So You're Rebelling, Are You?

"Forgive us, Lady Mei Terumi, but this is our duty!"

"Excuse our discourtesy. Please do not make this difficult for us!"

After offering their apologies, the Anbu all charged at Mei Terumi.

Qian Taikang was even more arrogant. "Mei Terumi, surrender now! Otherwise, if you make a move on the Elders' grounds, you'll only add to your crimes."

"Then you'll have no hope at all of saving your little brother!"

Mei Terumi laughed at those words, her smile incomparably cold. "You think I don't dare?"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!"

A massive sphere of water appeared in Mei Terumi's hand.

Then countless streams of water shot forth, slicing sharply through the air.

The Anbu cried out in agony and all fell to the ground.

Droplets of blood splattered about, casting a grim, murderous air over the surroundings!

Mei Terumi had already vanished from where she stood and appeared before Qian Taikang.

"Don't get carried away, Mei Terumi. Others may fear you, but I don't!"

Qian Taikang was quite capable himself. He immediately formed Hand Seals and shouted, "Water Release: Ice-Breaking Tiger!"

A solidified water tiger roared as it charged toward Mei Terumi, sending her flying with a direct hit.

The entire ground trembled several times under the water tiger's force.

Its power was clearly formidable!

"Hmph, nothing special! Some Anbu commander you are. Just a pretty face with no real skill!"

Seeing this, Qian Taikang snorted and commanded the water tiger to deliver Mei Terumi the final blow.

"Is that so? Qian Taikang, who exactly are you underestimating?"

Mei Terumi's voice suddenly sounded from behind Qian Taikang.

The Mei Terumi who had been sent flying was nothing more than a Water Clone.

"Not good!"

Qian Taikang's hair stood on end, but it was already too late to evade.

Having lived in comfort and luxury for years, his reflexes had declined severely.

"Bang!"

A heavy whip kick, carrying a fragrant scent and thunderous force, sent Qian Taikang crashing into the wall behind him like a kite with its string cut.

"Urgh!"

He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

Before he could free himself from the wall, a pale arm had already seized him by the throat and slammed him into it once more.

"Crack!"

Qian Taikang immediately let out a pig-slaughtering scream as several of his bones snapped.

"You really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Mei Terumi's icy voice reached him as the strength in her hand continued to increase. The faint sound of his throat bones cracking could be heard.

Terror filled Qian Taikang's face, and his legs kicked wildly.

The force around his neck was suffocating him. Like iron pincers, it could not be shaken.

His eyes bulged farther and farther out, bloodshot veins crawling across them. He was afraid—truly afraid!

Mei Terumi really intended to kill him. He begged in terror, "Spare... spare me, I... I know... I was... wrong..."

"Crack!"

But Mei Terumi did not let him finish. She directly snapped his neck.

A dragon had its reverse scale; touch it, and die!

He dared lay a hand on Ye Liangnai. Did he really think Mei Terumi did not kill people?

"Hah..."

Even in death, Qian Taikang had not expected Mei Terumi to be so ruthless, killing him without the slightest hesitation.

He was Elder Genryu's son!

How could Mei Terumi, a mere former Anbu commander with no real authority, dare do this!

Was she not at all afraid of being punished?

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

At that moment, sharp whistling sounds cut through the air behind Mei Terumi.

A group of Anbu surrounded Mei Terumi!

Then Yuan Long hurried over, leaning on his cane.

His face was filled with anxiety as he said, "Mei Terumi, we can talk this out. Do not resort to killing!"

Qian Taikang did not understand Mei Terumi's temperament or strength, but he did.

She was the strongest expert beneath the Mizukage. How could the people of the Elders' Council possibly stop her?

Moreover, whenever Mei Terumi was truly angered, she acted with icy mercilessness and ruthless decisiveness.

That fool Qian Taikang would surely die!

He could only pray that he had arrived in time. Otherwise, everything would be over.

"What a pity, Elder Genryu. You arrived too late!"

"Qian Taikang was suspected of plotting against Ye Liangnai, a fellow villager and meritorious contributor of Kirigakure. I have personally executed him!"

"I, Mei Terumi, have only been out of office as Anbu commander for two years, and people are already provoking my authority. It seems I did not establish my prestige thoroughly enough back then!"

Mei Terumi swept her gaze across the surrounding Anbu, smiling sweetly.

Yet not a single person dared meet her eyes.

Her gaze was like that of a beast choosing whom to devour, and the Anbu felt as though their very souls would be swallowed by it.

Naturally, they did not dare look at her!

Yuan Long stood frozen in place as if struck by lightning.

What had he just heard? Qian Taikang was already dead!

How could this have happened!

Following Mei Terumi's gaze, he saw Qian Taikang's corpse lying on the ground, his neck twisted, blood flowing from all seven orifices, his death utterly miserable.

"Mei Terumi!!! How dare you!!"

He roared with incomparable fury.

His gaze was equally sharp, as though it could kill from afar.

"Why shouldn't I dare?"

Mei Terumi met Yuan Long's eyes without yielding. "Why should such scum be allowed to remain?"

"Rather than let this worthless drunkard continue occupying his post and stirring up conflict, it is better for me to rid the people of this scourge. Everyone wins!"

Hearing this, Yuan Long was so furious that his neck turned red. He bellowed, "You go too far!!!"

He sternly ordered the Anbu, "Get her! Restrain Mei Terumi!"

"She is suspected of murdering Elder Qian Taikang. She must be handed over to the Lord Mizukage for judgment and sentenced to death!"

Yet few of the Anbu moved. They hesitantly looked toward the person behind Mei Terumi, visibly torn.

"Akiyama Taku, are you going to oppose me too? Do you know the consequences of doing this?"

Seeing the person behind Mei Terumi, Yuan Long's expression became even uglier.

Akiyama Taku, the commander of Kirigakure's Anbu!

"Consequences? Heh heh heh, is there anything wrong with Jonin Mei Terumi's handling of the matter?"

"Qian Taikang was suspected of plotting against Ye Liangnai, a fellow villager of Kirigakure. His intentions were malicious. According to Anbu law, he should have been executed!"

"Jonin Mei Terumi has already shown you plenty of respect, Elder Genryu. Please do not keep pressing the matter!"

"And at your age, you should not get so angry. You might damage your health!"

Akiyama Taku looked to be a quick-witted man in his thirties, yet he possessed an extraordinary bearing.

He glanced at the Anbu surrounding Mei Terumi. "Stand down. Are you planning to draw weapons against me as well?"

At those words, the Anbu exchanged glances before immediately withdrawing.

They could not possibly act tough before their direct superior.

"Fine, fine, fine. You are all in league with one another. So you're rebelling, are you!"

Yuan Long clenched his fists until they crackled, his face incomparably grim as he forced out those words.