Chiba spoke without hesitation, calm and measured, as if discussing something already decided. "Of course," he said. "The wager will be the title of Mizukage itself."
The room fell silent.
Then, almost casually, he continued, "As for the stakes…" He paused, long enough for everyone to lean in. "Whoever wins may demand one thing from the other. And the loser," he added softly, "may not refuse."
A tremor ran through the hall. The Mizukage's seat, placed on the table like a chip in a gambling den. A wager so outrageous it bordered on madness. And the stakes… any request, no refusal. Just hearing it was enough to make pulses race.
Mei Terumi felt heat surge through her veins the instant he finished speaking. Her warrior's blood burned, but as the meaning truly settled in, a faint flush crept onto her cheeks. Anything? No refusal? For a brief, dangerous second, her thoughts strayed. This wager was far too improper. But backing down? In front of all these people? That wasn't who she was. Her gaze sharpened, and without hesitation, she nodded.
"Fine. I accept your wager."
Chiba's lips curved upward-not triumphant, not smug, but satisfied. "Good. Then let us seal it."
They raised their hands. Clap. Clap. Clap. Three strikes. The sound echoed far louder than it should have, and in that instant, warmth bloomed in Mei Terumi's chest-subtle, unfamiliar, as if she had just tied her fate to something new, something dangerous.
Hōzuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri exchanged a glance. They saw it clearly: that powerful, iron-willed kunoichi, Mei Terumi, was already moving to Chiba's rhythm. At this rate, her fall was inevitable.
Chiba laughed lightly, breaking the tension. "Alright. That's enough for business." He turned to her. "Mei, I'll show you around the Yuki Clan."
She paused for just a heartbeat, then nodded, a faint blush coloring her expression. "…Alright."
They walked together through the snow-covered territory of the Yuki Clan. As if answering their steps, snow began to fall-soft, silent, endless. The land lived up to its name, blanketed in snow year-round, turning the world into a frozen dream. Mei stopped, watching the flakes drift down, her eyes lighting up.
"So beautiful…"
Chiba glanced at her, a faint smile on his lips. "Well? Isn't the Yuki Clan lovely?"
"Yes…" she murmured almost to herself.
Chiba raised his hand gently. The snow responded. Flakes twisted and danced through the air as if drawn by an unseen force, gathering into his palm. A chill spread, and the air itself seemed to freeze. Chiba released the power of the Ice Fruit, and in that moment, Mei Terumi realized something with absolute clarity: this man was not merely gambling for the future of Kirigakure-he was reshaping it.
The swirling snowflakes froze midair, crystallizing into a flawless, translucent ice flower. Chiba casually handed it to her.
"For you."
"…For me?" Mei's heart pounded wildly. Could this be a date? Her cheeks flushed crimson as she carefully accepted the ice flower. Inside its crystalline petals, countless snowflakes were sealed in perfect stillness, breathtakingly beautiful.
"It's gorgeous… thank you."
Chiba smiled. "This ice flower was created by my ability. It will never melt."
Those words struck her more deeply than she expected. Never melt… Mei was filled with awe and sweetness.
"Then… I'll treasure it," she said softly.
As they walked side by side through the falling snow, Mei found her thoughts drifting. Moments ago, they had acknowledged each other as rivals, candidates for the same seat, the future of Kirigakure. And yet now, they walked like lovers sharing a quiet winter stroll.
That contradiction unsettled her. Politics and power had always been cold, ruthless things. She had survived the Blood Mist era by hardening her heart, by calculating, enduring, and compromising. Affection had never had a place there.
And yet, this contrast, this warmth, this dangerous closeness slipped past her defenses far too easily.
Before Mei Terumi realized it, her heart had already begun leaning toward the man beside her.
Just then, they spotted a young girl building a snowman, her laughter bright and carefree, cheeks red from the cold. It was Yuki Haku-the innocence and joy Kirigakure had stolen from so many of its children. She suddenly looked up, spotted Chiba, and her eyes lit up with delight.
"Brother Chiba! Come play with me!"
She ran toward him, then glanced at Mei Terumi with wide, curious eyes. "Wow… this big sister is so beautiful… Are you here to play with me too?"
Mei hesitated for a half-beat, then smiled. "Of course."
And so, amid the falling snow, the three of them built snowmen together. In that simple, peaceful moment, Mei felt a sharp, unfamiliar tightening in her chest. This is what Kirigakure should have been: no purges, no paranoia, no bloodline exterminations. If someone like Chiba truly stood at the top, could the village really change? The thought lingered-dangerous, tempting.
Night fell swiftly. Chiba escorted Mei Terumi to the guest room prepared for her. Her face remained flushed, her steps hesitant.
"Get some good rest," he said softly.
"…Alright." She watched him leave, a strange sense of loss blooming in her chest. This isn't right, she told herself. He's my rival, my political obstacle, possibly my greatest threat. Yet the logic rang hollow. She shook her head. I can't fall this easily. I need to remain reserved, composed. Kirigakure doesn't need a woman ruled by her emotions.
Just then, another kunoichi appeared from the snowy night: Ringo Ameyuri. She smiled faintly at Mei.
"He's an unbelievable man, isn't he?"
Mei's face flushed again. "What are you trying to say?"
Ringo chuckled. "Nothing. I just didn't expect you to fall so fast."
Mei bristled, embarrassed and annoyed. "If you keep spouting nonsense, I won't go easy on you."
Ringo laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll stop."
Mei huffed and marched into her room. Bang. The door shut firmly behind her. Her face burned hotter. She pressed a hand to her chest. "Did I really… fall? No, I didn't… I can't afford to."
And yet… her thoughts drifted, unbidden, to the council, to Genji, to the unstable balance of Kirigakure. If Chiba entered the village, he wouldn't just be a participant-he would be a catalyst. A blade sharp enough to cut through decades of stagnation. And that thought both frightened her…and thrilled her, because part of her wanted that blade to win.
Elsewhere, Ringo Ameyuri returned to her own room. The teasing smile faded, replaced by a quiet, complicated loneliness. She stared at her reflection. "…So that's how it starts," she murmured.
The next morning, Chiba wasted no time. Having decided to go to Kirigakure, he temporarily entrusted the affairs of the Yuki Clan to Yuki Yoru and the council of elders. Ringo Ameyuri stayed behind to guard the village and protect its people. Chiba knew her loyalty, and her feelings, would not waver.
As for himself, he departed alongside Mei Terumi and Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Mei glanced at him from the corner of her eye. A rival. An ally. A future Mizukage. Or… something far more dangerous.
Together, the three of them headed toward Kirigakure. And with that, the political storm she had worked to contain for years was finally set in motion.