A few days later, after the negotiations concluded, an important ceremony secretly took place in Kirigakure.
Under the watchful eyes of Toru, Arata, and Hikari, Mei Terumi underwent the delicate process of re-sealing the Six-Tails within her, utilizing Kirigakure's secret sealing techniques.
Once the procedure was successfully completed and Mei had sufficiently recovered, a modest inauguration ceremony was held to officially appoint her as the next Mizukage.
The acceptance of Mei as Mizukage was swift among the shinobi of Kirigakure. Already recognized as one of the village's most promising young talents alongside Kisame Hoshigaki, who was now a "rebel-nin", her new status as a Jinchuriki only cemented her position.
The ordinary shinobi, aware of her prowess even before she acquired the Six-Tails, readily endorsed her leadership.
On the other hand, civilians were primarily relieved that the recent turmoil had ended. They had suffered the most during the instability and were grateful for the return to peace.
The general populace was largely unaware of the specifics of the political maneuvering and alliances that had taken place.
They understood only that the bloodline clans had launched an attack alongside some Konoha shinobi, leading to a significant reshuffling within Kirigakure.
The consensus reached had seen the bloodline holders officially integrated into the village and become the official shinobi of the Land of Water, gaining substantial influence as well.
Furthermore, while the civilians were informed that Konoha had secured significant territorial and geopolitical concessions, they were oblivious to the deeper, unofficial alliance with Konoha's anti-Hokage faction. At this point, they even had no idea that Hikari and some other Hyuga still stayed in their village.
To them, the total cessation of hostilities with Konoha was enough, and they were content knowing that the village was no longer in a state of war.
As in every other shinobi village, the civilians understood that they had no say in who the next village would be; they could just accept the outcome. It was all an internal matter of the shinobi forces and village higher-ups.
On the roof of the Mizukage building, as the last touches of sunset painted the village in golden hues, Hikari and Mei, now clad in her Mizukage uniform, stood looking over the bustling activity below.
The village was alive with the sounds of reconstruction and the movements of civilians eagerly rebuilding their lives.
Though only twelve and looking somewhat comical in the oversized uniform, Mei now carried a demeanor of more seriousness and maturity that suited her new position.
As they continued to watch the village below, Mei shifted slightly, an indication of her adjusting to the new presence within her. She glanced at Hikari, her expression a mix of awe and uncertainty,
"It feels... different, having the Six-Tails inside me. More powerful, but also more responsible. How did you think the sealing ceremony went?"
Hikari considered her question for a moment before answering, "It went as smoothly as one could hope. The Kirigakure sealers are skilled, and their techniques are tailor-made for those two beasts. With oversight from others and me, we ensured everything was done correctly with our chakra. You handled it very well, especially given the circumstances."
She nodded and turned to Hikari again. After a while, her expression was thoughtful, "It's almost surreal, isn't it? Just a few days ago, this place was a battlefield, and now look at them—all these people, just relieved to have peace.",
She continued, her gaze falling on the horizon, "And now I'm suddenly the Mizukage... It's a lot to take in, almost like everything had been a dream.",
"One moment, I'm a shinobi among many, a slightly younger, ordinary Jonin, and the next, I'm expected to lead them all. Given how young I am, do you think they'll truly accept me? And with the Six-Tails...",
Hikari turned to her, his tone appearing earnest, "Mei, your age might make some skeptical at first, but your strength and the way you conduct yourself will win them over eventually",
"You've been given a rare opportunity to lead Kirigakure into a new era—an era of peace and unity. As for the Six-Tails, being a Jinchuriki makes you uniquely powerful, not just physically, but as a symbol of the village's strength and resurgence."
Hikari's voice carried a note of conviction as he outlined Mei's path forward, "Moreover, once you fully recover from the sealing and adjust to the Six-Tails, you're likely to hit what we consider Early Kage level strength.",
"As your training continues and your mastery over your dual kekkei genkai and Jinchuriki powers deepens, I see you advancing to Late Kage level within a few years. It's a level of power akin to what the Hokage of Konoha holds and the one even I presently don't have.",
He paused, ensuring Mei absorbed the gravity of his words, "You've got all the resources you could need right here in Kirigakure. It's simply a matter of dedication and hard work on your part. Achieving such strength will naturally command respect from everyone around."
Hikari continued, his tone serious yet encouraging, "With that kind of power, you'll be more than capable of leading both the bloodline clans and the ordinary shinobi here. It will unify the village under your leadership, aligning everyone towards a common goal. That's power that doesn't just command authority—it fosters loyalty and respect across all factions."
Mei listened intently to Hikari's words the entire time, feeling a whirlwind of emotions stir within her all of a sudden.
As she processed the weight of his expectations and the potential of her future, her thoughts drifted back to the chaotic scenes of the battle, to the moments when Hikari had not only saved her life but had also unveiled the truth about her past—truths that shook the foundation of her identity yet gave her a clear path forward.
She recalled how Hikari had protected her amidst the ruins and chaos and how his voice had offered clarity and hope.
Now, as the newly appointed Mizukage, largely thanks to him as well, and having verified the truths about her parents and the village's dark policies from Genji and other trusted sources, she felt an overwhelming sense of validation and purpose. Hikari had not only rescued her physically but had also been instrumental in reshaping her destiny.
The weight of the Six Tails within her, a daunting and powerful force, now felt like a profound gift rather than a burden.
Hikari's assurance that she could rise to Early and then Late Kage level strength wasn't just motivational—it was a blueprint for the great things expected of her.
His faith in her ability to unify and lead Kirigakure resonated deeply, reinforcing her resolve to live up to the role of a leader who could bridge divides and heal her village.
Mei felt a deep gratitude toward Hikari, not just for his rescue or for revealing her origins but also for his belief in her potential.
His strategic genius and prowess in battle, which she had witnessed firsthand, left her in awe. Such capabilities in someone so young were not just impressive; they were inspiring and worth admiration from her.
That's why his words meant so much to her now. Not to mention that she also already saw him as maybe the only person she could confide in at such a great length.
Finally addressing Hikari, Mei's voice was firm, imbued with newfound confidence and a solemn promise, "Hikari-san, I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all that you've done for me. I promise you that as long as I lead Kirigakure, we will stand as your unwavering allies. You can have my word on that; I'm committed."
"Whatever your plans for the future, consider Kirigakure an extension of your will. I will make sure of that. We will support you, assist you, and ensure that your strategic vision is met."
Her commitment was not just spoken; it was a vow, reflecting her admiration for Hikari and her dedication to the alliance he envisioned.
Mei was ready to lead Kirigakure to peace and prosperity as a pivotal ally in the complex shinobi world, directly aligned with Hikari's and his faction's broader objectives.
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However, as Mei poured her true feelings out, the entire time Hikari masked his inner satisfaction as Mei affirmed her commitment, his thoughts ran cold and sharp, 'Perfect...,'
He thought a word that encapsulated the fruition of his meticulous planning. His interactions with Mei over the past few days weren't spur-of-the-moment gestures of goodwill; they were calculated moves in a strategic game he was determined to win.
Each step was deliberately crafted to bind Mei to him, not through coercion but through calculated all-around 'goodness' toward her, ensuring her loyalty would be unwavering.
It was true that his actions had also significantly benefited Mei as an individual and 'opened her eyes', in a sense, but his motivations were far from altruistic from the start.
They were driven by a calculated intent to solidify his influence over Kirigakure through her, to use her ascendancy to further his own goals and keep the entire situation here in control for a long time.
Giving someone control over Saiken and positioning them as Mizukage were not decisions to be made lightly.
If he had not been confident in his ability to gain her trust, he would never have given her such immense power.
Internally, Hikari felt a surge of triumph. His ability to manipulate this situation, converting a potential threat into a formidable ally, was a testament to his strategic acumen.
Yet, he maintained a composed exterior, perfectly playing the role of a benevolent benefactor.
Having listened carefully to Mei's expressions of gratitude and commitment, his outward demeanor remained calm and slightly stoic, as always, somewhat embodying the role of a wise older brother or even a mentor.
His response was measured to reinforce her sense of independence while subtly guiding her toward his long-term objectives.
"Mei, for now, there's nothing specific you need to do for me. Your focus should be on Kirigakure. Work on unifying the village further to the maximum and establishing your authority across all factions. Your strength as a leader will be crucial in this effort...",
Hikari began, his tone encouraging and softer than usual yet serious, "I already consider you an ally and a friend, Mei. The trust we've built is foundational to our relationship. If you wish to assist me in the future, your strength will be vital. The stronger you are, the more you can contribute to our shared goals.",
"For now, it's crucial that our alliance between Kirigakure and my clan remains confidential for the time being. Until Kirigakure has fully recovered and grown stronger under your leadership, we should keep our cooperation an utmost secret.",
"There won't be any immediate need for your village's intervention in my plans anyway; the priority is your consolidation of power here.",
His advice carefully balanced his strategic interests with her further development as a leader. He portrayed his calculated planning as mentorship while ensuring Mei felt both supported and empowered in her new role.
Mei nodded softly, her gaze steady and assured as she responded to Hikari's directives, "You don't have to worry, Hikari-san. The true nature of our relationship and your presence and overstay here now are closely guarded secrets. I made sure of it...", She affirmed, her voice carrying a tone of solemn commitment.
"Only a handful of us within Kirigakure, you know of, are aware of the depth of our alliance—Genji, who now manages all of our civilian and administrative affairs; Toru Kaguya, who has taken up the role of Jonin Commander, and Arata Yuki, the new head of our Anbu.",
She then continued, her voice imbued with a mix of passion and determination, "Our geographical isolation and the traditional secrecy of Kirigakure's operations play to our advantage. I doubt any other village suspects the true extent of what we've agreed here.",
"At most, they might assume what the civilians of this village also probably all assumed, if they managed to get the same information from them somehow: That there's been a one-time peace deal between Konoha and Kirigakure and also a separate reintegration of the bloodline holders, and nothing else, especially not concerning you and your Hyuga clan.",
Looking up at Hikari, Mei's expression held a mix of devotion and an unexpected hint of closeness, which seemed to surprise even her as she spoke, "This village has always been a fortress. Maintaining the secrecy of our deeper collaboration won't be an issue. I want to show you that I can handle this, that I'm capable of leading Kirigakure in a way that supports our goals and follow through on all of your valuable advice and directions.",
Her assurance was a promise to keep their secrets and a declaration of her dedication to her new role as Mizukage and as a pivotal ally to Hikari and his causes.
Her gaze, with its subtle warmth and attachment, reflected her deep gratitude and burgeoning respect for him. She recognized him as a 'helper' and a crucial life figure.
Then her demeanor unexpectedly further softened as she continued, her movements and gestures becoming more graceful and her voice carrying a slightly cheerful and more light-hearted tone as well, adding a more personal touch to their conversation than before,
"Ah yes, I also forgot to tell you about this, but I've just issued several orders aimed at the recovery and reintegration of all lost Kekkei Genkai holders from the Land of Water after the inauguration ceremony finished right away.",
"We will leverage our intelligence personnel and the connections that the Kaguya and Yuki clans have maintained with some of them, to an extent, to try and locate them and establish communication first.",
"But, I'm confident that with our sincere efforts, we can also bring some of them relatively quickly inside the village, especially the ones that are already inside of the Land of Water and the ones that are from the same two bloodline heritages that I belong to originally.",
Her eyes sparkled with a proactive zeal as she continued, "I believe that with my genuine approach, we'll be able to persuade them to return and join our village relatively quickly.",
Leaning slightly forward, Mei's expression seemed to seek validation or perhaps a hint of approval, her gaze flickering up to Hikari as if looking for a sign of compliment or approval from him almost instinctually,
"The discriminatory 'killing decrees' from the previous Mizukage era are also now null and void effectively. It's a new beginning for Kirigakure, one that respects and integrates the strength of every individual, regardless of their heritage.",
Her approach, clearly aimed at impressing him and demonstrating her commitment to her new role as Mizukage, was also subtly geared towards solidifying her affinity with Hikari.
It seemed she was not only asserting her administrative prowess but perhaps also subtly, unknowingly highlighting the unique bond that she felt was forming between them.
Hikari acknowledged Mei's efforts with a nod, his tone conveying both approval and encouragement, "That's excellent work, Mei. Becoming adept in your role so quickly is truly commendable.",
It's crucial for Kirigakure's future that you successfully bring back as many of the bloodline holders as possible. Their exclusion has been a significant misstep in the village's history, one that contributed to its current weaknesses compared to the other great villages.",
He continued, his voice sincere, "If Kirigakure is to regain its stature and compete on equal footing with the other major villages, it must embrace and utilize the immense potential of these bloodline holders. But I'm confident in your ability to lead this change and rectify past mistakes.",
Hikari previously also observed Mei's subtle changes in demeanor, noting the gentle and almost coy-like femininity directed toward him that seemed to emerge more prominently.
So after finishing speaking, he internally mused for a bit, 'It's as if becoming Mizukage has brought out the personality traits she was known for in the original series—though she's much younger now... As for the strength, her main weakness there, it would all be solved.',
He looked at her with some amusement and a tinge of personal fondness, too, appreciating how seamlessly she had accepted his rhetoric and aligned with his strategies, saving him a tremendous amount of time in terms of setting everything up here.
Thereafter, as the conversation eventually slowly neared its end, Hikari shifted his tone slightly, indicating a return to his broader outside responsibilities,
"I must return to my main Eastern Front's military outpost across the sea and manage our next wartime strategies from there and carefully assess the situation inside the world now.",
"If you encounter any issues or if Kirigakure needs assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. We've established secure lines of communication, and I'll be ready to help however I can."
"I understand. And please, stay safe, Hikari-san...", Mei immediately said, her voice tinged with genuine concern, "Your well-being is important to many, not least of all to me. You've changed the fate of this village, and I... we need you to continue guiding us in the future."
As they parted ways afterward, Mei lingered a moment longer, watching him with a mixture of admiration and a subtle softness that was more pronounced than before. His departure marked a significant moment, leaving Mei empowered yet poignantly aware of his absence.
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