck. I can't compare to the First Hokage. And remember the Uchiha had so many Sharingan, but among them only one Uchiha Madara ever emerged over the years."

"… …"

As Mei and Yagyu walked, their conversation weighed on her thoughts. Hearing his words firsthand, she realized that rumors didn't do him justice. He possessed not only extraordinary strength but also a temperament to match. Unlike the renownedly kind First Hokage, this polite, graceful youth radiated a hidden sharpness, like a blade partly unsheathed.

He likely inherited Hashirama's Wood Release; he could well have inherited Tobirama's intellect and political acumen, too. Observing Yagyu's silver hair and red eyes, Mei couldn't help a slight chill. Such a person, once fully matured, could be truly frightening.