He stood atop a towering peak in his mental landscape, eyes wide open, staring out over an endless ocean.
The sea stretched as far as the eye could see—vast, calm, and glittering under the golden sunlight. Gentle waves shimmered like stars across the surface. This was no ordinary ocean. This was Wayne's Pacific, a spiritual manifestation of the ocean within his mind.
It was vast—180 million square kilometers, dwarfing even the entire ninja world, which measured around 150 million square kilometers. The ocean in Wayne's mind was larger than the very continent the Shinobi called home.
Deep within this sea lay unimaginable mysteries—prehistoric beasts, unknown plants, sunken ruins, and perhaps even alien creatures. Though Wayne had studied and meditated on this sea for over a decade, pouring his chakra and focus into its mastery, he could only claim control over 15% of it. Even that figure was extraordinary—considering that in his previous life, mankind had explored less than 10% of Earth's oceans.
"I wonder when I'll be able to master you completely…" Wayne whispered as he gazed at the tranquil water.
He believed that when his control reached 100%, he could unleash a perfected Water Release: Sea Domain—a jutsu so overwhelming it could potentially engulf the entire Ninja continent.
Sometimes, strange things would emerge from his sea techniques—plants, beasts, even phenomena he couldn't explain. His lack of full control over the sea meant anything could surface, from ancient sea monsters to alien echoes from the deep.
"If I'm lucky, maybe one day aliens will show up and humble the entire Shinobi world," Wayne grinned.
He was pulled from his thoughts not by choice, but by chaos outside his room.
BANG! BANG! BANG!!
"Wayne!" came the furious voice of Terumi Mei, former Fifth Mizukage and his ever-intrusive sister figure. "Where is the basic trust between siblings?! You locked your bedroom door!"
Wayne groaned and opened the door. "What now?"
Terumi Mei pushed past him with a large bundle in her arms. "These are my things. I'm moving in."
"Wait—this is my room."
"Our room," she corrected. "Your place is too small. Deal with it!"
She shoved her belongings into his closet without shame. Then she paused, turned with a mischievous glance, and pulled out a pink... item.
"Don't peek," she said, brandishing the pink underwear like a warning.
Wayne immediately turned his back. Why did she have to say that? Now I know it's pink without even looking!
"Honestly, you're hopeless," Mei pouted. "Let you see and you act like a statue. True diamond-hearted idiot!"
Wayne sighed. He couldn't win against her.
Half an hour later, she finished arranging her stuff, slumped at the table, and groaned, "Ugh… I'm hungry. Brother, what's for dinner?"
"Fried air. Open your mouth and take a bite—it's delicious."
"Hmph! That's how you treat a guest? I'm your sister!"
"You said you'd protect me, not make me your personal chef."
"Wayne, be a good brother, please?" Mei said sweetly, eyes twinkling with mock innocence.
"Fine. Just wait."
Wayne cooked quickly. Within thirty minutes, he laid out three dishes and a soup—a blend of Mist Village seafood specialties with his own flair.
Just as they were about to eat, a masked ANBU ninja arrived soundlessly.
"Wayne. Mizukage-sama requests your presence in half an hour." And just like that, the ninja vanished.
"No explanation, no manners," Mei huffed. "Don't worry, I'll go with you."
"I'm not scared," Wayne replied calmly. "Just curious. Is Yagura still holding a grudge over Zabuza and Loquat Shizuma?"
Mei's expression darkened slightly. "Zabuza Momochi disappeared again after your last encounter. Loquat Shizuma was found but... it's still unclear if he'll survive."
She crossed her arms. "Still, I doubt it's revenge. Your performance lately has drawn attention. You're not just some outsider anymore. Even Yagura, with all his paranoia and... tailed beast baggage, won't move without a reason."
Wayne nodded. She had a point. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had once been the vessel of the Three-Tails, Isobu, and a puppet under the genjutsu of Obito Uchiha. Though that shadow had been removed, Yagura's nature remained deeply scarred.
Whatever he wanted now—it wasn't something to take lightly.
Wayne set down his chopsticks, his gaze sharp. "Then let's go find out what the Fourth Mizukage wants from me."