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.