A few days later.
In the Land of Water, at the port next to the Hidden Mist Village.
Sitting in a ramen shop by the port, Shishou watched the constant flow of deep-sea fishing boats and the busy workers at the docks, smiling unconsciously.
Thanks to Terumi Mei's efforts over the past one or two years, Shishou's "Fishing Master" company had become the largest deep-sea fishing company in the Land of Water, employing thousands of people.
Additionally, the workers at the docks and those in related industries such as dining, lodging, and izakayas, which had sprung up around the docks due to Shishou's investment, provided direct or indirect employment for tens of thousands of people, giving many families a stable income source.
This rapid development of the economy and livelihood in the Hidden Mist Village over the past two years was a stark contrast to the decline of two years ago.
Of course, this also brought significant economic benefits to Shishou.
"Maybe I should also start a marine aquaculture farm," Shishou thought while eating ramen.
With the energy consumption of the Phosphorescent Insect, Katsuyu, and Kushina, Shishou felt the need to expand his business.
Otherwise, the annual harvest might not even be enough for one evolution.
Moreover, as other insects advanced, the energy required for their accelerated growth would also increase significantly. Therefore, Shishou needed to plan ahead.
Ding-a-ling!
Two ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village entered the ramen shop.
"Boss, two bowls of char siu ramen, please."
"Coming right up!"
Upon hearing the ramen shop owner's reply, the two ninjas sat next to Shishou and began talking.
"This deep-sea escort mission is finally over."
"Yeah, this mission was relatively easy, and the pay was good."
"Indeed, such easy and well-paying missions were rare before... all thanks to Terumi Mei-sama."
Hearing their conversation, Shishou chuckled.
Since the Fishing Master company hired Hidden Mist ninjas for protection, Terumi Mei paid them the highest standard wages within the official range, indirectly using profits that originally belonged to Shishou to support the Hidden Mist Village.
Shishou just smiled at Terumi Mei's "favoritism."
He knew Terumi Mei was eager to improve the Hidden Mist Village, so he didn't interfere with the Fishing Master company and let her handle it.
After all, Terumi Mei was his woman now. As a family, there was no need to differentiate between them.
Hearing Shishou's laughter, the two Hidden Mist ninjas frowned and looked at him with anger.
Because of Terumi Mei's leadership, the Hidden Mist Village had changed significantly, and she had resolved several major crises.
As a result, Terumi Mei's prestige in the Hidden Mist Village was deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Therefore, to these two ninjas, Shishou's laughter upon hearing Terumi Mei's name sounded extremely harsh!
"Hey!"
"What are you laughing at?"
The two Hidden Mist ninjas glared at Shishou, ready to teach him a lesson if he didn't give a reasonable explanation.
"Sorry, I just thought of something amusing," Shishou smiled.
He wasn't angry at their behavior; instead, he was happy for Terumi Mei.
These two ninjas were willing to stand up for her honor, which meant Terumi Mei's position in the Hidden Mist Village was unshakable.
As her man, Shishou felt proud of her.
Seeing Shishou still smiling, the two ninjas grew angrier and were about to act when they noticed someone else entering the shop. Turning around, they were startled.
Ding-a-ling!
Two figures, one tall and one short, entered the ramen shop and sat in an empty spot.
The tall one had bandages on his face, wore a Hidden Mist rogue ninja forehead protector, and had no eyebrows.
The short one wore a Hidden Mist Anbu mask and was dressed as a woman.
'Isn't that Zabuza and Haku?'
Seeing the two familiar faces, Shishou's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected to encounter them here.
Because of Shishou, Biwa Juzo hadn't died, and the Executioner's Blade hadn't fallen into Zabuza's hands.
Instead, Zabuza had defected from the Hidden Mist after a failed assassination attempt on the Fourth Mizukage.
"Rogue ninja Zabuza, how dare you come back!!"
The two Hidden Mist ninjas glared at Momochi Zabuza and demanded sternly.
Zabuza glanced at them, handed the menu to Haku, and said indifferently, "Go tell Terumi Mei that I'm here waiting to see her."
With the Hidden Mist Village gradually getting back on track under Terumi Mei's leadership, Zabuza had the urge to serve the village again.
He knew Terumi Mei well enough.
As long as he expressed his willingness to return, she would surely forgive him and let him serve the village again.
After all, the Hidden Mist was currently in need of people.
Besides, he had attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, not the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei.
The two Hidden Mist ninjas exchanged glances and then ran out to inform the guards at the port.
Facing Zabuza would only bring trouble for them.
"Zabuza-sama, what do you want to eat?" Removing her mask, the stunningly beautiful Haku smiled at Zabuza.
Zabuza ignored Haku and pointed at the two bowls of ramen the shop owner had just brought out, "Boss, we'll take those two bowls."
Seeing that there was ready-made food, Zabuza didn't want to wait.
"Alright," the ramen shop owner, who had been worried about what to do with the ramen, nodded quickly and handed the bowls to Zabuza.
'Tsk tsk, what a cross-dressing boss.'
'That face, that smile, they put many women to shame.'
'But alas, it's a boy!'
Seeing Haku's smile, Shishou marveled and then reminded himself that Haku was male.
He must not be deceived by appearances.
Not long after.
A figure wrapped in lightning appeared at the ramen shop entrance. A small girl, about 1.4 meters tall, entered with two swords wider than her body.
Upon seeing Zabuza, she grinned, revealing her shark-like teeth, and said excitedly, "Rogue ninja Zabuza?"
"Come, fight me!"
She was the elite jonin left at the port, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Ringo Ameyuri!
Due to Kurosuki Raiga defecting with the Thunder Swords, she hadn't received them.
However, considering she was one of the few elite jonin in the Hidden Mist Village, Terumi Mei had given her the dual swords, Hiramekarei.
'This is a violent loli.'
'And a legal loli at that.'
Seeing the small girl wielding swords wider than her body, Shishou was intrigued.
Indeed, there was something unique about the combination of a small girl and oversized weapons.