As soon as Uchiha Gen dismissed them, Kisame and Jūzō bowed and vanished into the forest like shadows, leaving only two figures by the lakeside—the Hokage of Konoha and the most formidable kunoichi of the Mist.
Mei Terumī tilted her head slightly, her smile calm and curious.
"So, Lord Fifth Hokage, what is it you wanted to discuss in private?"
Gen's expression softened into something unexpectedly casual.
"It's nothing political," he said. "I simply wanted to ask if Ms. Mei Terumī would consider becoming my girlfriend."
Mei blinked. "...What?"
He gave a slight shrug, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Should I repeat it?"
She waved her hands quickly, a trace of color rising in her cheeks. "No, that's not necessary. It was just... sudden. I didn't expect that to be what you wanted to say."
Gen smiled lightly. "Then what's your answer?"
Mei brushed a lock of auburn hair back behind her ear, stalling for time. Her thoughts moved quickly.
The man before her was striking, charismatic, powerful, intelligent. His name carried more weight than any Kage alive. But he already had other women: the Kazekage of the Sand, several kunoichi in Konoha... everyone in the intelligence world knew as much.
Mei liked handsome men, yes, but she preferred good men. And by her standards, a man with multiple lovers hardly qualified as one. Yet, for someone of his stature, perhaps that was simply the cost of power. Even among the Kage, he was exercising restraint compared to what he could easily command.
Still, the risk of refusing him loomed in her mind.
Would he take it personally?
Would it strain the fragile ties between the Mist and Konoha?
Would he retaliate quietly—or worse?
Mei wasn't a woman who let fear decide her choices. She had principles, and she had pride. But she was also pragmatic, and she understood the delicate politics at play.
Gen's tone softened slightly. "After the world is unified, I'll have to stabilize it through alliances—some of them through marriage. It's a necessity of leadership, not indulgence."
Mei arched an eyebrow. "Ah. What a noble excuse for collecting women, Lord Hokage."
He laughed. "Believe what you will. But among the women of the Mist, there's no one more capable, or more beautiful, than you. You'd make the perfect representative of your village."
The compliment made her lips twitch despite herself. She knew he was charming her deliberately, yet his words carried weight—because they came from him. When a man of that caliber said something flattering, it was hard not to feel it.
Her mind spun quickly through the possibilities. Refusing him outright could invite unnecessary trouble. Accepting, on the other hand, might open new doors—for herself, for the Mist, for the future.
After a long pause, she exhaled quietly.
"It's an honor to receive your favor, Lord Hokage. If you truly wish it, then... I'm willing."
Gen smiled, satisfaction flickering behind his calm expression. "I'm glad to hear that."
For a moment, Mei's composure melted into something softer. She offered him a gentle smile—half amusement, half acceptance. "You're quite persistent, aren't you?"
"Persistence," he said lightly, "is often mistaken for fate."
He stepped closer and placed a hand gently around her waist. She tensed slightly, startled by the warmth of his touch, but didn't pull away. Her scent—fresh and faintly floral—rose in the cool mountain air.
"Although our relationship began for political reasons," Gen said quietly, "I mean what I say. As long as you never betray me, I will never betray you."
That promise carried weight, the same one he had made to every woman who had chosen to stand by him. It wasn't about affection alone. It was a pact of loyalty and survival in a world built on shifting alliances.
Mei's posture eased at his words. Her eyes softened, her lips curving faintly. "Then... I'll hold you to that, Lord Hokage."
Gen's gaze lingered on her expression, the usually composed and confident Mizukage-to-be, suddenly bashful, her tone gentle, her cheeks tinged with pink. The sight stirred something unguarded in him.
He leaned closer but Mei raised a hand lightly, pressing it against his chest.
"Isn't that a little too fast?"
Gen chuckled. "Perhaps. But time is precious. Once we part, it may be months before we see each other again."
"So... I'm really going to join the Akatsuki Organization?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Yes."
"With your power, is that even necessary?" she pressed. "You could destroy them if you wanted."
Gen's expression grew thoughtful. "Perhaps. But the Akatsuki isn't as simple as it seems and I have my own reasons for joining."
He added gently, "Besides, even if I invited you to Konoha, would you be content to live quietly as a housewife?"
Mei laughed softly. "Hardly. I still have ambitions left to fulfill."
"Then it's settled," he said, his tone approving. "You'll join Akatsuki. Kisame and Jūzō will support you from within."
He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against her hand. "I'll also give you the same protection I've given my other partners."
"What kind of protection?" Mei asked, glancing up at him.
"A summoning contract," he said, "and a Flying Thunder God mark."
Her eyes widened. "You can use that technique?"
Gen smiled faintly. "No one ever said only the Second or Fourth Hokage could. Knowledge doesn't belong to bloodlines alone."
Her lips parted slightly in surprise, but before she could ask more, Gen raised a hand and released a small red flame into the air.
The fireball burst high above the lake, scattering into glowing sparks like a flare.
Within seconds, two figures appeared from the forest—Kisame and Jūzō—dropping to one knee before him.
"Orders, my Lord?"
Gen smiled. "We're heading to the nearest town. A small celebration, on me. Lead the way."
He added, half in jest but with unmistakable intent, "And find a tailor. I'll need a new outfit for Ms. Terumī, something elegant. Blue, with a white belt, black mesh stockings, and silver-gray boots."
Kisame and Jūzō exchanged a knowing glance. "Yes, Lord," they said in unison before vanishing into the trees again.
As they departed, Gen turned back to Mei and offered his hand. She hesitant but steady took it. Then, in a flicker of motion, they vanished into the forest, following the others toward the distant town, the moonlight gleaming off the lake behind them.
The Fifth Hokage had claimed another ally.
And somewhere between politics and power, a new bond quietly took shape.