The sky was dim, and the mist hung heavy over the village, wrapping everything in a damp, oppressive atmosphere. The air carried the scent of the sea, laced with something faintly metallic—like blood.
In the shadows of this grim and desolate village, a figure moved like a ghost.
Kakashi.
He had spent days slipping through the Hidden Mist, studying every corner, observing every movement. He had seen enough to understand the truth:
This village was rotting.
A place on the verge of collapse.
The shinobi stationed at the gates and streets moved with empty stares, their bodies going through the motions, but their spirits already dead. They weren't soldiers; they were husks.
Still, Kakashi had another mission beyond simple reconnaissance.
He was looking for someone. A potential contact within the village.
But first—he needed to find Sakiya.
With that thought, Kakashi turned back to search for her… and immediately froze.
The rooftops, alleys, docks—even the streets themselves—were covered in mist.
And standing at the center of it all was just one girl.
Sakiya.
Kakashi blinked. What the hell happened?
He stayed hidden, choosing to observe from a distance.
Little did he know, the Mist shinobi assigned to monitor Sakiya were having an existential crisis of their own.
Because…
All she had done was eat.
They had followed her all day. From one stall to the next, she had eaten her way through the entire street.
And these weren't just any shinobi.
They were from the Bloody Mist. Cold. Unfeeling. Killers without hesitation.
And yet, here they were, watching a cute girl stuffing her face with food.
One of them shifted uncomfortably. This is ridiculous. We're elite assassins! Why are we doing this?
Another crossed his arms. Yeah… but… she is kind of adorable.
Damn it.
They weren't supposed to be enjoying this.
And yet, somehow, the thought of watching over her for another ten years didn't seem all that bad.
-------
By evening, Sakiya was still wandering.
A lone girl aimlessly strolling through the Mist Village—an unusual sight.
There was something strange about her. Not just her presence, but the way she carried herself. She stood out in a way that made it obvious she didn't belong here.
Kakashi understood this well. But he also knew Sakiya could take care of herself.
And if the shinobi tailing her were truly assigned to watch her, they seemed more like guards than spies.
After all, this many people weren't needed just to monitor one girl.
Just as Sakiya was getting bored—considering whether she should use her projection technique and escape—
Terumi Mei appeared again.
She approached with her usual confident sway, stopping in front of Sakiya with a smile.
"Miss me, little sister?"
Sakiya shot her a glance, crossing her arms.
"Not a chance! You almost destroyed the world!"
Terumi Mei chuckled.
"I wouldn't take the blame for something like that. But what about you? What's your name?"
Sakiya froze for a moment before tilting her chin up triumphantly.
Unfortunately, standing so close to Terumi Mei, she barely reached her shoulders.
Sakiya frowned.
Then, without a word, she took a few steps back to put some distance between them.
Satisfied with the new positioning, she lifted her head again, hands on her hips.
"Hmph! When asking for someone's real name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
Terumi Mei blinked, then smirked. This little girl was getting more amusing by the second.
"My real name? It's Terumi Mei. Now, what about yours?"
Sakiya nodded as if acknowledging a formal agreement. Without another word, she pulled out her brushes and materials, kneeling to sketch something onto the ground.
Terumi Mei watched the intricate patterns take shape, puzzled.
Meanwhile, the Mist shinobi nearby tensed, their instincts kicking in.
Whatever she was doing, they weren't about to let their guard down.
Kihana Sakiya finished drawing the circle, stepped into the center, and began to move dramatically.
"I am the bearer of the Eye of Death! The founder of the Death Contract! A traveler of the pan-dimensional universe! The sealer of the Infinite Demon God! A guardian of dimensional peace!"
With that declaration, she pulled a small box of matches from her pocket and struck one against the box.
Nothing.
The air was too damp.
She tried again—still nothing.
Silently, Terumi Mei extended a finger and lit the match for her.
Sakiya beamed, tossing the match onto the drawn circle.
The small flame took hold, flickering across the design.
Then, stamping her foot dramatically, she traced a large apple shape in the air with her hands.
"Real name—Kihana Sakiya!"
Poof!
A burst of white smoke billowed up as the gunpowder burned in a neat ring, leaving behind a cool, smoldering effect.
Terumi Mei squinted, then grinned and clapped.
"Not bad, little Sakiya."
She had no idea what just happened, but it looked impressive.
Still smiling, she reached out and grabbed Sakiya's hand.
"Come stay at my place tonight. You don't have anywhere to sleep, right?"
At that moment, Ao stepped forward, looking concerned.
"Terumi-sama, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Terumi Mei waved him off.
"It's fine."
And just like that, Sakiya found herself spending the night at Terumi Mei's house—lured inside with a tempting pile of snacks.
Terumi Mei stepped outside, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.
Ao approached her immediately.
"Terumi-sama, we're moving tonight. That unknown girl—"
Terumi Mei shook her head.
"No need to say more. The fact that Sakiya dared to appear alone, with that innocent smile, is enough for me to believe she isn't a spy. Besides, if I'm wrong, I'll take full responsibility."
Ao remained silent.
Well, you're the boss. Do whatever you want…
______________
Mizukage's Council Room
That night, everything was set.
Terumi Mei and several high-ranking elders gathered in the council chamber.
Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, sat in the main seat.
He scanned the room with an empty gaze.
"A late-night meeting?" he said coldly. "Are you planning a rebellion?"
Silence.
And yet, that silence was the loudest answer of all.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had secretly followed Terumi Mei to the Mizukage's building, hoping to gather more intel.
But before he could act—
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the top floor of the building.
Yagura leapt through the newly formed hole.
Terumi Mei followed, along with Ao and a squad of elite ninjas and elders.
"Now!" Ao shouted. "Restrain him—he's under genjutsu!"
Realization dawned on the elders, and they launched their attacks without hesitation.
"Water Release: Rushing Current!"
"Water Release: Furious Water Dragon!"
"Water Release: Crushing Wave Technique!"
"Water Release: Rapid Torrent!"
Four high-level jutsu converged on Yagura.
With no escape, he made a choice—
Tailed Beast Transformation.
A massive surge of chakra erupted from him, sending shockwaves rippling through the area.
The sheer force of the transformation obliterated the water jutsu and sent the attackers reeling.
Ao wiped cold sweat from his forehead.
"This is bad…"
Terumi Mei's expression darkened.
"The worst-case scenario just came true."
_______________
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