Mei Terumi and Kakashi

"A Konoha Ninja? Kakashi Hatake... the one who's been making a name for himself lately?"

The Kirigakure Ninjas fell silent. Then a figure who seemed to be their captain appeared before Kakashi.

She was a beautiful woman with reddish-brown hair that fell past her waist, tall and curvaceous, with an alluring curve to her chest. She possessed a unique charm that seemed almost impossible for any man to resist.

The spirited confidence in her expression made her all the more attractive.

But at that moment, what stood out more than her feminine charm was the graceful Body Flicker Technique she had displayed before Kakashi, and her nerve in facing Konoha's white-haired reaper alone—a man whose fearsome reputation had recently spread throughout the shinobi world. Both spoke to her confidence in her strength as a Ninja.

She's formidable!

Kakashi reached that conclusion the instant he saw her. A year ago, he might not even have been a match for her.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Mei Terumi."

Her emerald eyes lingered on Kakashi's face for a moment before she gave a soft laugh. "Not bad. You look like a fine man. You're here on a mission, right? For someone as outstanding as you, I'll personally escort you to Kirigakure."

This woman certainly knows how to make surveillance sound appealing.

Still, Kakashi had not come looking for trouble, so he spread his hands to show that he meant no harm.

The Kirigakure Ninjas were clearly not so accommodating. As Kakashi prepared to follow Mei Terumi, one of the men standing in the trees suddenly spoke. "Please surrender your weapons."

As he spoke, he reached a hand toward Kakashi, seemingly intent on stopping him.

But just as Kakashi glanced over, Mei Terumi waved a hand from up ahead.

"Forget it.