Hong Meiling Sleepwalks Through the Heavens

Hong Meiling didn’t care about Tsunade’s somewhat indifferent reaction to her. She knew that she wasn’t long for this world, and she guessed that she might be ‘waking up’ in four or five days. If Tsunade wants to be friends with her – great! If she doesn’t, then there’s no need to force her to.

Of course, that didn’t stop Meiling from sitting down and chatting with her.

After all, who wouldn’t want to have a little chat with a beautiful woman like Tsunade? Her mere presence was gratifying enough for Meiling to stay.

Tsunade flashed a little side-eye towards her and scooted over, muttering, “I’m feeling a little tired. I would like to be alone.”

An excuse. Meiling guessed. Tsunade may have be treating the injured all night, but her strength and chakra are still in tip-top condition.

But it is a smart reason – it’s normal to be tired after working all night.

Looking up, Meiling could clearly see that Tsunade is not, in fact, tired.

She wanted to blurt out, I don’t think you’re tired, actually!

However, she held her tongue and simply rolled her eyes in secret, “Well, if you’re feeling tired, rest. I will stay by your side and protect you.”

In turn, Meiling’s excuse is that Tsunade is the best medical ninja any village has to offer, so it’s naturally for somebody as powerful as Meiling to protect her. What if a spy infiltrates into camp and assassinates the medic?

Tsunade scoffed as she heard this, “I don’t need your protection. I can handle myself.”

However, Tsunade is afraid of blood. All the enemy needed to do was perform a little cut, and she would simply stop functioning. Her fear of blood is classified information, however. If an enemy sneaks in, she guesses that the enemy would simply run away.

“No,” Meiling rejected, putting her hand on Tsunade’s shoulders. “Two is better than one. I will stay to ensure your safety.”

Tsunade had no choice but to let her stay. After all, this strange girl is Hidden Eddy’s savior – it would be weird to just kick her out.

Sighing, Tsunade felt her heart strings tug a little. This feels like… I’m with Jiraiya again.

She shook the image away from her head and sighed once again.

…

When the Sun fully rose, the enemy ninjas launched an invasion towards town. The Hidden Eddy ninjas got into position to defend, and Meiling was right there with them at the frontlines.

Kicking away ninjas one by one, she could tell that the enemy ninjas have lost their will to fight. They might retreat soon.

Sure enough, after a few hours, the war came to an end.

Finally, on Day 6 of the war, the Hidden Leaf Village reinforcements arrived from the rear.

They were late, but they finally showed up.

Secretly, to Hidden Leaf, they could delay their arrival for up to five days, stating that they were delayed. However, any longer, and the world would know that Hidden Leaf was simply waiting for Hidden Eddy to perish in flames. After all, the distance between the two villages was very small – any ninja in a toddler’s pace would arrive within 5 days.

Fearing their reputation, they finally touched down on the Land of Whirlpools, slicing and dicing through the remaining waves of enemy ninjas.

The remaining ninjas scattered, retreating back to coast as quickly as possible and boarded the ships to evacuate.

However, strangely enough, Hidden Leaf did not continuing pursuing them, nor did they launch any jutsu in an attempt to damage the ships. They simply let the enemy get away.

Ashina frowned upon noticing this. However, Hidden Eddy had suffered enough casualties, so he had no choice but to call his own ninjas back.

Under his breath, he cursed Hidden Leaf for watching Hidden Leaf suffer and letting the enemy retreat. However, there was no way he could afford to have a falling out with them, so he bowed and thanked the commander of Hidden Leaf’s reinforcements.

Tsunade, however, did not intent on letting Hidden Leaf get away scot free. Locating the commander, she found him and gave him a stern, vigorous lecture.

Obviously, the commander did not expect that the legendary Tsunade would be residing in Hidden Eddy, but he simply bowed his head and endured the stinging, yet true, words of Tsunade. She was practically a living saint from Hidden Leaf, and to disrespect her would be to tempt death.

Tsunade stopped after a while. She knew that the commander wasn’t in charge of deciding when reinforcements arrive. Her stern lecture and warnings to the commander would soon be conveyed throughout Hidden Leaf.

But finally, the war is over.

Many Hidden Eddy ninjas sacrificed their lives, but Hidden Eddy Village is saved.

Ashina Uzumaki was not optimistic over the future. They may be able to defend themselves this time, but could they do so in the future?

Even if Hidden Mist comes alone the next time they attack, Hidden Eddy might just fall to them alone.

Ashina and the other knowledgeable ninjas could only suppress the worries in their hearts. The war is over – they need to celebrate winning the war and mourn those who sacrificed their lives for the village.

Trailing behind Ashina, Meiling was immediately treated as a distinguished guest by all the ninjas in Hidden Eddy.

Word spread about her contribution to the war, and admiring eyes landed their gaze upon this peculiar hero of theirs.

Meiling was led to a bathhouse to wash away the dirt and blood from the war, and was then led to a banquet by a servant.

Ashina had set up a luxurious banquet for Meiling to thank her for her great contribution to Hidden Eddy, and all of the Land of Whirlpools. She gave a couple words of humility and grace, and sat down, ready to enjoy her food.

At this moment, she noticed a little girl by the table.

Is that… Kushina Uzumaki?

“Your Excellency Ashina, that girl…” Meiling pointed. “Who is she?”

Following her finger, his eyes landed upon Kushina.

“That is my grand-niece, Kushina Uzumaki. She may be young, but she displays extraordinary talent,” Ashina boasted and smiled. “Do you mind if she sits here with us, Miss Hong?”

Ashina was worried that Meiling may feel annoyed by children. Powerful people tend to avoid disturbances to their life.

Meiling simply laughed, to Ashina’s surprise, “And why would I mind? I am… simply curious on who she is. Could you let her sit beside me?”

Ashina’s eyebrow lifted in confusion, but guessed that Meiling had an affinity to children. No reason to deny a harmless request.

“Kushina? Come. Sit here.”

When little Kushina saw Ashina summoning her, she jumped out from her seat and sat right beside Meiling.

“Kushina, this is Miss Hong Meiling,” Ashina introduced. “And she helped us win the war.”

Kushina flashed her watery eyes in admiration, and stared at the red-haired girl before her.

Meiling simply smiled, and patted her head.

However, just before Meiling was about to say something to her, an alarm sounded in her mind: [You are being awakened in Gensokyo. You are about to leave this world.]

Wait-wait-wait-wait-wait, what?! No! This is too quick!

She cursed in her heart and turned to Ashina, “I’m sorry, Ashina, but I… I have important things to get back to. I will be taking my leave.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure begun fading in front of everyone, and she flashed a final, graceful smile as she vanished in front of everybody.

And naturally, they were all stunned – the ability to disappear at will; some kind of time or space manipulation ninjutsu?

Ashina stood up and announced to the crowd, “Miss Hong has other matters to attend to. Now, let us continue the banquet!”

Although this banquet was held to celebrate Meiling, it was also to celebrate their victory, and the crowd soon went back to eating, drinking and celebrating the night away.

Ashina looked back at Meiling’s empty seat and wondered why she needed to leave in such a hurry, but judging from her saddened, anxious expression, something really important must have happened.