"Are you the Hero King who's been making waves in the Land of Water lately?" Mei Terumī asked, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she stared at Gilgamesh with a soft smile.
"Making waves, huh? That's hardly the phrase for it. It's been far too easy. A wave of my hand is all it takes for countless samurai to switch sides. It's Utterly boring," Gilgamesh replied, arms crossed as he stood atop the streetlamp, looking down at the assembled Mist ninjas.
"Thankfully, you strange ninja offer some small amusement."
"Our village has been isolated for many years, withdrawing from the conflicts of the nations. I fail to understand why you've led your forces to invade Kirigakure," Mei said, stepping forward to confront Gilgamesh directly.
"This era is riddled with petty squabbles, yet lacks a true king. It's deeply disappointing," Gilgamesh declared.
"My presence here signifies a shift in the times, a mandate for me, the oldest Hero King, to reshape the order of things, to rebuild a glorious, unified dynasty. You are the first step in my conquest." He paused, his tone softening slightly.
"Considering your courage in the face of death, I offer you a chance to lay down your arms and pledge allegiance to me. In return, you shall enjoy endless wealth and a far wider world." His words dripped with the arrogance of one who believed himself the rightful ruler of all he surveyed.
His golden hair, golden earrings, and gleaming golden armor nearly blinded the ninjas below.
Whether he could conquer this world remained to be seen, but the promise of endless wealth seemed highly probable, considering the weapons he casually discarded were treasures any ninja would consider a lifetime's fortune, heirlooms to be passed down through generations.
"That depends on whether the Hero King possesses the necessary strength. We are the ninja of Kirigakure. We do not yield easily," Mei responded, her playful demeanor gone as she grasped the true intent behind his invasion.
"Lady Mei, be careful. His abilities are strange. He can project an endless stream of weapons," Chōjūrō warned, stepping forward protectively to Mei's side.
"To follow me is an honor I bestow upon you," Gilgamesh said, his eyes flashing with cold disdain.
"Since you choose to resist, I shall show no mercy. Weaklings who die here are unworthy of serving me." A chilling aura, born of countless battles, erupted from him, washing over the ninjas.
The sheer intensity of his killing intent convinced them that this man was a true king forged in the fires of war.
A single misstep could mean death.
As Mizukage, Mei stepped forward, releasing her own Kage-level chakra to counter the pressure emanating from the Hero King.
Her hands Quickly wove through hand seals
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!
Two massive, lifelike water dragons roared towards Gilgamesh.
Unfazed, Gilgamesh swept his arm sideways.
A shimmering golden ripple filled the air, followed instantly by a hail of projectiles that shredded the water dragons, reducing them to dissipating mist.
Before Mei could even catch her breath, countless golden ripples appeared again.
"This is bad!"
"Lady Mei, look out!"
Having witnessed the previous exchange, the Mist ninjas knew the terrifying nature of his endless weapon projection.
Those who were fast enough with their hand seals prepared jutsu to shield their Mizukage.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
"Water Style: Water Blade!"
A barrage of jutsu hurtled towards the descending projectiles, exploding in midair in a dazzling display of watery fireworks.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
Mei, the focus of everyone's concern, remained completely calm as she unleashed her unique Kekkei Genkai.
A fiery red, magma-like acidic liquid erupted, spreading outward like a vast net, engulfing everything in its path. This technique, powerful enough to melt even the Uchiha's Susanoo, instantly obliterated a large portion of the golden ripples.
"Interesting woman," Gilgamesh commented, unconcerned by the sudden clearing of his aerial bombardment.
"There's plenty more where that came from. This is just the beginning," Mei's voice suddenly sounded from behind him, a cold glint flashing towards the back of his head.
'When did she get behind me?!' Gilgamesh thought, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He leaped off the lamppost, two golden ripples appearing at his sides as he drew two treasures to meet Mei's rain-like assault.
Clang!Clang, clang, clang, clang!
In the blink of an eye, the two clashed.
"Did you really think I was incapable of close combat?" Gilgamesh snarled, anger flashing across his face.
He slashed with his blade.
Clang!
Mei's ordinary kunai snapped in two, the tip of Gilgamesh's blade grazing her chest.
Poof!
Her body dissolved into smoke.
"That jutsu again," Gilgamesh muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Quite effective, isn't it?" Mei's soft voice purred in his ear.
Before the Hero King could react, Mei's hands flashed, two sharp kunai aimed directly at his crotch.
Tink!
True to its reputation, Gilgamesh's golden armor proved impenetrable, deflecting the seemingly sharp kunai without a scratch, allowing the Hero King to escape unharmed.
"So sturdy! That armor of yours is quite impressive, not just mere ornamentation. With so many treasures... Hero King, I find myself increasingly desiring you," Mei said, a gentle smile gracing her lips and a look in her eyes that could easily be mistaken for affection.
If not for the potent killing intent radiating from her, Gilgamesh might have believed her.
"Hah! You think you can breach my defenses with such pathetic scraps of metal?" Gilgamesh taunted as he leaped back, though he couldn't shake the chilling sensation around his lower self.
He was grateful for his armor; otherwise, he would have lost balls.
It had been a long time since he had felt such a pressing sense of danger, such exhilarating thrill of combat. Instead of anger, a sense of joy filled him.
This was the feeling, the feeling of being truly alive.
"Woman, this is the second time you've nearly harmed me," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "I must admit, you've truly entertained me."
He waved his hand, countless golden ripples filling the air as a torrential rain of treasures descended around him and Mei.
Boom!
The Mist ninjas who had tried to take advantage of the situation to surround them were once again forced back.
Gilgamesh had cleverly created a space for just him and Mei.
"Woman," he declared, "throw down your weapons and become my wife!"
Mei, who had just gripped a kunai, ready to throw it to relieve the pressure on her subordinates, froze, her face etched with shock.
She never expected the proud Hero King to utter such words. Marriage.
It had long been an unattainable dream for her.
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