Terumi Mei looked at Kakashi's left eye. The bizarre pattern just now was obviously not an ordinary Sharingan.
Kakashi was taken aback when he heard her words. He hadn't expected Terumi Mei to notice so quickly.
Why did it feel like he was being blamed?
"Yes, my Sharingan is indeed a Mangekyō Sharingan," Kakashi admitted, "but I'm not from the Uchiha clan, and I'm not skilled in genjutsu, so I can't use those high-intensity illusions. Furthermore, four years ago, my Mangekyō Sharingan had not awakened yet."
Terumi Mei touched her lips thoughtfully, as if weighing the truth of Kakashi's explanation.
After a while, she lowered her hand and said, "You mean to say that Uchiha Madara controlled Yagura?"
Kakashi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that Terumi Mei asked that question showed she was at least half convinced.
"This is just my guess, but it's very likely."
"What evidence do you have?"
"The Nine-Tails."
"What do you mean?"
"A few years ago, the Nine-Tails rampaged through Konoha. You should have heard about it, right?"
"You're suggesting that the Nine-Tails was pulled out of its Jinchūriki because of Uchiha Madara?"
Terumi Mei truly deserved to be the future Fifth Mizukage. Kakashi had barely given a hint, and she had already reached the right conclusion.
"At that time, the Nine-Tails was indeed being controlled by a Sharingan," Kakashi said solemnly, "I can't say with absolute certainty it was Madara, but it's known that only a Mangekyō Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails. And back then, aside from Madara, no one else could have done it."
Terumi Mei fell into contemplation and asked, "Are you sure it wasn't someone from Konoha's Uchiha clan?"
"There's a possibility," Kakashi admitted, "but it's unlikely. Even if it were a Konoha Uchiha with a Mangekyō Sharingan, they wouldn't have had the time or freedom to control the Mizukage. After all, even the strongest genjutsu would eventually wear off unless reinforced regularly—and with Yagura's strength, he'd break free sooner or later."
Terumi Mei nodded in agreement. In her experience, no genjutsu could change a person permanently unless maintained.
And if regular reinforcement was necessary, the caster would need to remain in Kirigakure for extended periods.
All Uchiha clan members were registered and monitored in Konoha. It would be impossible for one to vanish unnoticed.
Thus, it seemed that only Uchiha Madara fit the situation.
Of course, Terumi Mei couldn't have known that another Uchiha—Obito, who awakened Mangekyō Sharingan at the age of thirteen—was still alive.
"Alright, I'll accept that," Terumi Mei said at last. "It seems Yagura really was manipulated."
She bowed her head slightly, searching her mind for countermeasures.
What had been mere speculation was now all but confirmed. Therefore, drastic measures would eventually have to be taken against Yagura.
But for now, Terumi Mei was no match for Yagura and had to bide her time.
Still, knowing the truth gave her leverage to rally the other clans against him.
"That's why," Kakashi continued, "it wasn't that I killed those Mist ninja because I was spying. They were simply led to me, and I had no choice but to defend myself."
"Hmph. Regardless, you still killed them. That's a debt you can't just deny!" Terumi Mei shot Kakashi a sideways glance, clearly dissatisfied.
Kakashi chuckled awkwardly. She wasn't wrong—no excuse could erase the fact that he had taken lives.
Yet now, Terumi Mei's tone had softened noticeably. Kakashi knew at least she wouldn't be pointing a kunai at his throat anymore.
"Hatake Kakashi, your saving me today and the information you provided—let's consider that the price for the blood you spilled in Kirigakure. We're even."
Kakashi was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "Alright, no problem."
A life-saving favor and information that Kakashi considered to be of little value in exchange for absolving his earlier crime—it was a deal he found very worthwhile.
After all, everything he said today had been for this very purpose.
Now that it had worked, Kakashi naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Since everything is clear now, I should get going. One of my companions was attacked by the Three-Headed Dog. I need to find him," Terumi Mei said, about to leave.
"Wait a minute," Kakashi called after her.
"What is it?"
"Looking at me like this… you're not seriously thinking of leaving me behind, are you?"
Terumi Mei glanced at Kakashi. He was in no condition to travel. If she left him here and he died, she'd feel guilty.
"Well, since you got hurt protecting me, I'll help you find your companion first."
"Thanks a lot."
"No need to thank me."
Terumi Mei wasn't sure why she felt the urge to help Kakashi. After all, she had already said their debts were cleared. Even if she left now, it wouldn't matter.
But somehow, seeing that injured figure, she couldn't bring herself to walk away.
Without realizing it, Terumi Mei had let Kakashi carve a different impression in her heart the moment he risked his life to save her.
"I'll help you over to rest first."
"Alright."
Terumi Mei helped Kakashi to a clearing nearby where he could sit and rest.
Their clothes were slightly damp from the mist and earlier battles, so Terumi Mei quickly set up a fire to warm them up and dry their clothes.
The air between them grew increasingly awkward in the sudden silence.
Something intangible seemed to bloom between them in that strange atmosphere.
"Are you hungry? I'll go catch some fish," Terumi Mei said abruptly, unable to bear the tension any longer.
Kakashi didn't respond with words; he simply smiled and watched her leave to catch fish.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest, Shisui, after escaping the Three-Headed Dog, was frantically searching for any sign of Kakashi.
But even after a long time, he found nothing.
After all, Shisui wasn't Kakashi—he didn't possess a Ninja Hound like Pakkun and wasn't skilled at tracking people.
"Damn it! Where are you, senpai?" Shisui muttered irritably. From his perspective, Kakashi facing the Mist ninja alone was extremely dangerous.
Shisui quickly formed a hand seal.
Summoning Jutsu!
With a bang, dozens of crows burst into existence around him.
"Go find Hatake Kakashi's trail! Report back immediately once you find him!"
At his command, the crows scattered in all directions to search for Kakashi.
"Please be safe, Senior Kakashi," Shisui murmured, before darting off through the woods again.
Elsewhere on the island, Ao—the Mist ninja who had been knocked out by the Three-Headed Dog—also regained consciousness.
Groaning and clutching his sore back, Ao sat up gingerly.
"Ugh, it hurts… Why am I here?" he muttered groggily, his memory still hazy from the earlier impact.
After a few moments, Ao's eyes widened in sudden realization.
"That's right! Terumi Mei-sama!"
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