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The moment Sawara Kiri said those words, Mei Terumī was startled, but as her eyes met his warm, azure ones, her heart immediately tensed. She instantly understood what the adult meant and slightly lowered her head, hiding her little thoughts.
Shikotsumyaku.
It was indeed a Kaguya Clan bloodline Ninja.
But why would he do such a thing?
Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu, who were beside her, didn't notice Mei Terumī's subtle change in expression at all. They enthusiastically followed Sawara Kiri, asking him all sorts of questions.
Sawara Kiri also welcomed them, offering guidance like a true good teacher.
After a while, he excused himself and left.
"Hey, Mei."
"Why didn't you say anything just now?"
It wasn't until Sawara Kiri had left that Hozuki Mangetsu, who was slightly more observant, noticed Mei Terumī's abnormality and asked directly.
"Idiot."
Mei Terumī didn't pay them any mind, muttering a low curse before continuing, "Of course I was thinking about Sawara's mission just now!"
"Mixing with those kids without revealing our identities—this kind of thing definitely needs careful thought on how to do it, right?"
Although they were companions, Mei Terumī had already realized that even after seeing Sawara Kiri and Uchiha Madara's battle scene, these two still didn't question why such a powerful figure would be in this Village. Naturally, they wouldn't blurt out their own thoughts.
Hearing this, Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu were also stunned.
It seemed so.
They had been so engrossed in talking to Sawara just now that they almost forgot about the mission.
Now that they thought about it carefully, it did seem quite troublesome.
"In any case, you both be careful."
Mei Terumī's tone was calm: "After this, the three of us should also try not to associate too closely, to avoid others discovering anything amiss."
"As for integrating into the group, you two try to approach Hatake Sakumo's son and Sarutobi Hiruzen's youngest son. I'll try to get in touch with the girls' group."
"Being too solitary makes it easy to expose ourselves."
Upon hearing this, both of them nodded.
Although in terms of strength, the Ninjutsu-type Mei Terumī was slightly weaker than them, this girl had a very good head on her shoulders, and among the three, she had always been the captain.
At this moment, hearing Mei Terumī say this, the other two didn't notice anything amiss at all.
Even when they walked out of Forest of Death, Mei Terumī still looked preoccupied.
When she returned home, she pondered for a long time before writing a letter, tucking it into the mouth of a summoned hamster, and trying to contact Yagura first.
There was definitely something wrong with Sawara Kiri!
On the second day of school, Mei Terumī easily blended into the small circle of girls, including Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara.
Although she found it boring, bearing the heavy responsibility of the Village, Mei Terumī naturally had no right to refuse such a mission.
"Mei, let's go!"
"Next class is P.E.!"
"Yes Yes"
The half-grown loli, who had been quietly lowering her face just a second ago, instantly put on a bright and cheerful expression the moment she looked up, trotting behind Kurenai Yuhi.
The red-eyed girl with a full head of dark, slightly curly hair smiled sweetly, and the two walked out of the classroom door shoulder to shoulder.
"Let me tell you, yesterday I saw that urban legend!"
"It's the one about a green-skinned, tight-suited wack who runs around the Village yelling every afternoon!"
"Eh! Does he really exist?"
"When he passed by me, he even shouted, 'Thanks for the support!'"
"It's just that his alcoholic nose is a bit ugly."
Mei Terumī listened to Kurenai Yuhi's words, deliberately feigning great interest, and also waved to the other side: "Rin! It's time to go!"
Rin Nohara, who had been staring blankly at her desk, was startled by the sound and immediately stood up from her seat, her cheeks flushed.
When she looked up, she caught a glimpse of the other two girls' mischievous smiles.
"Ah? What's wrong?"
Rin Nohara uncomfortably tucked a short strand of hair behind her ear.
Kurenai Yuhi leaned closer to her, glancing in the direction she had been staring, and whispered: "I told you, you really like that Kakashi, don't you?"
"Who, who, who said so! I don't!"
Rin Nohara's face instantly turned from slightly red to completely scarlet, as if smoke was about to rise from her little head.
The next moment, she immediately reacted, looking indignantly at Kurenai Yuhi: "Kurenai Yuhi! How hateful!"
"See how I deal with you today!"
With that, she pounced like a young tiger descending a mountain, grabbing Kurenai Yuhi's waist and tickling her, making her run away frantically.
Mei Terumī also trotted behind the two, her gaze flicking towards the corner of the classroom.
Kakashi, with his face covered, quietly read his book, oblivious to the scene.
Is that the son of Konoha's White Fang?
He should have some strength.
However, she didn't look much longer, turning to follow the two playful figures.
Contacting Kakashi was Zabuza's mission.
When the entire classroom was empty, Kakashi in the corner of the classroom finally closed the advanced textbook in his hand, glanced towards the door, and let out a soft snort: "Hmph."
"Boring."
Before long, all the students of Class 1-A arrived at the playground, lining up under the organization of the Chunin teachers for orderly combat exercises.
As the top student in the entrance exam, Kakashi was naturally the first to be called out among everyone.
As soon as he stepped out of the crowd, a small cheer already erupted behind him.
Clearly, this cool kid had considerable popularity among the precocious Ninja girls.
"Damn Kakashi!"
Uchiha Obito heard the cheer and immediately jumped up and down in the crowd: "He's actually so popular."
"He's the top of the class, so that's to be expected."
Asuma said, arms crossed, looking as if it were a matter of course.
It was only when he saw Kurenai Yuhi's expressionless face that he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, in his peripheral vision, Kurenai Yuhi mischievously tilted her head and whispered to Rin Nohara: "Oh no, Rin-chan has so many rivals!"
Rin Nohara's ears were already sensitive, and when Kurenai Yuhi blew on them, she instantly shivered.
When she heard Kurenai Yuhi's voice clearly, she immediately reached out and gently pinched her waist: "Hateful!"
"Oh, hoo…"
Mei Terumī also lowered her voice: "Is Kakashi really that amazing?"
"Of course he is."
Rin Nohara, who had been blushing and refusing to speak just now, immediately showed a matter-of-fact expression: "Although everyone says he's a genius, he actually works very hard to achieve his current strength!"
"Eh!"
On the training ground, the Chunin teacher announced the names: "Kakashi versus Zabuza, form the Confrontation Seal!"
Kakashi stood with one hand in his pocket, completely unconcerned about the children's squabble, looking indifferent, and formed a hand seal with one hand.
Across from him, a vicious smile bloomed on Zabuza's bandaged face as he also formed a hand seal.
"Ninja Academy's top student, that title will be mine from now on!"
Mei Terumī nodded secretly in the distance.
Rival persona.
This was also a very easy way to approach the other party.
Kakashi didn't take the other party's threat seriously at all.
Unlike these other kids.
He had already seen a much larger world now.
"Begin!"
Almost the moment the Chunin teacher's hand chopped down, the two little ones simultaneously shot towards each other.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Several blunt shuriken flew from Kakashi's hand. Zabuza, maintaining his charge, simply shifted his body and easily dodged the barrage of shuriken.
However, with just that momentary pause, the small-statured Kakashi had already taken a step, fiercely kicking towards his chin.
"Thwack."
The sharp upward kick was caught by a single hand.
Kakashi's gaze paused slightly. This guy had a lot of strength.
Zabuza, however, completely ignored his thoughts. He grabbed Kakashi's leg with one hand, while the other gripped a Kunai and suddenly stabbed downwards towards him.
Kakashi's body lightly leaped with the pulling force, dodging the attack in mid-air. He flipped the Kunai in his hand from a forward grip to a reverse grip, almost simultaneously stabbing towards Zabuza's chest.
"Clang!"
Zabuza retracted his Kunai. The Kunai in their hands clashed, emitting a crisp metallic sound.
Before he could react further, Kakashi's gripped left leg immediately exerted force, breaking free from his hand and spinning to kick his shoulder, making a dull thud.
At the same time, he used that kick to lightly spin in mid-air, landing steadily on the ground.
"So amazing!"
Rin Nohara, who had only been in the Ninja Academy for a few days, saw this scene, and her eyes immediately sparkled with light.
This made Obito in the crowd furious.
However, unlike these untrained little ones.
Mei Terumī's expression was serious.
Amateurs watch the excitement, experts watch the technique.
Just that brief series of exchanges, this kid named Kakashi had demonstrated remarkably excellent Taijutsu skills.
Even if he were to take the graduation exam now, he probably wouldn't lose points in taijutsu.
Konoha really has an absurd number of geniuses.
While Mei Terumī's thoughts were turning, Kakashi's movements didn't stop at all; he seized the slight opening when Zabuza was just kicked and suddenly charged out from his original spot again.
However, Zabuza, who had been slightly leaning, smiled, and his almost toppling body rolled half a circle along the ground, his Kunai sweeping along the direction of his legs.
But Kakashi suddenly leaped up and flipped over the instant his legs were about to be cut.
He pressed both hands on the ground.
Zabuza's forward-lunge posture involuntarily paused.
Konoha Great Whirlwind.
"Bang!"
The Ninja shoe, which had spun more than half a circle, brought with it a heavy kick, accompanied by the sound of wind, and fiercely struck Zabuza's face, sending his entire body spinning away from the force of the kick.
Kakashi, seizing the advantage, didn't let up; he stood up and delivered another tiger pounce, heavily pressing down on his back with a Kunai, while the Kunai pierced into the side of his neck!
"Pfft."
Zabuza's pupils instantly constricted.
"Excellent!"
The Chunin teacher opposite, seeing this scene, his eyes immediately lit up, and he raised his hand to signal the end of the battle: "Kakashi, wins!"
Hearing this sound from the surrounding crowd, there was immediately another mix of sighs and cheers.
The cheers, of course, came from Kakashi's fan club.
The sighs, on the other hand, came from the little guys, led by Obito and others, who didn't get along with Kakashi.
"Damn it!"
"Why can't someone just punch that guy!"
Watching Rin Nohara's eyes light up, little Obito felt his heart ache in waves.
How infuriating!
Hozuki Mangetsu, beside him, wore a smiling expression, completely ignoring Obito's little complaint.
It wasn't until Zabuza finished the hand seals for the Release Jutsu and returned to the team that he quietly said, "You acted pretty well."
"Hmph, who do you take this great lord for?"
Zabuza put on a smug expression, not mentioning that he had actually been careless just now.
—That would be too embarrassing.
However, when Kakashi passed by, he still coldly dropped a line as planned: "Next time, I will definitely defeat you!"
"Oh."
Kakashi still had that dead-fish eye look, not taking the words to heart at all.
Too many people had said such things to him; he couldn't remember them all.
However, Mei Terumī watched these scenes unfold, and her heart slightly relaxed.
It seemed that, at least during the execution of this mission, there shouldn't be any accidents.
After the day's lessons were over.
When Mei Terumī returned home, she glimpsed the little hamster that had somehow burrowed out from the desk, and her heart immediately filled with joy.
Yagura had replied.
However, when she unfolded the slip of paper, her heart couldn't help but sink again.
[Continue to execute the mission, obey direct superior's orders, do not disturb other matters]
Clearly, Yagura Karatachi had no intention of doing anything because of her slight suspicion.
No.
Looking at the small slip of paper, Mei Terumī couldn't help but recall how respectful Lord Yagura had been towards Sawara Kiri when they first met him.
A dangerous thought suddenly arose deep within her heart.
Were they—
—and even the entire high-ranking officials of Hidden Mist—all in on it together?
Just the emergence of this thought sent a chill down Mei Terumī's spine, and her tender face turned completely pale.
If that were the case, what exactly did these people want to do?
Mei Terumī didn't dare to think any deeper.
Still, it's better to obey orders.
"Sawara's Book of Friends: Character 'Mei Terumī' added."
"Bond Level Increased ↑"
"Mei Terumī Bond Level: Zero → One"
"Hmm?"
Noticing the suddenly popped-up panel, Sawara Kiri's face first showed a stunned expression, then a relieved smile.
"I originally thought that Zabuza and Mangetsu, those two simple kids, would be easier to get close to, but I didn't expect that child to be the first to recognize reality?"
"What a smart child."
Clearly, he had noticed Mei Terumī's slight abnormality from the beginning, but he hadn't taken it to heart at all.
In reality, given his current strength and status, directly breaking into Hidden Mist Village, eliminating all Hidden Mist high-ranking officials and all Ninja Clans, and merging the two Villages in one go, wouldn't be a difficult task.
The reason he hadn't done so was simply because he didn't want to disrupt the current peaceful development environment of the Ninja World—he himself was, of course, invincible, but it was impossible for him to constantly stay by every Konoha villager's side to prevent them from being killed by suicidal attacks from Hidden Mist remnants.
Naturally, he chose a relatively gentle approach.
Sawara Kiri had long regarded the current Konoha Village and Hidden Mist Village as his own; he was unwilling to see either side suffer damage.
Next, the process of helping Yagura ascend to power would be relatively simpler, but that would have to wait until he became the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.
Right now, he had a more urgent matter.
Sawara Kiri lowered his head, looking at the paper on his desk.
It was densely marked with various Naruto plotlines and movie-related content he had watched in his previous life, with circles drawn around multiple characters and locations.
Among them, the most frequently highlighted terms were "Mōryō of the Land of Demons," "Infinite Terracotta Army," "Immortal Jashin," "Dragon Vein," and "Second Ten-Tails."
His current strength level had reached a bottleneck.
In the early stages of using the system to obtain abilities, naturally, whatever he got would be of some use.
The initial "Hinokami Kagura" and "Limitless," both greatly elevated his strength level.
But later, whether it was "Black Blade Shusui" or "Navy Six Styles," their contribution to his strength increase was actually quite limited.
So much so that in the battle with Uchiha Madara, they could only be used as basic attacks.
This wasn't because these abilities and items were bad, but because his strength was too great.
Based on Sawara Kiri's own estimation, even against the Sage Mode Senju Hashirama at his peak, he was confident he could contend, and even if he couldn't win, he could definitely escape.
This wasn't arrogance, but confidence brought by solid achievements.
He could be called the strongest person below the Six Paths.
But unfortunately, after becoming invincible on earth, enemies came from the heavens.
The Kara, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
This was a powerhouse he currently couldn't resist.
Even an Ōtsutsuki Clan member like Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who didn't understand hand-to-hand combat and only knew how to unleash powerful jutsus with her omnipotence, he still couldn't defeat.
Therefore, he needed to seriously consider how to compensate for his shortcomings.
Among all his shortcomings, the most obvious one was his current total Chakra amount.
Although learning the Yin Seal allowed him to reach a Kage-level Chakra after releasing it, compared to the monsters of the future, this total amount seemed far too insufficient.
After the choices on the paper were crossed out one by one due to various side effects.
Ultimately, his pen still landed on "Dragon Vein."
"Dragon Vein, huh…"
Sawara Kiri scratched his hair, feeling a bit of a headache.
Before this, he had already inquired with Jiraiya about information related to the Dragon Vein.
Unlike those fanfictions he had read in his previous life where one could directly take the Dragon Vein for one's own use, after he mentioned this idea, Jiraiya only used one sentence to make him abandon the thought.
"The Dragon Vein is the purest, most violent, and unstable natural energy, even more difficult to access than the Sage of the Three Great Sage Lands; a slight mistake can cause your body to explode and die, and it absolutely cannot be absorbed into the body like a Jinchuriki."
It made sense.
With such a massive energy source sitting there, thousands of years had passed, and Ninjas even dared to put Tailed Beasts into their bodies, so how could the Dragon Vein not have been used by anyone?
It's just that the outcomes were mostly not pleasant, which deterred people.
However, Sawara Kiri's target wasn't the Dragon Vein itself.
He pulled out a map of the Ninja World; at this moment, the entire map was already marked with line after line.
The Dragon Vein was not just the one in the ancient country of Roran.
As the lifeblood of the earth, it permeated the entire Ninja World, like roots, intertwined beneath the surface, constantly interweaving, with only a few main veins being the thickest and interconnected.
Ultimately, they converged at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
"Thud."
Sawara Kiri's pen landed heavily there.
This Dragon Vein, like roots entrenched beneath the earth, reminded him of something.
The God Tree.
A thousand years ago, the God Tree absorbed the natural energy of the entire Ninja World to form the Chakra Fruit, which was eventually taken by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
"So…"
"Would something like the God Tree leave behind seeds?"
Sawara Kiri gazed at the map with a calm expression, muttering to himself.
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