"Throw down your weapons and become my wife.
"Even if you don't understand it's significance, are you unhappy to hear those words?
"It's not just anyone; it's I, this King, who has acknowledged your worth."
Gilgamesh spoke slowly.
The surrounding ninja weren't even worthy of a single glance from him. With a wave of his hand, a surge of Noble Phantasms rained down.
Countless treasures bombarded the area around Gilgamesh and Mei, creating an impassable circle, a world for just the two of them.
Such a romantic scene almost made Mei fall head over heels.
Wife? Such a distant word, yet it now loomed before her.
As the wielder of two Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release and Boil Release, even her saliva could easily melt a person.
Marriage was a dream she was destined never to have.
"N-No way... Someone actually wants to marry the terrifying Mizukage?"
Outside the circle formed by the Noble Phantasms, the Mist ninja overheard Gilgamesh's words.
However, unlike an ordinary person's heartfelt confession, Gilgamesh's declaration was more like a forceful command.
But how dare he?
Mei's terrifying Kekkei Genkai could melt even iron! He was practically begging for death. Or was his harded than iron?
"!Lady Mizukage, be careful! He must be tricking you!
"You'll never get married in your life!"
The pure and naive young Chōjūrō shouted worriedly.
He was truly concerned for Mei, but his words made the Mizukage fume.
Even the surrounding comrades gave him looks that screamed, 'This kid is hopeless.'
The Mizukage hated hearing anything negative about her marriage, Yet, the blockhead Chōjūrō repeatedly crossed the line.
As expected, the Mizukage's roar erupted immediately.
"Shut up!
"Chōjūrō, you brat, you just want me to be single forever, don't you?!
"Wait until this battle is over; I'll bury you!"
Mei transformed into a raging lioness, turning to roar at the Mist ninja outside the circle.
Then, she turned back and changed her expression completely, looking at Gilgamesh with anticipation.
"I can be your wife, but I have a condition.
"You must accept a kiss from me. Only those who can withstand it are qualified to be my husband."
Transforming from a raging lioness to a harmless kitten, she smiled, her eyes filled with gentle affection.
As expected, a women's ability to change her face was faster than flipping a book, and it was a talent they were born with.
"Heh, that's nothing. However, this King never takes the passive role.
"I will carry out this condition. You just need to close your eyes obediently."
Gilgamesh chuckled and strode towards Mei.
His right hand directly grasped her chin. As his lips were about to touch hers, a strong sense of mortal danger quietly arose within him.
'What's going on?'
Gilgamesh frowned.
This instinctive sense of danger wasn't coming from elsewhere; it was coming from Mei, who appeared harmless before him.
"What? Is even the mighty Gilgamesh afraid?"
Mei half-opened her eyes, her expectant gaze turning into disappointment.
As expected, the two Kekkei Genkai brought about her power, but they also accompanied her like a curse.
Even Gilgamesh couldn't bring himself to kiss her.
After all, a strong person's senses were extraordinary.
Instincts would warn them of impending threats, especially life-or-death crises.
"Heh, there's nothing in this world that this King fears."
Gilgamesh chuckled and suppressed his growing sense of unease and continued.
But the moment their lips were about to touch...
A jolt, like an electric shock, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of danger, made him instantly pull back and take two steps back.
Although Gilgamesh couldn't stand being provoked, it didn't mean he was stupid.
There was clearly something wrong with this woman. It was better not to act rashly before figuring it out.
"Forget it, now is not the time.
"When this King tramples Konoha and conquers all the Hidden Villages, then I will take you as my wife."
Gilgamesh glanced at the mature and beautiful Mizukage and said indifferently.
"Hmph! In the end, you're just afraid.
"In that case, I ask that Your Majesty, the Hero King, withdraw from Kirigakure."
As Mei spoke, her entire figure dissolved into mist and vanished before Gilgamesh's eyes.
When she reappeared, she was behind him, wielding a kunai.
"The same trick? Do you really think I wouldn't be prepared?
Enkidu: Chains of Heaven!
Gilgamesh roared, his body neither dodging nor flinching.
However, Mei was completely frozen in mid-air. Her right foot was on the ground, her left leg suspended, her whole body in a 45-degree tilted attack stance.
Her clothes drooped under gravity, revealing her slender ankles.
Several golden chains emerged from the void, firmly binding Mei's limbs.
"What kind of weapon is this?"
The Mizukage gritted her teeth, unable to break free no matter how hard she tried.
"These are the Chains of Heaven, used to bind gods.
"The higher the divinity of the opponent, the stronger the chains.
"Using them on you is a bit of overkill; you should feel honored."
Gilgamesh patiently explained.
"Protect Lady Mizukage!"
The delay of these few exchanges created an opening in the Noble Phantasm bombardment.
Ao and Chōjūrō used Body Flicker Technique to flash to Gilgamesh's side.
"Why do you always assume close combat is my weakness?"
A golden ripple instantly appeared on his right side.
Gilgamesh drew a strange-looking spiral sword.
With a wave of his hand, he repelled Ao and Chōjūrō's pincer attack.
Then, lightning surged like thunder, striking down several Mist ninja from a distance.
"Don't mistake my slight appreciation for you as a reason to act recklessly.
"Submit, or die!
"Kirigakure will be completely erased from the map today."
Gilgamesh snorted coldly.
Countless golden ripples appeared behind him, the barrage of Noble Phantasms seemingly endless. Even Vimana, his throne, reappeared at his feet.
Gilgamesh ultimately disliked fighting on the ground.
If he took to the skies again, these ninja wouldn't stand a chance. And now, the Mist ninja were exhausted, their chakra reserves severely depleted.
"Sigh, fine.
"I surrender!
"We are willing to join Your Majesty's forces."
Mei, immobilized by the Chains of Heaven, sighed softly.
Her voice, however, clearly reached everyone present.
"Lady Mizukage..."
Chōjūrō protested half-heartedly, but seeing the captured Mizukage, he ultimately shook his head and sheathed his Hiramekarei.
Seeing the Mizukage surrender, the captains laid down their weapons one by one, and the Mist ninja completely lost their fighting spirit.
"Very well!
"You will soon realize that this is the wisest decision of your lives."
Gilgamesh finally nodded in satisfaction.
He then lifted Mei's chin and, under her shocked gaze, placed a kiss... on her forehead.