Inside a nearby building near Zabuza's grave in the Land of Waves.
Naruto, Maki, and Sai waited in a reception room. They assumed this was the Mizukage's office.
Despite a group of Mist ninja closely watching them from outside the door, Naruto didn't feel offended or uneasy.
After all, they were shinobi who had traveled far from the Land of Fire, and one among them was an openly known jinchuriki. It would be strange if the other side hadn't taken precautions.
Sai passed time by drawing pictures while Maki sat with her chin resting on both hands, clearly bored.
She turned to Naruto and decided to break the silence.
"Come to think of it, Naruto-senpai, what's it like having all your abilities sealed? I can't even imagine," she said while recalling memories. "You're completely different from that senior who carried out missions with me back then."
Naruto looked at his own hands, clenching his fists:
"Back in the Ninja Academy, I couldn't concentrate… because I'd already mastered everything they were teaching. My brain knew I had all that knowledge, but I just couldn't use it—like it was locked away from me. That's why I struggled so much trying to study basic ninja techniques at school. Plus, my chakra overflowed, and I couldn't use Clone Jutsu properly."
At that moment, the door opened, and a tall blue-haired man with a single eye walked in. He wore amulet earrings and was dressed in striped brown shirt and pants under a long green robe.
He glanced at the three young shinobi from Konoha and motioned for them to follow. "The Mizukage will see you now. Please come with me."
The three members of Root rose and followed him inside. At the room's center sat a figure swathed in heavy robes. Standing beside them was a boy roughly their age with short black hair, wearing glasses and earpiece-like headphones. He wore a blue-and-white striped shirt, black-and-white camouflage pants, a holster strapped across his chest, and carried a sword wrapped in bandages on his back.
The three members of Root bowed before the Mizukage. Then a woman's voice spoke out:
"Please, rise, Konoha shinobi. I'm quite curious—what brings you here today? Especially our famous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," the Fifth Mizukage said, lifting her hat.
When they saw her face, Naruto and Sai couldn't help but stiffen slightly.
"I am Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage."
"She's so beautiful…" Naruto thought inwardly, struggling to keep his gaze under control so as not to cause any awkwardness.
"Seriously, she's stunning—and she hasn't used genjutsu like Granny Tsunade does."
Naruto stepped forward and bowed again. "It's an honor to meet you, Mizukage-sama. However, I've noticed people seem to instantly know who I am, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable."
The Mizukage gave him a charming smile:
"You'll get used to it before long. The stronger your power, the greater your fame. It seems Konoha keeps producing outstanding shinobi, no matter how chaotic things become."
The man who had escorted them in let out a cold snort.
"They actually sent three inexperienced kids to handle a diplomatic mission… I'd like to see whether you brats are even qualified to negotiate with Lady Mizukage. You youngsters always love to talk big; don't waste Lady Mizukage's time."
" Ao…" Mei Terumi turned toward him, still smiling sweetly. "Shut up, or I'll kill you."
Hearing this, the man immediately fell silent, stammering for a moment before finally closing his mouth.
"Well then…" Naruto mused silently, "Looks like she really is the Mizukage. I can feel how serious she is."
Mei Terumi turned around to face them.
"If they weren't capable, they wouldn't be here. So, I heard you wanted to meet me. What is it you need?"
Naruto cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Lady Mizukage, I'll be straightforward. You probably already know—I'm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and news of that must've spread throughout the ninja world by now." Mei Terumi nodded slightly. "How much do you know about Akatsuki?"
The boy at her side interrupted.
"It's common knowledge. Senior Kisame is a member of Akatsuki… Just knowing that alone proves how dangerous they are."
"Chojuro is right," Mei Terumi replied, "and there are rumors saying Akatsuki originated from Kirigakure itself… I understand their intentions all too well. They intend to collect every last tailed beast, and they've already taken our Three-Tails and Six-Tails."
Naruto's expression turned serious as he nodded.
"In that case, we can confirm this: Akatsuki already possesses the Three-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails."
He continued, analyzing the current situation. "Not long ago, I fought against Akatsuki's leader—an individual named Pain."
Mei Terumi listened intently and pressed further.
"You fought their leader? How did it go? Tell me quickly!"
He took a deep breath, recalling the painful memory, and frustratedly ran a hand through his hair while speaking.
"He defeated me—completely crushed me. In that battle, even Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, was injured. We both lost to him. But at least I found out one thing: what exactly they're planning to do with all the tailed beasts."
He locked eyes with the Mizukage, his tone turning serious and resolute.
"They intend to use the tailed beasts' strength to cast a massive forbidden jutsu. With this technique, they will either attack other villages directly or sell it to foreign powers at a premium. Then those attacked would seek revenge by any means possible, trying to obtain the same power to strike back. The entire world would spiral into unending conflict. You don't need me to tell you how stupid this plan is!"
Mei Terumi fell into deep thought, her brows furrowed tightly. Pain wanted to start a war—a repeating nightmare. This was terrifying! From Kirigakure's own past experiences, she understood well how fear of power only provoked even stronger resistance. It was that very fear that had caused the Blood Mist Village tragedy.
"Do you know where Pain is?" she asked.
Naruto nodded:
"Amegakure. But I don't think I can beat him, and neither can Master Jiraiya. He's got some weird jutsu—neither brute strength nor skill works against him. I've never faced anyone like him before. I don't know who could take him down... Plus, every ninja under him is a fanatic—completely insane. Taking him on in Amegakure means fighting the whole village, and that place is a death trap through and through. I don't want to go back there again—the terrain puts most of us at a disadvantage."
Mei Terumi listened intently as Naruto spoke, her gaze sharpening as her eyes locked onto the scar on his face:
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