The ride to the village was not a very pleasant one. While I didn't wander around aimlessly they way I did before. However, it still had all the other unpleasantries of this place with the added annoyance of the guards almost attacking me after they woke up. Luckily, since I knew the way now, I thought we would get there with relative ease. Eventually along the way, we ran into a few groups of highwaymen, but the guards dealt with them. Things were going relatively smooth on the way until we came across this guy standing in the road.
He looked fairly old so I didn't want to bother him. Honestly he looked like he could be someone's grandfather. Not necessarily because of his age but he just had that kind old man look to him like he just wanted to tell you some grand story about the good ol' days.
"Excuse me sir, could you please move? There's somewhere we need to be. If you need directions I will give you some as best I can." I kindly said to the man. Granted I would normally not be so nice to people but I had two reasons not to. I needed him out of the way ASAP and my usual charm wouldn't do that. Also, he had this strange likeability to him and I didn't want him pissed at me.
"No, young man, I don't think I will move." Weird but maybe this is one of those weird respect issues old people have. Whatever it was, I had a trick that would probably work.
"Please sir, there is a pregnant woman in the back and she needs care immediately." Sadly, that fell through as fast as I said it. It wasn't even because he knew I was lying. The big bijuu bitch couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"I am not pregnant! Are you trying to call me fat? I'm going to kick the shit out of you when we get to the village!" I swear she couldn't keep her mouth shut to save her fucking life.
"Now, young man, why would you lie to me like that?" Fan-fucking-tastic! Now I feel like a bigger piece of shit for lying to the man.
"Listen, I'm sorry for lying to you, honestly. But I've got to get these people where their going to get paid and I need that money as soon as possible, so could you please allow me to pass?"
"Well, if you're getting paid then I guess that changes things a bit."
"So, you'll let me pass?"
"Of course we won't now that we know we can get money from your employer." Immediately, armed men jumped from the bushes surrounding the carriage. I was really hoping we would be through with robbers at this point. However, credit is due for the disarming old man trick.
"Firstly, nice play with the unsuspecting old man trick. Points for originality. Also, were you supposed to be just a distraction or were you also supposed to see if we had any money to take."
"Actually, the information you gave me was just extra." That made me lose a bit of respect for him.
"My expectations were so high and you just dropped them like that. I'm disappointed in you. Anyway, guards, do guard stuff." Nothing happened.
"Oh, we already took down your guards during our conversation. So, how is that respect doing now, boy?"
"Honestly, solid mid-tier."
"Why not high?"
"I'll still beat your asses. That's why."
"If you could beat us, why did you call for your guards?"
"I'm a lazy jackass mainly."
"Funny, you didn't seem lazy with other bandits."
"I don't follow."
"A while ago, you beat the shit out of some bandits that were part of my gang. Now, I don't like anyone in the gang, but it's a matter of principle on this. If you beat up my guys and Ilet that slide, what kind of message does that send? I got a reputation to uphold." Wait a second. This guy is a gang leader? Whoever he is, I've got to deal with him and his gang.
"Fine, give me a second to get down. Honestly, I don't know why anyone wants positions of power. You've always got some kind of image to maintain. It turns people into assholes."
"True, but power can be useful. Anyway, men, beat him up." nothing happened.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I took a page out of your book again beat them during our conversation."
"Impossible. You barely got off the driver's seat."
"Yeah. Funny thing about getting attacked on an almost daily basis is, you get better at things. For example, I got a lot faster. There was also the added bonus of getting a better grip on strategy and technique but speed was most improved." He started laughing. It was annoying because it's the laugh I used with Matabishi when I revealed my true form.
"Let me guess. The next thing you're going to say is, 'Now, behold my true form.'" He then shrugged off a cloak he'd been wearing to reveal that he was fucking ripped.
"Now, behold my true form. Wait how did you do that?" It's like clockwork, I swear.
"Unimportant. Now, let's fight."
"That won't be necessary." New voices how interesting. Old man looked thoroughly scared though so I'm good.
"And who might you be Madame disembodied voice."
"I am the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi."
"Nice. I've actually been looking for you." She then dropped into view. Quite literally dropped from like a tree or something.
"And why is that?"
"I need to speak to you about something."
"Are you the boy Naruto told me about." The glare she was giving me was not exactly comforting but I answered it anyway.
"That I am."
"Well then, we have much to discuss. Right now however, I have to deal with this man." She then walked up to him and one hit K.O.'d him.
"Now then, let's head to the village to discuss business." I wasn't arguing with her.
It was peaceful the rest of the way to the rest of the way to the village, which gave me a lot of time to realize how old the Mizukage was. The wrinkles spoke for themselves. Granted I wouldn't say any of this to her face, but it was hard not to notice.