Mei Terumi knelt quietly before him, posture straight yet submissive, like a perfectly trained hound awaiting her master's command. Her head tilted slightly upward, revealing the elegant curve of her neck as warm fingers brushed against her cheek.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Possessive.
Across from her, Uchiha Anlan sat calmly on the sofa, his expression relaxed as though everything remained under his control. The mountain of official documents had already been handled, leaving nothing else worthy of his attention.
Except her.
His crimson eyes lingered on Mei with quiet amusement, but he made no further move. Not yet.
Because another presence still occupied the room.
A silent guard stood watch from the opposite side, unmoving as a statue.
So instead of indulging himself, Anlan listened.
And Mei spoke.
She spoke of Kirigakure.
Of its corruption.
Its decay.
Its inevitable collapse.
Every sentence that left her lips felt like a blade carving apart the homeland she once swore loyalty to.
"What remains of the Mist…" she said softly, "…is nothing more than a shell."
Her voice trembled faintly, but it never broke.
"A hollow ship drifting toward ruin."
"It's only waiting to sink…"
"…or to be claimed by someone stronger."
Silence settled over the room.
Anlan's hand slid from her cheek to her chin, lifting her face so she could look directly into his eyes.
"Yet you tell me all this without fear?"
His thumb brushed gently across her lips.
"You expose your village so easily?"
Mei held his gaze without retreating.
"Because you already know everything."
There was no hesitation in her voice.
"I'm not revealing secrets."
"I'm choosing my side."
That was the truth.
And also the greatest gamble of her life.
For a moment, Anlan said nothing.
Then a low laugh escaped him.
Satisfied.
Amused.
"Smart."
The way he addressed her changed.
Not "secretary."
Not "prisoner."
Just—
"Mei."
"You understand timing."
"You understand value."
He leaned back lazily against the sofa.
"But everything you just said…"
"…I already knew."
The cold truth made her heart skip.
Then relief quietly followed.
She had chosen correctly.
Anlan released her chin and waved a hand dismissively.
"Get up."
"Change the tea."
"Yes."
Mei rose gracefully, far steadier than before.
The first step had been completed.
A sharp knock soon echoed through the room.
A scroll was delivered.
Not classified at the highest level, but important enough to warrant immediate attention.
Anlan glanced at it once before casually tossing it toward Mei instead.
"Read it."
A test.
She understood immediately.
Opening the scroll, she began reading aloud.
"First report."
"Operative Kakuzu has successfully completed the mission in the Land of Snow."
"Chakra Armor technology has been secured."
Mei paused internally.
Chakra Armor…
Even she understood the terrifying value of technology capable of enhancing a shinobi's combat abilities through artificial means.
She continued reading.
"Second report."
"Confirmation of Obito Uchiha's return."
Her expression did not change, but she silently engraved the information into memory.
That name carried enormous weight.
After finishing the report, she rolled the scroll closed and lowered her head respectfully.
The room fell silent once more.
Then Anlan spoke.
"Write."
Mei immediately knelt again, producing a brush and paper without delay.
His orders flowed calmly and efficiently.
"Chakra Armor research receives top priority."
"Obito will undergo a complete medical evaluation under Tsunade."
"Kakuzu's reward will be doubled."
Mei recorded every instruction flawlessly.
No hesitation.
No mistakes.
Because now she understood something clearly.
This was not mere servitude.
This was positioning.
Power.
Opportunity.
Just as she prepared to leave—
"Mei."
She stopped instantly.
Anlan's gaze rested openly on her body, neither subtle nor restrained.
Then he asked calmly,
"What do you think of the Blood Mist?"
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The softness vanished from Mei's expression.
In its place stood a true shinobi of Kirigakure.
Cold.
Sharp.
Resolute.
"It is a wound."
Her voice became firm and unwavering.
"It destroys trust."
"It severs bonds."
"It turns children into monsters before they even understand what humanity is."
Each sentence grew heavier than the last.
"I watched classmates slaughter one another during graduation."
"I watched survivors lose every trace of humanity afterward."
Her fists tightened unconsciously.
"That system…"
"…has no future."
Flames seemed to burn within her emerald eyes.
"If I ever obtain the authority to change Kirigakure…"
"I will destroy the Blood Mist completely."
There was no hesitation.
No compromise.
Even the silent guard looked at her differently now.
Not with caution.
But respect.
Real respect.
Anlan leaned forward slightly, interest finally appearing in his eyes.
"And what will replace it?"
The question struck far deeper than any weapon.
Mei froze.
Because she had never truly considered the answer.
Destroying something rotten was easy.
Building something better was far harder.
Her silence exposed everything.
Anlan smiled faintly.
"Then stop limiting yourself to hatred."
"Act."
Mei looked up sharply.
And the words that followed changed her world forever.
"Let Gengetsu Hōzuki remain dead."
"Let the old era of Kirigakure die with him."
"Send the order."
"End the Blood Mist."
"Immediately."
Her breath caught in her throat.
Hope.
Shock.
Disbelief.
All collided within her at once.
"Use Gengetsu Hōzuki's final will as justification."
"Use Yagura Karatachi to stabilize the transition."
"Control the village before chaos begins."
Anlan looked at her calmly, as though reshaping an entire nation was no more difficult than moving pieces across a board.
"Well?"
"My secretary."
"Is this beginning…"
"…acceptable to you?"
Mei could not answer immediately.
Because for the first time since Kirigakure fell—
This was not manipulation.
Not humiliation.
Not conquest.
This was salvation.
And it had come from the very man who conquered her world.