Then Uchiha Hikaru sneered and mocked the mentally shaken Kirigakure shinobi mercilessly.

"You Mist shinobi can't even stop your own Mizukage from being controlled by an outsider."

"Isn't that the ultimate proof of your incompetence?"

"You've lost. You don't get to choose anything anymore."

"Live on your knees… or die on your feet. Go on, then. Resist. I dare you."

None of the Kirigakure shinobi said a word.

Mei Terumi lowered her head and slowly stepped to Uchiha Hikaru's side.

"Enough."

"I'll go with you. Let them go."

Turning her gaze back to her comrades, Mei Terumi's heart was heavy.

But the final decision had been made.

"Return to the village. Kirigakure still needs you in the future."

Mei Terumi knew full well—she was the only living shinobi with both the Lava and Boil Release bloodlines. No village could resist the temptation of dual Kekkei Genkai.

She could only hope that her sacrifice would ensure the Hidden Mist's future…

"Wait!"

A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

Uchiha Hikaru recognized it—it felt strangely familiar.

Could it be…?

"Let me go to Konoha with Lady Mei."

A tall figure stepped forward, arriving at the very spot where Fuguki Suikazan had just met his gruesome end.

He picked up Samehada from the bloodstained ground and slung it over his back.

His frame was large and imposing, clad in a Kirigakure ANBU flak jacket. His skin was light blue, gill-like slits lined his cheeks, and his blank, dead-fish eyes betrayed nothing.

"Lord Hikaru… I request permission to accompany her."

Uchiha Hikaru looked him up and down.

Hoshigaki Kisame... right. Because I killed Fuguki early, he hasn't joined the Akatsuki yet.

This man was known as the "tailless Tailed Beast" for a reason. His chakra reserves were monstrous.

Hikaru made a mental note to find a way to pull this beast of a shinobi to his side in the future.

He nodded.

"Approved."

Mei Terumi quietly shook her head.

Hoshigaki Kisame… you fool. Crawling out of the shadows at a time like this. Another precious shinobi lost to the Mist…

The war was finally over.

Ao led what remained of the Kirigakure forces back to the village by ship.

Mei Terumi and Hoshigaki Kisame, however, had most of their chakra sealed by Uchiha Hikaru.

The remaining chakra within their bodies was only just enough to maintain movement—enough to follow Konoha's return march.

Combat was no longer an option. At best, they might be able to squeeze out a strong C-rank technique.

Two days later, in Konoha...

More than 4,000 Konoha shinobi returned home, proud and victorious.

Uchiha Hikaru marched at the head of the formation.

As the gates opened, cheers erupted across the village.

Families surged forward to search for their loved ones among the crowd.

Some found sons, daughters, wives, or husbands returning to them.

Others reached the end of the procession, still searching… only to find empty space.

A cold stab of realization sank into their hearts.

Some searched again, refusing to believe.

But when the truth could no longer be denied, they turned away, heads lowered… silent tears tracing paths down their cheeks.

They slipped away from the jubilant crowd, knowing the person they most cared about would never return.

The joy of victory, the relief of reunion, and the grief of irreplaceable loss—Uchiha Hikaru saw it all.

The crowd chanted his name, cheering their "Assistant Hokage" with fervor.

But he didn't feel joy.

This had been his first true war.

In his past life, he'd been a lone cultivator in the world of immortal cultivation—free, untethered. Even though the memories of that life hadn't yet fully awakened...

In his second life, he was born in a peaceful nation. Though his childhood was difficult, his later years were quiet and stable. He remained alone.

But in this third life… he had people he cared about.

Memories from two lives, grief from wars both seen and lived, and the weight of survival pressed in on him.

What a twisted world this is…

After the return, Uchiha Hikaru brought Mei Terumi and Hoshigaki Kisame straight to his home.

When he opened the door, he saw the place was coated in dust. No one had lived here for over a week.

The floors, the furniture—everything had gathered a dull gray film.

Mei Terumi looked at the house, blinking.

Is this Konoha's research facility...?

Why does it look so... normal?

No, it must be hidden. There must be a secret underground lab. That's where they'll draw my blood, dissect me, perform cruel tests…

They might even…

On the way back, Mei and Kisame had remained completely silent.

Uchiha Hikaru turned to glance at them.

Kisame's expression was blank as ever—those lifeless eyes didn't betray a single thought.

Mei Terumi, on the other hand, wore an unreadable expression, anxiety creeping into her normally composed face.

Seriously, what's with the mood swings?

Uchiha Hikaru suddenly got an idea.

He spun around, went into the bathroom, and came back with a broom and rag, shoving them into Mei and Kisame's hands.

"I'll leave this to you two. I'm going out to buy groceries."

"Make sure the place is clean when I get back."

And with that, he stepped outside and slammed the door.

He placed a chakra barrier around the entire building—just in case either of them tried anything.

Though both of their chakra reserves were sealed, it didn't hurt to be cautious. After all, they weren't Konoha shinobi.

Best not to take chances.

About half an hour later, he returned from Akimichi Chōza's barbecue restaurant, arms full of ingredients.

He dispelled the barrier and opened the door.

The scene inside surprised him.

Mei Terumi was still wearing her usual dark blue combat uniform, but now she had a black apron tied around her waist.

Wait a minute… was that his apron?

At that very moment, she was bent over, wiping the last bit of dust off the corner of the sofa.

And the angle was… well… perfect.

The modest ravine of her cleavage was framed right in his line of sight.

Her mesh fishnet supported the "big catch" snugly on either side—clearly made to prevent anything from bouncing free.

Uchiha Hikaru found his gaze wandering for a few seconds longer than necessary.

Hmmm… Compared to Tsunade, Anko, and Kurenai…

It's probably: Kurenai ＜ Anko ＝ Mei Terumi ＜ Tsunade.

Yeah, Tsunade still wins. But Mei is impressive in her own right…

He nodded to himself in silent approval, confirming his earlier assessment with utmost seriousness.

(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

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