Although Mei Terumi had a devilish figure and a stunningly beautiful face, whenever someone looked at her soft, juicy red lips, the image that came to mind wasn't desire—it was Boil Release melting everything into nothingness, or Lava Release dissolving flesh and bone in an instant.

Any inappropriate thoughts would vanish like a popped bubble—snuffed out in a cold sweat.

I-I can't... no way... If I mess with Mei Terumi and piss her off, she might just melt my face off! (°ロ°)

In the end, those who initially chose to follow Mei Terumi—whether attracted by her strength or her appearance—eventually shifted from admirers to cautious subordinates.

But Mei Terumi quickly snapped out of her earlier gloom.

After all, she still had confidence in herself.

As the most beautiful kunoichi in Kirigakure, even if Uchiha Hikaru already had a significant other…

She firmly believed that with enough digging, no wall was unbreakable!

Once she made Hikaru fall head-over-heels for her and lured him to Kirigakure, she would gain more than just a powerful ally stronger than even a Kage—she would obtain the Uchiha bloodline.

Imagine it—children blessed with Lava Release, Boil Release, and the Sharingan! (*≧▽≦)

With her plan set in motion, Mei Terumi perked up immediately.

"Assistant-sama~ So why don't you tell me what kind of cooperation you need from me to finalize the Kirigakure Treaty~?"

She swayed her long, fishnet-clad legs and twisted her slender waist just enough to draw the eye.

Then, with deliberate steps, she walked over and sat beside Uchiha Hikaru.

Hikaru raised a brow at Mei Terumi's sudden change in demeanor. He couldn't quite figure out what she was up to—but that didn't stop him from appreciating the view.

At the same time, Kisame noticed the bloody tension from earlier had vanished. In its place... a new kind of tension was forming, one that felt strangely intimate.

Hmph. Boring...

With an unimpressed grunt, he turned his attention back to the TV.

The drama's over. Time for mindless entertainment. Let them talk.

Kisame had no interest in politics or flirtation. At this point, only food and good shows held his attention.

Meanwhile, Mei Terumi had subtly closed the distance and was now seated right next to Hikaru.

Hikaru smirked. So that's your game, huh?

"Of course, we'll need compensation... and ceding of territory."

He didn't bat an eye at her tactics.

Sure, Mei Terumi's beauty was on par with the top kunoichi of the entire shinobi world.

But Hikaru was surrounded by the likes of Tsunade, Anko, and Kurenai daily—each of them legendary in their own right.

You think this is enough to faze me? Please. I'm a seasoned ANBU. Veteran resistance. (￣ー￣)

Still, Mei Terumi could feel the heat radiating from Hikaru's body.

That aura, that overwhelming presence… it made her subconsciously inch even closer.

Despite the confident act, she was no seductress. In fact, she was still a virgin who had never even held hands with a man.

Before Hikaru even made a move, she was already starting to panic inside.

Calm down! You're the one who made this plan!! (〃ﾟ3ﾟ〃)

"The compensation part is understandable," she said, voice soft but strategic. "But... about the land cession... couldn't we consider other terms instead?"

"After all, Kirigakure is surrounded by sea. We have very little land to give."

She was stepping straight into the trap Hikaru had laid from the beginning.

He had never intended to seize any of the Land of Water's territory.

Konoha, located in the Land of Fire, already held the most fertile and resource-rich geography in the entire shinobi world—lush plains, rivers, and forests.

They didn't need more land. What they needed... was control.

People might resist if you raise the ceiling. But if you just open a window... they'll welcome the breeze.

That was the principle.

"In that case..." Hikaru pretended to hesitate, letting just the right amount of thought show in his expression.

He offered his next terms casually, but every word was razor-sharp.

"Then cancel the import tariffs Kirigakure imposes on goods from the Land of Fire."

"Obviously, we in Konoha can't accept a treaty where we get nothing in return beyond a one-time compensation."

"When the Hokage returns, I'll have to answer for this deal."

Mei Terumi's eyes lit up.

He took the bait! My charm worked!

What Mei Terumi didn't realize was—this wasn't a political negotiation anymore. It was economic warfare.

And she had just handed Konoha the key to economic dominance.

In the shinobi world, economics wasn't yet taken seriously. Most shinobi understood only missions, war, and basic trade. The true implications of opening Kirigakure's markets to Konoha's goods hadn't dawned on her.

Not until years later—when Kirigakure's economy had become completely dependent on Konoha's products.

By then, both she and her village would have long since clung obediently to Hikaru and Konoha.

"But... about the compensation... we really don't have much money to spare," she added sweetly.

"We're surrounded by sea... our resources are limited..."

"Couldn't you... be a little more flexible~?"

Just as those words reached Hikaru's ears, he felt his left arm sink into a soft pressure—something warm and yielding.

...This isn't a pillow. (・・;)

The sensation was definitely different from Tsunade's softness, or Anko's or Kurenai's...

Curious, he... evaluated the sensation a little more carefully in silence. (°▽°)

Mei Terumi's entire face flushed crimson, the color spreading from her cheeks to her collarbone.

But for the good of her village... she must endure! (ง •̀_•́)ง

Even if his biceps were ridiculously toned and his chakra network absurdly refined...

She was not going to be seduced by a hot body! (≧Д≦)

Hikaru remained quiet for a moment, then sighed and put on a troubled expression.

"As for the compensation... that's not something I can decide alone."

"It depends on the Finance Division's calculations regarding damages caused to Konoha during the war."

"The final decision will be made by the Hokage."

"Let's table that part for now."

"As her assistant, I'm here to represent Konoha—not to negotiate in bad faith."

Mei Terumi blinked.

...Oh.

She had miscalculated.

He was acting not out of personal desire, but out of loyalty to his village.

The "beauty trap" had failed.

Still, avoiding a land cession was already a huge win.

As for the compensation—what Hikaru said made sense. They'd need time to calculate the losses accurately.

And now... she saw him in a slightly different light.

She lowered her head and peeked at him from beneath her lashes.

Handsome. Strong. Devoted to his village. And immune to temptation.

The more she looked... the more she found him irresistible.

But even so, there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

If only... if only Hikaru had been a ninja of Kirigakure instead of Konoha...

If only this war hadn't been provoked by that mysterious man in the black cloak with red clouds...

Then maybe they wouldn't be enemies. Maybe... they could've fought side by side.

Maybe... she wouldn't have had to use a cheap trick like seduction to try and sway him.

He probably thinks I'm some shallow woman now...

But what Mei Terumi didn't know was—Uchiha Hikaru already knew everything that would happen to her in the future.

There was no way he'd be fooled by a beauty trap that clumsy.

Especially not one executed with the awkward hesitation of someone who had clearly never done it before—not even as bold as Anko or Tsunade back in the day…

───

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