Hearing Terumi Mei's words, the powerful auras radiating from the black-clad men suddenly faltered.
After a brief silence, the man at the front of the group finally spoke. He was a super-strong shinobi whose skills had reached elite jonin level and even edged toward Kage level—the Kisame Terumi Mei had mentioned.
"Terumi Mei, you truly live up to your reputation as the youngest genius Kirigakure has seen in centuries. Not only do you possess two different Kekkei Genkai, but you're also intelligent and perceptive. Even the Fourth Mizukage is so wary of you that he sent us to assassinate you in secret.
"On that point alone, you're undoubtedly the Fifth Mizukage Successor!
"It's just a shame that the Fourth Mizukage has ordered your death. The five of us have you surrounded, and there's no one coming to your rescue. In this situation, even with Boil Release and Lava Release at your disposal, you're bound to die!"
Kisame opened his mouth wide, revealing a row of sharp shark's teeth that gleamed coldly. Just looking at how hard and keen they were was enough to make one's scalp tingle...
Terumi Mei knew Kisame was telling the truth. She was no match for these five, all of whom were at least jonin level, working together. But even if she was going to lose, she wouldn't show it—and besides, they had sent so many people to hunt her down precisely because they feared her strength!
Terumi Mei's lips curled in scorn. Her alluring eyes held a hint of disdain as she parted her cherry-red lips.
"Hmph. There's no point in saying more. Kisame—and the other four—if I make it through this and return to Kirigakure, I'll expose what you've done. Everyone in the village will learn of Yagura's brutality!
"He openly sent people to assassinate the Fifth Mizukage Successor. Even though Yagura is the Fourth Mizukage, he can't simply escape punishment. This time, I'll make him pay.
"I refuse to believe that after I unite all the major and minor clans in Kirigakure who support me, along with the neutral factions still waiting to see how things unfold between Yagura and me, he'll still be able to sit comfortably in the Fourth Mizukage's seat!"
As her words fell, a murderous intent spread across Terumi Mei's face. Beneath that killing aura, her delicate features took on an alluring edge...
Terumi Mei had boldly voiced what was on her mind. That alone wouldn't have caused much trouble, but with Kisame and the other four men still eyeing her like predators, it was a colossal mistake!
Hearing the murderous threat in Terumi Mei's words, Kisame's body stiffened. He realized that if he and the others had still been able to hunt her down without consequences before, from this moment on, all five of them were no different from rogue ninja!
The last thin pretense between the two sides had been torn away by Terumi Mei herself...
Without that cover, Kisame and the others were in an extremely awkward position. If they let Terumi Mei leave alive and return to Kirigakure, then they would be the ones to die—not Terumi Mei!
Thinking it over, Kisame had originally wanted to secretly hold back, impressed by Terumi Mei's astonishing talent and skill. But after hearing what she'd said, he knew there was no turning back for any of them.
Either they killed Terumi Mei and returned safely to Kirigakure,
or Terumi Mei escaped by sheer luck, sought revenge in her fury, and forced them to flee Kirigakure. They'd have no choice but to go all the way down the path of treason and become rogue ninja!