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Hashirama was stunned.
The other Kage were also stunned.
The entire room was stunned.
For a moment.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Mei Terumi, their eyes filled with confusion.
What's wrong with the Mizukage?
I'll pay!
The way those two words were spoken, it seemed like they were demanding compensation from the lender!
If one didn't understand the literal meaning of these words, they might think she was demanding payment from the First Hokage!
After saying this, Mei Terumi immediately realized her mistake and offered an awkward yet polite smile.
"Hehe..."
Mei Terumi smiled, trying to suppress her excitement and joy, constantly reminding herself to be composed, reserved, and ladylike...
"Uh... about that..."
Hashirama twitched at the corner of his mouth. Looking at Mei Terumi's gradually pouting, fiery red lips, he suddenly felt reluctant to let her pay.
This woman...
She's too fierce!
Hashirama recalled when he used to watch anime; her mouth would spew corrosive liquid and mist, all of which were highly corrosive.
He didn't dare to use it!
Even though he already had a granddaughter and didn't need to worry about lineage issues, if she accidentally got corroded, it would be hard to explain.
"Well... Although your Mist Village was a participant in the First Shinobi World War, considering that you didn't participate in the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, the direct conflict between our Konoha Village and your Mist Village isn't significant!"
Hashirama quickly changed his speaking style. This village indeed had minimal direct interaction.
Even during the First Shinobi World War.
The Mist Village was primarily clashing with the Rock Village.
Wow!
Everyone took a deep breath and looked at Mei Terumi with a hint of envy in their eyes.
It seemed that the Mist Village's losses were the smallest!
The biggest loss seemed to be Ao's cataract eye.
Thinking about this.
Everyone envied Mei Terumi a bit. It appeared that while the Four Kage Summit was a matter of life and death for them, for Mei Terumi, it was just watching a show.
"That's not right, Lord First Hokage. Our Mist Village participated in the Third Shinobi World War and even directly attacked your Konoha Village!"
Mei Terumi immediately shook her head, contradicting Hashirama's statement. Her words took everyone by surprise.
Did she just admit that voluntarily?
Was it really better for the First Hokage to forget?
The crowd immediately began to wonder if Mei Terumi had a few screws loose, given her voluntary offer of compensation.
"…"
Hashirama's eyelids twitched. This is crazy! Her approach is even more outrageous than mine!
"During the Third Shinobi World War, our Mist Village thought we might gain some advantage by attacking your Konoha Village."
"We sent the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"But we didn't expect to encounter your village's Genin, Might Guy. As a result, our seven became three, but we still managed to kill Might Guy!"
"By the way!"
"Ao also participated in the Third Shinobi World War, but upon seeing Uchiha Shisui, he chose to retreat immediately."
"In summary."
"Our Mist Village killed one of Konoha Village's people, so we should compensate for one person!"
Mei Terumi quickly organized her thoughts, her turquoise eyes blinking as she stared intently at Hashirama. The tenderness in her eyes was almost palpable.
"Uh… Might Guy also killed four of your people, and his death wasn't your fault; you didn't kill him!"
Hashirama shook his head repeatedly. When he heard the term "compensate for a person," his mind buzzed, and he immediately realized what was happening.
This Mei Terumi.
She was not just the Mizukage.
She was also an older woman with a strong desire for marriage!
And I'm so handsome, so big, and so enduring…
It's perfectly normal for her to think like this!
"Lord First Hokage, the Konoha Village Genin are the foundation and future of our village. Our Mist Village has damaged the future of Konoha Village, so we must compensate for a future. According to the instructions given by the previous three Kage, I've decided to compensate Konoha Village with the Mizukage!"
"That's right!"
"I mean me!"
With that, Mei Terumi, no longer shy, stood up confidently and walked directly towards Hashirama.
"Lord First Hokage, I'm offering myself as compensation. What do you think? You can do whatever you want with me!"
Mei Terumi winked at Hashirama and swayed her body like a snake as she approached him.
"Don't come any closer!"
Hashirama's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He had never encountered such a request before. The idea of finding a wife in a world of paper characters was something he had never considered.
What a joke!
Female characters in anime are meant for everyone. How could they belong to just one person?
Hashirama had watched Wu Di's livestreams and knew that every character had a high popularity—everyone's wife. How could he take someone else's wife?
"Hm?"
Mei Terumi's body paused, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. She didn't expect to be rejected like this.
"Let's talk about the Mist Village matter another time!"
Hashirama waved his hand. He didn't want to have any unnecessary interactions with a woman that might disrupt his free and unfettered style of action.
It's quite simple.
For example, if Hashirama wanted to destroy the Mist Village in the future.
He could do so whenever he wanted.
If Hashirama were to accept Mei Terumi's offer of compensation impulsively, it would create numerous concerns for future actions.
There was no need for that!
"Why?"
Mei Terumi's enthusiasm rapidly cooled. Her turquoise eyes were filled with confusion.
What does this mean?
Am I not beautiful?
Not alluring?
Why does it seem like there's no interest in me at all?
This...
It's too hurtful to my pride!
Mei Terumi suddenly began to doubt her own charm. Even though she had remained unmarried for many years, she had never questioned her attractiveness before, as she still had quite a few admirers.
"The first stage of the Four Kage Summit has concluded. We will now proceed to the next stage."
Hashirama ignored Mei Terumi's comments and redirected the conversation back to the Four Kage Summit.
Whoosh!
In an instant.
Everyone's hearts tightened.
They had thought the meeting was nearing its end and that they could disperse and prepare for their respective tasks, only to find out that this was merely the first stage.
"I've just reviewed the issues with the four villages. Those were related to my personal matters. Now, we will address issues concerning the entire Shinobi world."
Hashirama's fingers lightly tapped the table, the rhythmic sound seeming to echo in everyone's hearts, creating an intense sense of pressure.
"During the Warring States period, ninjas were organized by clans, and conflicts were constant. At that time, I founded the Shinobi Villages to unite the clans and form villages."
"This format was recognized and promoted, and now there are many Shinobi villages of various sizes in the Shinobi world."
"However…"
"While the conflicts between clans were resolved, battles between villages continue, as evidenced by the three Shinobi World Wars."
"Therefore."
"I plan to create a Shinobi Nation."
"To incorporate all the villages into the Shinobi Nation, just as the Shinobi Villages once gathered the clans."
Hashirama's words were resolute, plunging the meeting into a suffocating silence. Everyone in the room fell silent.
(End of Chapter)