Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Mei Terumi (照美冥) 92 |
| Gender | Female 710 773 |
| Affiliation | Kirigakure 691 712 |
| Occupation/Role | Fifth Mizukage; formerly leader of a faction opposing the Fourth Mizukage 698 712 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 92 92 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Genin | 695 | First stage in Mei's retrospectively described rise through the ninja ranks; her strength was built through training rather than acquired from others. |
| Chunin | 695 | Next documented stage of that progression. |
| Special Jonin | 695 | Advanced beyond Chunin before becoming a Jonin. |
| Jonin | 695 | Preceded her attainment of Kage-level strength. |
| Kage-level ninja | 695 | Reached through her own effort and willpower; by this stage, she wielded both Boil Release and Lava Release. |
Background and History
Mei first encounters Hyuga Sho alongside Kosuke and Kaguya Son. After Sho nearly kills Kosuke, she intervenes and proposes that she and Kosuke fight him together. During a later meeting at the Chunin Exams, she sends Sho a flying kiss, to his displeasure 92 129.
At thirteen, Mei is under Elder Genji's guidance and is warned not to reveal her Kekkei Genkai. Years later, Sho captures her during an operation involving Nohara Rin. Fearing him and the consequences of being caught helping him, she reveals Rin's location and assists in her rescue 311 312 314.
Genji raises Mei as a prospective leader who could end Kirigakure's Bloody Mist regime. As opposition to the Fourth Mizukage grows, she leads a faction of village natives and Mist ninja, gathers intelligence, and prepares for a coup 691 692 698. Sho infiltrates Kirigakure and defeats her in her own underground battleground. He then blackmails her while pursuing his plans for the Three-Tails 694 695 702.
Mei declares that she will become the Fifth Mizukage and publicly uses Boil Release against the Three-Tails within a barrier 703 705. After the Fourth Mizukage's fall, she chooses not to retaliate against Sho: Kirigakure is too weak for another conflict, and she prioritizes reconstruction 708. Her inauguration marks the end of the Bloody Mist era and its practice of forcing Mist ninja to kill their comrades 712 713.
Her position does not free her from Sho. He places a modified Caged Bird Seal on her and uses it to control and punish her while she continues to govern 710 712 713. Later, she travels to Konoha to sign a truce treaty despite her objections to the visit 773.
Appearance
Mei has green eyes and a striking appearance; by age twenty, she is described as a mature woman 693 712 773.
- Hair and face: Bangs cover one eye; she has flame-red lips 773 776.
- Clothing: She wears a low-cut blue ninja outfit during her underground battle with Sho. Around the coup and her inauguration, she instead wears high-necked clothing covering her neck, shoulders, and chest 693 702 711.
Personality
Mei combines a playful manner with caution and political judgment. She can smile through fear or pain in front of subordinates, but becomes serious when an opponent proves dangerous 691 694 712 776. Her response to the Fourth Mizukage's fall is pragmatic: rather than seek revenge against Sho, she focuses on Kirigakure's recovery 708.
She also resists Sho where she sees an opening. During her visit to Konoha, she approaches Uchiha Izumi hoping to damage Izumi's trust in him 776 778 779.
Abilities and Skills
Boil Release: Skillful Mist Technique
Mei exhales a hot, corrosive mist resembling her ordinary Hidden Mist Technique. Her Boil Release chakra leaves her unaffected by its acid 694.
- Applications: The mist can erode flesh and defenses; breathing it in can destroy the respiratory system. Mei fills enclosed spaces with it and later deploys it inside a barrier containing the Three-Tails 694 695 705.
- Limits: Wind can disperse it outdoors. Pain's Preta Path absorbs the technique during a battle involving the Five Kage 705 1111.
Lava Release: Acidic Potion Technique
Mei's second Kekkei Genkai produces a pale-yellow, adhesive substance with stronger corrosive power than her Skillful Mist Technique. She keeps this ability hidden until her fight with Sho 695.
- Applications: The substance clings to a target, restricting escape while corroding the body and even Sho's exoskeleton armor 695.
- Limits: Sho repels it with a combined Gentle Fist and Earth Release technique, then evades its effects with Shadow Flash Chakra Mode 695.
Water Release and Deception
- Water Release: Mei manipulates surrounding water to interrupt Sho's assault. In their later fight, she uses Hidden Mist to obscure his Byakugan and water attacks to pressure him 92 694.
- Water Clone Technique: She uses a clone to misdirect Sho about her location; its low chakra cost makes it useful as a decoy 694.
- Shadow Clone Technique: She can create a Shadow Clone using a technique Sho taught her 710.
Combat Profile
Mei's two Kekkei Genkai give her exceptional offensive power, especially in a confined space. She has also learned to punish enemies who approach her carelessly 693 695 696.
- Strength: Her corrosive techniques threaten even heavily defended opponents 695 696.
- Weakness: Her personal defense is poor relative to her attack power. Sealed spaces favor her mist but prevent teammates from safely joining the fight 696.
Relationships
- Hyuga Sho — An opponent she has feared since childhood. He helps bring her to power, then controls her through a modified Caged Bird Seal; she later seeks ways to resist him 312 710 712 778.
- Genji — Kirigakure elder who grooms her as a future Mizukage and supports the effort to end the Bloody Mist regime 691 713.
- Ao — Former senior and later subordinate who has watched her growth. He reports on Kirigakure's political situation and worries about her safety 698.
- Chojuro — Young ninja cultivated by her faction who serves her and shows concern for her well-being 692 712 776.
- Uchiha Izumi — Sho's disciple, whom Mei asks to guide her around Konoha so she can investigate—and try to undermine—Izumi's relationship with him 776 778 779.
- Kisame Hoshigaki — A powerful Mist ninja whom Mei approaches after the coup. Both recognize that they do not trust each other 708 709.
- Momochi Zabuza — Leader of a rival faction during Kirigakure's internal struggle; his attempted coup fails before Mei takes power 698 710.
Notable Quotes
“And I... Mei Terumi, will become the Fifth Mizukage. Everyone... please believe me!” 703