Wayne's spiritual world.
He stood atop a towering mountain within his consciousness. His eyes were wide open as they gazed out over the endless ocean.
The sea stretched as far as the eye could see, calm and reflective under the golden sunlight. Each wave shimmered with a brilliance that made the entire surface sparkle like scattered gemstones.
This was the Pacific Ocean—his personal mental landscape, a vast sea that existed only in Wayne's mind.
Its size? Approximately 180 million square kilometers—larger than the entire ninja world, which spanned barely 150 million.
Within this massive ocean, there were countless untapped resources. Despite decades of exploration in his previous life, human knowledge of Earth's oceans hadn't even reached 10%—and Wayne was now in charge of this one, albeit barely.
He had been connected to this ocean since childhood. Over the years, he poured all his spirit and effort into mastering it. Even so, the area under his full control was merely about 15%.
That number might sound low, but compared to humanity's historical control over the real-world ocean, it was already staggering.
"I wonder when I'll completely tame you," he muttered, staring out at the peaceful blue surface.
When that day comes, Wayne is certain—the ultimate form of his Water Release would be able to consume the entire ninja continent.
What's that? You think that's impossible? Then watch him do it again!
The deep zones of this imaginary ocean are teeming with strange life forms: ancient beasts, forgotten by time, and submerged relics of unknown civilizations. Sometimes, while using his Water Release, Wayne unintentionally summons bizarre creatures or plant life. These weren't things he controlled—they were the mysterious side effects of tapping into a sea he couldn't yet dominate.
In such an unfathomable ocean, anything might exist.
From giant reptiles older than dinosaurs to forgotten structures from lost ages—and maybe even… aliens? Who could say for sure?
"If possible, I'd love to watch aliens torment some of the shinobi," Wayne smirked, then exited his spiritual world.
Truthfully, he hadn't planned to leave. But someone had interrupted him.
Bang bang bang!
The banging on the door was relentless.
"Brother! What happened to the basic trust between people?! You actually locked the bedroom door!"
Terumi Mei's furious voice echoed from outside.
"Who are you even guarding against?! I'm the one protecting you! Open up!"
Wayne unlocked the door, annoyed. "I'm guarding against you, obviously."
Standing before him, Terumi Mei was carrying an enormous bag.
"These are my clothes and toiletries. I'm putting them in."
"Wait—this is my room!"
"Exactly. Your room is our room now. Whose fault is it that your house only has one bedroom? Step aside!"
She shoved past him without hesitation, opening his closet and stuffing in her things like she owned the place.
"No peeking."
Suddenly, she turned and pulled out a pink… undergarment?
Wayne turned his back instinctively, stiff with confusion. Was this a warning? A test?
"You can look—but don't! Ugh, you blockhead!"
She stomped her foot in frustration at Wayne's respectful turn away.
Classic dense type.
Wayne: Wait a second—how did I know it was pink if I didn't look?!
Thirty minutes later, Terumi Mei was finally done organizing. She collapsed at the table, pouting.
"Stupid brother, I'm hungry. What are we eating today?"
"Fried air. Open your mouth and breathe in—it's delicious."
Wayne smirked.
"Hey! That's no way to treat your guest!"
"I thought you were my sister now."
"You said I was supposed to protect you, not turn into your chef!"
"Then protect me from starvation. Please."
"You—!"
Her cheeks puffed up in frustration. But in the next second, her expression softened. She pressed her hands together in a mock prayer and whined sweetly, "Good brother… your sister is starving. What are we eating today?"
"That's better. Wait a bit."
Wayne entered the kitchen.
Thirty minutes later, the table was filled with three dishes and a soup.
Just as they were about to eat, there was a knock. No, not even a knock—a presence.
A masked Anbu appeared at the door, his tone flat. "Wayne. You are to appear before Mizukage-sama in half an hour."
Without waiting for a reply, the Anbu vanished.
"What kind of attitude is that?" Terumi Mei scowled.
She grabbed Wayne's hand and said firmly, "Don't worry. I'll go with you."
"Worry?"
Wayne chuckled, calm as ever. "Not really. I'm just curious what Yagura wants. Revenge for Zabuza and Mangetsu?"
"I looked into it," she said, eyes sharp. "Zabuza disappeared again. Mangetsu… he was found, barely. Whether he lives or not, no one knows."
Terumi Mei's expression hardened. Clearly, she was no stranger to the brutality of their village.
"My guess?" she continued. "It's something else. Your power has alarmed a lot of people. But Yagura's not the kind to act without reason."
Wayne turned to look at her.
For all her fiery nature, her analysis was solid.