Smack!
That slap rang out loud and clear!
It landed like a nuclear bomb in the hearts of the two elders.
Terumi Mei's face flushed red in an instant, while her father roared,
"You bastard! How dare you take liberties with my daughter?! Are you looking to die?! Boil Release!"
His entire face flushed—not from anger, but from activating Boil Release. Steam surged within him, generating intense heat, which accelerated his blood flow and gave him tremendous power!
Kiyosuke, one arm wrapped around Mei's slender waist, leapt back. His movement was hindered by his clothes, so he shifted into heat mode, igniting a circulation of flames within his body. He raised his hand and intercepted Mei's father's attack.
"Please, Mei-san's father and mother, calm down! Let's just sit down and talk, alright?"
"I've got nothing to say to you, you little thief! Prepare to die!"
Kiyosuke sighed at the aggressive reaction. He pulled the hairpin from his head and pointed it straight at Mei's snow-white neck.
"Don't move."
"You're threatening me?!" Mei's father's eyes looked ready to burst into flames.
"If you take it as a threat, then so be it. Now, can we please sit down and talk properly?" Kiyosuke asked.
"Dear, let's sit down and talk," Mei's mother said gently.
"But…"
"Do you want Mei to get hurt?" she said, unleashing a terrifying aura. Her eyes turned deathly cold as she stared at her husband. "If Mei gets even a scratch, neither of you is getting out of this."
"What's that got to do with me?" he grumbled.
"Shut up!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Truth be told, Mei's mother was the hidden head of the household. While Mei's father made the big decisions, anything concerning their daughter—Mei—was entirely under her mother's authority.
"You really are a decisive lady, ma'am. You look so young, you could be Mei's older sister."
Complimenting her—always a safe bet!
Mei's mother covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"Oh my, Kiyosuke-san, you really are a smooth talker. I'm already long past my prime. Far from young anymore."
Her gaze toward Kiyosuke visibly softened.
Just as Kiyosuke let go of Mei and was about to say something—
Thud!
Mei's fist came crashing down.
Kiyosuke flew across the room and slammed into the wall.
"You bastard, Kiyosuke!!!"
Face flushed with embarrassment, Mei lunged at him.
Crash! Bam! Thud!
...
"Please, have some tea."
Mei's mother handed over a cup.
"Thank you."
Kiyosuke knelt respectfully at the table, his face bruised and swollen. Across from him sat Mei's father, with Mei and her mother seated on either side.
"Mei, you hit him too hard. The poor boy's face is practically ruined," Mei's mother scolded.
She was actually quite fond of Kiyosuke—handsome, strong, and from what she'd heard, once considered a strong candidate for the Hokage position. If only he weren't from Konoha…
Mei huffed.
"He's the one who—"
Kiyosuke rubbed his sore cheek.
"I just—"
"Hm?!"
He tried to defend himself, but one stern look was enough to shut him up.
Mei's father wasn't trying to be friendly either.
"You said you came looking for someone? Who?"
"My friend was controlled by some heartless bastard using genjutsu. I suspect he's hiding here, so I came to ask Mei for help in tracking him down. That's all," Kiyosuke explained the situation briefly.
Mei's father, an elite jōnin of Kirigakure with the Boil Release bloodline limit, could tell Kiyosuke wasn't lying—but he was definitely hiding something.
It was still the truth, just a very selective version.
As long as it didn't pose a threat to Kirigakure...
But with Kiyosuke's strength, no one present could stop him if he decided to go on a rampage. If he were to unleash destruction in the village, the entire place would have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Worse, Kirigakure might not survive the blow and fall into irreversible decline.
Right now, Kirigakure couldn't afford that.
Having lost its three great clans, the village was at its weakest point in history. If not for their isolationist policy, they would've likely been ambushed already by a highly aggressive village like Kumogakure.
And they couldn't detain this guy either.
What made things worse was...
Last night, this bastard had stayed in his daughter's room!!!!
Without even asking permission, he'd gone and slept in his precious daughter's room!!!!!
That damn bastard!!!!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Mei's mother patted his hand and turned to Kiyosuke.
"Kiyosuke-san, how old are you this year?"
"Nineteen."
"Are your parents doing well?"
"They passed during the Second Great Ninja War. I grew up on my own."
"My condolences."
"It's alright, I've gotten used to it," Kiyosuke said with a shake of his head. "There's also a child at home—the orphan of the Fourth Hokage. I've been raising him."
"A responsible young man," Mei's mother nodded in approval.
Hmm, the age is just right. The family background is acceptable. Good looks, good height.
As a jōnin, he'd have a solid income. His strength? Well, the fact that the Third Mizukage used him as a benchmark speaks volumes.
Sigh. If only he were from Kirigakure...
"Mother, what are you even asking?" Mei's face turned red. Her mom's questions were way too suspicious!
"Oh, nothing. Just curious." Mei's mother giggled.
Mei's father suddenly grew serious.
"For the next few days, you'll stay with our family. Don't run around. Mei will handle the search."
"Then what's the point of me wearing this outfit?" Kiyosuke asked.
"You look wonderful in it, Kiyosuke-san," Mei's mother replied with a smile.
Alright then. This lady's probably sweet on the outside and pitch-black on the inside...
"Tell Mei what your friend looks like."
Kiyosuke thought for a moment, then pulled out a piece of paper and drew Obito's likeness. With and without the mask—the tiger-striped one and the spiral one—he drew them all.
He added,
"He possesses the Sharingan. Don't make eye contact. And don't try to fight him. His body's similar to mine in constitution, but unlike me, he's immune to all attacks. I can't nullify water, for example."
"Then how do you plan to capture him?"
"I'm still figuring that out," Kiyosuke sighed. "By the way, do you have any clothes I could change into?"
"Hmph. No. You're coming with me," Mei huffed.
"Mei!" her father frowned. "You can't just parade someone this dangerous around the village!"
Mei replied,
"He's already been to Kirigakure before. He knows every street and alley here like the back of his hand. There's no point trying to keep things hidden anymore. Besides, the only secret place left is the Mizukage Tower."
Kiyosuke suddenly caught something in her words.
"You mean the Mizukage Tower is now the most confidential location?"
"Exactly. The Anbu are stationed all around it. Even Kushimaru Kuriarare and Momochi Zabuza of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are guarding it," Mei said.
"Momochi Zabuza? That guy made it into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?" Kiyosuke was surprised. "I still don't get the point of that giant guillotine sword of his. Honestly feels like it's just there to make up the numbers."
"Every member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen has their role. And wait—you're not planning to go after them again, are you?"
She hadn't forgotten that this guy had almost single-handedly wiped out the last generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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