You Don't Have to Forgive Me, Because This Probably Isn't the Last Time

As he gazed at the mural before him, feeling the immense power surging beneath the layers of seals, he felt a slight burning sensation in his heart.

That was from the Mangekyō Sharingan, a call from power.

The old man in the mural is still fighting the giant red monster, and the people in white robes are still forming ancient hand seals.

Everything seemed to be frozen in that moment a thousand years ago.

Slight footsteps approached from behind, and as the footsteps drew closer, Kou's initially burning emotions gradually calmed down.

The burning sensation was like a flame being blown away by the wind, gradually extinguishing itself, leaving only ashes and lingering warmth.

The Mangekyō Sharingan in Kokoro's eyes had been retracted at some point, and his black eyes had returned to calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

He turned around and looked at Mei Terumi walking towards him.

She held a clearly old scroll in her hand, her steps were lighter than before, and her expression was no longer so heavy, as if she had been relieved.

Gazing intently at the scroll, he murmured to himself:

"It seems we've achieved our goal and found a suitable Sealing Jutsu."

Mei Terumi approached Kokoro, a rare hint of relaxation appearing on her usually cold and aloof face.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she were about to say something.

"I never expected this place to be a cemetery. It's quite a surprise."

Kou spoke first, his tone filled with genuine emotion.

His gaze swept over the forest of steles, a relaxed expression appearing on his face that seemed out of place with his surroundings.

He then looked at the scroll in Mei Terumi's hand, his tone filled with even more admiration:

"However, it seems this mission has been successfully completed."

Hearing Kou's words, Mei Terumi remained silent for a moment, her gaze shifting from Kou's face to the scroll in her hand.

This was her purpose in coming here; it was the "result" she had obtained after years of saving.

It was a "weapon" she found for Mist Village, for the Reformist Faction, for her comrades, and for her ideals...

Mei Terumi looked at Kokoro in front of her and smiled with relief:

"Ah, thanks to you, Uchiha Kuro."

Her voice became lighter, and Kou's image was reflected in her emerald green eyes:

"It was the right decision to ask you to come and help with this mission."

"Although I'm reluctant to admit it, you are indeed a very skilled ninja."

"... Just take that as a compliment."

He shrugged and said casually.

He then looked around at the stone tablets, his gaze sweeping over the silent tombstones, a thoughtful glint flashing in his dark eyes:

"Speaking of which, with so many scrolls here, there should be quite a few Sealing Jutsu, right? You... only took this one?"

Mei Terumi listened to Koko's question and remained silent for a moment.

She didn't say anything, but looked at the tombstones with an apologetic gaze.

Looking at her like this, he murmured to himself:

"What a naive fellow."

"Although I don't dislike people like that, she must have a very hard time living in this Ninja World in her current state."

Although it was indeed himself who transformed the mature Fifth Mizukage from the original timeline into this state.

"Don't you... have you ever thought about finding some Sealing Jutsu?"

Just as he was feeling sentimental, Mei Terumi's voice interrupted his thoughts.

She gave Kou a meaningful look, then shifted her gaze from his face to the wall behind him.

That huge wall, covered with murals.

Looking into her eyes, he instantly understood.

"You can get that later."

His voice was very soft, as if he were stating something obvious.

He turned his head to look at the mural and said in a low voice:

"Because... there are things more worthwhile for me to obtain."

Mei Terumi looked at the koto in front of her, then glanced at the mural, her eyes becoming serious.

"You... you noticed it too, so you did?"

"Such an obvious seal, you must have noticed it when you first arrived, right?"

Kou responded naturally, turning to look at Mei Terumi. His dark eyes held no surprise, only a calm acceptance that said, "We both know what's going on."

Mei Terumi was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"The moment I entered this ruin, I sensed that there was a rather weak Sealing Jutsu on the wall."

There must be something else behind that wall.

She observed the expression on the other end of the line, her voice steady:

But I don't intend to explore it.

He gazed at Mei Terumi's profile, his voice soft, as if he were stating an answer he already knew:

"Because of the guilt he felt towards the Land of Whirlpools as Kirigakure Ninja?"

Mei Terumi shook her head.

"Not entirely."

Her voice lowered, as if she were recounting something she had been pondering and had finally come to a conclusion about:

"In Uzushio Village, on the way here, I discovered some traces from the Mist Anbu."

Mei Terumi's gaze deepened, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes:

"At the time, I suspected that the Mist Village's Anbu had been here before."

"And after arriving at these ruins, my guess was confirmed."

Her voice grew softer and softer, carrying an unconcealed heaviness:

"I found traces of the Mist Anbu operatives who were sent to investigate near more than one tombstone."

Although the marks were very well hidden, as a fellow ninja from Mist Village, I could recognize them at a glance.

"Many years ago, the ninjas sent by Mist Village may have also come here... but they never returned."

Mei Terumi looked at Kokoro and said in a complicated tone:

"They most likely share your idea: to break the seal and enter the depths of this ruin."

"They never came back. I don't think you're unaware of the risks involved."

Her voice became more serious:

"Put that idea aside; the task I entrusted to you is over."

If you wish, I won't stop you from taking what you need.

But... this seal is the one thing I hope you won't touch.

Listening to Mei Terumi's sincere words, she paused slightly, pondered for a moment, and then whispered:

"As... the client?"

Mei Terumi did not hesitate.

"No."

Her voice was very firm:

"Only as a temporary companion who acknowledges you."

Mei Terumi paused, and a rare, sincere expression appeared on her cold and beautiful face:

"Although we're only temporary companions, I truly respect you during this short time together."

I don't want you to take that risk. If possible, in the future, both I and Mist Village hope to continue our cooperative relationship with such an excellent ninja as you."

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was utterly sincere.

Kou didn't go to see Mei Terumi.

He lowered his head, his dark eyes fixed on the stone bricks beneath his feet.

Kou's gaze lingered on that spot for a long time.

"Yeah..."

His voice was very soft, like a sigh.

After a long while, Koko slowly raised his head and looked at Mei Terumi in front of him with a helpless gaze.

"Well--"

He sighed deeply, as if trying to expel all the emotions from his chest.

"That's just how you are, and it really frustrates me..."

Kouchi looked at Mei Terumi with gentle eyes and said with a wry smile:

"You should just ignore me."

Mei Terumi stared at Kokoro in front of her, her emerald green eyes widening slightly.

Her gaze shifted from calm to surprise, and from surprise to shock.

"How... how is this possible?!"

Mei Terumi stared at Kokoro's bitter smile, murmuring to herself, her cold, beautiful face filled with undisguised disbelief:

"The way he spoke just now was almost like..."

She instinctively wanted to say the name she held in her heart.

The word was already swirling on the tip of my tongue; it only needed a gentle push to escape.

"You don't have to forgive me, Mei Terumi."

A gentle voice interrupted her; it was very soft, as if saying sorry.

"Because this probably won't be the last time."

His right eye changed in that instant.

Three black Tomo spun rapidly on his iris, then connected, merged, and transformed into a new, more complex pattern.

That wasn't his Mangekyo shape; it wasn't "the Magatsuhi God" or "the Inari God."

Those were someone else's eyes, someone else's pupil power—that was Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Transcription Seal - Kotoamatsukami."

Kōgō stared intently into Mei Terumi's eyes and unleashed the technique he had prepared long ago.

Mei Terumi gazed at the eerie Mangekyo pattern, the light in her emerald green eyes gradually dimmed...

Is the protagonist a little wicked? But Shisui's Mangekyo ability only temporarily alters other people's will, so it shouldn't be a big problem, right...?