Mei Terumi: Qingyu, What Makes You Think I'll Listen to You? (Parts One and Two)

"Interesting."

Qingyu stroked her chin.

The Kirigakure might surprise outsiders.

But this was not surprising to Qingyu.

After all, that village had long ago etched the words "Bloody Mist Village" into its very bones.

Killing one's own people is part of traditional culture.

Zabuza Momochi, at that age, was already capable of single-handedly killing all the other examinees of his class. Kirigakure not only did not punish him, but instead regarded this behavior as a symbol of his fearsome reputation and talent.

It's no surprise that in Kirigakure, internal strife is never an unsavory occurrence.

However, Qingyu was still curious Mei Terumi had been attacked.

Mei Terumi possesses exceptional talent and has always aimed to become the Mizukage.

Logically speaking, the Kirigakure Village wouldn't easily take action against her unless their core interests were threatened.

Moreover, she was Zabuza Momochi.

Mei Terumi grew up in Kirigakure. She has a likable personality and is beautiful, so she has a decent network of connections in the village.

Several possibilities flashed through Qingyu's mind.

For example, the Third Mizukage could no longer control the various factions in the village.

For example, Mei Terumi discovered something she shouldn't have.

"I'll go take a look."

Qingyu turned to Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka and said.

"You all wait here, don't alert them."

"Going alone?"

Kakashi frowned.

"I'll go with you."

"Need not."

Qingyu shook her head.

"There are only a few of them; it's easier for me to act alone."

Then Qingyu found another excuse to send Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka away.

To avoid letting the other party be detected by Hyuga Ginka's Byakugan.

After the two left, Qingyu's figure swayed slightly and disappeared into the sea mist.

The sea fog is getting thicker.

Qingyu completely concealed her presence.

With the blessing of [Root's Darkness], his ability to conceal his whereabouts has reached a new level.

Even in such low visibility conditions, he was like a fish gliding into deep water.

He stepped on the bottom of the sea fog, silently approaching the location where the battle was taking place.

The sea breeze swept past from the side, carrying with it the chaotic Chakra fluctuations and the clanging of metal from ahead.

Qingyu landed behind a rock about half a person's height and looked to the side.

In the open space ahead, Mei Terumi was being attacked by three Kirigakure Ninja.

Her long, dark brown hair fluttered wildly in the wind, her clothes were torn in several places, and there was a cut on her forearm.

The wound, though not deep, was oozing blood.

"Mei Terumi, you have nowhere left to run."

The leader of the Kirigakure Ninja had half his face covered, and his voice was icy.

His companions Mei Terumi from the left and right, placing her in the middle.

The three of them formed a fan shape, clearly not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather something they had prepared well in advance.

Let me guess.

Mei Terumi wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and smiled.

"Did Qianfeng send you?"

"No need to waste time."

The leader did not answer; the Water Release in his hand had already begun to condense.

"Kill her, leave no trace."

Qingyu's Sharingan slowly rotated, taking in all three people's movements.

Although Mei Terumi was injured, she was not driven to the brink of despair. The strength of those three Kirigakure Ninja was clearly far inferior to hers.

It was only because they worked together so well and were familiar with the terrain that they were able to trap her here temporarily.

"Lava Release - Dissolving Bubble!"

Mei Terumi suddenly opened her mouth.

A viscous, grayish-white liquid was sprayed towards the Kirigakure Ninja on the left.

In his panic, the man parried with his sword, only to see that the liquid corroded a large hole in the blade the instant it touched it.

"It can even melt my sword—tsk!"

The man's expression changed drastically.

Mei Terumi Body Flicker Technique, gathering Water Release Chakra in her right elbow, and struck him in the abdomen.

"Oh my!"

The man groaned, his body crashing into a large tree and breaking it, before collapsing to the ground, unable to get up.

Mei Terumi used the recoil from the attack to dodge to the other side.

"Don't let her get away!"

The leader shouted and quickly Hand Seals.

Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!

A massive current of water, carrying debris from the reef, surged toward Mei Terumi.

Mei Terumi was suspended in mid-air, her long hair splashed by the waves, but her face showed no panic.

Boil Release!

The next moment, a large amount of scalding white steam suddenly rose from her body.

Before the water even touched her body, it was instantly evaporated by the terrifying steam.

"What?!"

In an instant, the heatwave spread outwards.

Sea fog, waves, and withered grass were all distorted and deformed by this heat wave.

"Mei Terumi's Kekkei Genkai is stronger than before."

Qingyu observed from the shadows, silently evaluating the situation.

While both are Lava Release and Boil Release, Mei Terumi in the original work only truly demonstrated their suppressive power during the Five Kage Summit.

But she's far from that point yet.

But over the past few years, her growth rate has been quite remarkable.

It seems that the pressure Qingyu put on her has become her motivation for cultivation.

"Let's attack together!"

The leader finally realized that he wouldn't gain any advantage in close combat, so the three of them regrouped and assumed a stance for a combined Ninjutsu.

Water Release · Water Formation Wall!

Water Release: Water Whip!

Water Release: Water Cannon!

Three Water Release were unleashed simultaneously.

Mei Terumi's expression changed slightly, and she pushed with both hands.

Water Release · Water Formation Wall!

She countered with her own Water Release.

But one person's strength is ultimately limited. One of the three Water Release broke through her water barrier and struck her right leg.

Mei Terumi felt a sharp pain and almost fell over.

"It's over, Mei Terumi."

The leader rushed out of the mist, a Kunai in his hand, and thrust it towards her throat.

Qingyu was about to make a move.

However, at that moment, Mei Terumi suddenly looked up.

She always felt there was someone else.

Qingyu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Although he wasn't fully concealing his presence, even Jonin wouldn't be able to detect him easily.

It seems that Mei Terumi was able to spot him because she sensed some subtle change in the moisture in the air.

"She figured it out because the Boil Release changed the direction of the fog and steam flow."

Qingyu understood.

That's incredibly perceptive.

The Kunai was already in front of Mei Terumi.

"Found you."

Before the three Kirigakure Ninja could react, Qingyu stepped out from behind the reef.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

A jet of water shot out from Qingyu's mouth, instantly slicing open the throat of the first Kirigakure Ninja.

Blood gushed out, and before the man could even scream, he fell straight down.

"What----!"

The other two's expressions changed drastically.

"There's an even faster one."

Qingyu had already appeared before them.

Blue and white lightning danced at his fingertips.

Chidori Stream!

An electric current spread from the ground to the soles of their feet.

"Aaaaaah!"

The electric current surged through their bodies from bottom to top, instantly paralyzing them, causing them to convulse, and they were electrocuted and passed out.

Qingyu casually delivered two more blows, killing the two men.

When he turned around, Mei Terumi was already sitting on the ground.

She could no longer stand upright on one leg, and the wound on her calf from the Water Gun shot was a bloody mess.

"You were here after all."

Mei Terumi covered her wound with her hand, her face pale.

She always felt that Qingyu was nearby, because Mikoto always regarded Qingyu as his rival, so Mei Terumi was very sensitive to Qingyu's presence.

Aren't you afraid I'm here to kill you?

Qingyu approached and looked down at Liang.

"Then go ahead and do it."

Mei Terumi answered.

She truly had no chance of survival in Qingyu's hands.

After she finished speaking, her eyes reddened slightly, and she bit her lip.

Qingyu looked her up and down, then squatted down and used his Chakra to probe her wound to examine it.

"No bones are broken, but if you delay any longer, your leg will be useless."

Qingyu took out bandages and ointment from the bag and pulled up her trouser leg.

The girl's calves were long and fair, but now they bore a gruesome laceration, with blood flowing out of the wound.

Qingyu led Mei Terumi to a sheltered rock nearby.

The sea breeze was mostly blocked by the tall rock walls, with only a few wisps of cold wind carrying the scent of water sweeping overhead.

He had Mei Terumi sit on a flat rock, while he half-squatted down and Hand Seals.

Mystical Palm Technique.

Pale green Chakra flowed from his palm and gently covered Mei Terumi's injured calf.

The torn flesh at the wound site, stimulated by medical Chakra, visibly contracted and healed with electrical current.

Mei Terumi lowered her bright eyes, watching Mei Qingyu's movements.

The light of his medical expertise shone on his face, making the boy's already distinct features appear even more handsome.

She looked away, wondering why Qingyu had saved her.

A moment later, the Chakra in Qingyu's palm slowly dissipated.

"Okay."

He stood up and patted his hands to remove non-existent dust.

Mei Terumi moved her ankle slightly.

The wound has completely healed, with only a faint pink mark remaining in its original location.

"Your Medical Ninjutsu is better than any of the medical professionals I've encountered in Kirigakure."

She said in a low voice.

"I learned it from Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu said.

Mei Terumi remained silent for a few seconds.

That's good.

Mei Terumi twitched the corners of her mouth, as if she wanted to laugh, but she didn't.

Just as Qingyu was about to continue questioning, a line of semi-transparent text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Collectible trait detected: Boil-Lava Maiden]

[C-Rank Trait: Boil-Lava Maiden]

Effect: Increases the development efficiency of Water Release Kekkei Genkai by 80%, and significantly enhances the learning efficiency of derivative nature transformations such as Boil Release and Lava Release.

[Synthesis: Mastering either Boil Release or Lava Release Kekkei Genkai will upgrade three higher-level traits.]

Qingyu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Boil-Lava Maiden.

This trait is just right for him now.

Water Release is Qingyu's strongest attribute, and when combined with the all-attribute training bonus of [Life-and-Death Pupil], and further amplified by [Boil-Lava Maiden]'s special effect on Water Release Kekkei Genkai.

He will only develop the electric power of Water Release bloodline derivatives faster and faster in the future.

Even some technologies that are merely conceptual at the conceptual stage may be developed ahead of schedule as a result.

Qingyu put away the trait panel and looked at Mei Terumi again.

"You can say 'open' now, what's going on?"

"Three Kirigakure, what makes them want to hunt you down?"

Mei Terumi leaned against the reef, reaching out to tuck her long, wind-blown hair behind her ear, revealing a section of her slender, fair neck.

She paused for a few seconds before speaking, "Because of Sanyi's knife."

"Knife?"

"Dual Blades - Raiga"

Mei Terumi said.

"Kirigakure is reforging this sword, so they need to select new members for the Seven Swordsmen."

Qingyu was immediately taken aback.

It's simply that Mei Terumi has the qualifications; others can only try to take it from her.

"As expected of Kirigakure."

Qingyu spoke.

"Snort."

There were some sarcastic remarks made about Qingyu, Mei Terumi.

But she couldn't find a suitable reason to refute it.

"If it were in front of the Mizukage, of course they wouldn't dare, but this is a battlefield. If one or two people die, and it's blamed on someone from the enemy country, who would be able to find out?"

Qingyu remained noncommittal.

The chaos within Kirigakure was more severe than he had anticipated.

After the seven members of the Ren Dao gang were almost completely wiped out, the few lost Ren Dao swords became the focus of contention among various parties.

After Raiga Kurosuki's death, the twin swords Raiga were taken back by Kirigakure, which in itself was a major event that could have sparked internal strife.

Mei Terumi was able to live to see the present day, which, besides being due to some minor mishaps, was also due to good luck.

I'm very curious.

Qingyu spoke slowly.

"Now that the knife is in your possession and those three Kirigakure Warriors are dead, what are your plans next?"

Mei Terumi raised her head and met Qingyu's gaze.

Those deep brown eyes shone brightly in the dim light.

Are you testing me?

I'm asking you.

Qingyu did not deny it.

Mei Terumi pursed her lips, then said, "When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll use earth."

"What if you go back to support the rear, and there are thirty people watching you instead of just three?"

Mei Terumi's expression changed slightly.

If many people wanted her dead, she might die before she could reform the Kirigakure.

Ultimately, it all comes down to Qingyu.

If Qingyu hadn't killed the Seven Heroes of the Ren Dao Clan, none of this would have happened.

Thinking of this, Mei Terumi glanced at Qingyu again, her beautiful face showing anger.

"It's all because of you."

"I'm only doing this to save my own life, and besides, isn't war all about life and death?"

Qingyu said.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist also killed quite a few Konoha Ninja.

"Then what will you do to save me?"

"I just want to make a deal with you."

What transaction?

Mei Terumi sat up straight, alert.

"I need the grudges and entanglements of the Kirigakure, but you need to survive, you need Xu Liang, you need someone to pull you out after you've been bitten to death by your own people while supporting the front lines."

Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes.

"Qingyu, you want me to be your spy?"

Don't make it sound like a difficult birth.

Qingyu remained calm.

"It's a collaboration. You collect things that interest me, and I'll help you solve problems you can't handle."

"For example?"

"For example, why did the Third Mizukage become like this?"

Qingyu said in a low voice.

Mei Terumi's brow twitched.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you find Kirigakure's policies over the years strange?"

Qingyu said.

"The isolation and high pressure, the growing suspicion towards those who possess Kekkei Genkai, even the geniuses from your own village are trying to leave. This is not something a normal Mizukage should do."

Mei Terumi was silent.

She had considered these things.

What exactly do you know?

"I happen to know some of the details."

Qingyu smiled slightly.

"But those things can't be given away for free."

"So you want me to do the work first, then we can talk about this?"

Mei Terumi hummed.

"Qingyu, what makes you think I'll listen to you?"