Chapter 68: I See in You the Potential of a Mizukage

"I'm inside your body."

The unfamiliar voice spoke again. Terumi Mei's face darkened as her consciousness dove into her spiritual realm.

Within Terumi Mei's spiritual realm, Hiroki couldn't disguise himself. Seeing his glaring Byakugan eyes, Terumi Mei felt somewhat surprised.

"A ninja from Konoha, from the Hyuga clan?"

Hiroki smiled slightly. "Terumi Mei, I see in you the potential of a Mizukage. That's why I dropped by personally to offer you a bit of guidance."

Terumi Mei: "..."

Her lips curled upward slightly, almost like she wanted to laugh.

Without waiting for a response, Hiroki resumed speaking. "That's right, I'm that Konoha ninja everyone's after."

"The reason I'm being hunted is because my eyes saw through the Fourth Mizukage's secret. He was under genjutsu and had been controlled all along."

Terumi Mei showed no change in expression.

"You don't look the least bit surprised?"

"Because I already knew," Terumi Mei replied lightly. "The first person who initially suspected the Fourth Mizukage of being under genjutsu was me."

"Then why did you..."

"No matter whether he was under genjutsu or something else, it's just an excuse for taking action. Many Mist Ninja died. Those who remained reached their limit of endurance. Soon, we will unite everyone and take back the Fourth Mizukage's power."

Seeing her extremely calm expression, Hiroki couldn't help but applaud.

"It's pleasant talking with a mature woman. She doesn't get flustered easily or waste time daydreaming — straight to the point."

"It seems like the future of this village has already been decided."

A sharp, dangerous glint flickered in Terumi Mei's eyes.

For some reason, she sensed there was a double meaning behind his words.

Almost as if he were teasing her about her age.

But she was only in her twenties now, at the prime of her youth. Her age shouldn't be worth mocking, should it?

"You're being so clear with me. Don't tell me you're planning to kill me?" Hiroki asked.

Upon hearing that, Terumi Mei revealed a brilliant, dazzling smile on her face.

"That's right, little boy. Die here right now. You'll be the first person I kill — and the first in my heart."

"It's your own doing."

With a gentle tone full of sweet laughter, she said these murderous words.

Before her voice faded completely, Hiroki already felt the space around him become restricted.

A smile also lingered on his face.

If it had been two years ago, he might have been trapped like when he encountered Tsunade.

But now, such things wouldn't happen again. At least, leaving was very simple for him now.

"We'll meet again."

After saying that, Hiroki's figure disappeared before her eyes, and Terumi Mei's expression instantly froze.

After a long while, she murmured to herself, "Could this be the Yamanaka clan's secret technique?"

Pushing the thoughts aside for now, Terumi Mei left to visit Elder Genshi at his home.

"A woman who can become a Kage indeed isn't ordinary."

Sighing, Hiroki arrived at Kaguya Palace — Kaguya's spiritual realm.

Kaguya maintained an emotionless facade, unaffected as if nothing had transpired.

She showed absolutely no emotional reaction to his little scheme just now.

The moment he saw Kaguya, he lunged straight at her.

Ever since he realized Kaguya didn't resist his close proximity, he'd become even more brazen.

Kaguya raised her hand slightly to stop him, otherwise he would've crashed right into her.

She was mildly annoyed and disbelieving.

Other people grew more mature with age, so why was Hiroki Hyuga getting more childish?

"Kaguya, I need someone to take care of me."

Kaguya remained silent.

"Kaguya, Kaguya, Kaguya-nee, nee-nee, how about you take care of me?" Hiroki deliberately called out.

"...Don't mess around."

There's no way she would do something like that.

Besides, she didn't even have a physical body. What could she possibly do?

Would she borrow someone else's body just to get close to others? That would be improper!

"Don't play around..."

Realizing she was starting to lose patience, Hiroki Hyuga stood aside and got serious.

"Kaguya, what do you think about me becoming the Three-Tails Jinchuriki?"

"Kaguya, you know the Tailed Beasts will eventually be taken back."

"I know. Drain most of it and leave a small portion of Tailed Beast chakra to sustain life. Besides, if we control the Tailed Beasts ourselves, we won't have to chase them down in the future."

To significantly boost one's chakra reserves, you either need the bloodline of the Uzumaki or Senju clan, or become a jinchuriki. Before Shimon Hiruko completed his mixed kekkei genkai experiments, he didn't want to modify his own body.

After all, life only comes once, and he couldn't recklessly risk his body.

"...You're always testing my limits bit by bit." After a moment of silence, Kaguya spoke.

"There's also Yugito. Don't drain all of her Tailed Beast chakra—leave her enough to survive."

"You haven't even met her once. Why do you care so much about her?" Kaguya's expression gradually turned colder.

"I just don't want the whole world turning against you."

Kaguya stared at him for a long time without responding. Hiroki Hyuga wisely left.

After talking with Genshi, Terumi Mei went back home.

Suddenly, she furrowed her brow, a wry smile mixed with helplessness appearing on her face.

That man had once again intruded into her spiritual world.

"Little boy, is your idea of goodbye really this quick?"

"Don't call me little boy! My name is Hiroki Hyuga!"

Terumi sighed.

"Terumi Mei, when are you planning to seize power?"

"..."

"I can help you."

"You help me?" Terumi Mei found herself both laughing and crying at this.

"That's right. Didn't I mention earlier that I wanted to guide you?"

Terumi Mei thought carefully. Being constantly harassed like this was indeed troubling, so she suggested, "Little boy, where are you now? How about we meet up and discuss things face to face?"

"Oh? Do you want to see me or kill me? I'm currently in the Land of Water. There's a boy named Kimimaro Kaguya from the Kaguya Clan. Bring him out, and I'll meet you."

Terumi Mei fell silent again.

Though the village was in chaos, causing a shortage of experienced ninja, and members of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist kept defecting… she had gained Master Genshi's attention and protection along with significant resource investments. However, interfering with matters of the Kaguya Clan was still beyond her reach.

"See you tomorrow."

"That was how Hiroki said it.

In the days that followed, he'd always strike up a quick chat with Terumi Mei.

At first, she found his constant interruptions super annoying—but over time, she just got used to it. She went from being irritated to just not caring anymore.

'Hey kid, how long are you gonna keep bugging me?'

'I already told you—I'm here to help you become the next Mizukage!'

Meanwhile, back in the Country of Hot Springs, Yugao Uzuki's wounds had completely healed.

A black-haired girl around eight or nine years old entered the Palace of the Country of Hot Springs, escorted by guards.

Though still very young, the girl maintained a perfect noble posture. Facing the gazes of Tsunade, Shizune, Hidenaga White Zetsu, and the rest, she didn't show even a trace of nervousness—poised, elegant, and utterly composed."

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