Mei Terumi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Mei Terumi (照美冥)
Alias(es)	Mizukage; “Future Mizukage” 85 95
Species/Race	Human 333
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Kirigakure (Mist Village)
Occupation/Role	Mizukage of Kirigakure; maritime-development advocate
Status	Active; continues governing Kirigakure 337
First Appearance	Chapter 81

Background / History

Mei was regarded as the most talented and powerful shinobi of her generation in Kirigakure. Her possession of both Lava Style and Boiling Style placed her at risk during the village's persecution of Kekkei Genkai users; Elder Genshi's protection was instrumental to her survival. She nevertheless earned considerable prestige among Mist shinobi and remained committed to improving the village rather than abandoning it. 81 84

She first met the masked merchant “Kishi” while representing Kirigakure's interests in maritime investment. Although initially suspicious of his proposals, Mei recognized that his shipping-route plan could help reverse the village's economic decline and its hostility toward bloodline users. She helped secure support for the project and accompanied him on a survey of prospective sea routes. 81 82 84

Yagura Karatachi's regime responded by ordering her assassination. Mei fought Hideki's force at the ruins of Uzushio Village, protecting Natsume—whom she believed to be an ordinary merchant—with Water, Lava, and Boiling Style techniques despite being outnumbered and low on chakra. Natsume ultimately rescued her, revealing strength that changed her view of him. 85 86

After Natsume revealed that Yagura might be controlled, Mei returned to Kirigakure and enlisted Ao to investigate with his Byakugan. Once the control was confirmed, she joined Genshi and Ao in an assault on the Mizukage building. She confronted Yagura directly, led the resistance through the ensuing battle, and was appointed Mizukage after Yagura was freed and stepped down. At twenty, she became the youngest Kage of the time. 88 93 95

As Mizukage, Mei inherited a financially strained and battle-damaged village. She pursued maritime development, sought reconstruction funds, and accepted a 700 million ryō loan from Natsume in exchange for a multi-year service commitment that she later converted into maid service. 111 112 163 243

Appearance

Mei has long reddish-brown hair, usually worn with bangs that conceal her right eye, and an emerald-green visible eye. Her official Mizukage attire is a blue dress; after her rescue, she retains the wavy curls Natsume styled for her. 81 88 333

• Long reddish-brown hair, later styled into wavy curls or a ponytail 86 88 240
• Emerald-green eye, with her right eye commonly hidden behind her bangs 81
• Usually wears a blue dress as her Mizukage attire 112 333
• Received a necklace from Natsume, though she normally wore little jewelry due to Kirigakure's poverty 240

Personality

Mei is composed, formal, and deeply conscious of the dignity expected of a Mizukage. Even when faced with Yagura's betrayal, a jinchūriki battle, and the prospect of internal conflict, she accepts personal risk when she believes it is necessary for Kirigakure's future. 85 94

Her loyalty is directed toward the village rather than blindly toward its ruler. She questions Yagura's record, refuses to allow outsiders to supply Kirigakure's jinchūriki, and insists that the village's Tailed Beasts and personnel must remain under Mist control. 94 221 283

Despite her polished public image, Mei has a quick temper when provoked and is easily flustered by Natsume's teasing. She remains cautious of his motives, however, particularly where Kirigakure's independence, finances, and military security are concerned. 87 136 311

Abilities & Skills

Water Release

Mei is a highly capable Water Release user whose techniques are especially effective around large bodies of water.

• Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet — Creates a large water dragon capable of sweeping away multiple enemies; she also uses it against Yagura's Three-Tails transformation. 85 94
• Water Style: Water Wall — Raises a defensive water barrier against volleys of ninja tools and ninjutsu. 85
• Water Style: Water Pillar — Launches a compressed mass of water from above to strike an opponent. 94
• Her Water Release was strong enough to contest the Three-Tails, though Isobu's defenses limited its effect. 94

Lava Style

Mei's Lava Style produces a viscous, highly corrosive acidic substance.

• Lava Style: Acidic Dragon Technique — Melts targets caught in its path; it destroyed several of Hideki's attackers and later neutralized a combined Lightning-Water Dragon Bullet. 85 93
• The technique is suited to area denial and breaking through powerful enemy formations. 85 93

Boiling Style

Mei combines Water and Fire chakra natures to create superheated vapor.

• Boiling Style: Vapor Style — Produces scorching mist that melts incoming water-based attacks and the surrounding terrain. 85
• The technique has high chakra consumption, making repeated use difficult in prolonged combat. 85
• She later used Vapor Style to immediately vaporize Shirō when he threatened Hotaru. 284

Leadership and Crisis Management

Mei leads from the front and prioritizes the survival of Kirigakure's shinobi and strategic assets.

• Organized the operation to expose and free Yagura from outside control. 88 93 95
• Directed the defense against Akatsuki's attempt to seize the Three-Tails, rescuing injured subordinates before pursuing the enemy. 234
• Recovered Utakata and persuaded him to return by presenting his teacher's research, restoring the Six-Tails jinchūriki to Kirigakure. 283 284
• Explores governance reforms and Konoha's Ninja Academy model to improve Kirigakure's future. 337

Equipment / Items

• Heavenly Net Login Device — A bracelet supplied by Natsume that allows communication and access to Heavenly Net functions; Mei used it to send a distress signal during Akatsuki's attack on the Three-Tails. 221 234
• Necklace — A gift from Natsume obtained from the Thousand Sunny Jewelry Store. 240
• Jinchūriki extraction method — Mei possesses or has access to the method for extracting a Tailed Beast from a jinchūriki, which she offered to Natsume in exchange for assistance recovering Utakata. 283

Relationships

• Natsume — Began as a business partner during Kirigakure's maritime-development effort. He rescued Mei from Yagura's assassination force, aided her rise to the Mizukage position, and repeatedly intervened in Mist crises. Their relationship becomes intimate, though Mei tries to keep it private to protect her authority. 84 86 95 241 333
• Yagura Karatachi — Her predecessor as Mizukage. Mei exposed his abnormal chakra flow and led the effort to free him from Obito's control; after his removal, she succeeded him. 88 94 95
• Ao — A respected Kirigakure elder and ally. Mei asked him to use his implanted Byakugan to investigate Yagura, then fought alongside him during the coup and later defenses of the Three-Tails. 88 93 234
• Genshi — Elder who protected Mei during Kirigakure's persecution of Kekkei Genkai users and supported her maritime and anti-Yagura efforts. 84 93
• Zabuza Momochi — Mist shinobi and later the Three-Tails jinchūriki. Mei considered him a viable candidate because of his robust physique and fought beside him against Akatsuki. 221 234 283
• Haku — A Mist ally under Mei's command during the Three-Tails defense. Mei showed immediate concern when he was injured fighting Konan. 234
• Utakata — The Six-Tails jinchūriki who had defected due to a misunderstanding about his teacher. Mei cleared up that misunderstanding and persuaded him to return to Kirigakure. 220 284
• Hotaru — Utakata's disciple and the final known member of the Earth Spider Clan. Mei accepted her into Kirigakure alongside Utakata and took interest in the forbidden jutsu sealed on her back. 284
• Konan — An Akatsuki opponent whom Mei fought during the attack on the Three-Tails. Mei acknowledged Konan's strength despite opposing her. 234 235

Story Role / Major Arcs

Maritime Development and Assassination Attempt

Mei becomes Kirigakure's point of contact for Natsume's investment and shipping-route plans. Her support earns Yagura's suspicion, leading to an assassination attempt at the ruins of Uzushio Village. 81 86

Liberation of Kirigakure

After confirming that Yagura is controlled, Mei leads a faction of Mist shinobi against the Mizukage's guards, Anbu, and the Three-Tails. Yagura is freed from genjutsu and steps down, allowing Mei to assume the Mizukage position. 88 93 95

Reconstruction and Jinchūriki Crisis

Mei confronts Kirigakure's reconstruction debt and seeks financial support for the village. When Yagura's body begins failing, she refuses to endanger herself or other key Mist shinobi in an uncertain jinchūriki transfer, eventually accepting sealing assistance for a new Three-Tails host. 111 112 220 242

Defense Against Akatsuki

Mei leads Zabuza, Ao, Haku, and other Mist shinobi against Konan, Kakuzu, and Hidan when Akatsuki targets the Three-Tails. She prioritizes rescuing injured subordinates and calls Natsume for support when the battle escalates. 234 236

Utakata's Return

Seeking to restore Kirigakure's Six-Tails jinchūriki, Mei travels with Natsume to Mount Katsujo Fortress. She kills Shirō with Boiling Style: Vapor Style, shows Utakata proof of his teacher's true intentions, and brings both Utakata and Hotaru back to the village. 283 284

Later Governance

As Konoha's power grows, Mei worries that Kirigakure may become dependent on it. She nevertheless remains willing to study Konoha's governance and academy systems in pursuit of reforms that can strengthen the Mist Village. 309 311 337

Notable Quotes

“If you truly are the Mizukage, then have you made any contributions to the Mist Village over the years?” 94

“I can't let the Mist Village's Tailed Beast run wild due to his personal reasons.” 283

Trivia

• Mei became Mizukage at the age of twenty, making her the youngest Kage at the time. 95
• Her wavy curls were styled by Natsume after he rescued her from Hideki's assassination force. 86 88
• As part of her agreements with Natsume, Mei practiced singing and later dancing; she improved rapidly despite initially being tone-deaf. 124 144