"Master Hikaru, I'm heading out to help Sasuke with his ninjutsu training. I've already ordered barbecue from the Akimichi clan's restaurant—it should be delivered to your door for dinner."
"You don't have to wait up for me."
"Lord Hikaru, Sister Mei—see you later~"
Saya flashed a grin, slipped on her shinobi sandals, and left for the Uchiha training grounds.
Now, in the large and quiet living room, only Uchiha Hikaru and Mei Terumi remained.
Time slipped away unnoticed between them. Mei sat in silence, anxiety and inner conflict evident on her face. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, trickling down her temples and cheeks, sliding along the subtle curves of her body, eventually disappearing into the neckline of her robes.
Hikaru's gaze drifted—unable to help but notice the enticing lines of her figure.
As her unease grew, Mei shifted in her seat, legs crossing and uncrossing without thought. The natural curve of her legs, elegant and graceful, kept catching his peripheral vision.
His focus began to drift from the rhythmic internal flow of chakra through his body, from analyzing the harmony of sage energy and natural chakra... to the woman sitting just across from him.
Finally, Mei Terumi lifted her head.
Her determined eyes met Hikaru's directly, fiery and unwavering.
"I..."
The words caught in her throat. Her legs pressed tightly together, her posture stiffening.
Hikaru realized he had been staring, coughed softly, and sat up straighter to break the awkward tension.
"It's alright. Seems like you've already made up your mind," he said gently. "Go ahead—say it."
"Let me see what the Fifth Mizukage is truly capable of."
Hikaru's words lit a fire in her again. Her hesitation vanished, and her aura shifted—shyness burned away, replaced by strength and certainty.
"Since you've asked for it, I'll show you what kind of Mizukage I am."
"A commission worth ten billion ryō. If Konoha is willing to take it on, then I'm willing to issue it."
"Rather than sit back and watch the other villages outpace us… or watch Kirigakure rot slowly from isolation..."
"It's better to take the risk and fight for a future with endless possibilities."
Hearing her speak those words aloud, Hikaru finally began to regard the woman before him with a deeper respect.
Perhaps he'd initially been drawn in by her beauty, but beauty was common. A rare soul, one with conviction, with the strength to make impossible decisions—that was what truly captivated him.
That was why he hadn't fallen for Mei's teasing or flirtation before. A pretty face was never enough.
But now—he could feel the intensity of her resolve, the ferocity of her will, radiating through her chakra. Through his sage senses, the flow of nature chakra in the room responded to her clarity of purpose. This was what made her different.
"Since Kirigakure is ready to make such a bold request, then as President of the Shinobi Association... I'm happy to accept the commission," Hikaru replied, voice steady.
"And as Hokage's advisor—I welcome the opportunity to negotiate a mission like this with you."
"I'll have someone begin preliminary preparations tomorrow."
"But we'll still need Shikaku to evaluate how long a project of this scale will take."
Mei nodded in agreement. After all, this commission involved the construction of two transoceanic bridges: one connecting Kirigakure and Konoha, the other leading to Kumogakure.
She also wanted to send Ao to negotiate with Kumogakure to gain their approval. Ideally, they would offer some manpower and funding, since such infrastructure would benefit them all in the long run.
"It's fine. A cross-sea bridge of that magnitude is no small feat. Even with Konoha's resources, it'll take at least three to five years—especially when we're building two of them."
As she spoke, Mei slowly rose and sat down beside Hikaru, her movements fluid and deliberate. She took his right hand between both of hers, her fingertips lightly tracing along his forearm.
"Now that the official business is done... I have some more personal matters I'd like to discuss with you."
Hikaru felt the subtle shiver from her touch, but he didn't flinch.
He wasn't some inexperienced Genin, and it would take more than a little flirtation to throw him off balance.
"I assume you're referring to something important concerning the interests of the village—as the Mizukage."
"Or should we be speaking... as ourselves?"
His measured tone made Mei question her own allure for a moment. Was she not attractive enough?
But that couldn't be it—he had clearly been staring just moments ago. His eyes had burned with something more than professional interest.
Still, his answer intrigued her. She leaned in, fingers teasing the underside of his chin, locking eyes with him again—close enough to feel each other's breath.
"And what exactly is the difference between the two?"
"That little girl won't be back for a while, so we have plenty of time."
"Why don't you help me learn more... about both?"
Hikaru gently took her hand and moved it away from his face.
"Then I'll have to give you a proper lesson..."
And so, for the next four or five hours, Uchiha Hikaru began to speak.
He told her of the ninja world—not as it appeared on the surface, but as it truly was.
From the Warring States era, to the founding of the hidden villages. From the implementation of the one country, one village system, to the three great Shinobi World Wars.
He broke down the web of blood-soaked politics, the twisted logic of territorial conflict, the economic disparity between villages, and the cultural, material, and environmental forces that shaped them.
But it was more than a lecture.
Hikaru didn't simply list facts—he brought them to life.
Hashirama and Madara—brothers in ideology, torn apart by pride.
Mu and Gengetsu—legendary Kage locked in a deadly dance of strategy and mutual destruction.
The dark secrets of Kumogakure's treacherous brothers, who stabbed the Second Raikage in the back during negotiations.
With each tale, Mei laughed, gasped, or fell silent in awe.
She felt like a student again—but this time, the history wasn't dull or dead. Hikaru's voice gave it color, gave it weight, gave it pain.
And every time she laughed, her whole body swayed—especially the generous curve of her chest, which bounced freely with her laughter, almost too lively for the couch to handle.
By the time a knock came at the door, Hikaru's lesson had come to an end.
Mei got up to retrieve the food. She brought it to the table, and when she returned, the sky had already turned a soft pink hue. The last light of sunset spilled through the windows, casting long golden lines across the room.
They looked at each other, and smiled.
"Alright, sensei. That class just about killed me. I never said I was tired, but I am tired of listening."
"If you talked any longer, I think my brain would melt."
"Let's eat."
"It's been ages since I've had Konoha barbecue. You won't charge me for this meal, right?"
She gave him a playful look, sticking out her tongue. Her expression was a perfect blend of mischief and seduction.
Hikaru, naturally, had no reason to refuse.
And so, the two of them sat side by side, enjoying grilled meat and wine as the sky deepened into twilight—sharing laughter, glances, and unspoken thoughts under the rose-colored glow of the setting sun.
-------
Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated