[Ding!]
[Help Terumi Mei secretly become the Mizukage.]
[Mission Reward: Bloodline Limit, Bloodline Selection, or one random clan secret technique.]
The system has triggered a mission?
Chiya's heart stirred.
The system really was like a worm in his stomach, knowing exactly what he wanted.
This mission was perfectly aligned with Chiya's intentions.
He had brought Terumi Mei to Konoha, and during this time, he had also tested her opinions on many matters concerning the development of the shinobi world.
Her ideals and way of thinking had quietly changed as she worked as his secretary in Konoha and handled the village's various policies.
Terumi Mei's attitude toward the shinobi world had already become somewhat similar to Chiya's.
This was also related to how she had studied tirelessly after coming to Konoha.
Someone like her returning to Kirigakure would be extremely beneficial to Konoha.
Terumi Mei suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around, her emerald eyes filled with disbelief.
The Mizukage?
At a time when corpses littered the ground and rebellions had erupted everywhere, Uchiha Chiya was actually asking whether she was willing to become the Mizukage?
Time seemed to freeze for an instant, but the explosions and screams in the distance reminded her with brutal clarity that innocent people could die with every second she wasted.
Desperate with anxiety, she instinctively wanted to turn around and rush toward the nearest flames, but Chiya's steady, powerful hand firmly caught her.
"Impulsiveness won't solve anything."
Chiya's voice remained calm, yet it carried a strange power that seemed to cut through the chaos.
"If you truly want to change Kirigakure and end this endless cycle of bloodshed, what you need is legitimacy, authority, and enough prestige to convince everyone. Simply being a 'genius' shinobi who possesses two Bloodline Limits isn't enough. Only by stepping forward at the most chaotic moment and demonstrating your worth, letting everyone... whether they are loyalists or rebels, see that you have the ability to end this disaster, will they acknowledge you. When that time comes, becoming the Mizukage won't be an empty fantasy. You will have the power to carry out your ideals and rebuild this village."
Those words exploded in Terumi Mei's chaotic mind like thunder.
Following Chiya's gaze, she looked toward the Mizukage Building, which was being violently attacked and represented the highest authority in Kirigakure, then looked down at the streets that had become a living hell.
Yes, blindly charging into the fighting might save a few people, but could it change the village's overall collapse?
Hadn't she always dreamed of standing in a position high enough to fundamentally change Kirigakure's fate one day?
An unprecedented determination surged from the depths of her heart, overwhelming her momentary panic and helplessness.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down, her gaze becoming sharp and resolute.
Looking at Chiya, she spoke word by word.
"I want to become the Mizukage!"
Terumi Mei took another deep breath.
"I want to change the Kirigakure of today!"
The corners of Chiya's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile, as though he had expected this answer all along.
"I can help you."
Terumi Mei froze again.
Help her?
In a matter concerning the position of an entire village's Kage, Uchiha Chiya, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, was actually saying that he would help her?
What was behind this...?
She stared intently into Chiya's eyes, as deep as an ancient well, trying to find even the slightest trace of calculation.
"Why? What benefit would helping you bring to me or Konoha?"
Terumi Mei did not hide her suspicion and asked directly.
When dealing with Uchiha Chiya, she knew that beating around the bush was useless.
It was better to be straightforward.
She did not believe that something good would simply fall from the sky, especially when that gift was being handed to her by the man standing before her, whose thoughts were as deep as the sea.
Chiya merely shook his head lightly and calmly met her gaze.
"I only need you to become the Mizukage."
Such a simple answer only made Terumi Mei even more confused.
He only needed her to become the Mizukage?
What kind of reason was that?
After becoming Mizukage, wouldn't she become an even stronger leader for Kirigakure, creating an even greater potential threat to Konoha?
Or could it be...
Was he so confident that even if she became Mizukage, she would never be able to escape his control?
Thinking of Chiya's overwhelming strength, which had swept across the battlefield like a god, Terumi Mei felt a chill in her heart.
Perhaps, to him, a stable and controllable Kirigakure was more beneficial than a chaotic and unpredictable neighbor.
Or perhaps he had some deeper purpose that she could never hope to understand.
"Ah!"
Another shrill scream came from nearby, interrupting Terumi Mei's thoughts.
She gritted her teeth fiercely.
Now was not the time to worry about such things!
Regardless of Chiya's intentions, putting down the rebellion and saving the village had to come first!
If becoming Mizukage was the path she had to take.
If his help was something she needed in reality, then she had to seize this opportunity!
"I understand!"
Terumi Mei no longer hesitated, her eyes once again becoming resolute.
"I will make everyone acknowledge me in my own way!"
Before her voice had even faded, her figure flashed and she leaped from the rooftop, shooting toward the fiercest battlefield near the Mizukage Building like an arrow released from a bow.
Chiya remained where he was, watching her determined back disappear into the distance, a meaningful glint flashing through his eyes.
He did not immediately follow.
Instead, like a calm observer, he quietly disappeared into the shadows of the buildings, leaving the stage to the girl who was about to shine.
"Hold them back! Don't let them break through the final line of defense!"
A blood-covered Kirigakure Jonin roared as he commanded the remaining Anbu to form a fragile defensive line around the Mizukage Building.
Their opponents were more than a dozen Kaguya clan shinobi who had descended into madness, their grotesque bone spikes protruding from their bodies as they roared and launched wave after wave of suicidal assaults.
The defensive line was on the verge of collapse, and an atmosphere of despair spread through the area.
Just then, an extremely hot stream of turbid water carrying intense corrosive power descended from the sky like a giant dragon, precisely washing over the densest group of Kaguya shinobi!
"Boil Release, Skilled Mist Technique!"
"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"
The grating sound of corrosion rang out as the hard bone armor rapidly dissolved before the high-temperature acid, and screams rose one after another.
The Kaguya shinobi's assault faltered.
Everyone stared in astonishment as a graceful figure lightly landed in front of the defensive line, her blue combat outfit outlining her increasingly mature figure.
Her straw hat had disappeared somewhere along the way, revealing Terumi Mei's face, which combined youthful beauty with an increasingly mature charm, though it was now covered in frost.
"It's Lady Terumi Mei!"
"She's back!"
"..."
Some of the surviving defenders recognized her and cried out in relief.
Terumi Mei did not turn around.
Her cold gaze swept over the Kaguya shinobi who had temporarily retreated in pain, and she called out loudly.
"Anyone who can still fight, follow me and stabilize the defensive line! The wounded fall back and treat your injuries. Cover one another! Kirigakure has not reached the point of giving up yet!"
Her clear and powerful voice carried an unquestionable calmness that instantly infected the panicking crowd.
The Jonin's spirits lifted, and he immediately shouted.
"Listen to Lady Terumi Mei! Reform the formation!"
Terumi Mei rapidly formed hand seals as her chakra surged.
"Water Release, Water Pillar!"
A massive column of water rose from the ground, not only scattering the enemies attempting to approach again but also providing her allies behind her with a brief water-based defensive cover.
"Watch the flank!"
Someone shouted in alarm.
Several Yuki clan shinobi quietly approached using Ice Release and fired a dense barrage of ice senbon from the flank.
Terumi Mei's eyes narrowed, but she did not panic.
Her red lips parted as she exhaled a thick cloud of white mist.
"Boil Release, Skilled Mist Technique!"
The mist rapidly spread outward.
It appeared gentle, but possessed astonishing heat.
The incoming ice senbon entered the mist and instantly melted and evaporated, while even the Yuki clan shinobi themselves felt their skin burning and hurriedly retreated in shock.
"Her Bloodline Limits... she has two!"
The defenders were both surprised and delighted, and their morale surged.
"Get her first!"
A Kaguya shinobi glared at Terumi Mei with bloodshot eyes and quickly charged forward.
"Skilled Mist Technique!"
Terumi Mei's alluring lips parted slightly.
The dense mist rapidly concealed the surrounding area.
The Kaguya shinobi thrust forward with the bone spike in his hand, but there was no one in front of him.
"Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet!"
A delicate shout rang out from within the mist.
A water dragon instantly slammed into the Kaguya shinobi, sending him crashing to the ground with a scream, severely wounded.
After taking down one enemy, she did not stop.
Her figure darted through the battlefield.
Every attack was precise and efficient, not only effectively suppressing the rebel forces but also greatly boosting the defenders' morale.
Terumi Mei's combat intelligence was displayed to its fullest at this moment.
She did not blindly attack.
Instead, she made full use of the long-range corrosive power of Boil Release and the defensive and battlefield-control capabilities of Boil Release, skillfully maneuvering against the Bloodline Limits of her enemies.
Against the Kaguya clan's close-range assaults, she used the Skilled Mist Technique to create a barrier, supplemented it with Water Release restraints, and used Lava Release for focused attacks against more troublesome opponents.
Against the Yuki clan's Ice Release, the high temperature of her Boil Release was the perfect counter.
When she encountered other scattered Bloodline Limit users, she could quickly identify the weaknesses of their abilities and choose the most effective response.
She was no longer merely a powerful individual.
She had become a banner.
She began gathering the loyalist shinobi who had originally been fighting separately and had fallen into despair.
"Follow Lady Terumi Mei!"
"The time to counterattack has come!"
"..."
More and more shinobi who recognized her or were inspired by her strength and courage began gathering around her, voluntarily following her commands.
Terumi Mei showed no hesitation.
With simple orders and clear assignments, she gradually organized an effective counterattack force amid the chaos and began clearing the rebel forces around the Mizukage Building step by step.
Chiya, hidden in the darkness, quietly watched the scene.
Terumi Mei's performance was even better than he had expected.
Not only was her strength outstanding, but more importantly, she was displaying an impressive leadership instinct and an innate ability to win people's loyalty under such extreme circumstances.
However, just as the situation around the Mizukage Building seemed to be gradually stabilizing under Terumi Mei's control, another change occurred!
A huge, chaotic aura filled with the distinctive violent presence of a Tailed Beast suddenly erupted from another part of the village!
Immediately afterward, a small figure wrapped in a crimson Tailed Beast chakra cloak came crashing toward the Mizukage Building like an out-of-control cannonball, destroying buildings along the way and attacking friend and foe alike!
Wherever it passed, both rebels and defenders were crushed beneath that terrifying power!
"That... that is..."
"The Three-Tails?! Is that Lord Yagura Karatachi, who just completed the Jinchuriki ritual?!"
"Why is Lord Yagura coming toward us?!"
"This... he's lost control! Tailed Beast transformation! Run!"
"..."
The morale that had only just been rebuilt immediately showed signs of collapsing before this overwhelming, catastrophic power!
Even Terumi Mei's face turned deathly pale when she sensed that terrifying chakra.
She still had a chance to maneuver against rebel shinobi, but facing a completely rampaging Three-Tails Jinchuriki was an entirely different level of disaster!
Chiya's gaze also became slightly more serious, and his fingers moved inside his sleeve as he considered whether to intervene.
But at this critical moment, Terumi Mei suddenly bit down hard on her tongue, forcing herself to break free from the fear brought by the Tailed Beast's chakra.
She looked at the crimson figure rampaging toward them, then at the comrades behind her who had only just found hope because of her arrival and were now falling into despair once again.
She could not retreat!
If even she retreated, everything would truly be over!
Wasn't becoming Mizukage precisely about facing the most difficult situations like this?
An unprecedented courage and sense of responsibility surged through her chest.
The hesitation and fear in Terumi Mei's eyes were completely dispelled, replaced by a determination to fight with everything she had!
She took a deep breath and pushed the chakra of her two Bloodline Limits to its absolute peak.
A powerful aura radiated from her body as she actually took the initiative to walk toward the destructive crimson figure.
"Everyone, fall back! Evacuate the civilians! Leave this to me!"
Her voice clearly rang across the battlefield with unquestionable determination.
Everyone stared at her in shock, almost unable to believe their eyes.
Lady Terumi Mei...
Was she going to face the rampaging Three-Tails Jinchuriki alone?
"Lady Terumi Mei! It's too dangerous!"
The Jonin shouted anxiously.
Terumi Mei did not turn around.
She merely waved her hand, her eyes locked firmly onto Karatachi Yagura as he drew closer and closer.
'I am Terumi Mei! I am a Bloodline Limit shinobi who possesses Lava Release and Boil Release! And I am the future Mizukage!'
She shouted encouragement to herself in her heart.
'If I don't even have the resolve to protect the village, what right do I have to talk about changing it?!'
A giant crimson chakra claw descended from above with an aura of destruction!
Terumi Mei's eyes sharpened, and her hands formed seals as fast as phantoms.
"Boil Release, Skilled Mist Technique!"
"Body Flicker Technique!"
This time, what she sprayed was no longer a spreading mist, but a highly concentrated, extremely hot stream of steam that shot precisely toward the giant chakra claw like a white laser!
"Hiss!"
The high-temperature steam violently collided with the Tailed Beast chakra, producing a piercing sound and actually slowing the claw's descent for a brief moment!
At the same time, Terumi Mei used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the spot.
Water Release activated beneath her feet, and her body rapidly slid away, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.
She knew that meeting the attack head-on would be foolish.
She had to use the characteristics of her Bloodline Limits to maneuver around it!
"Lava Release, Melting Bind Technique!"
She slammed one hand against the ground and opened her mouth.
The viscous, highly acidic Lava Release liquid spread outward like a living creature, attempting to wrap around Karatachi Yagura and restrict his movements.
The rampaging Karatachi Yagura let out a roar that no longer sounded human, and his tail swept violently through the area, scattering large amounts of the Lava Release liquid.
However, some of it still landed on his chakra cloak, producing a sizzling sound as it corroded the surface and making him even more violent.
Terumi Mei fought while retreating, gradually drawing Karatachi Yagura toward a relatively open area on the outskirts of the village.
Her tactics were extremely clear.
She used the high temperature of Boil Release to interfere with and weaken the Tailed Beast chakra, the corrosive properties of Lava Release to inflict continuous damage and restriction, and her agile movements and precise Water Release positioning to avoid direct impacts.
It was a dance on the edge of a blade, with danger lurking in every step.
The terrifying energy of a Tailed Beast Bomb exploded beside her, and the shockwave sent her blood and chakra surging violently.
But she gritted her teeth and kept her gaze resolute, pushing both Bloodline Limits to their absolute limits.
Although she could not truly defeat the rampaging Three-Tails, she successfully restrained the greatest threat, buying precious time for the village's evacuation and for the other battlefields to be brought under control.
Every Kirigakure shinobi who witnessed this scene, regardless of which side they belonged to, was deeply shaken.
This young kunoichi had actually managed to temporarily hold back a rampaging Tailed Beast through her own strength!
That courage, that strength, that willingness to risk her life for the village...
Before they even realized it, the name "Terumi Mei", along with the brilliance of her Bloodline Limits, had been deeply engraved in the hearts of everyone present.
In the shadows, Chiya watched the blue figure stubbornly maneuvering through the storm of crimson chakra, and for the first time, genuine admiration flashed through his eyes.
His pupils contracted, and crimson Sharingan appeared in his eyes.
"Once Terumi Mei is almost at her limit... this show should come to an end."
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