“Who are you?”
When Terumi Mei appeared, the guards protecting Uchiha Fugaku and Raikage immediately drew their swords, the captain shouting at her from the front of the line.
“Relax, I mean no harm,” Terumi Mei said with a calm smile, seemingly unfazed by the guards surrounding her.
“You’re from the Hidden Mist Village, aren’t you?” Uchiha Fugaku asked after observing her for a moment.
“Yes, Tenkage, I’m here for the missing -ninja Zabuza. Hidden Mist Village asks that you surrender him to us,” Terumi Mei responded directly, her gaze fixed on Uchiha Fugaku.
“So it’s really about Zabuza…” Fugaku, Sasuke, Raikage, and Haku all exchanged looks of surprise.
After taking a deep breath, Uchiha Fugaku, who had already guessed her intentions, replied, “I’m sorry, but whatever his past with the Mist Village, Zabuza is now an honored guest of Hidden Heaven Village. I cannot hand him over.”
Fugaku’s words brought a sigh of relief to Zabuza. If Fugaku had given him up so easily, his choice to come to Hidden Heaven Village with Sasuke would have been a serious mistake.
“Tenkage, are you willing to risk the safety of your village over Zabuza, even if it means facing the Hidden Mist Village?” Terumi Mei’s tone was firm as she locked eyes with Fugaku.
Fugaku’s deep voice rang out across the square. “Zabuza is an honored guest of Hidden Heaven Village. If I hand him over at your demand, who would ever want to visit our village again?”
“So, Tenkage, what will your answer be?”
The Fourth Raikage asked eagerly, watching Fugaku with anticipation as the surrounding ninjas murmured in heated discussion.
“Are you threatening me?” Fugaku’s expression turned serious as he ignored the crowd’s chatter.
“I wouldn’t call it a threat. I’m merely asking that you consider the greater good. Would you jeopardize the safety of your village over a rogue ninja with no loyalty here?” Terumi Mei replied with a calm smile.
Fight? Or make peace?
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent, reflecting on this difficult choice. Hidden Mist Village’s intent to wage war over Zabuza was no surprise to him, and he had already considered this scenario. But now, faced with the weight of his decision, Fugaku hesitated, as the safety of Hidden Heaven Village was on the line.
Finally, after a long moment, Fugaku exhaled and spoke firmly.
“Hidden Heaven Village will not hand over Zabuza. If the Mist Village truly wants war with us, then we’re ready to face them!”
Fugaku’s resolute words ignited a surge of pride among the villagers and Hidden Heaven’s ninja. Though Hidden Heaven was small compared to the major villages, Fugaku’s stand made it clear they had their own honor and would not bow to any outside power.
“How could this be?”
“Tenkage actually has the courage to confront the Mist Village?”
While Hidden Heaven’s people were filled with pride, the outside shinobi were left speechless, shocked that Fugaku hadn’t caved to the Mist Village’s demand.
At that moment, Zabuza, standing beside Sasuke, was deeply moved. He had never expected Fugaku would choose to face a powerful village for his sake.
“Zabuza-san, didn’t I tell you before? Hidden Heaven Village would protect you—and we haven’t broken that promise.” Sasuke smiled, looking at Zabuza.
“Kid…” Zabuza looked back at Sasuke. After a pause, he took a deep breath, his eyes misting over slightly with emotion.
“In that case, I’ll see you on the battlefield,” Terumi Mei said, handing a declaration of war to Uchiha Fugaku.
With a sigh, she transformed into a misty figure and swiftly disappeared from the platform.
Once she was gone, the Tenkage inauguration resumed. Despite the tension, the crowd’s cheers returned, even more enthusiastic than before.
....
That afternoon, in the bright and spacious Tenkage office, Uchiha Fugaku sat quietly, reviewing a scroll. After the inauguration ceremony, he had bid farewell to Raikage and Daimyo Oda and was now tackling the village’s administrative tasks.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence: “Tenkage, Zabuza and Haku are here to see you.”
“Let them in.”
Moments later, two figures entered, their eyes scanning the room before they stepped forward.
“Please, take a seat,” Fugaku said warmly.
“Tenkage-sama, we came here for one reason only: we want to join Hidden Heaven Village,” Zabuza declared directly, gazing intently at Fugaku.