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"He got away fast."
Sasame chuckled.
Even in Sage Mode, he couldn't sense Obito Uchiha anymore. The only explanation? The man had already warped far beyond detection range.
Kamui really is the ultimate escape tool.
"Damn it!" Ao suddenly shouted. "Everyone, fall back—NOW!"
Sasame turned sharply.
Isobu's massive form pulsed violently, its chakra swelling like an unstable bomb.
A Tailed Beast self-destructing?!
Sasame's expression darkened.
Obito, you absolute bastard.
The Kiri-nin scattered in panic—all except Mei and the Elder, who stood their ground, hands weaving seals in a desperate attempt to mitigate the coming devastation.
But against a Tailed Beast's explosion? They'd be vaporized.
Sasame didn't hesitate.
Ao's Byakugan couldn't break the genjutsu instantly—but his Mangekyō Sharingan could.
Earlier, he'd held back to avoid drawing attention. Now? No one was watching.
"Release!"
Yagura's body jerked violently as consciousness flooded back. Memories—years of atrocities committed under Obito's control—slammed into him like a tidal wave. Horror, shame, and fury twisted his features.
"Mizukage!" Sasame shouted. "Suppress your chakra—NOW!"
Snapping to his senses, Yagura formed seals with practiced speed.
"The genjutsu… it's broken?!" Ao blurted, mistaking the success for his own doing.
Mei blinked in confusion.
How did Sasame realize it before Ao?
But there was no time to dwell. The unstable chakra swirling around Isobu began to stabilize as Yagura—a perfect jinchūriki—reasserted control.
The imminent cataclysm faded.
Yet the weight of Yagura's sins remained.
Years of bloodshed. The near-destruction of Kirigakure. His shoulders sagged under the guilt.
"Lord Mizukage… are you truly awake?" The Elder stepped forward, his voice heavy.
"I… don't deserve that title." Yagura's voice cracked. "My failures are unforgivable."
"Wrongdoing demands consequences," the Elder declared. "From this moment, Mei Terumī assumes the role of Mizukage. You will step aside—until a new jinchūriki can be chosen."
The decision was abrupt, but necessary. Yagura's presence would only hinder the village's recovery. Mei, young but capable, could unite what remained.
"I accept." Yagura bowed his head.
Though controlled, he'd been aware—enough to know Mei was the right choice.
The once-proud Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been driven to rebellion under his rule. His crimes couldn't be washed away—not even with death.
But as Isobu's host, his fate would have to wait.
Mei's eyes widened slightly.
She'd known this day would come—but not this soon.
At twenty, she'd be the youngest Kage in history.
[Your actions have altered Mei Terumī's fate. Fate Points +100.]
[Your actions have altered Isobu's fate. Fate Points +90.]
[Your actions have altered Yagura's fate. Fate Points +90.]
[Your actions have altered the Elder's fate. Fate Points +49.]
[Your actions have altered Ao's fate. Fate Points +47.]
[Your actions have altered Obito Uchiha's fate. Fate Points +20.]
Sasame smirked at the cascade of notifications.
Hours later, Mei finally found time for a private discussion.
"Thank you. Without you tonight…" She trailed off, the unspoken devastation hanging between them.
"No need. I got my payment."
He meant her year of service—a laughably small price for saving Kirigakure.
"Even so, we're the ones who benefited." Mei shook her head. "Once the Mizukage's office is rebuilt, your trade route expansion will proceed as promised."
She knew there might be ulterior motives—but Kirigakure needed funds, and Sasame was their golden goose.
"Good. Then I'll return home for now."
Rebuilding would take weeks. No point waiting around.
"Tonight?"
"The sooner I leave, the sooner I'm back." He turned to go.
"Wait."
Mei's voice stopped him. She stepped closer, throat oddly tight.
"Can I… see your real face?"
"You sure?" Sasame tilted his head. "I'm hideous."
"I don't care."
The lie slipped out before she could stop it. The thought of his face being anything less than extraordinary twisted something in her chest.
Slowly, he lifted the mask.
Mei's breath caught.
"You… lied." Her voice dropped to a whisper, the stern Mizukage melting into something younger, softer.
"Wanted to see your reaction." His grin was wicked. "Didn't disappoint. Cute, actually."
A masterclass in expectation subversion.
Mei's pulse spiked.
By the time she regained her composure, he was already gone.
Her fingers drifted to her racing heart.
"What… is this feeling?"
Same night. Land of Fire.
A campfire crackled in the woods outside the capital.
"Finally over." Asuma exhaled, pulling out a cigarette.
"Don't." Tsunade shot him a glare. "You're picking up your old man's bad habits."
"Right, right." He tucked it away with a sheepish grin.
After witnessing her decimate Kazuma (formerly "Hidan's future partner"), he wasn't stupid enough to test her patience.
"Staying as a Guardian Ninja? Or returning to Konoha?" Tsunade poked the fire absently.
"Going back." Asuma's expression sobered. "I left because of a fight with the old man. I thought the 'Jade' was the Daimyō… he said I didn't understand."
In shōgi, the "Jade" piece was the king—the one that decided victory or defeat.
"Do you understand now?"
Asuma gazed into the flames. "After Kazuma… yeah. The 'Jade' isn't just the present. It's the future, too. Protecting those we love now—and the generations to come."
Tsunade's fingers brushed the pendant at her throat.
What's my Jade?
Months apart from Sasame had taught her one thing—distance didn't dilute emotions. It amplified them.
She'd tried running. But the heart couldn't be fooled.
"Whether it's now or the future… my Jade is you."
In that moment—Tsunade was filled with determination.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 150 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 35 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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