The night was deep.
The backyard of Ichigo Hot Spring.
Mei Terumi sat beside the stone table in the courtyard, her alluring expression tinged with coldness as she stared at the man across from her. "Gobei, what exactly is the village planning?"
Ao stood to one side, looking somewhat uneasy.
After Gobei arrived in Konoha, he immediately took command of the Mist Ninja team from Mei Terumi. Now even Ao had to obey Gobei's orders!
"Mei Terumi, the village isn't planning anything. You're overthinking it," Gobei replied coolly.
"If nothing is being planned, why did Elder Genji go out of his way to send you to Konoha?" Mei Terumi didn't believe a word of it.
As everyone knew, Elder Genji had two trusted aides, and Gobei was one of them—practically his right-hand man. If nothing unusual were happening, why would Genji send Gobei here?
Did he really think she and Ao were just for show?
Mei Terumi was indignant. Remembering what Hanfu had told her only made her feelings more complicated.
"Women are such a hassle."
Gobei rose in annoyance. "Hmph, it's getting late. I'm going to bed."
Once Gobei left, Ao started to follow.
"Ao!" Mei Terumi called after him.
"Mei Terumi, I'm sorry." Ao sighed. The matter was too important; he simply couldn't disobey the village's orders.
But his tone made it perfectly clear: they really were hiding something important from her!
Mei Terumi sat there in a daze for a long while, then let out a long sigh.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning.
Hanfu and his family got up early for breakfast.
After the meal, Hanfu took Karin to the venue for the Chunin Ninja Exams Final Selection Battle. Gekko Hoshino, Keiko, and Hayate stayed home.
There were only three of them, and