When Kei heard Mei Terumi's questions in return, he fell silent for a second or two, then nodded lightly.
As a ninja, he did indeed need to be prepared for such things.
Because you had no way of knowing when danger would descend, and it might very well be the very next second!
"But, Kei-kun, your strength really has exceeded my expectations. You've also changed completely since that time. Did something happen?"
The corners of Mei Terumi's eyes curved prettily. With a slightly insistent air, she leaned forward a little and spoke to Kei with a smile.
"Heh, there were a few other factors involved before. As for now, it's because I've figured some things out and seen myself clearly!"
Meeting Mei Terumi's somewhat meaningful gaze, Kei gave it little thought. He simply smiled faintly and answered.
"Oh? Really?"
Mei Terumi raised her eyebrows, plainly unconvinced. In her view, how could someone's attitude change so easily?
But in fact, Kei's change in mindset really had come from his earlier battle with Kisame Hoshigaki, which had brought him to a sudden realization. Mei Terumi could not possibly know that, so she instead speculated along other lines.
Just as Ranne had previously speculated about Kei and her.
At that moment, Mei Terumi's suspicions fell directly on the person who had left just before she arrived-Minazuki Ranne!
After all, that was a perfectly normal and reasonable development, wasn't it?
At least from a girl's perspective, that was absolutely the first possibility she would consider.
As a prime example of a hopelessly straight guy, Kei naturally did not understand these girls' thoughts. Faced with Mei Terumi's meaningful gaze, he remained utterly baffled.
But if he couldn't figure it out, so be it. It wasn't anything important anyway.
Kei wasn't going to delve into that. He simply changed the subject. "Terumi-kun, you were able to pinpoint my location and intercept me at just the right moment. You arranged for people to track my whereabouts, didn't you? Or should I say you had me marked from the very beginning?"
Though he phrased it as a question, Kei's tone was clearly certain.
"Hehe, since you already know, Kei-kun, why ask? Or rather, how else could I have pinpointed your location?"
Mei Terumi raised her chin slightly and answered with a light laugh.
"You really are charming, Terumi-kun, getting all those people to follow your instructions even at the cost of abandoning their exam tasks."
After seeing that Mei Terumi did not deny it.
Kei couldn't help looking impressed. That was why he said the kids in this world were absurdly precocious!
"That's where you've misunderstood, Kei-kun. I'm not that capable. Everyone's just looking out for one another. Wasn't that what Principal Koshimizu said before the exam?"
Mei Terumi brushed back her hair and said with a closed-lip smile.
"Hm? Oh! So that's how it is. Then are you going back into the exam grounds next, Terumi-kun?"
Kei paused at first, then immediately caught on. He nodded as though it had dawned on him and continued speaking.
"Yes. After all, some people haven't finished their exam tasks yet."
Mei Terumi answered openly.
Before this graduation exam had even begun, the examiners had made it clear: they could fight alone or form alliances and work together. The choice was entirely up to the candidates. If they really did get ganged up on during the exam, they could only blame themselves for not being clever or quick-witted enough!
"Well, in that case, Terumi-kun, I wish you all the best!"
Other people had their own ways of doing things.
Kei would not presume to comment further. Even if Mei Terumi was one of Kirigakure's most important future characters in the original story, at this stage, he still needed to focus on himself. Many external things might seem important, but all of them had to rest on his own strength.
Kei's mindset had indeed undergone some fundamental changes, but his sense of urgency alone remained unchanged.
"Then let me congratulate you in advance on graduating, Kei-kun. Also, you don't need to be so formal. Just call me by my name, without the honorific. We're in the same class, and in the future, we'll be comrades fighting together, won't we?"
Mei Terumi's lips curved into a crescent, a faint glimmer flickering in her lovely eyes as she spoke with a smile.
"Hm? Then I'll take you up on that, Mei Terumi. You can just call me by my name too!"
After a brief pause, Kei spoke softly.
"Then I look forward to working with you, Kei!"
Mei Terumi replied with what seemed to be a very happy expression. When she held out her slender, fair hand, Kei reached out without hesitation and gave it a light shake.
Then he immediately let go.
"Well, I'll be leaving first today. See you at the graduation ceremony in three days, Mei Terumi!"
After Kei finished speaking with a slight bow.
He sprang away, darting past Mei Terumi and racing toward the exit.
Mei Terumi turned to watch Kei recede into the distance. Only after he had vanished completely did she put away her smile.
A curious look showed in her lovely eyes.
"Minazuki Kei, huh? He really is much more interesting than I expected. Hehe!"
After murmuring those words.
Mei Terumi pushed off the ground as well, Chakra bursting forth as she turned and headed back into the forest.
Just as she had told Kei earlier.
She had been able to gather those people to collect information on Kei's movements and track him not merely because of her charm, but also because she had organized them well into a cohesive group that looked out for one another. That way, everyone's chances of completing their exam tasks would increase without limit!
Strictly speaking, the matter with Kei had only been incidental!
As the leader of this small group, Mei Terumi placed greater importance on demonstrating her own abilities, as well as making some advance preparations for the future!
Again, the children of this world were exceptionally precocious. Whether it was Kei or Mei Terumi, they would both draw up their own plans for the future in their hearts ahead of time!
And this Kirigakure Genin graduation exam, which had only just reached its climax, was the most important first step in Mei Terumi's plan.
However, none of that had anything to do with Kei anymore. After parting with Mei Terumi, he headed straight for the exit of the exam grounds. Just as he stepped out through it.
The examiner waiting outside immediately came forward.
After verifying Kei's graduation exam task and confirming that all the required exam items had been collected without any issues.
"Yes. Candidate Minazuki Kei, you are confirmed to have passed the graduation exam. Here is your forehead protector!"
The young Mist Ninja with a cool expression nodded as he spoke.
He also handed Kei their Kirigakure forehead protector.