The Mangekyō Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye instantly disappeared, making Terumi Mei think she had just seen an illusion.
"Hatakе Kakashi?!"
Terumi Mei exclaimed in shock, not expecting that the last person to save her would be the very goal of her trip.
Kakashi was taken aback and said, "You know me?"
"Of course. A single Sharingan in the left eye and such formidable strength, who else but Hatake Kakashi?"
Terumi Mei said meaningfully, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"Haha, you flatter me. Aren't you the famous Terumi Mei of Kirigakure?"
Kakashi scratched his silver hair and smiled lightly.
"You know me too? Seems like Konoha's knowledge of Kirigakure is broader than expected."
Terumi Mei's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, making Kakashi a bit uncomfortable.
"Haha, not particularly. As one of the top prodigies of the Mist, it's natural for Konoha's intelligence division to keep an eye out."
Kakashi laughed it off, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.
"Damn humans! Another one? Fine, I'll send you all to hell together!"
The three-headed dog roared furiously. Both Kakashi and Terumi turned serious upon hearing this.
Now was not the time to exchange pleasantries — the three-headed dog before them was the true threat.
"Terumi Mei, how about teaming up to take down this beast?"
"Agreed!"
Terumi Mei accepted without hesitation.
The life or death of Ao was still uncertain. Terumi Mei's hatred for these summoned beasts burned fiercely.
"Silver, you ran too fast!"
At this moment, Shisui finally caught up, breathing slightly heavily.
Kakashi, sensing earlier that something was wrong, had moved ahead at full speed, momentarily outpacing Shisui.
"Sorry. Good thing I made it in time; otherwise, something serious might have happened. Shisui, that three-headed dog is our target. Get ready."
Kakashi gripped his White Light Chakra Sabre tightly, eyes full of focus. This thing's chakra and size were not ordinary.
Shisui gave Terumi Mei a quick glance but said nothing. He simply followed Kakashi's lead, unsheathing his small sword.
Terumi Mei set aside any other thoughts. Now was not the time to settle scores with Kakashi. The three-headed dog had to fall first.
"Shisui, illusion interference! Terumi Mei, Water Release cover! Move!"
Kakashi swiftly issued commands, his tone decisive.
"Yes!"
Shisui, long used to Kakashi's leadership, responded without hesitation.
Terumi Mei was stunned for a moment but muttered under her breath, "This guy sure acts like he's in charge."
Even though she grumbled internally, Terumi Mei didn't falter. Her chakra was depleted after using Boil Release, so support techniques were her best option now.
Realizing this, Terumi Mei was inwardly amazed. Could Kakashi have seen through her current condition?
Kakashi paid no mind to her gaze. With a burst of speed, he dashed forward, blade in hand.
"White Fang's Moon Slash!"
A brilliant silver crescent shot from Kakashi's blade at frightening speed.
"Damn humans! You think such weak attacks can defeat me?! Pathetic!"
The three-headed dog sneered, but just as it prepared to counter, Shisui's eyes spun.
"Genjutsu: Tree Binding Illusion!"
In a flash!
The three-headed dog's massive body froze as if caught in invisible restraints.
"No, an illusion!"
However, the beast's other two heads reacted immediately, disrupting their chakra internally and breaking free from the genjutsu almost instantly.
Roar!
With a roar, the three-headed dog smashed through Kakashi's silver slash.
At that moment, a fireball erupted from one of its mouths, rushing straight at Kakashi.
Before Kakashi could respond, a torrent of water struck the fireball head-on.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
The voice was sharp and familiar. Kakashi turned slightly; it was Terumi Mei.
"Hatake Kakashi, not bad for my backup, right?"
Terumi Mei's beautiful eyes gleamed teasingly.
Kakashi chuckled bitterly. How did Terumi Mei develop such a provocative personality at her age?
Shaking off the distraction, Kakashi focused. The three-headed dog was still prowling before them, and this was no time for jokes.
Seeing Kakashi ignore her, Terumi Mei pursed her lips, a flicker of thought flashing in her mind.
"Silver, illusions have minimal effect. Its three heads independently disrupt chakra once targeted."
Shisui analyzed quickly.
Illusions manipulate the mind, but if chakra is disturbed internally, the effect is broken.
With three semi-independent chakras inside its body, the three-headed dog had natural resistance to genjutsu.
"If that's the case, we'll have to use force."
Kakashi raised his chakra saber. His face grew serious.
That earlier strike had been a mere probe, yet the beast easily deflected it.
Although Shisui hadn't yet awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, his genjutsu skills were still among the finest in Konoha, second only to Fugaku.
Even so, they had failed to control the beast.
Using powerful ninjutsu seemed inevitable.
Kakashi's hand brushed the cursed mark hidden under his collarbone.
Damn. If he used large-scale techniques, the cursed mark would act up violently.
"Shisui, Terumi Mei, switch to Fire Release!"
Hearing the order, both instantly began weaving hand seals.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Fire Release: Fireworks Bomb!"
Twin blazing flames shot toward the three-headed dog.
At the same time, Kakashi's Sharingan spun and channeled wind chakra into his saber.
"Wind Release: Thousand Wind Slash!"
A ferocious blast of slicing wind exploded from Kakashi's blade, sweeping the twin flames together.
The fusion of Wind and Fire expanded into a massive firestorm.
Boom! Flames erupted violently!
The three-headed dog's pupils shrank. They were playing rough!
"Wind Release: Howling Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Infernal Firestorm!"
"Combined Technique: Hellscream!"
The intertwining firestorms howled and raged, consuming everything in their path.
Kakashi's group shielded their faces from the explosion's fury.
But then, the left head of the three-headed dog swelled with chakra.
"Water Release: Sticky Water Prison!"
A viscous fluid blasted toward Kakashi's group!
Kakashi and Shisui reacted instantly, dodging with Sharingan-enhanced reflexes.
However, Terumi Mei, caught slightly off-guard, was hit squarely!
"Ah! What is this disgusting stuff?!"
The thick liquid glued Terumi Mei to the ground, immobilizing her completely.
Kakashi's heart sank. She was a sitting duck!
"Haha! Humans, die!"
The beast gathered flames again.
"Fire Release: Infernal Fire Bullet!"
The massive fireball shot toward the trapped Terumi Mei.
Terumi Mei panicked. Her limbs were bound; she couldn't dodge or perform seals!
Kakashi's Sharingan spun frantically. He was about to use Kamui to shift the attack—but pain stabbed his neck!
Damn!
The cursed mark activated at the worst possible time!
Too late!
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 30+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Prince209