Genji's eyes glittered. "As I thought, Mei Terumi, you have remarkable potential. Perhaps... you can make Kirigakure prosperous again."
A trace of gloom appeared in his eyes.
Kirigakure had fallen into a terrible state.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fled, the village's ninjas were overburdened, and they felt neither affection nor loyalty toward their village.
If things continued this way, even if powerful ninjas were born, they would sooner or later leave Kirigakure and become rogue ninjas. This... was practically a dead end!
"Lord Genji, I didn't come up with this."
Mei Terumi waved her hands repeatedly, her pretty face flushing. "He did."
She pointed to Hyuga Kagami and told Genji the conditions they had discussed earlier.
"Oh?"
Genji looked at the three of them, then let his gaze settle on Hyuga Kagami, who stood there, calm and composed, with an aura all his own. "You're... from the Hyuga Clan?"
"Are you a Konoha ninja?"
He couldn't help but feel astonished. "Has another new genius appeared in Konoha? What an enviable village."
"Ever since Senju Hashirama, geniuses have always emerged to help Konoha turn the tide and remain at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World!"
Every village coveted Konoha.
Yet in all these years, no one had ever managed to conquer it!
He paused. "Still, there's nothing wrong with those conditions. They're just some lists of spies!"
Hyuga Kagami glanced at Mei Terumi and said coolly, "Every village has its own geniuses. Isn't Mei Terumi a powerful genius herself? It's practically certain she'll become a Kage Level powerhouse in the future."
Mei Terumi wouldn't just become a Kage Level powerhouse.
Her powerful attacks could even melt Uchiha Madara's Susanoo!
"That's true."
Genji didn't dwell on it. "You can go rest for now. If I come up with a plan, I'll let you know right away."
His eyes were inscrutable, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Hyuga Kagami felt a sense of respect for an old man like him.
He had devoted his entire life to helping his village prosper.
It was a pity he hadn't lived in better times. If he'd served during Mei Terumi's reign, he might have been able to show his true abilities!
Before long, Mei Terumi led them to their lodgings. The place wasn't large, but it was clean enough, and the three of them weren't picky.
But Mei Terumi didn't leave.
"Oh~"
Hatake Kakashi gave them a knowing look. "We'll be off, then. Kagami-kun, good luck!"
He raised his brows and shot Hyuga Kagami an expectant look.
Once they were back inside, Hatake Kakashi's face fell. "Why? Why!"
"Kagami-kun is only eight, and he's already looking like he might get a girlfriend, while I'm already seventeen!"
Sigh!
It really was maddening to compare yourself to others!
"Captain Kakashi, is finding someone really that important?"
Uchiha Itachi looked puzzled. As far as he was concerned, the most important things were peace and the village's development!
Hatake Kakashi's expression gradually settled, and he spoke with a hint of meaning. "Itachi, you're not old enough to understand yet. But when you meet someone you truly like, you'll want to spend your whole life with her."
"Unfortunately, I haven't met anyone like that yet."
Meanwhile,
Mei Terumi beamed.
In Hyuga Kagami's eyes, this wasn't someone looking for a boyfriend.
She was looking at her prey!
"So... Kagami-kun... would you like to date me?"
She looked confident, but her delicate hands were trembling, and her heart was pounding. She was nowhere near as composed as she appeared.
Hyuga Kagami took in every detail of Mei Terumi's reaction.
The corners of his mouth lifted. Mei Terumi wasn't as calm and unruffled as she seemed, either.
"Sorry, I'm not an adult yet. Getting married would be illegal."
Hyuga Kagami shrugged.
Although this body had already developed to look fifteen or sixteen, he had no interest in finding a girlfriend. Marriage was a huge hassle!
Dating Mei Terumi?
Wouldn't that basically make him Kirigakure's logistics department?
And he wouldn't even get anything out of it!
"You're only a few years younger than me!"
Mei Terumi's beautiful eyes cautiously glanced at Hyuga Kagami's firm chest, and her pretty face turned red as a sunset. "You jerk! I've been this forward, and you're still making excuses?"
"I'm not a few years younger. I'm only eight."
"..."
Pfft!
Mei Terumi stared at him in shock, but immediately scoffed. "You're clearly about the same age as Kakashi! That Uchiha guy is the one who looks eight!"
Hyuga Kagami stood over a meter and seventy tall. His pale eyes gave him a determined, profound look.
His thick eyebrows and rugged features gave him a wild air.
He looked as if nothing could ever hold him back.
Hyuga Kagami shrugged helplessly. "Actually, Uchiha Itachi is my close friend from school. We're in the same year."
Unfortunately, Mei Terumi didn't believe him.
Instead, it only roused her competitive spirit!
"Damn you! No one has ever rejected me like this!"
The novelty of chasing after someone made her heart flutter.
But just then, a furious shout rang out!
"Mei Terumi!"
Koto Kenichi was about to lose his mind!
The woman he loved had brought several men back to Kirigakure—and, on top of that, she was treating one of them differently. She even seemed to like him?!
He absolutely couldn't accept this!
"How could you bring other men to Kirigakure? You're a Kirigakure ninja. You can't possibly be with a ninja from another village!"
"I'm the only one who's right for you!"
Boom!
The wooden door was kicked open. A plain-looking young man stood there, panting, his eyes blazing with fury!
He looked like a beast ready to pounce!
"Koto Kenichi, whoever I'm with is none of your business!"
Mei Terumi's beautiful eyes turned cold as she raised her smooth chin slightly.
Her gaze was frosty!
"Besides, Lord Genji approved of me bringing Hyuga Kagami and the others to the village!"
"Hyuga Kagami?"
Koto Kenichi froze.
His eyes bloodshot, he glared at Hyuga Kagami. "So... you're from the Hyuga Clan? So what?!"
"Members of the Hyuga Clan's main family never leave the village. At most, he's from the branch family—a useless prisoner trapped in a cage. How could he possibly be worthy of you?"
He roared, "I, Koto Kenichi, am the only one worthy of you!"
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