After another day or so on the road, Shinichi leaped onto the tallest tree nearby and gazed into the distance. Sure enough, he spotted Kirigakure.
It seemed they had finally reached Kirigakure territory.
"Kirigakure is just ahead."
Shinichi thought for a moment, then released the Four Symbols Seal on Mei Terumi under her astonished gaze. "Looks like our brief journey together is coming to an end. You're free now."
He wasn't sure whether that slap had done the trick, but this girl had actually become much more docile over the past two days.
With Kirigakure right in front of them, there really was no need to keep holding her captive.
"You're really letting me go?"
Mei Terumi asked in disbelief.
At first, she had assumed his promise to release her was a lie. Now that Shinichi had actually done it, it felt strangely unreal.
"Don't tell me you don't want to leave?"
Shinichi blinked.
"Like hell I don't!"
Mei Terumi snorted, then channeled her chakra and immediately put some distance between herself and Shinichi.
Standing somewhere she considered safe, she glared viciously at him and threatened, "One of these days, I'll capture you, hang you upside down, and spank you good and hard!"
Whoosh.
Before her words had even faded, she vanished in a blur.
He had to admit she was smart. She ran as soon as she finished her threat, giving Shinichi no chance to catch up.
What a joke. After spending these past few days together, how could she possibly not know how absurdly powerful Shinichi was? If she ran too slowly, wouldn't she end up spending another few days as his captive for nothing?
"What's the rush?"
Shinichi muttered, "You really think I'm going to eat you?"
If he truly wanted to capture her again, it wouldn't