Mei Terumi's expression darkened, and she huffed, "Great Elder, it's because my skills aren't good enough. I'll work harder in the future and won't let something like this happen again."
The Elder replied calmly, "That's how it goes. People only grow faster through failure. As long as you survive, that's enough."
He paused, then continued, "Well? Were you able to determine which country that spy belonged to?"
Mei Terumi's heart gave a jolt. She knew the Great Elder wasn't like those simple-minded Mist ninja, he wasn't someone easy to deceive.
So she answered honestly, "He looked like he was from Iwagakure, but… it could've been a setup."
The Elder thought for a moment and then said, "It could be either Konoha or Iwagakure. But comparatively, Konoha seems more likely."
Mei Terumi was startled, "Why?"
The Elder took a sip of tea and said lightly, "Because Konoha's outpost near the eastern coast of the Land of Fire is closest to our territory. Judging from their mindset, they're the most anxious. I've already sent people to investigate. Someone capable of capturing you wouldn't be common, even in Konoha."
Mei Terumi's heart grew increasingly uneasy, 'Kakashi… his identity hasn't been exposed, has it?'
'But wait, shouldn't I be standing from the perspective of the Hidden Mist?'
'So why am I feeling so nervous right now?'
The Elder noticed a slight change in Mei Terumi's demeanor but didn't think much of it. After all, she was a child he'd personally raised.
He changed the subject with a gentle tone, "I heard you've taken in a young boy and let him live in your old home?"
Mei Terumi had prepared for this and replied half-truthfully, half-teasingly, "Yes. He… he's my type. I'm not that young anymore, so I have to think about marriage."
The Elder gave her a helpless look, "Mei, maybe you don't see it yourself, but I can tell."
"Even though you always talk about wanting to get married, in truth, you're a very conservative girl with extremely high standards."
"Believe me, when it really comes to marriage, ordinary men won't interest you. You'd rather be single your whole life than marry just anyone."
Mei Terumi blinked and tilted her head, "Great Elder, is that so?
But… I really do like Mr. Handsome."
The Elder could only shake his head, "If this were before, I'd let you fool around. But now, I suggest you send that boy away. Don't drag innocent people into this."
"Because next… we're about to do something big. Something very, very big."
Mei Terumi's heart skipped a beat. A vague premonition surfaced, "Don't tell me… the coup is starting early?"
The Elder nodded, "Originally, according to my plan, it would take quite a bit more time. But now, some things have developed faster than I expected. Yet at the same time, this is a rare opportunity…"
A trace of worry appeared on Mei Terumi's face. The situation in the Mist Village was already tense as it was. If they launched a coup now, Kakashi was still there, would he be able to survive it?
But she couldn't say any of that out loud.
Besides, no one wanted to change this country more than she did.
Compared to that, even Kakashi had to take a back seat.
She nodded and said, "I understand, Great Elder. For the better future of the Hidden Mist, I'm willing to give it my all."
But the Elder shook his head, "Mei, I actually want you to stay alive through this. You're still young, with untapped potential. If we all fail, as long as you survive, there will still be hope for our future."
Mei Terumi's eyes turned resolute, and she shook her head, "No, Great Elder. Opportunity only comes once. Any thought of retreat or hesitation will shake our faith, and lead us to ruin!"
"I'll use every means necessary, even if it costs me my life!"
The Elder already knew she'd say that and didn't try to dissuade her, "About Hozuki Mangetsu, since you have more contact with him, I hope you can win him over completely to our side."
Mei Terumi nodded, "I'll try. He's already wavering. I think… we have a chance."
The Elder hesitated, then said, "Then stay here with me and wait for Yagura to return. If everything goes as I expect, this might be a huge surprise."
Three question marks practically appeared over Mei Terumi's head.
"Great Elder, Yagura… where did he go?"
The Elder smiled faintly, "He went to meet the Three-Tails."
Mei Terumi's eyes widened in shock, "What? Yagura found the Three-Tails' whereabouts? But… that's way too sudden!"
The Elder said, "That's why I said he didn't find it alone. I won't hide this from you, you'll understand soon enough."
Seeing his mysterious expression, Mei Terumi could only stop asking and quietly wait with him.
Time passed bit by bit…
After a while, in the Elder's mansion, the space within the living room suddenly twisted, and Tobi and Yagura appeared again.
Mei Terumi was dumbfounded by the sudden scene, but the Elder remained calm as ever and said, "You're back?"
He looked at Yagura first and immediately noticed that his entire aura had changed.
"It seems things went quite smoothly."
Yagura glanced sideways at Tobi, then dropped to one knee before the Elder, "Great Elder, I did not fail you. This man… Senior Tobi, did not lie to me. I am now the jinchuriki of the Three-Tails."
Mei Terumi's eyes widened even further. What did he just say?
In such a short time… he'd become a jinchuriki?!
But the Elder looked toward Tobi and said, "Since you've kept your word, I am not one to go back on mine. You will see the scene you wish to see."
Tobi nodded, "Then I'll wait for good news."
At that, his aura shifted, becoming playful and almost gleeful.
He began swaying his head, hopping about, and sang out cheerfully, "Tobi just wants to see rivers of blood flow~"
After saying that, he suddenly locked eyes on Mei Terumi and in a flash appeared right in front of her, leaning in close and sniffing.
"You smell like grilled fish. You like fish too?"
Mei Terumi was completely dumbfounded, 'Is this really the same person as before?'
She frowned, looking at him with slight disgust, "So what if I do? Also, who exactly are you?"
Tobi suddenly mimed lying in a chair reading a book, looking utterly lazy.
While staring at an imaginary book, he said, "Me? I'm just a salted fish who likes reading dirty books."
Yagura's face twitched repeatedly, and even the Elder's brow began to spasm.
But only Mei Terumi understood the hidden meaning behind those words. And instantly, she felt as though she'd fallen into an icy pit.
'This masked man… he knows.'
He knew she'd been in contact with Kakashi.
'But… how?'
'Where did I slip up?'
And if he knew, why hadn't he confronted her about it directly?
What was his goal? Was he targeting her, or Kakashi?
Should she… tell Kakashi about this?
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T/N: As you all already know my 2nd Account(Ambitious_Guy) is susp*nded, due to obvious reasons. But, the novels in it are still on the platform. Due to which I can't repost them on my new account(Ambi_Guy). Because everytime I try, the book just gets blocked because of 'Spamming'. So, those novels will now be exclusively available on ScribdleHub. For more details and novels please check announcement on Discord (discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y).
Another thing, from now I will post my new novels via 2nd Account(Ambitious_Guy_2) that used to be my 2nd Patreon(ZenonTL). It has some good fanfics and novels, you can try.
I am afraid of getting another block or susp*nsion so I am not saying more and censoring any trigger words.
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