When He Met Her | Prologue |

Chapter 4

Riku was standing up straight with his hands behind his back as he stood in front of the angry Mizukage. He was furious, but you could never tell by his straight face. All he did was stay silent and kept his eyes closed. Riku knew well enough how his friend acted due to growing up together, but that doesn't mean he didn't fear him any less. There was a awkward silence before the Mizukage threw a cup at Riku. He didn't move because he knew the cup wasn't going to hit him, but it smashed against the wall he was close too.

"I know I'm late... but I have a reason!" Riku spoke as he was sweat dropping. He could feel his friend's deadly aura from across the room.

"Explain." He said sternly.

"I finally chose someone today. You were relentlessly trying to make me select someone to assist me when I denied it many times, but I did! That's why I took so long... hehe..." Riku said as he laughed nervously. The pressure he felt was ongoing. The Mizukage sighed before he spoke again.

"Your successor's name?"

"Hikairi, from our assassin's unit." Riku responded hesitantly, afraid that his friend wouldn't approve of her. Suddenly, the Mizukage smiled and sighed in relief. His anger faded along with the intense aura he was omitting. Riku sighed himself before he loosened up and sat down across from him.

"It's about time, Riku. I thought I was going to have to put you in your place for taking so long."

"You always try to find an excuse to fight me, you know?" Riku sweat dropped as he helped the Mizukage sort out his paperwork.

"False. You just need to be disciplined." The Mizukage opened his eyes a little to show the seriousness in his expression. Riku looked back at him with a poker face and nodded.

"Hey, we're friends. No one's disciplining anyone here. We agreed no matter what that our positions wouldn't come between our friendship." Riku smiled as he spoke.

"That's true, and I have upheld to my end of the bargain. You just make sure to do the same." The Mizukage has a small smile in response to Riku's words.

"Yeah, I know. Best friends, right?"

"Best friends."

~ Time Skip ~

Riku had been walking back to his office lost in thought. He was thinking about the conversation he had with the Mizukage. He couldn't believe that his friend had authorized an experiment to create super soldiers. Most, if not all, of the participants listed didn't survive the experiment. What's worse is that Riku found Hikairi's name in the participant list in the very last study, which was set to happen today. He tried to oppose the experiment but the Mizukage scolded his friend instead saying things like 'We are at war! I know you're against anything inhuman but we cannot put this into consideration. Our men are dying! We need to do what we can to survive!'

Riku cursed under his breath as he slowly found himself in front of his office door. He thought he had saved Hikairi from danger but he was completely wrong. She might not even survive this experiment...

"Hey! Sorry I took so long." Riku said as he slowly entered his office. Hikairi quickly stood up and bowed to Riku, which he couldn't help but blush a little. But he quickly grabbed your shoulders and made you stand up straight while laughing nervously.

"It's fine. However, I do have to take my leave at some point. I have volunteered to participate in a study that Lord Mizukage himself requested my assistance in."

"Yeah... about that..." Riku looked away from your gaze as he was thinking of a respectful way for him to ask you not to go through with it.