That night, Mirai found an inn and stayed there.
Lying on the bed, I recalled the time I had spent with Terumi Mei, and I could not help but feel both longing and disappointment.
"...When will I finally catch up to Tsunade? I wonder how that woman is doing now..."
Bang, bang, bang!
The knocking interrupted Mirai's reverie. "Who is it, this late at night...?"
"Lord Mirai, it's me! Open the door, quickly..."
Mirai thought he was dreaming. Then the person outside called his name again. The voice was familiar—very much like Terumi Mei's!
The knocking was urgent. Was something wrong?
Mirai did not even put on his shoes. He opened the door and saw Terumi Mei covered in blood.
"Ah! What happened? How did this happen?"
He brought Terumi Mei into the room, only to discover that she was carrying a man on her back—her father, the old man.
Upon closer inspection, Mirai saw that the old man's back was covered in poisoned needles and arrows. He was so weak that he could barely breathe. Black, foul-smelling blood kept spilling from his mouth... His mouth hung open, but he could not speak.
"Lord Mirai, please... save my father..." Terumi Mei cried anxiously.
Mirai sniffed the air, and his expression changed drastically. "What terrifying poison..."
Damn it, damn it! I'm not good at treating the sick or saving lives. If Tsunade were here, she could save him... Sigh...
At Mirai's sigh, Terumi Mei completely broke down. Watching her father suffer so terribly while being utterly powerless to help him, her heart felt as though it were being torn apart. She nearly fainted.
Mirai held her, not knowing how to comfort her.
The old man seemed to be trying to say something. The two of them leaned closer and listened carefully.