8
"Who are they!", Raizel pointed at the thugs-looking people.
"Their job is to collect protection fees from each shop"
"Protection fee?", Raizel asked feeling confused
Mei shrugged, "It's not like we are getting any help from anywhere, and every day we are increasing in number. We need money, It's like collecting taxes. It's just we have to do it like this"
"Oh, that's the case!" Raizel nodded in response.
"What do you think of this dress, you should look good in it!" Mei suddenly took a dress and said
"I..."
"No. What about this one?"
"Actually..."
"Nope. This one is good"
"Haha, Terumi Sama, is it another one you are showing around?"
She nodded, "I brought him just today"
"Hey. This one is good"
The shopkeeper chuckled, "Terumi sama. You have good eyes, this batch is this year's latest fashion. They are very popular, and this is the last one!"
"How much!"
"3500, Terumi sama"
"What?"
"Terumi sama, this is made of pure natural handmade fabric, soft, comfortable and durable, cut by the experts in the field"
"This alone will cause this piece of clothing to be several times more expensive than normal clothes. Look, is this price satisfactory?", The boss rubbed his hands nervously.
"1500"
"Ah? Terumi sama. This... 3000; is it ok?
"1500"
"It's made by hand. It is absolutely comfortable to wear. There will be no allergic reactions. If you miss it, It will definitely be your loss"
"1500"
"This...
"Come on, let's go to the next one!"
"Terumi sama, Okay, Let's do 2500. Alright?"
"You go try it", she looked at Raizel and said sternly
He could only nod dumbfounded, is this the innate power of woman? The shopkeeper readily agreed to lower the price by 1000. Just like that.
After a while, he changed his clothes and came out.
"Uh... Can I change back? it's uncomfortable", Raizel muttered
"Nonsense, you look amazing. Let's go, it's just the starting"
'What?'
This hidden place where the bloodline users live wasn't very prosperous, but it was still good enough to make a shopping district. The various big and small shops were a feast to the eyes.
Mei Terumi for some reason picked and bought whatever she liked. Raizel had become her goods storage rack as he walked behind her.
In a short while, Raizel's body had numerous bags that were hung on him, including some bags for himself.
For nearly 2 hours they shopped, and he was extremely exhausted, but Mei Terumi was still full of energy. It must be in a girl's nature. He really couldn't stand it any longer.
"Uh... can we have a break? Just look at me, there aren't any more places to put any more things"
Mei turned her head back and saw a pitiful storage rack that hung numerous shopping bags, which was Raizel of course.
He was covered by the numerous items she had bought. Mei said in astonishment, "I have bought so much? I'm nearly done anyway. Let's head back!"
'Yay! finally released', He heaved a sigh of relief.
When they reached home, she let him go inside while she stood at the door.
"Terumi Sama"
A dark shadow suddenly appeared out of thin air.
"Have you checked his background?"
"I am not sure..."
"What do you mean..?!", She asked
"His information is too vague, we have not been able to find anything wrong about him. But it's hard to confirm things about him as well. It is like a black hole of information"
She nodded her head, "During our shopping today, I noticed something too; He carries himself quite skillfully, and he also has quite a good level of stamina. He is obviously trained"
"There is something else as well, he was asking too many questions. Unnecessary questions", she finished
"You think he is a spy?", The shadow asked
She shook her head, "It's a possibility, but still no certainty"
"What should we do then?"
"I will keep him with me for a few days, get the people who identified for him. I am sure you will find something about him from them"
"Hai"
She nodded and was about to go inside.
"Terumi sama. I have something else to report", The shadow looked at her
"Speak", She said without looking back.
"Mizukage sama has sent a battalion to someplace. It was too big of a movement so we investigated and the position they are going is where Ao sama is"
"Ao..?! They found Ao?"
"Yes, I am afraid given the time I've obtained this information they should have enough time to capture Ao sama, if they have not killed him already..."
"They won't kill Ao. He is very important for both of our sides. Can we intercept their battalion..?!"
"Unfortunately, I have no idea, we can not contact our spy during such times lest we make Mizukage sama doubt his identity", The shadow finished, "I can't even say what is going on there..."
"Alright. Prepare the squad, I'll lead..!", she said
"Terumi sama, if you suddenly disappear from your post then Mizukage sama will get suspicious about you..."
"Ao is a resource we can not afford to lose. We have to save him", she took a deep breath, "Someone like him is a must to have on our side. But it's also true we can't risk losing a Mizukage's trust because of that..."
The shadow sighed, "What should we do then..?!"
"Get the squad ready, tell them to wear camouflaged clothes and wear masks. Remember, no witnesses, even if that means killing the civilians"
of the witness must remain alive, even if that means killing "
"I understand Terumi sama", The shadow said and vanished into thin air, leaving only the breeze.
Mei went back inside with a smile.
None of them noticed a shadow standing behind the window, observing them silently...
Watching Mei coming back inside he vanished into thin air and re-entered his room without anyone noticing him.
...
Shit...
Ao thought to himself as he looked at the two black dots in the distance. He never imagined he would meet such strong shinobis hunting him down when he was just preparing for bed. And he was definitely not expecting an ambush.
'I was lucky to make it out alive. But now where..?', He wondered as his surroundings slowly started to take form.
He looked around; there were buildings all around, though not too big nor too small, there was nothing, in particular, he could spot that could be considered a great hiding place.
After looking for some time, Ao saw something: a small hole hidden in the floor that he had completely missed, making him wonder how he could have walked right past it without even noticing.
'There is no way I'm going to die here', he thought, 'not while I still have some hope'
"What the...?!", he heard a voice from behind, as he realized the reinforcement has come...
Blood flows through her enemies as Mei dodged a sword, and kicked her adversary in the chest. Her opponent staggered back as she immediately stabbed at his heart. She quickly withdrew her blade and turned around to see a water-style: water dragon bullet Jutsu charging straight at her.
The dragon opened its jaw and break apart to unleash a small-scale tsunami. Many were caught by surprise as Mei and a few along with her gasped and drowned in the wave. But luckily for them, the range and the power of the Jutsu was not enough to take down someone like her...
She opened her mouth to take a deep breath and glared at her enemies. The wave, the water, responded to her chakra, as she made hand signs, the wisps of water turned into a storm of bullets that were shot directly toward their hearts.
Many were knocked on their ass by the bullets, but a few of them managed to dodge the shots and continue fighting.
Mei glare turned into those of a mad woman as she jumped and charged straight at her opponents.
Raizel watch everything from within the shadows of the roof, wondering if he should kill Mei right now or leave her as it is waiting for a more favorable opportunity to win Mizukage's favour.
He quickly made up his mind as his figure vanished into thin air...
Meanwhile Mei appeared behind a man and used the blade in her hand to slice another kiri shinobi's neck. Blood poured from the wound; the man fell down to the ground and writhed in pain.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone