A few days later, the operation of Mei Terumi really worked.
Shaoyu's transfer order was officially issued, and he was incorporated into the Jonin team where Mei Terumi was, serving as the team's medical ninja.
The evening before setting off for the mission, Mei Terumi specially came to the east courtyard of Mizunotsuki Clan Grounds. Outside Shaoyu's remote residence, he handed him an exquisite double-layered lunch box.
"Mr. Yu, I'm going on a mission tomorrow. This is a lunch box I made for you to take with you on the way."
Mei Terumi had a gentle smile on his face, but there was a trace of unconcealable worry in his eyes.
She knows that there are always risks in missions, and even if she has tried her best to achieve a relatively safe mission, she cannot completely guarantee it.
The lunch box is still warm, and you can vaguely smell the aroma of the food.
Shaoyu took it, his fingertips touched her slightly cold fingertips, and he could feel her nervousness.
He raised his head, his gray-blue eyes showing emotion and a hint of caring warmth.
"Thank you, Ming. I will be careful."
"Yeah!"
Mei Terumi nodded vigorously and babbled a few words about paying attention to safety and following the team before reluctantly leaving.
Early the next morning, the team gathered at a designated location outside the village.
The team formation mode of Kirigakure is different from the traditional "Jounin-Genin" master-apprentice system of Konoha.
They prefer to organize ninjas of the same level into teams of three or four according to their strength levels and mission requirements, emphasizing efficiency and ruthless cooperation, and showing very little human touch.
Mei Terumi's team was originally a standard three-man Jonin team.
In addition to Mei Terumi himself, the other two members were already waiting there.
"Jun Yu, let me introduce you."
Mei Terumi pulled Shaoyu forward.
"This is Miyue Bai, good at Water Release and perception, and is our eyes."
The ninja known as Miyue Bai is a girl with a stern face. One eye wears a special black eye patch, and the other eye scans Shaoyu sharply, nodding slightly as a greeting, without any warmth in her eyes.
"This is Quan Bingwei, a powerful ninja who is excellent in sword skills and Earth Release."
Quan Bingwei was tall and strong, carrying a large Ninja Blade on his back. There was a scar on his face. He just grunted without even nodding his head.
His eyes stayed on Shaoyu for a shorter period of time than Miyue Bai. Apparently he didn't like a medical ninja who got in through connections, and he might even think he was a burden.
Shaoyu was not surprised by this, he bowed slightly.
"This is the first time we meet. I am Mizunotsuki Uha, a medical ninja. Please give me your advice."
Neither Miyue Bai nor Quan Bingwei responded.
Mei Terumi also seemed a little embarrassed, but she was also used to the indifferent atmosphere between Kirigakure Ninja, so she could only smile apologetically at Shaoyu, and then said seriously.
"Okay, everyone is here. The mission is to investigate the movements and defenses of the Konoha patrol team in the third area of the southeastern border of Land of Fire, and draw a sketch."
"If there is an opportunity, we can carry out limited harassment, but the priority is to conceal and obtain intelligence. Let's go!"
Without any unnecessary encouragement or nonsense, the four-person team quickly disappeared into the fog-shrouded forest like an arrow from a string, and sped away in the direction of Land of Fire.
During the entire mission, Miyue Bai and Quan Bingwei had almost zero communication with Shaoyu. Only Mei Terumi would occasionally look back to confirm his condition, or ask him in a low voice if he was tired.
Shaoyu was also happy to be clean. While performing the superficial duties of a medical ninja, he used Six Eyes to silently collect information on the chakra environment along the way, loopholes in Konoha's border defense, and details of the true strength of the two teammates.
The mission was successfully completed and the team began to evacuate along the planned route.
At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun struggled to penetrate the thin fog that persisted all year round at the Land of Water border, dyeing the forest a hazy dark golden color.
The team of four moved quickly through the shadows of the trees.
The atmosphere was still silent, with only the slight sound of clothes rubbing against branches and leaves and stepping on the ground.
Mei Terumi slowed down slightly, stood side by side with Shaoyu, and asked in a low voice.
"Yujun, can you still keep up? It's your first time on such a mission. How do you feel?"
Shaoyu gasped slightly and nodded.
"It's... not bad. I'm just a little nervous."
Mei Terumi Seeing him tired but trying hard to persevere, his heart felt soft and he was about to say a few words of comfort.
Suddenly, Miyue Bai in front suddenly raised his hand and made a warning gesture to stop.
Quan Bingwei instantly grasped the handle of the knife behind his back.
Mei Terumi and Shaoyu also stopped immediately and entered a state of alert.
Qing's eye covered by the blindfold flashed blue, and he lowered his voice with a hint of solemnity.
"Ahead at two o'clock, about 500 meters away... there is a strange chakra reaction, not from Konoha."
"Can you tell the identity? An ambush from other ninja villages? Or a traitorous ninja?"
Quan Bingwei asked in a deep voice, his muscles tense.
Miyue Bai shook his head.
"I don't know. But this feeling... doesn't feel like a regular ninja army. It feels more like..."
Before she finished speaking, in the misty forest glade ahead, a tall figure wearing gray tattered clothes and a mask, exuding a cold aura, slowly appeared in their field of vision.
He carried a large bag that seemed to contain a human head on his shoulders, and his eyes swept over the Mei Terumi trio as if evaluating goods.
Finally, I paused briefly on Miyue Bai, Quan Bingwei and Ninja Blade, as if I was confirming something.
"Kakuzu..."
Shaoyu murmured to himself.
It's really this stuff.
Shaoyu's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, and he sighed helplessly.
"Kakuzu... Do I really have the physique to follow the protagonist wherever he goes? I can meet this guy here..."
Kakuzu's green eyes swept over the three of Mei Terumi, as if they were counting the goods.
"Terumi Clan Patriarch's daughter...Boil Release Lava Release blood inheritance, huge potential, black market reward of eight million taels..." "
Miyue Bai, Kirigakure jounin, specializing in perception and assassination, with a reward of three million taels..."
"Quan Bingwei, a powerful swordsman jounin, with a reward of four million taels..."
His eyes finally passed over the ordinary-looking Shaoyu, who was hidden behind Mei Terumi and was wearing a medical ninja costume. He paused for less than half a second.
"... He still has a new face. No bounty, it's a waste."
Obviously, Kakuzu's intelligence and interest are only directed at valuable targets.
He had no interest in "Mizunotsuki Uha", a new and unknown medical ninja within Kirigakure, and even felt that killing one more would be a waste of time.
Have you been underestimated?
Shaoyu glanced at Kakuzu's chakra and made a quick assessment.
There is no doubt about Kakuzu's strength, with five attributes of heart, coupled with his age, he probably has more combat experience than everyone present combined.
Mei Terumi Although the three of them are strong, facing this old monster, the odds are against them.
"It just so happens that they are all here, saving me a few more trips to the money exchange."
Kakuzu seems to have made a decision.