Hayato Ren held Mei Terumi's hand as she was eager to explain, comforting her:
"It's alright, I believe you."
Seeing the sincere look in Hayato Ren's eyes, Mei Terumi felt warmth in her heart and then nodded firmly.
The two of them gazed at each other like this, and a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere instantly spread between them.
Just then, Ameyuri Ringo interrupted this beautiful moment.
"It's clearly a movie for three people, why should I be under the car?"
Under Mei Terumi's somewhat dissatisfied gaze, Ameyuri Ringo slowly explained how she came to know Hayato Ren's identity.
"From our first meeting, I thought you were suspicious. An ordinary person wouldn't remain calm-faced when facing my Ninjutsu. Moreover, your method of sealing my Chakra through Pressure Point Strikes is exactly the same technique commonly used by the Leaf's Hyuga clan, isn't it?
Most importantly, you claim to be a writer, but I've never seen you pick up a pen. Instead, you take us around various important facilities every day. If not for the village's Anbu being too amateurish, you would have been captured long ago."
After hearing Ameyuri Ringo's explanation, Hayato Ren used his other hand to stroke her hair and revealed a meaningful smile.
Were the Anbu of Hidden Mist Village all incompetent? Not exactly.
What Ameyuri Ringo could notice, others could naturally notice as well.
However, before those Anbu members could grow suspicious of Hayato Ren, Haunter had already subtly altered their thoughts through dreams.
Although it wasn't as overpowered as Kotoamatsukami, making them overlook Hayato Ren's strange behavior was still quite simple.
"So it seems, both of you are my accomplices. We could be called Mist traitors - spies of Hidden Mist Village."
Hearing this, Mei Terumi immediately rolled her eyes and replied irritably:
"I'm going to become the Water Shadow in the future. Right now, I'm just being a bit more lenient. When I take office, there will be great scholars to justify my actions for such minor matters."
Originally, Mei Terumi hadn't held any particular obsession with the position of Water Shadow.
But she couldn't resist Hayato Ren constantly whispering about it in her ear.
Over time, Mei Terumi developed some interest in the position.
Are kings and nobles born to their stations? If others can sit in that damned Water Shadow position, why can't I, Mei Terumi?
After becoming Water Shadow, she could even have the Leaf send Hayato Ren over for a political marriage - just thinking about it felt thrilling.
However, there was one thing Mei Terumi didn't quite understand - why did Hayato Ren always refer to her as the Fifth?
The current Third Water Shadow still appeared young and strong. By the time he retired, Mei Terumi would just be in her prime.
If she had to wait until the Fourth Water Shadow stepped down before becoming Water Shadow, wouldn't she become an old maid by then?
Thinking of this, Mei Terumi couldn't help but feel frustrated.
She secretly resolved in her heart - who wants to be the Fifth? If I'm going to be Water Shadow, I'll be the Fourth.
Imagining how awestruck Hayato Ren would look when he saw her become Water Shadow in the future, Mei Terumi felt a surge of satisfaction.
When the time comes, I'll go to the Leaf and demand they hand over Hayato Ren, making him serve the great Lady Mei Terumi with utmost reverence every day.
As for Ameyuri Ringo, I'll just assign her to watch over the fishpond. Otherwise, people might say the Water Shadow is abusing power for personal revenge.
"Hehehe..."
Imagining that beautiful future, Mei couldn't help but let out a mischievous chuckle.
This drew simultaneous strange looks from Hayato Ren and Ameyuri Ringo beside her.
Ameyuri Ringo didn't overthink things like Mei did. She didn't have particularly deep feelings for the Hidden Mist Village.
If forced to choose between the Hidden Mist Village and Hayato Ren, she would unquestionably pick the latter without hesitation.
After all, Ameyuri Ringo was an orphan. She had no close friends in daily life, truly a lone wolf.
If not for recently getting along well with Mei Terumi, she wouldn't even have anyone to exchange greetings with when they met.
Though nowadays when Ameyuri Ringo encountered Mei on the road, she would still just snort coldly and turn her head away.
Hayato Ren naturally had no idea about the little schemes in the two girls' minds. He pulled out two exquisitely crafted necklaces from his chest.
One necklace was set with a large ruby, while the other featured a sapphire.
Apart from the different gemstones, there were no other differences between the two necklaces.
Even the size and luster of the two gems were quite similar.
It could be said Hayato Ren had gone through great pains to maintain perfect fairness.
Mei immediately snatched the sapphire necklace, her eyes sparkling as she played with it in her hands.
"What, is this your bribe for us?"
Hayato Ren smiled and played along:
"Of course, I need to build good relations with the future Water Shadow. In case things don't work out for me in the Leaf someday, I can come seek refuge with you in the Hidden Mist Village."
Hearing this, Mei giggled.
"Fine, if you can't make it in the Leaf someday, come to me. I'll assign you to foot-washing duties then."
Ameyuri Ringo didn't say anything, just gently leaned her head forward, clearly wanting Hayato Ren to put the necklace on for her.
Hayato Ren naturally didn't refuse, gently fastening the ruby necklace around Ameyuri Ringo's slender neck.
Seeing this, Mei naturally insisted that Hayato Ren personally put her necklace on too.
After helping both girls with their necklaces, Hayato Ren lightly kissed each of their foreheads in turn, then said with some emotion:
"When we meet next time, we'll be enemies."
"Next time we meet, I'll go easy on you, then capture you and bring you back to the Hidden Mist Village."
Ameyuri Ringo said with complete seriousness.
Hearing this, Hayato Ren curled his lips and patted her head, retorting:
"Should I thank you then? You'd need another two hundred years of training to defeat me. If we meet on the battlefield, I'll capture you and take you back to the Leaf as my mountain stronghold wife."
Hearing this, Ameyuri Ringo lowered her head, her face completely flushed.
"Ew, uncle, you actually like that type? You're such a pervert."
Watching the somewhat flirtatious atmosphere between Hayato Ren and Ameyuri Ringo, Mei Terumi unceremoniously interrupted.
Hayato Ren reached out and stretched Mei Terumi's cheeks like clay in both directions.
"Stop making sarcastic remarks here. Before becoming the Water Shadow, you should keep a low profile with me. By the way, if you encounter danger, just inject a bit of Chakra into the necklace."
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