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Chapter 38: Third Wheel? Terumī Mei Appears!
After Oborotsuki and Konan finally opened up and confessed their feelings, deciding to stay together forever—
An uninvited guest suddenly showed up, acting as a massive third wheel.
Sensing someone approaching, Oborotsuki immediately frowned and looked toward the direction of the incoming chakra signature. Konan also turned her head.
Coming into view was a graceful figure dressed in a light blue long dress, with long, flowing brown wavy hair.
With just one glance, Oborotsuki recognized her identity—Terumī Mei!
Though she looked very different from the mature older woman in the original story, both in appearance and aura, Oborotsuki was absolutely certain.
A spark of delight flickered in his heart.
He never expected his next target to appear in such a convenient way.
This saved him a lot of trouble.
Thinking this, Oborotsuki remained calm and simply watched as she approached.
"Aaah What a lovey-dovey little couple!"
Terumī Mei walked over with small, playful steps, teasing them openly.
She showed zero embarrassment at catching Oborotsuki and Konan in an intimate embrace in the middle of the forest.
Soon she arrived right in front of them.
Konan, feeling quite shy, let go of Oborotsuki. Although she sensed no hostility from this sudden stranger, she still watched Mei warily.
Mei only gave Konan a quick glance before her attention returned fully to Oborotsuki.
"Ahem…"
She noticed Oborotsuki's leg stretched out almost horizontally toward her and immediately blushed slightly, turning her body sideways to avoid looking.
"You really should watch your manners, Hōzuki Oborotsuki."
"You're representing the image of a Kirigakure shinobi right now…"
"Oh? Looks like you came prepared."
"But since you know my name, you should also know—I haven't been a shinobi of Kirigakure for a long time, right?"
Oborotsuki folded his arms casually, smiling playfully as he looked at Mei without the slightest hint of shame.
In fact, he even boldly pulled Konan closer in a show of possession.
"Ahem…"
Mei cleared her throat again on purpose, but still kept her body angled away.
"It seems you really haven't seen the public notices. That's actually one of the reasons I took a chance and came all the way here."
"Since you're still staying in the Land of Water, you should have heard something… The Fourth Mizukage has issued an official announcement…"
Mei explained her purpose.
She was currently the person in charge of recalling all the powerful missing-nin who had once left Kirigakure, urging them to return and serve the village again.
This time, she had come specifically hoping to bring the Hōzuki clan back to Kirigakure.
But she never imagined she'd stumble upon Oborotsuki intimately embracing a strange woman in the forest.
"Oh, right—she's not a Kirigakure shinobi, is she?"
After finishing her explanation, Mei pointed casually at Konan beside Oborotsuki.
Konan had been quietly listening the whole time and now understood the general situation.
She looked up at Oborotsuki with slight unease.
"My woman doesn't need to be explained to you."
"And I have zero interest in rejoining Kirigakure."
"Big sis, you should probably leave now. Don't disturb us, okay? Suddenly showing up and interrupting people's serious business is pretty rude."
Oborotsuki waved his hand dismissively.
Hearing him call her "big sis," Mei's eyes widened as she whipped her head around.
"Who's your big sis?! I'm only eighteen!"
She huffed indignantly, then seriously flipped open the document in her hand and read aloud:
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki, age nineteen, Hōzuki clan of Kirigakure…"
"See? You're older than me! Calling me big sis—who's the rude one now?"
"Sorry, my bad, okay?"
"I'm heading home now. Please don't follow me."
"By the way, my temper isn't great…"
Oborotsuki said with a laugh, wrapping his arm around Konan and turning to walk toward his home.
"Wait!"
Unexpectedly, Mei flashed in front of him, blocking the path.
"What? Don't tell me you want to come home with me too?"
Oborotsuki teased playfully.
He knew Mei's personality well—she was cheerful, bold, and friendly. She could take a joke.
The fact that she had walked right up and teased them without any shame while they were embracing proved she wasn't the shy, reserved type.
But the one thing you should never mention in front of her was age.
Mei was very sensitive about it.
Especially in a few years when she'd become an older single woman—anyone who dared bring up anything related would easily anger her.
Hearing Oborotsuki's teasing, Mei rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Even that small gesture carried an irresistible charm, making people want to see it again.
"I'm being serious—stop messing around."
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki, I am now formally issuing a summons in my capacity as Mizukage Assistant."
"Are you willing to rejoin Kirigakure?"
"If you do, the Hōzuki clan can officially return and live in the village again."
With that, Mei produced a document and flicked it open with one hand, displaying it in front of Oborotsuki.
But Oborotsuki didn't even glance at it—he simply shook his head.
"I already told you—I'm not interested in rejoining Kirigakure."
"You should try asking someone else."
"If that's the case… then I'll have no choice but to treat you as a missing-nin."
Mei slowly put the document away. After storing it, she lightly brushed aside the bangs covering her eyes, revealing her stunningly perfect face.
"Oh? You want to fight me?"
"You really are a fickle woman…"
Oborotsuki smiled playfully, gently pushing Konan aside.
"Hmph."
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki, I now formally arrest you in my capacity as Mizukage Assistant."
"If you don't want to suffer, surrender peacefully."
Mei spoke with perfect professionalism.
At this moment, she was all business—completely different from the cheerful, friendly woman who had been teasing them moments ago.
It was like she had become a different person.
But the instant she finished speaking—
The target in front of her suddenly vanished.
"…?"
Mei's body trembled slightly. Her eyes widened in disbelief—she clearly hadn't expected Oborotsuki to be this fast. The intelligence reports hadn't mentioned anything like this!
But she quickly demonstrated her exceptional combat instincts. The moment she reacted, she spun around without hesitation and lashed out with a high kick toward her back.
Bang!
Mei's long, whip-like leg struck Oborotsuki's body—but it caused no damage at all.
Her slender, beautiful leg passed straight through him.
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