Over the next few days, Teizawa lived quite comfortably.
By day, he wandered Konoha's streets, taking in the prosperity of the greatest hidden village in the shinobi world.
Every now and then, he would stop by a training ground to watch Konoha's shinobi at practice.
And, conveniently, offer a few critiques of his own.
The younger ninja could only fume in silence.
At night, he made his way with practiced ease to Kurenai's house.
That woman kept saying, "Don't come back."
But her actions were far less convincing than her words.
As for Tsunade...
Every day, he sent someone to the Hokage Tower with a formal request for an audience.
And every time, the reply was the same:
"Lady Hokage is unwell. Another day, perhaps."
Teizawa did not particularly care.
After everything that had already happened, what was there to fuss over now?
He thought of that morning when he had been blasted through the floor with a single punch.
A faint smile curved at his lips.
Tsunade really did have a vicious temper.
He still remembered clearly how, that night, she had clung to him and called out Dan's name.
No hurry.
There was plenty of time.
That evening, Teizawa was leaning by the window, flipping through a scroll on ninjutsu, when a Sunagakure ANBU appeared in a blur.
"Kazekage-sama, the envoys from Kumogakure and Kirigakure have arrived."
Teizawa set down his teacup, amusement flashing in his eyes.
So they had come.
The people he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Where are they staying?"
"Konoha arranged accommodations for them in two inns in the eastern district. Kumogakure's people arrived this afternoon. Kirigakure's came an hour earlier."
Teizawa nodded, his fingers tapping lightly against the tabletop.
Kumogakure and Kirigakure...
He was a little curious who exactly each side had sent.
On Kumogakure's side, with the Raikage's foul temper, there was a high chance he had sent Samui's team.
That blonde, busty jōnin was certainly an interesting one.
As for Kirigakure...
He was still thinking when a knock sounded from outside the door.
"Kazekage-sama, Mei Terumi requests an audience."
Teizawa raised a brow.
A guest?
"Come in."
The door opened, and a graceful figure stepped inside.
Teizawa's gaze fell on her, then sharpened slightly.
It was a woman.
A woman difficult to look away from.
She wore a blue dress that traced the mature, alluring lines of her figure.
Her long reddish-brown hair spilled over her shoulders, making her already striking face seem even more captivating.
Her green eyes gleamed like gemstones, bright and enticing.
Her lips were full, and a faint, unreadable smile played at their corners.
She stood there in the doorway, unhurried and composed.
From head to toe, she radiated a mature charm that could easily quicken a heartbeat.
Teizawa's smile slowly deepened.
Mei Terumi.
The future Fifth Mizukage, and one of the most captivating women in Kirigakure.
"Kazekage-dono..."
Mei dipped her head slightly.
The movement caused the neckline of her dress to open just a little more, revealing a flash of pale skin.
Her voice carried a lazy, magnetic richness.
Like fine wine being poured into a cup.
"Forgive the intrusion."
Leaning back in his chair, Teizawa let his gaze pass slowly over her face, unhurried, as though admiring a painting.
"Mei Terumi-san..."
He smiled as he spoke.
"I've heard a great deal about you."
One of Mei's brows lifted slightly.
"You know me, Kazekage-dono?"
"The prodigy kunoichi of Kirigakure. Wielder of the kekkei genkai Lava Release and Boil Release. A future candidate for the position of Mizukage..."
Teizawa lifted his teacup and took a small sip.
"It would be hard not to know you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Mei's eyes.
But it was quickly hidden beneath her usual smile.
"Kazekage-dono is well informed."
She walked into the room and sat across from him.
Her posture was elegant, almost catlike in its laziness.
"Then I assume you also know why I came to Konoha this time."
Teizawa nodded.
"The Four-Tails."
"Exactly."
Mei met his eyes directly.
In those green irises shone a determination that said she intended to win.
"Kirigakure is very interested in the Four-Tails."
Teizawa smiled.
"Interested?"
He set down his cup and leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze at eye level.
"That depends on whether your village can afford the price."
Mei's smile did not change at all.
But there was now a sharper note of scrutiny in the way she looked at him.
This Kazekage was harder to deal with than she had expected.
"Kazekage-dono..."
She lightly ran her tongue across her red lips, a sly glint flickering in her eyes.
"I wonder if you have a... target price in mind?"
Teizawa looked at her, the smile at the corners of his mouth slowly deepening.
Interesting.
He leaned back in his chair and spoke at an easy pace.
"Mei Terumi-san..."
His voice remained calm and unhurried.
"If this is an auction, then naturally the highest bidder wins."
"However..."
He paused, looking directly into those green eyes.
"If Kirigakure wants the Four-Tails, then you'll have to show some sincerity first."
Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Sincerity?"
She repeated the word softly, amusement lacing her tone.
Teizawa spread his hands.
"For example, let me see just how badly Kirigakure wants this tailed beast."
Mei fell silent for a moment.
Then...
She smiled.
The smile was beautiful and dangerous, like a rose with thorns.
"Kazekage-dono truly lives up to his reputation."
She rose to her feet and looked down at him from above.
"Then I won't disturb you any longer. We'll meet again at the auction."
With that, she turned toward the door.
Under the lamplight, her swaying silhouette traced a breathtaking curve.
Just as she reached the doorway, she suddenly stopped.
Then looked back at Teizawa.
"Oh, and one more thing..."
Her voice carried the faintest trace of a smile.
"I heard Kumogakure has sent people too. The Raikage dispatched Samui's team..."
She blinked playfully.
"Kazekage-dono should be careful. Kumogakure does so love taking things by force."
With that, she pushed the door open and disappeared down the corridor.
Teizawa stared at the closed door for a moment, the smile on his lips deepening.
Mei Terumi...
Samui...
Interesting.
He lifted his teacup and took another sip.
This auction was becoming more and more lively.
Teizawa withdrew his gaze and took one more sip of tea.
That woman really knew what she was doing.
She had come first to show her face, test the waters, and on her way out she had not forgotten to slip in a little poison against Kumogakure.
It sounded like a warning.
But in truth, she was directing his attention toward a rival bidder.
It made her seem open and straightforward.
While quietly digging a trap for the competition.
Deeply calculating. Smooth and experienced.
No wonder she would eventually become Mizukage.
Teizawa shook his head, smiling faintly.
Still, if she thought such a small trick could affect his judgment, then she was underestimating him.
An auction was an auction. Whoever bid the highest would get the Four-Tails.
As for who Kumogakure had sent...
He had just started thinking about it when another knock came from outside the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and another figure stepped inside.
Teizawa looked up.
His pupils shrank slightly.
Then the corner of his mouth twitched.
Standing in the doorway was a woman.
A woman with an absurdly striking figure.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]