"Since that's the case, then... shall we continue?"
As Teizawa spoke, he leaned closer and slipped an unruly arm around Mei's waist again.
Mei sprang away as if she'd been shocked. She crossed her arms protectively over her chest, her dark green eyes watching him warily.
"What are you doing?"
Her voice was sharp and tense.
"You're the one who told me to take responsibility." Teizawa spread his hands, looking completely innocent. "Considering our relationship, isn't it normal for us to be a little intimate?"
"..."
Mei spat at him, her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Not until after we're married."
The moment the words left her mouth, even she froze.
Then her face grew redder.
The corner of Teizawa's mouth twitched.
Marriage?
In the original story, Mei was a voluptuous, seductive woman who casually melted people with Lava Release, yet she was actually a traditionalist?
Then again, she had always wanted to find someone to marry in the original story. She simply never found the right man.
Seen that way, it made sense.
It wasn't that she didn't want to marry. She simply hadn't met the right person.
Now that she had, she had become reserved instead.
Teizawa sighed wistfully.
It looked like he wouldn't be getting any action today.
"So, why did you come looking for me?"
He leaned against the bedpost and folded his arms, tactfully changing the subject.
The corners of Mei's lips curved upward, and she was about to speak when she suddenly realized that she still wasn't dressed.
She glanced down at the blanket wrapped around her body, then looked up and glared at Teizawa.
"Turn around first. I haven't put my clothes on yet."
"Why bother?" Teizawa spread his hands. "I've already touched everything. What haven't I seen?"
Mei narrowed her eyes.
Molten lava churned at the corner of her mouth, and her tone gradually became dangerous.
Teizawa gave an awkward laugh and turned around.
He really needed to cure this woman of her habit of spitting lava whenever she got angry.
Otherwise, one of these days, she might roast his chicken whole.
Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine.
The rustle of clothes came from behind him.
Fabric brushed against skin, a belt was fastened, and hair was combed into place.
Teizawa closed his eyes.
Images of her getting dressed surfaced in his mind.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
"All right."
Mei's voice came from behind him.
Teizawa turned around.
She was already fully dressed. Her blue dress hugged her figure, and her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders.
A faint blush still lingered on her face, but her expression had returned to its usual calm, unreadable composure.
"I came here last night because I wanted to ask you something..."
She paused.
"What exactly are you planning to do about Amegakure?"
Teizawa didn't answer immediately.
He merely regarded her with a knowing smile.
Morning sunlight slipped through the gaps in the tent and fell across his face. Her reflection appeared in the depths of his eyes.
"Mei..." His voice was soft. "That isn't the only reason you came to see me, is it?"
Something flickered in Mei's eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Teizawa chuckled and walked over to her, looking down into her eyes.
"The Land of Rain borders the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind. Even if it's divided up, it'll be split among the three of us. Kumogakure is too far away, and Kirigakure is separated from it by the sea. Your reach simply doesn't extend this far."
He paused.
"So... you want to form an alliance with Sunagakure, giving Kirigakure a reason to claim a share of the spoils?"
Mei's expression shifted.
Her surprise lasted only an instant before it gave way to composure.
She raised her head and met his gaze, a hint of amusement flashing through her eyes.
"As expected of the man I have my eye on."
Her voice was quiet, but every word carried weight.
"You're right. Kirigakure is far from the Land of Rain, but if Sunagakure is willing to form an alliance with us, Kirigakure will have grounds to involve itself in the Land of Rain's affairs."
"We wouldn't be stealing anything from you. This would be a partnership. Kirigakure doesn't want any of the Land of Rain's territory. We only want one thing."
"What?"
"Access to a port. The Land of Rain may be landlocked, but it borders the Land of Rivers, which has seaports."
"If Kirigakure can establish a foothold in the Land of Rivers, we'll be able to extend our influence into the continent's interior."
"When that happens, Kirigakure's merchant ships will be able to sail directly from the Land of Water, dock in the Land of Rivers, and transport goods inland. We won't have to keep worrying about the Land of Fire's approval."
Teizawa said nothing. He simply studied her.
This woman was even shrewder than he had imagined.
She didn't merely want a share of the benefits in the Land of Rain.
She also wanted to use Sunagakure's power to pry open the gateway to the continent's interior.
The Land of Rivers was effectively a vassal of the Land of Fire, and Konoha had troops stationed there.
If Kirigakure wanted to move goods inland, its ships first had to get past the Land of Fire.
But if Sunagakure agreed to act as an intermediary, the situation would be completely different.
"You've certainly made some impressive calculations." Teizawa smiled. "But what do I get out of it?"
Mei looked at him, his reflection visible in her emerald eyes.
"What does Sunagakure lack? Water? I hear you've already solved that problem with seawater desalination. Money? You've just made several billion. Resources? The Land of Wind is vast and sparsely populated. You're not lacking in those either."
She paused.
"What you lack is an ally. A genuine, dependable ally who won't stab you in the back."
"Konoha is your ally, but its relationship with Iwagakure remains ambiguous."
"Kumogakure follows whichever way the wind blows. Iwagakure hates you to the bone and could march north at any moment."
She didn't continue. She merely held his gaze.
Teizawa smiled.
"And what about Kirigakure?"
"Kirigakure is willing to form an alliance with Sunagakure," Mei said, enunciating every word. "A genuine, lasting, mutually beneficial alliance."
"Not the kind of alliance that exists only in words. One written on paper, carved into stone, and impossible for either side to renounce."
Teizawa didn't answer immediately.
He walked to the entrance of the tent and lifted the flap, gazing at the rising sun outside.
In the distance, the camps of the various villages were already bustling with activity. Cooking smoke curled into the morning sky.
After a moment of silence, he turned around.
"Deal."
Mei's eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on her lips.
"However..."
Teizawa walked over and gently took her chin, lifting her face toward his.
"An alliance can't rely on nothing more than words. We need something tangible to secure it."
Mei's eyelashes trembled.
"What do you want?"
Teizawa lowered his head and brought his face closer to hers.
They were so close that they could see their reflections in each other's eyes.
So close that they could feel each other's breath.
So close that their lips were almost touching.
"You."
Teizawa's voice was soft.
Mei's face reddened again.
The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, then all the way down her neck.
She placed a hand against his chest.
She wanted to push him away, but she couldn't bring herself to use any strength.
"I... I already told you... we have to wait until we're married..."
"Then we'll get engaged first," Teizawa interrupted. "Once the Five Kage Summit is over, I'll send someone to Kirigakure with a formal marriage proposal."
Mei froze.
An engagement...
She had never imagined it would happen so quickly, so suddenly, and with so little preparation.
But when she looked into his serious eyes, she found herself hesitating.
After a moment, Mei shook her head. Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
"N-No. I haven't become Mizukage yet."
"Then once you become Mizukage, you'll agree?"
Teizawa smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
It was as light as a feather brushing across the surface of a lake, leaving no trace behind.
Outside the tent, someone called everyone to breakfast.
Mei pursed her lips, then leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"I still haven't agreed to get engaged to you, though."
"Isn't that PUA?"
"What does PUA mean?"
"It means trying to get something for nothing."
"I'm not deceiving you. Really."
"Then how about letting me collect a little interest?" Teizawa asked.
Mei immediately looked at him warily.
"What kind of interest?"
"Let me cop a feel..."
Mei fell silent.
She stared at Teizawa's perfectly righteous expression and gritted her teeth.
"Only once!"
"Of course!"
"Hiss... Be gentle..."
(End of Chapter)
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