Chapter 98: Mei Terumī: Pervert!
A shinobi's battle is a battle of information.
Mei Terumī hadn't anticipated Hanakawa's Lightning Style, and she paid a heavy price for her ignorance.
She lost all sensation for a moment, and by the time she regained her awareness, her Water Stream Whip had already loosened.
Hanakawa took the opportunity to break free from her hold.
Not to be outdone, Mei endured the tingling numbness coursing through her body and quickly retreated.
But Hanakawa wasn't about to give her a chance to recover.
He stepped forward, raising his katana.
The sharp glint of the blade filled Mei with a premonition of danger.
Body Flicker Jutsu: Mist Shroud!
Mei's body suddenly accelerated, allowing her to narrowly evade the katana.
In that moment, she was thankful she had used the Hiding in Mist Jutsu at the start, otherwise, she would have already lost.
Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu!
Mei didn't hesitate. She slammed her hand to the ground, and a wall of water rose before her.
Hanakawa's katana pierced through half the water wall before becoming stuck.
Lightning flashed.
A blinding burst of electricity erupted from the katana's blade.
Mei's body tensed.
Again?
She hastily retreated, terrified of being zapped into numbness once more.
The lightning, combined with the momentum of his blade, instantly tore the water wall apart.
Hanakawa, his expression placid, charged toward her.
Fire Style: Great Flame Blossom!
Mei dared not use Water Style again and switched to Fire Style instead.
She tilted her head back and unleashed a massive fireball from her mouth.
Although it appeared similar to the Great Fireball Jutsu, its power was significantly greater.
Hanakawa raised an eyebrow.
He was surprised to see Mei use Fire Style.
In the original story, she had always relied on Water Style.
But it made sense. Her Lava Style was a combination of Water and Fire, so she had to know both.
Hanakawa glanced at Mei. He didn't dodge. Instead, he sped forward directly.
Chakra Enhanced Strength!
He clenched his left hand into a fist, concentrating chakra within it. A jarring sonic boom ripped through the air.
He struck the massive fireball, dispersing it with a single punch.
Mei couldn't help but gasp.
She had never seen anyone so brutally powerful.
The next second, she felt a chill run through her body.
Leaf Style: Willow!
Hanakawa's body wavered, becoming a blurry silhouette in the wind. His katana instantly seemed to split into countless phantoms.
Just as Mei tried to dodge, she found her body frozen in place.
Genjutsu?
When?
She instinctively tried to release the jutsu, but a flash of cold light was already before her.
It was Hanakawa's katana.
The tip of the blade stopped at her pale neck, sending a shiver of cold up her skin.
Mei parted her lips.
She wanted to say something, but she couldn't find the words.
All she knew was that she had been utterly defeated.
"Why aren't you talking?"
Hanakawa sheathed his katana.
Leaf Style: Willow was a combination of genjutsu and kenjutsu.
The genjutsu itself was a restraint technique, but it didn't have a silencing effect.
"You bastard!"
Mei glared at him.
"I was going to let you off the hook, but since you insulted me, you'll have to pay the price."
Hanakawa reached out and moved his hand toward her waist.
"Pervert!"
Mei's face paled.
Hanakawa's lips twitched.
If you add an 'urusai,' you could complete the trifecta.
But with you like this, I'm even more exci—oh, wait, no, you need to pay.
"Don't touch me!"
Mei's face was flushed red like an apple, enraged. "I'll give it to you myself!"
"No need, I've already got it."
Hanakawa held out his hand, revealing her wallet.
"Go to hell!"
Just then, Mei released the genjutsu and swung a punch at him.
"Your taijutsu is pathetic compared to your ninjutsu."
Hanakawa easily grabbed her wrist. Seeing her left hand ready to move, he swiftly seized it too.
With both hands trapped, Mei was completely unable to attack.
Filled with humiliation, she lost her mind. She opened her mouth and bit down hard on Hanakawa's hand.
"Are you a dog?!"
Hanakawa was startled by her sudden attack.
Caught off guard, he was bitten, but he reacted quickly, pulling his hand back and retreating.
He looked at his right hand, which had two rows of teeth marks on the back.
But as his Hand Sign-less Healing automatically activated, the marks quickly vanished.
"You're the dog!"
Mei stood rooted to the spot, spitting out the taste in her mouth.
The unseemly act made her face flush even more, the redness spreading to her ears as if she were a "Steam Princess."
"I'm done. Here, take this back."
Hanakawa shook his head and casually tossed the wallet back to her.
He was a bestselling author now. He didn't care for Mei's meager pocket change.
"You…"
Mei caught the wallet and froze, stunned.
Hanakawa sheathed his katana and turned to leave.
"Well done!"
Sakumo Hatake praised, "You've brought honor to the Hidden Leaf Village."
This duel was ordinary on its own, but with Hanakawa and Mei's status, it was a different story.
Especially with the Hidden Mist ninja, Ao, Bizu, and Gonbei, present.
It was a blatant display of Leaf's strength.
"Not bad."
Tsunade's lips curled into a slight smile as she patted Hanakawa's head. "You didn't disappoint me."
When she had first seen the Hiding in Mist Jutsu, she had been worried.
Fortunately, Hanakawa had a great response and defeated Mei.
More accurately, his strength was improving at a rapid pace.
Especially his Lightning Style.
Tsunade noted that he used it at the perfect moment, completely negating Mei's Water Style.
It was something she hadn't expected when she agreed to let Hanakawa learn Lightning Style.
She had thought he was just dabbling, but his proficiency was on par with his kenjutsu and genjutsu.
"Let's go."
Tsunade looked at the waiting shrine maiden and said, "Could you please show us the way?"
"Yes."
The shrine maiden bowed slightly and led them to their assigned rooms. There were three in total.
After they left, the three Hidden Mist jonin looked at each other, finally recovering from their shock.
"She lost?"
Gonbei felt completely humiliated.
Just a moment ago, he had been full of confidence in Mei, but in the blink of an eye, she had suffered a crushing defeat.
"We can't blame Mei."
Ao sighed. "At the same age, even we wouldn't have been able to defeat Hanakawa."
Bizu wanted to argue, but he couldn't.
"Mei is just as good; she just lacked experience and information," Gonbei said, trying to save face.
"We can't let her lose confidence," Bizu said, looking worriedly at Mei, who was still standing motionless.
He was afraid that the blow would be too great and she would never recover.
In history, many geniuses had fallen this way.
"Mei…" Ao said, walking over.
"I'm fine."
Mei interrupted him, put her wallet away, and turned to leave.
The three of them exchanged a look and quickly followed her.
Their room was to the right of the Leaf's. Further ahead were the Hidden Stone's rooms, but they hadn't arrived yet.
"Mei…" Ao tried to speak again, but a loud bang cut him off.
The door slammed shut. Mei had entered the room.
She sat on the edge of the bed and fell back, lying down.
Gazing at the unfamiliar ceiling, Mei closed her eyes.
A few minutes later, she suddenly sat up, furious. "That bastard! Why did he return my wallet? Was he looking down on me?!"
Hanakawa heard the commotion.
He opened the window and saw three unfamiliar ninja.
Their earth-colored headbands and attire, along with their forehead protectors, indicated they were from the Hidden Stone Village.
Hanakawa and they exchanged glances and a nod, a simple greeting, and he closed the window.
"He's a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf Village," the shrine maiden introducing them said.
"Why is there a kid?" a slightly chubby young man asked, confused.
His name was Akatsuchi, and he was the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's bodyguard.
"Besides him, who else came from the Leaf?" a composed young man next to him asked.
He was the leader of the team, Kitsuchi, the Third Tsuchikage's son and the father of the future Fourth Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi.
"Tsunade and Sakumo Hatake," the shrine maiden replied.
Kitsuchi's eyes narrowed.
Those two were well-known shinobi, but they weren't afraid.
After all, this was just a mission, not a battlefield.
Having such teammates should be a good thing.
The three of them didn't ask any more questions and were led to their room by the shrine maiden.
Night fell.
After dinner, with nothing to do, Hanakawa took out a medical book, or more precisely, a book on poisons that was related to Chiyo.
It was a spoil of war from the Second Shinobi World War when Sakumo Hatake killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
The book, written by Chiyo herself, detailed the methods for creating numerous poisons.
Creating and neutralizing poisons was more complex than medical ninjutsu.
Hanakawa's B-rank title, "Poison Specialist," was only just past halfway.
The B-rank title "Medical Jonin" was progressing much faster.
He estimated he could reach it before he finished his fifth year, but the others, such as those for genjutsu, Water Style, and Lightning Style, would take longer.
After all, he practiced medical ninjutsu a lot at the Hidden Leaf Hospital.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Hanakawa was slightly startled and confused.
Could it be Tsunade looking for him? They had just had dinner together.
Hanakawa put his book down and went to the door.
He opened it and was shocked to see Mei Terumī.
She had a grim look on her face, appearing very unhappy.
"Another duel?"
Hanakawa sized her up. "No matter how many times we fight, you're no match for me."
Mei gritted her teeth, spitting out two words. "I am not!"
"You're not?"
Hanakawa blinked, confused. "Then what do you want? To chat?"
"Here!"
Mei held out her hand. In it was her wallet.
Hanakawa looked at the wallet, then at Mei, and hesitated to speak.
Was there something wrong with this girl?
"Take it!"
Mei said coldly. "I will get it back one day! I don't need you to return it!"
Hanakawa understood her intention.
As a genius, she had a strong sense of pride, especially since she was the future Fifth Mizukage.
Although Hanakawa hadn't meant to insult her—he had returned her wallet simply because he didn't need the money.
"Thank you."
Hanakawa considered it and didn't refuse again.
So far, only Kurenai Yūhi and Mei had given him Water Style talent points.
The future Kurenai was a fluke and didn't count.
In terms of pure talent, Mei was definitely superior.
In other words, she would become a jonin before Kurenai.
At that time, if Hanakawa defeated her again, he could upgrade his Water Style talent.
Taking the wallet was a good enough reason.
"Come in and sit?"
Hanakawa smiled. "I can brew you some tea to calm your anger."
"I don't want any!"
Mei glared at him.
He was good-looking, but why did he have such an annoying air about him? It made her want to punch him.
"You're missing out. This is the Hokage's tea."
Hanakawa's smile deepened.
Watching a beautiful girl get angry was a different kind of pleasure.
Ahem, just so we're clear, I'm not a pervert. It's just an appreciation of beauty.
"What's so special about that?"
Seeing how smug he was, Mei couldn't help but retort, "I have the Mizukage's tea right here!"
"I don't believe you," Hanakawa said. "Unless you let me taste it."
Mei stared at him, bewildered.
Do you have no shame?
"Come in," Hanakawa said, using reverse psychology. "Or are you too scared?"
"What is there to be scared of?"
Mei scoffed and walked into his room.
She sat at the table without a word and then noticed the book.
Mei's face was filled with confusion again.
The book was open, and she quickly scanned the contents. It was all about poison.
Mei's body shivered, and a terrifying thought crossed her mind.
Is he trying to poison me by inviting me in for tea?
"You know, I'm a medical ninja," Hanakawa said casually, noticing the change in her expression.
Mei was stunned, then remembered he was Tsunade's student.
His true specialty was medical ninjutsu, not kenjutsu, genjutsu, or Lightning Style.
She subconsciously clenched her fists, her sense of defeat deepening.
Everyone knew that medical ninja weren't much for combat, yet she had been utterly defeated by one.
"The tea?"
Hanakawa put the book away and held out his hand.
Mei snapped back to reality and took out a pouch of tea.
She hadn't been lying; this was indeed the tea the Third Mizukage often drank, though she had gotten it from Elder Genshi.
"Wait, I'll brew it."
Mei suddenly remembered her previous suspicion.
What if he really did poison it?
"Suit yourself."
Hanakawa didn't object.
He watched her brew the tea, raising an eyebrow.
Could this be the legendary Way of Tea?
"You're so skilled at this," Hanakawa said, curious. "You don't seem like someone who has the patience for tea."
"If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all!"
Mei was so angry she wanted to kick him.
"Don't be so hot-headed," Hanakawa shook his head. "You might never get married."
"Impossible!"
Mei snapped back without thinking. "The people who want to marry me could form a line from the Hidden Mist Village all the way to the Hidden Leaf!"
Still, it's possible, Hanakawa thought.
In the original story, Mei never married.
Of course, it wasn't because no one pursued her. It was simply because her standards were too high.
Hanakawa recalled that she seemed to prefer the type of men like Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke Uchiha.
"I often brew tea for the elders," Mei said, taking a deep breath and pouring him a cup.
"Smells good."
Hanakawa sniffed the tea and then drank it in one go.
"That's a complete waste of good tea," Mei complained, seeing how he drank it.
"I really don't know how to drink tea," Hanakawa said, taking out a pouch of tea. "This is the Hokage's tea. It's for you."
Mei hesitated.
"Don't worry, it's not poisoned."
Hanakawa chuckled softly.
"I know!"
Mei quickly snatched it, saying stubbornly, "I knew you wouldn't dare!"
"Isn't there a genius in your village named Zabuza Momochi? Did he not come?" Hanakawa asked, placing the empty teacup in front of her.
"No, he didn't," Mei replied, pouring him another cup of tea, frowning. "He has a terrible personality. He's not a team player."
Hanakawa nodded slightly.
How could he be a team player after killing all his classmates during his graduation exam?
But the shinobi world was truly messed up.
Zabuza, who committed such a bloody act, was not punished and was even allowed to continue as a shinobi, eventually becoming one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Compared to that, the Hidden Leaf Village was like heaven, as long as you weren't an Uchiha or on the receiving end of Danzo's gaze.
"Is there any genius in your village stronger than you?" Mei asked, taking a sip of her tea and narrowing her eyes.
"Currently, no," Hanakawa thought for a moment and said.
That was unless Obito Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha activated their Mangekyo Sharingan.
Mei secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She could accept losing to the strongest genius in the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Alright, I should head back."
Half an hour later, Mei put down her teacup.
"See you tomorrow."
Hanakawa waved to her.
Mei nodded slightly.
He wasn't so bad when he wasn't being a jerk.
She got to the door, and then, remembering something, turned back to face him.
"Don't lose the wallet I gave you. I'm going to get it back one day."
Mei warned him.
"Okay," Hanakawa said, smiling. "I'll keep it on my person at all times."
Mei froze for a second, her face flushing, and she angrily snapped, "Pervert!"
Hanakawa had a look of confusion.
Didn't you tell me to take good care of it?
Women!
With a bang, Mei slammed the door shut.
Hanakawa shook his head, tidied up the table, and continued reading his book.
The tea he just had was refreshing and kept him energized.
Time slowly passed, and it was soon the middle of the night.
In the valley outside the Shrine Maiden's Temple, under the moonlight, a group of puppets, resembling terracotta warriors, appeared one after another.
A moment later, a young man walked to the front. He was Yomi.
In the original story, he was highly skilled in Dark Medical Ninjutsu.
As everyone knows, anything with "dark" in the name isn't usually a good thing.
Yomi's Dark Medical Ninjutsu was more like a stimulant.
It could awaken a shinobi's potential, allowing them to unleash power far beyond their own.
Of course, the side effects were unimaginable.
Yomi looked at the Shrine Maiden's Temple and raised his hand.
The puppets instantly moved, charging forward in a dense swarm.
"Enemy attack!"
The patrolling samurai quickly spotted them and shouted loudly.
But their cries were soon replaced by screams of pain.
There were so many puppets that they were instantly overwhelmed.
The time was short, but it was enough for the shinobi to react.
Earth Style: Earth-Flow Fortress!
Akatsuchi used a Body Flicker and appeared at the very front of the Shrine Maiden's Temple.
As he channeled his chakra, the ground rose, forming a seven to eight-meter-high wall in the blink of an eye.
The puppets were all blocked outside.
At that moment, Bizu, Gonbei, and Mei Terumī swiftly climbed the wall.
They simultaneously wove hand signs, and their chakra turned into a flood of water, pouring down like a torrential rain.
The puppets fell one after another.
In just a few seconds, hundreds of them were toppled.
"Something's wrong!"
Bizu's expression was grim.
The toppled puppets were quickly getting back up.
Even when they were broken into pieces, they could regenerate.
He finally understood why Shrine Maiden Miroku had called them the Undead Army.
...
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