Naruto: We Agreed on a Simulation, But They Actually Came to Life?

A month had passed.

In the administrative building of Kirigakure, Terumi Mei placed a stack of processed scrolls on the Elder’s desk. She stepped back two paces and gave a slight, respectful bow.

The Elder picked up the top scroll, squinting as he scanned the contents for a moment. A satisfied "mm" escaped his throat.

"Well done," he said, setting the scroll down and looking up at her. "Those old fossils haven’t been causing you any more trouble, have they?"

"They spent two hours arguing at yesterday’s meeting," Mei replied calmly. "But I paid a visit to the elders this morning and met with several of their confidants. By this afternoon, they had all fallen into line."

She didn’t elaborate on exactly *how* she had made them behave, and the Elder didn’t ask.

Over the past month, Terumi Mei had used an iron fist to dismantle a dozen outdated regulations left over from the Era of the Bloody Mist. The clans that had thrived under the old system had initially tried to band together in resistance. However, Mei held total control over the Anbu; she knew exactly what kind of filth every single one of those families was hiding.

Some had called her a dictator.

She had simply smiled at them in front of everyone. "When you were all practicing mutual slaughter for your graduation exams, why didn’t you call that dictatorship?"

After that, no one dared challenge her to her face again.

The Elder pushed the scrolls aside. "The alliance documents from Konoha arrived yesterday."

A poised smile graced Mei’s lips. "It seems the Fourth Hokage places a great deal of importance on this cooperation."

"More than just importance," the Elder said slowly. "The liaison officer mentioned that Konoha has designated Kirigakure as a highest-priority ally. The first shipment of supplies should reach the port next month."

As he spoke, his clouded eyes flickered toward Mei. Her smile remained unchanged, but the Elder caught a glimpse of an irrepressible trace of disappointment in the depths of her eyes.

On the day the Konoha liaison arrived, Mei had gone to the docks to receive him personally. She had waited on the pier for a full half-hour. When the passenger ship finally docked and the officials stepped off, it wasn’t *him*.

She hadn’t said a word at the time. She had handled the arrival with professional efficiency, settled the guests into their quarters, and returned to her office alone. That afternoon, she had processed twice her usual workload, staying until late into the night before finally returning home.

Elder Genji shifted the weight of his cane to the other hand. "You’ve been working too hard lately; you look pale. There’s nothing left to do today, so go home early and get some rest."

Mei acknowledged him with a soft word and turned to leave.

The hallway windows were open, and the distant cries of street vendors drifted in. As she headed downstairs, she passed the lobby bulletin board where a few Genin, having just turned in their missions, were huddled together in an excited discussion.

One girl spotted her and, startled, immediately pulled her companions into silence and stepped aside. Her gaze was a mixture of nervousness, awe, and a flicker of curiosity. Mei gave them a brief nod and kept walking.

Stepping out of the building, she looked at the streets before her, feeling a sense of vertigo. A month ago, there were more Anbu patrolling the streets than there were civilians. Now, the shops along the road were actually lit, and a middle-aged woman carrying groceries hummed a little tune as she strolled past.

Kirigakure was indeed getting better.

Yet, as she watched the woman walk away, Mei felt an ache of emptiness in her chest. What did it matter if everything improved? The one person she wanted to see this world was not by her side.

Mei pulled her gaze away, crossed the street, and turned into her residential district.

She pushed open the door to her home. The interior was pitch black; there was no aroma of food, nor was there anyone waiting for her.

"Meow~"

Hearing the movement, a calico cat leaped from the sofa and rubbed affectionately against her ankles. Mei leaned down, scooped the cat into her arms, and rested her chin on its fluffy head. She walked into the living room and stood there, motionless.

Her mind began to wander, spiraling into a daydream.

*If...*

*If I opened the door right now and saw his back as he busied himself in the kitchen... if the soup in the pot were bubbling and steaming...*

*I would sneak up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek against his back. I would brag about how the Elder praised me again today, tell him the alliance documents with Konoha were signed, and complain that the new dango shop on the street tastes mediocre.*

*How would he react?*

*He’d probably give a helpless little laugh, then tell me to let go in that teasing way of his so he could finish cooking.*

Unfortunately, reality offered no such "ifs."

"Meow..."

The cat let out another cry, pulling her back from her fantasy. Mei looked down and gently scratched the cat under its chin.

"Tell me... what on earth has he been doing all this time since he left?"

Just then—*knock, knock!*

Mei put the cat down and opened the door. Standing there was an Anbu member, holding out a scroll with both hands.

"Director, we have found information regarding Lord Kitahara Kaede’s whereabouts."

Mei snatched the scroll away. The Anbu, anticipating her reaction, continued in a low voice.

"Lord Kaede left Kirigakure a month ago. He stayed in Konoha for less than half a day before departing for Amegakure."

He paused for a second. "And since then... he has not left."

"A month?!" Mei’s voice rose sharply.

The Anbu bowed his head even lower, not daring to respond. Mei stood frozen, clutching the scroll, her mind going blank.

One month! He had been in Amegakure for an entire month!

That woman had had so much time! A man and a woman, alone together, day and night...

A terrifying thought sprouted in the depths of Mei’s heart. *The reason he stayed so long... is it... has he already been claimed by that woman, Pakura?!*

What kind of mission could possibly require him to stay in a place like that for a whole month?

*No!* She immediately rejected the thought, but it still sent a sharp pang of pain through her heart.

Biting her lower lip, she snatched her coat from the rack and flung her ninja tool pouch over her leg.

"Director, where are you—"

Before the Anbu could finish his sentence, a blur swept past him, vanishing instantly into the night.

***

**Amegakure.**

The evening rain had stopped. Inside the glass room of the high tower, a profound silence reigned.

Kitahara Kaede leaned back in a lounge chair, idly flipping through a book. For the past month, he had done nothing but settle into life in the Hidden Rain. The lingering emotional debts still weighed on his heart, but they no longer triggered the splitting headaches they once had.

Pakura approached carrying two plates of freshly baked treats, placing one on the low table beside him. She glanced at the book in his hand and teased him with a smile.

"In this state, you really look like a retired old man living out his golden years."

Kaede closed the book and picked up a treat. The edges were slightly charred, but the center was soft. He chewed and swallowed, looking up at Pakura with a smile of his own.

"Is being a retired old man so bad? Basking in the sun, drinking tea... it’s the height of enjoyment."

Pakura paused, then burst into a laugh, her eyes curving beautifully. The two looked at each other and shared a moment of quiet laughter.

As the laughter faded, Pakura lowered her head to eat. This past month had been worth it. She had simply stayed by his side—watching the rain, drinking tea, and taking him to try new shops. She could feel the way he looked at her shifting: from initial guardedness, to relaxation, and finally, to a natural ease.

Silence returned to the room. Kaede turned to look out the window. Below the tower, the lights of a thousand homes twinkled like scattered stars. His gaze drifted beyond the lights, toward a more distant horizon.

This long vacation had to end. Zetsu’s conspiracy was still advancing in the shadows, and there was still no resolution regarding Tsunade in Konoha.

Kaede withdrew his gaze and looked at Pakura. She was lifting her teacup; noticing his stare, her movement faltered for a split second.

"Pakura, I think..."

Her hand paused in mid-air for a heartbeat before she steadily placed the cup back on the saucer. She looked at him gently, waiting for him to continue.

"I should go back."

As he spoke the words, Kaede had already braced himself. He had even rehearsed how to explain it if she looked disappointed—telling her that he had to face the things waiting for him.

But Pakura simply picked up a damp towel and unhurriedly wiped her fingers. The smile on her face didn’t fade in the slightest; instead, it grew more composed.

"Alright," she answered without hesitation. "But remember this."

Pakura put down the towel and looked deeply into his eyes. "Once you go back, if you encounter things that give you a headache, things you can’t handle, or if you just feel tired... come find me in Amegakure anytime."

"This room will always be reserved for you."

Kaede looked at her intently. "I will."

The smile in Pakura’s eyes blossomed fully. She stood up, cleared the empty plates, and asked in a casual, light tone:

"So, when do you plan to leave? Now? Or tonight?"

Kaede had intended to leave immediately. But hearing her ask, his logic suddenly stalled. Several excuses flashed through his mind: *It’s late, traveling now isn’t safe. I still need to say goodbye to Yahiko.*

These thoughts flickered and vanished, and in the end, he spoke only three words.

"Tomorrow, then."

Pakura froze. She knew Kaede’s style all too well—decisive, efficient, and never one to linger. When she had asked, she had already prepared herself for him to stand up and take his leave the very next second.

But hearing this answer, a surge of immense joy flooded her heart. This "tomorrow" wasn’t for a mission, nor was it because of the time of day.

It was for her.

Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the thousands of lights shimmering outside the window.

"Alright! Then I’ll see you off tomorrow!"