"Who goes there!"
Three shuriken sliced through the leaves, swiftly embedding themselves in the ground, intercepting the stranger's path.
A four-member team from the Security Team appeared, stopping the person trying to approach Konoha through the forest.
Upon seeing the ninja suit and the Hidden Mist Headband on the newcomer, Yamashiro Hikari of the Security Team frowned and immediately asked, "Hidden Mist Ninja? What are you doing in Konoha?"
"I wish to see the Fifth Generation Hokage. I am Terumi Mei from the Hidden Mist, please convey this message."
"Terumi Mei from the Hidden Mist?"
Yamashiro Hikari glanced at his teammates, but the other three shook their heads. How could they possibly remember all the Hidden Mist Ninjas? After all, the Hidden Mist's intel was the least among the five Ninja Villages.
"What business do you have with Lord Hokage?"
Terumi Mei's face changed slightly, she gritted her teeth and shook her head, "Please let me see Lord Hokage before discussing it."
Hearing her words, Yamashiro Hikari hesitated for a moment, but he still intended to report as per protocol, so he said, "Wait here for a moment, I will report this to my superiors. As for whether the Hokage will see you, that I don't know."
Terumi Mei nodded and felt a slight relief.
Now near Konoha, it was unlikely for the Hidden Mist's pursuit squad and bounty hunters to reappear.
After leaving the Hidden Mist, perhaps the Fourth Generation Mizukage resented her escape from the village, condemning her as a traitorous ninja; though Terumi Mei had anticipated this, it was a move to negotiate with the Marshal and Mizukage to release her companions.
But after that, Terumi Mei faced relentless pursuit, not only from the Hidden Mist Anbu but also from bounty hunters from the Underground Gold Exchange. If she didn't have some skill, she might have been killed already.
It was only recently that things improved slightly, with the Hidden Mist Anbu ceasing their pursuit, giving Terumi Mei the chance to flee to the Land of Fire.
Filled with anger towards the Fourth Generation Mizukage, Terumi Mei, who should have been a hero of the Hidden Mist, saw her efforts dismissed. Without her, the Fourth Generation Mizukage would still be under the control of the Akatsuki Organization.
Yet, after she helped him break free from the illusion technique's control, he immediately shifted the blame onto her.
This made Terumi Mei increasingly furious, with pent-up anger that she couldn't vent, including some directed at Uchiha Yoichi. But having witnessed Uchiha Yoichi's power, she dared not show it.
A while later, Yamashiro Hikari received a message from the Security Team headquarters to let Terumi Mei pass.
"You can go ahead. At Konoha Gate, someone will escort you to see Lord Hokage."
Terumi Mei nodded and followed the path Yamashiro Hikari cleared until she reached the entrance of Konoha Village. She saw many people entering, but unlike her, everyone else was using the regular road into Konoha.
The daily influx of visitors to Konoha was sizable, but Uchiha Yoichi had re-planned the village's layout, concentrating ninja facilities in one area, with business and residential areas as well as the Ninja Race in separate places.
Most tourists could only access a few areas like the commercial district and Ninja Paradise, with the Security Team patrolling other parts, greatly reducing espionage opportunities.
"Terumi Mei, right? Come with me."
A Security Team member approached Terumi Mei, confirmed her identity, and led her into the village.
Once they reached the center of the village at the Hokage Building, the Security Team member continued, "Go on in, someone will take you to meet Lord Hokage."
Terumi Mei nodded, and upon entering the building, someone came to inquire about her name, leading her upstairs afterwards.
When she reached the Hokage Office, Terumi Mei knocked on the door, and a young, beautiful female ninja opened it. Upon seeing her Hidden Mist Headband, she stepped aside and said, "Please come in."
Inside, Terumi Mei finally met Uchiha Yoichi, and she felt a sense of relief; getting here from the gate was a series of hurdles.
"Terumi Mei, right? I heard you became a traitorous ninja of the Hidden Mist. Why are you looking for me?"
Uchiha Yoichi asked directly. While speaking, Yuhi Kurenai brought in a cup of tea, placing it in front of Terumi Mei, saying, "Sit down, please have some tea."
"Thank you."
Terumi Mei thanked Yuhi Kurenai, then turned to Uchiha Yoichi and said, "Lord Hokage, it was partly due to your influence that I've become a traitorous ninja...."
The tone carried a hint of grievance, which even Yuhi Kurenai standing by picked up on. Her enchanting red eyes showed a flicker of anger; where did this Hidden Mist traitor get the nerve to complain to her teacher in Konoha?
Uchiha Yoichi waved dismissively, uninterested, saying, "I've said it before, your Mizukage is very incompetent. Spare me the superfluous words, I don't have much time. State your purpose directly, or leave Konoha!"
"I want to form an alliance with Konoha."
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Terumi Mei straightened herself and said, "There are still many of my allies in the village, and many are dissatisfied with the Fourth Generation Mizukage. As long as I have the support of Lord Hokage, I can overthrow Yagura and become the Fifth Generation Mizukage...."
"Hahaha, you sure know how to pick your timing..."
Uchiha Yoichi laughed before Terumi Mei could even finish speaking.
Seeing this, Terumi Mei felt a little angry inside but suppressed her inner fire, slightly twitching the corner of her mouth as she asked, "Lord Hokage, why do you laugh?"