Half an hour later, the four of them reached the town.
None entered in their true forms. Each used the Transformation Technique to disguise themselves—precaution more than vanity. Their identities, if recognized together, would draw too much attention.
After slipping through the gates, they agreed on a meeting point before splitting up. Uchiha Gen and Mei Terumī went one way; Kisame and Jūzō took another.
Gen and Mei spent their time wandering the streets. He bought her a few things she had taken a liking to, and when they had finished shopping, dusk had not yet fallen. So, they strolled further, aimless, companionable, until Gen realized where their feet had led them.
Tanzaku-Gai. [T/N: also called Tanazaku Quarters.]
The famous entertainment district of the Land of Fire—bright lanterns, laughter spilling from gambling halls, sake, and stories. It was where Jiraiya had once brought Naruto to find Tsunade.
Gen, however, wasn't tempted. Gambling and other vices weren't diversions he cared for; they reeked of decay. Without hesitation, he led Mei Terumī past the place and into quieter streets.
When evening came and the lanterns lit the town in amber hues, the two returned to the inn Kisame had arranged. The shark-like man and Jūzō were already waiting inside, seated at a private table. They stood the moment the Hokage entered.
Once the waiter left and the door closed, the four dropped their Transformation Techniques and began to eat properly, Konoha's Hokage, the Mist's most brilliant kunoichi, and two of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist sitting like old comrades.
Wine flowed; conversation meandered easily. Afterward, Gen paid the bill himself and pressed a generous purse into Kisame's hand.
"Enjoy yourselves," he said simply.
Kisame grinned; Jūzō gave a curt nod. They didn't need to be told twice.
When the pairs separated again, Gen led Mei Terumī toward the most luxurious hotel in town. Kisame and Jūzō hesitated for only a moment before heading in the direction of Tanzaku Gai.
In their suite, Gen showered first, then Mei Terumī.
When she emerged, she had changed into what he'd chosen for her earlier that day:
a blue strapless dress fitted with a white belt, black fishnet stockings, and open-toed silver-gray boots. Her long, wavy auburn hair cascaded down her back, reaching nearly to her knees.
Under the lamplight, she was radiant, her emerald eyes clear, her smile composed yet disarming. At twenty-one, she carried the perfect balance of youth and power.
Gen, reclining lazily on the bed, watched her with quiet appreciation. "Beautiful," he said. "Though I think it would be even more so if you'd turn around."
Smiling, Mei placed one hand on her hip and gave a graceful spin. Her hair lifted in a copper wave, her skirt flaring lightly with the motion. When she stopped, she leaned forward just slightly, the curve of her figure accentuated. With a teasing smile, she brushed her fingers across her lips and blew him a kiss.
"Monster," she said playfully, voice low and sultry, "I want your help with my training."
Gen laughed softly and clapped a hand to the bed. "Then I suppose I should take that seriously."
He rose and moved in one smooth motion. Mei didn't dodge. Her laughter was bright at first, then faded into a quiet sound as he caught her.
The two spun once in midair, their forms a blur, and landed together on the bed. The world outside heard nothing but silence, save for the faint creak of the mattress and the whisper of wind through the open window.
By midnight, the room's lights still hadn't gone out.
When dawn finally touched the curtains, Uchiha Gen looked as composed as ever. Mei Terumī, though, glowed with a subtler energy—calm, radiant, eyes brighter than the night before.
They made their way downstairs for breakfast. At the foot of the staircase, a familiar figure waited, Kisame, leaning against the wall, arms folded.
"Lord," he said quickly, straightening and bowing.
Gen caught the faint shadow of concern in his subordinate's expression. "You seem troubled."
"Yes," Kisame replied. "Last night, Jūzō and I ran into two… rather significant people. I thought it best to report immediately."
"You didn't seek me out during the night," Gen said mildly. "So I take it these two are connected to Konoha?"
Kisame inclined his head. "Indeed, Lord. We encountered Tsunade-senpai and Jiraiya-senpai—the Sannin of your village."
Gen paused mid-step, his brows lifting slightly. "Those two? Together?"
It was unexpected. He'd known Jiraiya wandered constantly and Tsunade rarely stayed in one place. To find them in the same town—by chance—was remarkable.
"Tell me everything."
Kisame nodded. "It was around ten o'clock. Jūzō and I stopped by a gambling house for a bit, then left to eat. At a tavern nearby, the Motonobu Inn, we found them seated together, drinking and speaking quietly. Their chakra presence was distinct. We dared not approach too close and didn't overhear much."
"Did they notice you?"
"Our disguises likely didn't fool them, but they didn't react. They saw through the Transformation Technique, perhaps, but not to who we were."
Gen gave a single approving nod. "You handled it well."
At his side, Mei Terumī turned to him, her tone light but curious. "Will you go see them?"
"Of course," Gen replied, his lips curving faintly. "It would be impolite to pretend I hadn't noticed."
Still, he didn't move immediately. "But there's no rush," he added. "We've earned a bit more time to enjoy the morning."
Tsunade's movements were notoriously unpredictable—like a dragon glimpsed only in passing. To cross paths with her now was too rare an opportunity to ignore.
Last time, he'd held back. This time, he intended to act.
He turned to Kisame. "The name of the inn?"
"Junpei Inn," Kisame replied quickly.
Gen released Mei Terumī's hand and formed a brief sequence of seals. His chakra sharpened, and his perception spread like invisible ripples across the town.
"Found them," he said quietly. "Their chakra signatures are distinct. Tsunade's is as fierce as ever, Jiraiya's just as steady."
He glanced back at Kisame. "Recall Jūzō. They'll notice if he lingers too long."
"Yes, Lord."
Gen's tone softened again as he looked back at Mei Terumī. "Come. Let's eat first."
As Kisame departed to carry out the order, the Hokage of Konoha and the Mist's most enigmatic woman continued toward the dining hall—his fingers once again finding hers.
The Previous night...
While Gen and Mei had been otherwise occupied, in another corner of town, Jiraiya and Tsunade sat face to face at a dimly lit table inside the Motonobu Inn.
Beside Tsunade sat her loyal assistant, Shizune, never far from her mentor's side.
Three cups. Two sake flasks. A table littered with small dishes, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and unspoken history.
Tsunade leaned her cheek against her palm, golden eyes half-lidded. "So, what is it you want with me, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya set his cup down, expression sober. "You already know what's happened in the village."
She arched a brow. "You mean the matter of Uchiha Gen being named Fifth Hokage?"
He nodded. "Exactly."
"What of it? Don't tell me you've turned into one of those old fools who can't stand seeing an Uchiha wearing the hat."
"I don't have anything against the Uchiha," he said firmly.
Tsunade refilled her cup, drank, then gave a small, wry smile. "Then it must be that you have a problem with him, Orochimaru's disciple."
"I don't," Jiraiya replied quietly. "Not personally."
"Then why bring it up?" she said. "You planning to challenge him? Or did you finally change your mind about the Hokage seat?"
She gave a short laugh, but Jiraiya didn't return it. Instead, he reached into his robes and produced a scroll, his expression tightening.
"It seems the Third's envoys haven't reached you yet. The old man sent me instead, with this. You should read it."
He placed the scroll on the table. The candlelight flickered over the seal.
Tsunade stared at it for a long moment before finally reaching out, her fingers brushing the edge of the parchment.