Mei Terumi's eyes narrowed slightly. By observing Kakashi's attitude, she had roughly determined Konoha's attitude towards Kirigakure.
Konoha clearly doesn't dislike Kirigakure and its attitude is quite friendly. If this is Konoha's stance, things will be much easier for Kirigakure from now on.
Regardless of whether or not they form an alliance, at least Kirigakure will not be targeted by Konoha when it comes into contact with the outside world.
However, Mei Terumi's interest in Hinata is now clearly greater than her interest in Kakashi.
Mei Terumi had read Hinata's information. Hinata was different from Yagura. Although Yagura was small in appearance, he was essentially an adult, while Hinata was only twelve years old this year and was a genuine child.
At such a young age, to possess such formidable strength is truly mind-blowing for Mei Terumi.
The Shinobi World is not without geniuses. Mei Terumi herself is a genius, and Kakashi Hatake of Konoha is an even more Shinobi World genius ninja who has become even more renowned Mei Terumi in recent years.
Even in Kirigakure, there are legends about Kakashi.
During the Third Shinobi War, Kirigakure sent dozens of Anbu and Jonin to hunt down Kakashi and Rin Nohara, but they were ultimately killed by Kakashi alone.
That battle truly shook Kirigakure.
However, it seems that Kakashi's strength is not as good as the rumors suggest; otherwise, Kakashi would have wiped out all the Stone Ninja who were chasing Konoha.
Hinata, on the contrary, truly surprised Mei Terumi.
That explosion just now didn't seem like the power of a ninja at all.
There are ninjas in the entire Shinobi World capable of creating such area-of-effect attacks, but the same attack range does not necessarily mean the same attack power.
Just like hitting someone with a wooden hammer versus hitting someone with an iron hammer, the damage caused by the two is completely different.
Hinata sat on the ground eating and drinking with two large, fat men. Mei Terumi asked with some interest, "Hinata Hyuga, you seem quite nervous about Kakashi Hatake... Is he someone you like?"
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"
Hinata looked at Mei Terumi with a reproachful expression and said accusingly, "What did you say?"
"Teacher Kakashi watched me grow up and accompanied me through my development. I respect him as much as I would a teacher!"
"Hmm... it's like Orochimaru's feelings for the Third Hokage..." Hinata added, making no attempt to hide her killing intent towards Kakashi.
Kakashi rubbed his temples. Had he really been targeted again?
How many meals will it take to settle this?
Mei Terumi scoffed upon hearing this; of course she knew about the affair between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage.
He glanced at Kakashi again; those two were indeed quite interesting.
Composing herself, Mei Terumi said calmly, "Since the people from Konoha are already seriously injured, why don't we come to Kirigakure for treatment first?"
Kakashi politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness Mizukage, but the Lord Hokage is waiting for us to return and report on the mission, so we won't trouble Mizukage any further."
Mei Terumi's expression turned slightly cold as she said in a deep voice, "Are you from Konoha disrespecting Kirigakure? Or do you think our Kirigakure's medical facilities are inferior to those of Konoha?"
Kakashi glanced at Hinata sideways: It's your turn to appear.
Hinata sighed inwardly, "I was forced to be a bad person. My true nature is actually that of a very well-behaved child."
"Um, um..."
Hinata hesitated for a moment, looked at Mei Terumi, and tentatively asked, "So you really have taken a liking to Teacher Kakashi?"
"Let me tell you, Teacher Kakashi isn't exactly a respectable person. He often hides away and secretly reads erotic books."
"Have you heard of 'Icha Icha Paradise'? It's the book written by Lord Jiraiya. I heard it's a bestseller throughout the entire Shinobi World!"
Kakashi: "..."
Hinata was secretly pleased with herself.
I've finally gotten my revenge on Kakashi for badmouthing me to my face last time, and I've also subtly given Jiraiya's book some free advertising. When Jiraiya and Naruto return to the village, I'll definitely make Jiraiya treat us to a meal!
Hinata's witty remark brought the previous topic to a close.
Kakashi said calmly, "We still need to report our mission to the Lord Hokage. As for the trip to Kirigakure... let's talk about it another time!"
Mei Terumi's expression hardened slightly as she looked at Kakashi and said coldly, "In that case, I ask everyone from Konoha to leave the Land of Water as soon as possible. However, I will also send a letter to the Hokage inquiring about the damage you have caused to the Land of Water."
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Mei Terumi Mizukage, Mei Terumi, even if she wasn't prepared to do anything to Konoha, still had to express her stance in front of the Mist Ninja.
As for Mei Terumi's so-called "message to the Hokage," it seems to be for the purpose of holding someone accountable, but isn't it also the beginning of communication between Konoha and Kirigakure?
All things considered, although this mission encountered many twists and turns, it was ultimately completed successfully.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Mizukage."
Mei Terumi nodded slightly, waved her hand, and led the group of Mist Ninja away.
Asuma let out a soft sigh, lit a cigarette, and said in a relaxed tone, "It's all over now, let's get back as soon as possible!"
Shizune had finished bandaging the wounds of the injured Konoha Ninja and said, "Their injuries have stabilized and will not affect our journey."
Kakashi nodded and said, "Okay! Let's leave immediately!"
In the ruins of the great battle between Konoha and Iwagakure, Zetsu slowly emerged halfway out of the ground.
"It seems we all underestimated Hinata Hyuga's strength, and there's actually a problem with Kumogakure..."
Black Zetsu said in a deep, meaningful voice, "In that case, let's start from within Konoha!"
White Zetsu retorted, "Tsunade succeeded as the Fifth Hokage. She's not the same as the Third; she won't compromise so easily."
Black Zetsu said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect Danzo to do anything either. The Hyuga and Uchiha are different... but the Nine-Tails of Konoha will ultimately belong to us."
White Zetsu said leisurely, "Yes! Was that Sage Mode just now? I didn't expect Hinata Hyuga to have learned that move."
Black Zetsu said, "I'm not worried about that!"
"It was her Byakugan that was really striking..."
Neither Black Zetsu nor White Zetsu are skilled in combat, and Hinata has fully matured. Without the Akatsuki's power, it would be extremely difficult to take significant action against Hinata.
Although this plan failed, it did manage to probe Hinata's true intentions.
However, just as Black Zetsu feared, since Hinata has already shown signs of reversion to her ancestral form, then Hinata's Byakugan... could very well reach the level of Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Just like the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Byakugan can also evolve again, gaining some special abilities.
After a moment of silence, Black Zetsu said coldly, "Even if Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan has evolved, there is still a huge gap between it and Nagato's eyes."
"Next time... our target will be the Hyuga Clan... and we'll use Nagato's power!"
White Zetsu said quietly, "By the way! This time we used the trump cards that Madara left in Iwagakure and Hidden Cloud Village. Although we carried out the plan, it will also arouse the vigilance of Iwagakure and Kumogakure... We still need to do a good job of cleaning up the mess!"
After saying that, Jue slowly sank into the ground.