Konoha: After the Diary Was Exposed, the Kunoichi Lost It

Hmph!

Anyone wearing a mask was ugly until proven otherwise.

"Strange?"

"That's not what the book said..."

Kakashi Hatake muttered in confusion.

Had the name he'd just dropped not been impressive enough?

Mei Terumi paid Kakashi no further attention. She turned and tied up Haku and Zabuza with rope.

Then,

she reached out and pulled the Senbon from Zabuza's neck.

"Cough..."

The moment the Senbon came out, Zabuza, who had shown no sign of life, began coughing violently.

"He's alive again!"

Sakura and Sasuke stared wide-eyed as Zabuza came back to life.

"It's a secret technique unique to Kirigakure."

"It temporarily puts someone in a deathlike state, but it can't be maintained for long."

Mei Terumi offered a brief explanation.

"I see."

Kakashi Hatake nodded.

There's a technique like that?

That was close.

I almost fell for it.

"I'm so sorry. Zabuza must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"

Mei Terumi casually knocked the newly awakened Zabuza unconscious. An apologetic smile appeared on her lovely face.

"How about... I treat you all to a meal?"

"No!"

Before Kakashi could speak, Sakura shouted.

"We... we still have a mission. There's no need for a meal."

"Don't you need to hurry back and report in, too?"

Seeing everyone looking at her, Sakura explained herself a little guiltily.

Mei Terumi.

Naruto mentioned her in his diary.

She must have a diary too, just like me.

She's here to get close to Naruto!

And she's a Kirigakure ninja. She can't be up to any good.

I absolutely can't let her get her way.

"Well... you have a point."

"I'll treat you all some other time, then."

"See you, kiddos~"

Mei Terumi gave Naruto Uzumaki and the others a sultry smile, then vanished with Zabuza and Haku.

Showing up here has probably already made Naruto suspicious.

If I insist on getting close to him, he'll definitely suspect something.

It's enough that he's seen my face today. There'll be plenty of chances to meet again. No need to rush.

Mei Terumi: I'm the future Mizukage?

"Hmph!"

After Mei Terumi left, Sakura Haruno gave a cold snort.

Dressed like that, she can't be a decent woman.

I can't let a ninja from another village steal Naruto away!

"All right. Now that this is over, let's get moving."

Kakashi Hatake spoke up.

"Exactly. Let's hurry."

Tazuna immediately nodded in agreement.

He had never imagined this trip would draw in so many powerful ninja.

Kakashi, Zabuza, Mei Terumi...

Luckily, the Konoha Ninja escorting him this time were exceptionally strong. Otherwise, he would probably be dead by now, with nothing left to bury.

"Naruto, are you hurt?"

"Come on, lean on me."

Sakura Haruno walked over to Naruto Uzumaki and draped one of his arms over her shoulders.

"Thanks for the help, Sakura."

Naruto Uzumaki didn't turn down Sakura's kindness.

He was still full of energy, but if he could travel with his arm around a cute girl, why wouldn't he?

What he didn't know

was that this small gesture made Kakashi Hatake, who had been secretly watching him, breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

Looks like that fight pushed Naruto close to his limit after all.

The kid...

He's a bit of a monster,

but at least he has limits.

Sasuke Uchiha, meanwhile, looked thoroughly dejected.

The day's battle had dealt him a crushing blow.

Even with his Sharingan evolved into the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he had no confidence he could beat Naruto.

Naruto had defeated an elite Jonin!

Damn it.

What have I been doing all this time?

At this rate,

will I really be able to defeat Uchiha Itachi?

Deep in the forest,

Mei Terumi untied the ropes binding Zabuza and Haku.

"What's this supposed to mean?"

Zabuza asked Mei Terumi in a low voice.

"Zabuza, let me ask you something."

"Do you want to live or die?"

Mei Terumi's voice was cold.

"Hmph!"

"Now that I'm in your hands, do I have a choice?"

Zabuza snorted.

"I'm going to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage."

"If you're willing to help me, I'll let you both go."

Mei Terumi got straight to the point.

"What?"

Zabuza's jaw dropped at Mei Terumi's answer.

Mei Terumi

was an elite Jonin of Kirigakure,

possessed two Kekkei Genkai,

and had always been highly respected in the village.

Someone like her...

is going to stage a coup?

"Given your situation, do I have any reason to lie to you?"

Mei Terumi folded her arms and leaned against a tree with an indolent air.

"Fair enough."

"But why are you doing this?"

Zabuza asked, puzzled.

"For the same reason you did."

"The Fourth Mizukage's Blood Mist Policy will bring Kirigakure to ruin."

"Only by overthrowing him can Kirigakure have a future."

Mei Terumi spoke gravely.

"Fine."

"I'll help you."

Ever since he was very young,

Zabuza had wanted to end the Blood Mist Policy.

That was why

he had killed all his classmates during the Graduation Exam.

He had wanted to prove to the village's leaders that the policy was wrong!

But

even after that happened,

the village had only adjusted the rules of the Graduation Exam.

Later,

once he had grown stronger,

he had tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage.

Unfortunately,

the assassination had failed.