In the original timeline, Terumi Mei was appointed Mizukage after the death of Yagura.
Judging by Yagura's current temperament, Wayne felt his own situation was far more precarious. The path ahead of him seemed to narrow with each passing day.
One of these days, I might just shoot him in a fit of rage, Wayne thought darkly.
"I just can't stand the constant conflict," Yagura muttered, exasperated, issuing an eviction order without warning.
Neither Terumi Mei nor Wayne lingered—they left without a word.
The walk back was silent. Even Terumi Mei, usually vibrant and sharp-tongued, seemed unusually subdued. Though frustrated, she was perceptive enough to realize that Wayne needed time to process what Yagura had told him.
Once home, Terumi Mei quietly poured him a cup of tea.
Wayne downed it in one gulp, then squinted his eyes in satisfaction. "Tastes good."
"What are you planning?" Terumi Mei broke the silence. "Whatever it is... you have my support, no matter what."
Wayne turned and studied her, eyes narrowing as if discovering a new truth. He stared, unmoving.
"Hmph. Just now realizing how gorgeous your big sister is?" she teased, puffing out her chest slightly with mock pride.
"Misunderstanding," Wayne replied dryly. "I was just admiring my loyal lapdog."
"Shut up!" she snapped, rolling her eyes—but a faint smile tugged at her lips. Maybe it was true.
"I've decided," Wayne said firmly. "Let's go to Konoha. If what Yagura said is true… then I will avenge my parents. Even if it means drowning the Uchiha Clan in blood, I won't forgive Konoha easily."
He looked at her again.
"And you… you need to be ready to fight."
"Me? Why?" Terumi Mei blinked. "The smarter play is to stay low, let others exhaust themselves. Why help Yagura stabilize his rule?"
"Because you'll need the military merit," Wayne replied. "To become the Fifth Mizukage."
Terumi Mei's eyes widened in shock. She stared at Wayne in disbelief, then reached over and felt his forehead. "You don't have a fever… so why are you spouting nonsense?"
"I'm serious," Wayne said coldly. "Didn't you see Yagura today? One day, I might actually snap. If you become Mizukage, life will be better—for both of us."
A chill crept through the room as Wayne's killing intent briefly leaked out.
Gulp.
"Are you serious?" she asked, voice low.
"It depends on Yagura. If he keeps pushing, I won't hold back," Wayne said, eyes flashing.
"Wayne… he controls all of Kirigakure's military forces. Killing him isn't simple. Don't do anything reckless," she said, visibly worried.
Wayne's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Don't worry. Someone else might take care of him before I do."
He was, of course, thinking of the masked man—Uchiha Obito—who would soon take control of Yagura and plunge the village into a bloody reign through genjutsu.
"Don't you want to be Mizukage?" he asked again, catching her in hesitation.
"Right now? Not really," she pouted. "I'm still a girl."
"Then you can forget about me."
"Wha—why?!"
"I don't like deadweight. Salted fish girls don't appeal to me. I need a strong partner—someone who protects me, not the other way around."
Cough cough!
"Well, Wayne, you should know... my biggest dream in life has always been to become Mizukage!" Terumi Mei announced grandly, switching her tone instantly.
Wayne laughed at her serious face. "Didn't sound like that a moment ago."
"What can I say?" she shrugged. "I have no political backing. But if you become my support, I'll give it everything I've got. Maybe this bicycle will finally become a motorcycle."
"Good. Get ready. We leave at dawn."
As Wayne stretched, Terumi Mei suddenly leaned in with a mischievous smile. "There's only one bed here. Let's share."
"…Fine."
Wayne surprised her by agreeing without hesitation.
"Long live!" Terumi Mei cheered in delight. Is the blockhead finally growing up?
That night, Terumi Mei clung to him like an octopus. Wayne turned to look at the sleeping girl beside him—his heart, untouched for over a decade, was unexpectedly stirred. A heat smoldered in his lower abdomen.
She's really dangerous…
He wrapped an arm around her waist. When they were younger, sleeping like this was innocent. But now, his body didn't obey quite so simply.
Eventually, Wayne's breathing calmed, and he drifted off to sleep.
Terumi Mei, however, cracked open an eye and glanced at him with suspicion.
Don't tell me… he can't?!
She frowned, bewildered. I delivered myself to his bed and he didn't even flinch? Am I not attractive enough?!
She sighed softly.
Listening to Wayne's gentle, steady breaths was like a lullaby. Drowsiness overcame her as well.
She curled into his chest like a kitten and closed her eyes.
Before long, she too was asleep.