Chapter 35: Riding the Waves
"How do I look Chojuro?!" asked for the tenth time a tall mature woman fixing her quite revealing blue dress and arranging her hair bangs over her face.
"Y-You look beautiful as always my Lady…" asked a bothered and blushing young man in his late teens with grey hair, blue rimmed glasses and carrying a fish like bandaged bundle on his back.
"Excuse me my Lady but why is all this necessary? I am quite certain that a warrior of the Fire Lord's caliber will see the wisdom of joining forces with us" asked a man with gray hair combed into a point and an eye patch over his right eye.
The woman pursed her lips at the comment and huffing said "Because the Fire Lord is so much more than a warrior Ao. He is a master statesman, a war hero, a conqueror, a unifier and a consummate lover; in other words he is the kind of man who becomes a living legend"
Ao nodded gravely at that and said "I understand my Lady but…is receiving such a man with that dress someone like you should do?"
That made the woman's eye to twitch in annoyance and twirling faced Ao with a creepy smile "What do you mean by someone like me? Is it because I am an old woman past her marriage age? Is it because it's indecent for someone my age to dress like this? Is that it?"
Ao blinked in surprise and bowing said "My apologies my Lady! All I meant was that the Water Lady should meet a character like the Fire Lord in a more dignified manner! Your age had nothing to do with my opinion"
The woman was about to go on another tirade when Chojuro stood in her way and nervously said "Lady Mei, Ao only meant that perhaps you may give the wrong message to our guests. He is only concerned for things going on smoothly"
Mei Terumi blinked at that and looking at Ao with calm eyes said "You should learn to better express yourself Ao or else you'll embarrass us in front of the Fire Lord"
Ao looked back at her liege with defeated eyes and then glared to Chojuro who cowed a bit under his hard gaze.
"Chojuro! You should know your place when dealing in these manners! Back in my day we dispensed with such words…But I guess you are still learning so you have room for improvement" said Ao as Mei skipped ahead on the pier which was prepared with soldiers lined in fine armor and the flying banners of Water and their Lady.
Chojuro nodded at Ao's both chastising and encouraging words, and turned to look at Mei who seemed quite giddily over the expected arrival of the Fire Lord and Utakata who faster ships announced would arrive today.
For this occasion Mei Terumi had picked one of her finest and most revealing dresses, which consisted of a blue dress with silver lining the edges, a low cut which showed her generous cleavage and shoulders, and a long side skirt that exposed her long slender legs.
Ao observed her from a distance and taking into her silhouette his sight went to observe the great city that woman had built and what if fate allowed would achieve in time.
The Port city of Blue Water was Water's largest and most prosperous city in the main island thanks to its' strategic location to the south and its favorable geography of a closed bay that allowed for an easily defendable city.
The city had high strong stone walls surrounding it, numerous battlements, large towers, a great dockyard and the world's largest known port.
The history of the city is an ancient one and usually some of Water's strongest rules resided here given its advantageous and always wealthy position.
In times of war or disaster most of Water's citizens and warriors sought the strength on the city to back them up…only to try and swindle it afterwards.
Blue Water's potential to become a true capital had been largely squandered by men and women who weren't that different from the infamous Sea Lords and only sought out wealth and power.
But one day a skilled and cunning woman rose from the rank and file of Blue Water's skiff warriors to become the city's leader.
She managed to achieve her position first by conducting successful attacks on Water's numerous anarchic islands and then by commanding small numbers of soldiers to great victories against the main islands numerous bandits and brigands.
These victories eventually earned her powerful enemies who, worried for her quick ascent, staged an ambush to end her life but expecting such a thing, she turned the tables and slew every single former ruler of the city.
The inhabitants recognizing her exploits for the city immediately made her their undisputed ruler.
Mei then would advocate herself to bring Blue Water to its full potential as a city and a powerhouse from which to improve things in the otherwise anarchic Land of Water.
She would use the city's garrison to protect nearby towns and villages from bandits and brigands who in turn she offered them to serve her in a more respectable fashion…or else…
Towns and villages began to make oaths of fealty in exchange for her protection which increased her reputation and power thus bringing even more allies from Water's main Island.
It wasn't long before Water's entire main island was united under her leadership and with this, farms were raised, mines were dug and roads were made. This in turn made the main island flourish like never before.
In time Mei turned her eyes to Water's real power, the other islands and the Sea Lords that ruled them as semi-independent fiefdoms that raided one another in an age long conflict that only stopped when a collective threat presented itself. Only for them to betray one another as soon as it was over.
Mei built a great fleet to defend Water's main island and knowing the Sea Lords, present herself as a power to be reckoned with. She hoped that this would bring the Sea Lords to the table at least and not just goad them into a fight just for the thrill of it.
Fortunately at first the Sea Lords seemed tempted enough with the easy wealth Mei provided through trade and the chance to build up their own forces and think of greater raids on foreign shores that were ripe with plentiful exotic goods.
Mei managed to sign them into a federation agreement where Water was off limits for plundering and each other would cooperate in case of a Land emergency.
That they signed it was a victory for Mei but knowing them, the moment she faltered they would leap like wolves on a wounded animal and thus destroy her works. So being the cunning and wise woman she had proven to be so far, got to reinforce the sense of nation by gathering powerful elements under her banner.
The first of such elements she got was the wanderer Utakata and his self-declared apprentice Hotaru.
Utakata was a wandering sailor who had quitted Water since an early age and with his own boat made to visit the coasts of many nations.
One day Utakata had returned from his travels already something of an urban legend for being a one man crew captain that made strange apparitions here and there.
Such rumors about him spoke that he commanded a strange shaped weapon that allowed him to repel pirates, brigands, bandits and even sea monsters with ease. They also spoke that he had brought with him a young wife who always carried a strange metallic tube that sputtered flames.
Mei had sent envoys to the young man's tiny island but they were rejected every time and one time when he had been particularly disrespectful the envoys attempted to capture him were repelled by strange attacks from both him and his "wife"
Tales of his techniques reached Lady Mei in person who alongside a retinue of warriors went to pay Utakata a visit in person.
As always Utakata rejected visitors but Mei would not have any of that from a cocky loner in a tiny island.
So both clashed on the beach under the agreement that the winner would acquire the services of the other; but despite Utakata's impressive display of otherworldly ability he could not bring Mei to yield like everyone else had so far.
But neither could Lady Mei bring Utakata to his knees for though the man lacked her experience, he possessed a strength and resilience that seemed almost unnatural.
And as such a whole day went by without a resolution though at the end the battle seemed to lean in Utakata's favor whose vigor just couldn't be natural.
Mei though still had one last card under her sleeve for she posed sexily while slightly undressing making Utakata lose a step though her stratagem failed horribly when a large detonation bloomed between them.
Both contestants were knocked out and later were revealed that Utakata's companion was the responsible one in an apparent outburst of jealousy.
In the end Utakata agreed to work for Mei given the interruption suffered by Hotaru while Mei promised him freedom once Water was a true nation.
But as with all good tales, one should not cheer before achieving victory…
Hojuro, one of the Sea Lords and the most vocal supporter of Mei among his number was suddenly challenged by a shadowy character many had heard from but few actually believed existed.
As all Sea Lords, Hojuro was armed with one of Water's fabled weapons, the Hiramekarei which made him one of the strongest warriors in the Land and likely the world. But despite his great prowess, Yagura of Gamera's Rest was the victor
With silent words he called Mei a traitor and a usurper to the leadership of Water which she tried to pervert into a twisted mirror of the continental Lands.
At this point Fuguki Suikazan took the chance to denounce Mei's attempt to subdue the Sea Lords into mere officers of her court and revolted then and there making his large forces fall on those of Hojuro's.
The slain Sea Lord's men fought like quarreled dogs before the savage assault of Fuguki's men and that of the other Lords who saw a chance to make themselves with more ships and lands.
Fortunately the most loyal men managed to recover the Hiramekarei and taking Hojuro's son fled to Blue Water thus giving a formal start to the Land of Water current state of civil war.
"She does have the air of greatness about her…" thought Ao opening his one good eye and catching a glimpse of a large fleet approaching from the horizon.
Outside of the bay a large number of ships swiftly approached the port with four of their number breaking away of formation and heading straight to its entrance.
"He's here! He's here!" screamed Mei making small jumps that made Ao's previous surge of respect drain away painfully.
"Everyone! Raise the flags and look sharp!" shouted Mei recovering her authority and making everyone hurry to obey her commands.
The front ship was that of Utakata with his six ringed symbol painted on the sails while the other three wore Fire's insignias on them.
"Those damn Fire Landers! Using our ship designs as if it was them who spent generations crafting them over painful lessons!" growled Ao making Chojuro laugh awkwardly and Mei turn to give him the evil eye.
With that the well armored Water soldiers raised the Land's banner which consisted of a white top with a bottom of blue with the shape of crashing waves.
Another set of soldiers rose Mei's own banner which was that of a volcano surrounded by water.
Utakata's ship was the first to dock ahead of Fire's flag ship which sported the Fire Lord's banner with the Uzumaki crest engulfed by the red flames of Fire.
As all four ships docked and were secured Mei signaled musicians and dancers to start performing as she straightened up her dress and hair for the hundredth time.
Mei adopted a seductive look about her as the descending bridge was placed next to the Fire Lord's ship.
But her looks shifted from a seductive woman to that of a surprised one as a heavily armored pink haired girl ran down the bridge holding one hand over her mouth and the other on her stomach. The girl knocked Mei aside and made for the pier where she loudly gave release to her "sickness"
As Mei was trying to get back on her feet decided to murder that insolent girl she was knocked back again by a rushing man clad in copper colored armor who yelled "Sakura-chan!"
Mei's temper by now was on its bursting point as she was once again getting up while the performances stopped sensing that it was no moment for their services.
Mei was about to order her men to cut them down to ribbons when a hand clad in black armor offered her aid to get back on her feet.
"You'll have to forgive them…the journey here was not an easy one for her…" coldly said a smooth male voice making Mei turn her sight up to see who was addressing her.
Focusing her eyes she caught sight of a raven haired man with finely sculpted features, black piercing eyes and pale white skin.
Mei couldn't help but blush as the man got her back to her feet and briskly turn to where the other rude man was trying to help the also rude girl.
Mei's eyes though returned to the black armored man who bore himself with an almost arrogant confidence but one look to his stance was enough to see that every ounce of it was earned.
"He must be the Fire Lord…Oh gods, he is so young but I can totally believe he is the conquering hero everyone speaks about" dreamily thought Mei completely forgetting early descriptions of the Fire Lord's actual appearance.
Straightening up Mei gave her hand to the black haired man who held it awkwardly and said "Greetings My Lord, I bid you welcome to our fair city and I want to personally thank you for your willing assistance"
The man looked at her rather weirdly but then ungrasping her hand growled and pointing behind him with his thumb said "I believe the one you are looking for is that guy…"
The man scowled at Mei and then walked back to the boat where the crew was preparing the disembarking of the Fire Lord's luggage.
Mei blinked surprised at the young man's words and then slowly turned to where the rude man was crouching next to the rude pink haired girl. He was apparently patting her back and whispering something to the girl who seemed to be feeling better.
Calming down she then remembered that the Fire Lord was said to be of gold hair, tanned skin and a unique set of arms.
She then turned to observe where the blonde man helped the pink haired woman stand up with a soft grip on her trembling hand.
"Easy Sakura-chan…breath deep" softly said the blonde man with caring compassionate eyes.
"I am so sorry…you must think I am gross…" sadly said the girl with some tears escaping her eyes.
The Fire Lord chuckled at that and gently wiped her tears while holding her face to have her look at him in the eyes.
"You'll never gross me out Sakura-chan" said Naruto making the girl blush ad then turn away.
"AHEM!" loudly expressed a light blonde girl dressed in a scandalously short kimono with long white stockings descending from the Fire Lord's boat drawing Mei's attention back.
"Naruto, I believe you need to introduce yourself properly and apologize" added the girl in clear annoyance of the scene playing out in front of her.
That made Naruto and Sakura to blink in surprise and turning to where the confused Mei stood observing them.
With that both laughed awkwardly and bowing said "Sorry!"
Mei blinked and just replied "N-No problem…"
Mei then took time to observe the couple more carefully.
As she remembered, Naruto was indeed a young man in his early 20's with tanned skin, gold messy hair, bright sapphire blue eyes and was clad in that peculiarly colored armor of his. She had to admit that he was handsome enough in a manner quite different from the other young man.
The other was a girl clad in a badly fitted red armor with an awful look to her face at the same time seemed to glow.
Wanting to save the rather ruined introduction Mei cleared her throat and re adopting a serene seductive face said "Oh my, rumor has it true my Lord. You are quite a handsome hero"
That made Naruto blush and start laughing awkwardly while scratching the back of his head making Sasuke and Ino groan over how easy he was won over.
Mei was going to continue her welcoming speech when she noticed that from the boat descended a beautiful black haired girl dressed in a white china dress with an open cleavage.
Following her, came a sandy blonde beauty dressed in a tight fitting black kimono with a long side skirt that showed a well-toned leg. She carried 2 folded steel war fans and had the look of a seasoned warrior.
And after them came a mature beautiful red headed woman with a long red mane and a red and gold formal kimono.
"S-So that's his famed harem? Warriors and counselors them all…But I won't be cowed" thought Mei glad to see that none of the girls truly surpassed her beauty or strength.
Taking her time to look at each girl in the eye she adopted a smug face crossed her arms under her breasts lifting them a bit and seductively placing a finger on her mouth said "My name is Mei Terumi, ruler of Blue Water and Lady of the Land of Water. I am most pleased to finally meet you Fire Lord Naruto Uzumaki"
Naruto laughed awkwardly and blushing he couldn't help but focus on Mei's generous bust though as his eyes roamed the figure of the woman he frowned seemingly slightly confused.
That made Mei pause for she was at a loss of what to do in the situation that something had put off the Fire Lord.
"Hey Sasuke…come over here a sec…" eventually said Naruto pulling out a scroll from his belt and unrolling it.
Sasuke blushed slightly and made to nag Naruto but at a whisper from him he also adopted a confused frown.
Mei began to wonder what was going for both men were looking at the scroll in front of them and then up to her with examining eyes.
"Is she the same?" asked Naruto.
"I think so…but at the same time it isn't…"commented Sasuke rubbing his chin.
"Naruto this isn't the time for being rude!" said Ino stomping between the two men and looking at the displayed scroll.
Mei was about to speak again when suddenly Ino began to mimic the two males making her feel somewhat angry.
"I-Ino…the Water Lady is waiting…" said Hinata scuttling closer and in moments repeating the same movements of the others.
"What are you doing? You are embarrassing us!" growled Temari making way to see what was so mesmerizing and as if a charm it made her start doing the same as the others.
"What's so interesting guys?" eventually said Kushina standing next to Naruto and stifling a laugh she seemed to have caught the joke almost instantly.
"What's wrong?" asked Utakata walking up to the Water Lady with Hotaru in tow.
Mei just pointed over to the Fire Lord and his companions making Utakata stare at them in annoyance and eventually in surprise.
"H-Hotaru! Did you gave them the scroll with Lady Mai's picture in it?!" hurriedly whispered Utakata running a cold sweat.
Hotaru blinked surprised and whispering back said "Well he seemed really enticed by the picture so I thought it would help things run smoothly if he kept it"
"You fool! That picture was…" began to say Utakata when Naruto coughed lifting a hand.
"Excuse me ma'am, is this the picture of your younger sister?" asked Naruto turning the scroll around for the Water delegation to observe.
That made Utakata, Hotaru, Ao and Chojuro freeze on the spot for the picture was indeed of Lady Mei…from 5 years ago…
Mei crooked a smile that made everyone in sight of it become wary and step back quickly leaving Naruto alone in front of her.
"Hey, you seeking a fight?" asked Mei pulling a large golden smoking pipe with a red ember on its wide opening.
Looking sideways and suddenly feeling in terrible danger Naruto laughed awkwardly and said "I-It's only that this picture doesn't make you justice my Lady!"
That seemed to stop Mei though the dangerous aura still lingered in the air.
"I mean, the girl in the picture can't be you for your beauty can't really be compared. That's why I thought that this belonged to a less fortunate sibling. I meant no disrespect at all!" quickly said Naruto rolling up the picture.
"Like she will fall for that" was the collective thought of everyone gathered there.
Mei then colored up and concealing her strange pipe held her cheeks with both hands making everyone want to face palm.
"Y-You are such a charmer Lord Naruto! That is indeed the picture of a distant cousin who goes to great lengths to look like me but I see that a refined eye can still see the difference! Ho ho ho!" said Mei making everyone direct her dirty glares over such a blatant lie and self-praise.
"Safe!" thought a grinning Naruto.
Mei enjoyed a few more moments of Naruto's praise until she noticed that everyone was observing her, she coughed and adopting once more a confident pose said "But please my honored friends from Fire, Blue Water welcomes you in this occasion and such an event deserves a celebration"
"I thought we were in the middle of a war…" mockingly said Zabuza jumping from his ship and landing heavily due to the added weight of his great sword. Next to him landed Haku with his mask placed on.
Observing him and his blade made Mei reach for her pipe but remembering he was part of Naruto's cadre of officers she held back from immediately attacking the pirate.
"He sure is a celebrity here…"commented Ino making Hinata and Temari nod in agreement.
"That…we are indeed but with the blooding Utakata gave the Sea Lords I am confident we have at least a day to…" began to say Mei when Zabuza interrupted her with low cackling.
"Then you don't know those sea wolves like I do" commented Zabuza.
"Show respect you cur!" growled Ao with a terrified Chojuro behind him.
"I would if it weren't for you guys making this so easy for your enemies" commented Zabuza making Chojuro gulp and slowly reach for his blade.
Seeing the escalating situation Naruto stomped forward and standing tall next to Mei he said "I am afraid that my admiral is correct my Lady. We are at war and my fleet has suffered already the first blow. I think we should get to it as soon as possible if we want to be victorious. Then we can celebrate all we want"
Mei swirled on Naruto not liking to be challenged at first but being confronted with the man's towering height and his heavily armored body she couldn't help but go silent.
Mei observed Naruto closely for the first time and noticed his features in detail.
A young man with a healthy, vigorous appearance. Eyes brimming with energy and a glorious gold mane.
Mei colored up again and sighing said "Ok…"
Turning away from Naruto she barked "Ao! Gather my officers in the Sea Dragon's Hall now!"
Hours Later
"So that's our current disposition of forces" finished explaining Ao straightening up.
Ao had just explained the number of ships and warriors each side of the conflict had at their disposal.
Each of the Sea Lords had an average of a hundred vessels under their command except for Fuguki Suikazan who commanded up 200 vessels and Yagura who commanded 300 after taking over Hojuro's fleet. This brought up their numbers to about over 900 ships of different classes.
On the other side, Mei's fleet mounted up to about 500 ships including those in Utakata's personal detachment and the few vessels from Naruto's fleet.
Another issue that Mei mentioned was the existence of the Dragon Ships. Great ships carved from a solid piece tree with two additional hulls of younger trees. All of these trees grew for generations at the heart of the main island.
These ships were worth a dozen in battle and fabled to last forever whereas other vessels required replacement after a couple of years in service. Legend also said that they were gifted to the Land's rulers by the gods themselves.
Mei had 3 of such ships at her disposal while Yagura had 5 and she made it a point that their deployment should be carefully planned since they were national treasures.
"We are heavily outnumbered…" commented Sasuke analyzing the information presented and the maps arranged before him on the table.
"Not to mention that the Sea Lords crews are bound to be more experienced than those of the main island" commented Temari not really liking their current situation.
"Our position in Blue Water is secured thanks to the closed bay but to mount any serious offensive would see us surrounded and picked apart" commented Mei with professional seriousness.
"And on the meantime the rest of your pretty island is going to suffer for it…" chuckled Zabuza not peering at the map or looking at anyone but the ceiling.
"As much as I hate to admit it, the pirate has a point. For while we concentrate our resources on Blue Water the rest of the island is pretty much defenseless to raids or enemy incursions" commented Utakata.
"But defending the other ports and landing bays would leave the city weakened and our resources stretched thin. Making them easy pickings for Yagura" deducted Ao not looking pleased at all.
"Do you have any ideas Zabuza? Besides mocking everything being said?" asked Naruto also not finding a solution to their current dilemma.
Zabuza straightened up and observing the map briefly said "If I was Yagura and commanded such numbers, I would use them to bring you guys down. The problem is how do I make you leave your defenses?"
No one directed him kind glances and just patiently waited for the following words.
"So if I had a bunch of restless pirates under my banner I would command them to go and do as much damage to you as possible to put the pressure on you" said Zabuza directing his cold eyes at Mei who to her merit didn't flinched one bit.
"We have already contemplated that scenario…" began to say Ao when Zabuza lifted a hand to silence him.
"Yeah, from a military point of view it's a sound policy to let those small places burn since your real power and assets are here already. But since this is a battle to determine who rules, appearances also matter" said Zabuza with a shark grin.
Mei eyes went slightly wide but remained silent.
"If Yagura burns or captures those ports it will leave you with a thorn on the side. If he then lands raiding parties on Water it will slowly make your people lose confidence in you to guide them. In time your rule would be questioned and thus you would be forced to act first" said Zabuza impressing Ino with his grasp of politics and strategy.
"You go out there, challenge him to battle on his own terms and then you get crushed by his numbers" said Zabuza with a finger making a slitting motion over his neck.
Mei growled at his clear grasp of things and huffing she asked "And what do you propose we do to avoid such a fate?"
"I have no idea!" replied Zabuza disappointing everyone in the gathering.
"We could post soldiers on the main roads" commented Utakata not liking his own idea.
"The Island is too big…it would require us to empty the city's garrison" countered Ao.
With that the several military heads in the place began to throw ideas back and forth while Zabuza just enjoyed the chaos and chuckled to himself making Naruto frown at him.
After a while Ao yelled "We risk losing a lot if we don't protect the Island's other ports!"
"Try to defend everything and you end up defending nothing" coolly replied Temari making the man angry at her callousness regarding his home island.
Sighing at this Sasuke slammed a hand on the table with the maps and said "I think you all are forgetting an important thing"
Naruto turned to look at Sasuke wondering what he had seen that the others didn't.
Sasuke then moved a finger to wooden pieces with the carvings of Yagura's forces and then to those of Mei's.
"They have 6 different fleets while we have just one" pointed out Sasuke making Zabuza's eyes go wide with the sudden realization.
"So? Just pointing out our disadvantage" said Mei wondering about that obvious detail.
"I see what the brat is trying to say…not bad kid!" excitedly growled Zabuza.
AN: Done!
Took me longer than I thought! Even though half of it was done by the time I uploaded the last chapter!
Reason?
I was in the middle of some personal affairs, the first chapters of a couple new projects and the negotiations to start a new job, which is now mine!
I know I said I was going to introduce a mysterious character here but Mei's background story took too much space and wanted to update already so it will have to wait.
Now, next chapter will see Mei and Naruto's strategy to protect the main island from the incoming raiding fleets come to fruition. And Mangetsu's attack on Blue Water so it's going to be an action packed chapter for you guys.
But as to give you some sugar, I intend for a naughty scene to take place as well…
I'll do my best to improve my updating times but can't make promises.
Read, Enjoy and Review!