https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-295-The-Young-Girl-Terumi-Mei-Two-in-One-/12558366/
Chapter 296: Nine Years Old, Aiming to be the Fifth Mizukage (Two-in-One)
Chapter 296: Nine Years Old, Aiming to be the Fifth Mizukage (Two-in-One)
"Master Yamamura, our mission is simply to perform well in the Chunin Exams in Konoha, right?" Terumi Mei gazed at Konoha, now within close proximity, and confirmed the mission details with her instructor once more.
"Yes, just showcase your true strength, and that will be sufficient." Master Yamamura nodded in response.
Prior to the invitation from Konoha, Kirigakure had not anticipated that they would be invited to participate in the Chunin Exams. Due to its nature as an island nation, Kirigakure rarely engaged in activities with the other four great ninja villages on the mainland.
However, now that Kirigakure had been invited, they certainly wouldn't back down. They viewed this as a great opportunity to not only make their presence known on the mainland but also to assess Konoha's strength.
Although Kirigakure rarely took part in the great shinobi wars, they weren't completely indifferent to the affairs of the ninja world. They still sent ninjas to gather intelligence and were aware that the four great ninja villages on the mainland were often locked in fierce battles.
Nonetheless, this didn't concern Master Yamamura and his squad. Their task was singular: to excel in the Chunin Exams and defeat the Konoha ninjas, securing a top rank.
Master Yamamura was confident in their ability to accomplish this. Among his squad was a nine-year-old ninja prodigy named Terumi Mei, who had already mastered two bloodline limits and displayed impressive proficiency in water-style jutsu.
"By the way, that shark-faced guy... I thought he was a Chunin. Why is he participating in the Chunin Exams as well?" Terumi Mei glanced at Kisame Hoshigaki and whispered curiously.
Kisame Hoshigaki's distinctive appearance made him instantly memorable to Terumi Mei. She recalled that he had become a Chunin the previous year after passing Kirigakure's Chunin Exams.
"He probably failed a mission and was demoted. Don't concern yourself with that. Regardless of who your opponent is during the exams, give it your all and strive for the best result. The better your performance, the greater the reward from the village," Master Yamamura explained casually before offering a word of advice.
Kirigakure was a village governed by the law of the jungle, and Master Yamamura naturally hoped that his disciples would go far and reap greater rewards.
Terumi Mei nodded, deciding not to probe further into Kisame Hoshigaki's situation. Having grown up in the harsh and oppressive environment of Kirigakure, she understood that there were some things she didn't need to know.
However, she secretly remained vigilant towards this fellow Kirigakure ninja who was participating in the Chunin Exams as a Chunin. She viewed Kisame Hoshigaki as her primary rival in her quest for the top spot.
As they drew closer, Terumi Mei caught sight of Konoha's massive wooden gate.
Having grown up among the tall buildings of Kirigakure, Terumi Mei wasn't awestruck by the gate's size. Instead, her heart swelled with anticipation and determination. She was about to set foot on the path to becoming a ninja, and she intended to defeat every Konoha genin she encountered, taking a solid step towards her dream.
"As long as I can get first place here, I'll be recognized in the village. Even the Elder and the Third Mizukage will have to view me in a new light," Terumi Mei thought to herself.
The Chunin Exams jointly held by two of the five great ninja villages would undoubtedly attract the attention of the entire shinobi world. If a nine-year-old genin like her emerged as the victor, she would undoubtedly be hailed as a genius among geniuses.
Although it was just an exam, Terumi Mei believed that this was a pivotal step towards her goal of becoming the Mizukage.
Terumi Mei had a complicated relationship with Kirigakure. On one hand, it was her hometown, and she loved the misty mornings and the beauty they brought. On the other hand, she despised the oppressive atmosphere that suffocated its inhabitants, forcing even students to engage in mutual slaughter.
Terumi Mei didn't want to hate her hometown. To ensure that she would only hold love for Kirigakure in the future, she aspired to become the Mizukage. She wanted to reform the oppressive policies of the Third Mizukage and bring peace to Kirigakure.
As they approached the gate, Terumi Mei noticed that they were being welcomed by Konoha ninjas. She scrutinized each one carefully, trying to identify potential opponents she might face during the Chunin Exams.
When her eyes landed on Mu Yue, Mu Yue happened to be using her Appraisal Technique on her. Their gazes met.
Despite facing an adult ninja who was significantly older than herself, Terumi Mei didn't flinch. She held Mu Yue's gaze, even trying to widen her eyes to project an air of confidence.
However, Mu Yue had no intention of engaging in a staring contest. With a slight smile, she shifted her attention to the next person.
It was late June, and spring had given way to the sweltering summer heat.
Under the scorching sun, Mu Yue's dazzling golden hair seemed even more radiant, and the gentle smile that perpetually graced her face now seemed warmer and more inviting.
"What's with that smile? It's almost unbearably hot," Terumi Mei muttered to herself, feeling a bit deflated after losing the staring contest.
Indeed, Mu Yue's smile seemed to warm her in a way she hadn't experienced before.
Terumi Mei rarely saw others smile. When she had first started school, there had been laughter and play, but as the years went by, such moments became rarer. In an environment where anyone could be an enemy, it was impossible to maintain friendships and share smiles. The only smiles that remained were cruel and cold.
This was her first time in the Land of Fire, and although she had ventured outside of the Water Country for missions before, those assignments had taken her to islands nearby, not to any of the mainland nations.
"Hmph, our buildings in Kirigakure are still taller." Terumi Mei couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she looked at the mostly two-story structures around her.
Back in Kirigakure, there were many impressive stone buildings that soared high into the sky.
Kirigakure, one point!
Upon arriving at the designated inn and setting down her belongings, Terumi Mei asked Yamamura if she could roam freely, as she had not spotted any potential rivals among the welcoming party from Konoha and wanted to gather information.
"You're free to do as you wish, but be careful not to cause any trouble. After all, we are guests in another village. It's best to stick together with your teammates," Yamamura replied.
Terumi Mei selectively ignored the latter part of Yamamura's advice, mainly because she disliked her teammates and preferred not to associate with them outside of missions.
Terumi Mei began her exploration of the surrounding area, memorizing the nearby roads to prevent herself from getting lost.
Initially, she had only been comparing the size of the buildings, but as she paid closer attention to the streets and pedestrians of Konoha's main district, she realized that Konoha was more prosperous than Kirigakure.
"There are so many shops! It seems like there's a store everywhere I turn, and the smells are amazing... sweets!" Terumi Mei suddenly realized that she had stopped in front of a dessert shop, drawn in by the enticing display of treats and the delightful aromas wafting from within.
Staring at the pictures of the sweets on the signboard and inhaling the sweet scents, she felt an urge to step inside. Still, she forced herself to take only half a step forward before stopping, her willpower prevailing.
"I, Terumi Mei, am here to gather information, not to indulge in sweets!" she reminded herself sternly.
While sweets were undoubtedly delicious, far surpassing the taste of any seafood dish with its lingering fishy smell, becoming the Mizukage and changing Kirigakure was a more important priority.
With a concerted effort, she tore her attention away from the dessert shop and focused on the people around her, noticing another difference about Konoha.
Although not everyone wore a bright smile, Terumi Mei could sense a lightness in the air, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere that permeated Kirigakure. It was as if Konoha was not currently engaged in a war with other ninja villages.
Reluctantly, she had to admit that Konoha seemed more comfortable and vibrant than her village.
Kirigakure, a slight loss for now!
"Konoha, what kind of village are you?" Terumi Mei wondered, deciding to continue her observations.
"Why are you just standing in front of the dessert shop? Is there something I can help you with?" Obito, on his way to find Mu Yue to discuss his grades, noticed the red-haired girl standing motionless in front of the shop and approached her to offer assistance.
"Do you want to buy something but forgot to bring money? I can lend you some."
Deep in thought about Konoha, Terumi Mei was startled by the sudden voice of a stranger and instinctively took a step back, readying her chakra for a possible Water Release jutsu. Upon realizing that the speaker was merely a clueless-looking Konoha ninja, she relaxed.
"I'm not here to buy sweets," she said, slightly miffed at the implication that she lacked self-control.
"Then why are you just standing there?" Obito scratched his head, perplexed.
"Hey, you're not from our village," he added, his confusion turning to suspicion as he noticed her unfamiliar forehead protector.
"Are you a spy who has infiltrated the village?" Obito took a cautious step back, his gaze sharpening as he prepared to enter his full concentration mode and activate his Sharingan.
"What kind of spy would infiltrate a village while wearing their own village's forehead protector?" Terumi Mei couldn't help but retort at the absurdity of Obito's suggestion.
While she was indeed gathering information, she didn't consider herself a spy.
"Perhaps that's precisely the tactic a spy would use, playing on people's assumptions," Obito replied, his eyes narrowing as if he had seen through her charade.
Terumi Mei: ...
"I mean, is it possible that I'm a ninja from your village who has been invited to participate in the Chunin Exams from Kirigakure?" she clarified, deciding to just state her identity outright.
She felt that if she didn't explain herself soon, this seemingly clueless yet talkative Konoha ninja might actually attack her out of paranoia.
While she didn't think this ninja, who seemed around her age, posed any real threat, she was mindful that they were in Konoha, and causing a scene with a local ninja was unwise.
"So, you'll be my opponent in the Chunin Exams?" Obito said, his expression turning excited. He never expected that there would be ninjas from other villages participating in the exams. If he could defeat all the foreign ninjas and come out on top, his image in Rin Nohara's eyes would surely improve.
"You're participating in this Chunin Exam?" Terumi Mei asked as she sized Obito up. She never expected to come across someone who could provide her with valuable information so soon.
"Of course!" Obito gave himself a thumbs-up. "Not only am I participating, but I'll also become a Chunin directly!"
Terumi Mei looked at Obito's silly expression and remained skeptical of his claim. After all, if someone could become a Chunin at his age, they would be considered a considerable genius.
Terumi Mei never compared herself to her peers. Instead, she measured herself against older ninjas, whom she considered her true rivals.
This was the confidence that her dual bloodline limits gave her—she was unmatched among her peers!
"My name is Uchiha Obito. Since you don't seem to be having any difficulties, I'll take my leave." Obito waved at Terumi Mei and turned to look for Mu Yue.
Although he claimed that he would become a Chunin directly, Obito's heart began to tremble when he thought about the first stage of the Chunin Exams—the theoretical exam.
"The almighty Mu Yue will surely be able to solve this problem for me," Obito said, his hands clasped together as he prayed to Mu Yue.
When it came to Mu Yue, he always believed first and asked questions later.
"What a strange ninja. I wonder if all Konoha ninjas are like this?" Terumi Mei thought as she watched Obito.
"If you're not having any difficulties, then goodbye," Obito had said. She wondered if he would go out of his way to help a ninja from another village whom he had just met.
...
Not knowing if Mu Yue was at home, Obito decided to head directly to the Southern Border Forest. Even if she wasn't there in person, there was a high likelihood that he would find one of her shadow clones.
Obito's judgment proved correct. Upon arriving, he soon spotted Mu Yue instructing Itachi on fire-style jutsu. He couldn't tell if it was her true body or another shadow clone.
"Teacher Mu Yue," Obito called out as he ran up to her, followed by a respectful bow with his hands clasped together.
"Please help me improve my theoretical exam results!" Obito pleaded, his expression earnest as he looked at Mu Yue.
Smack! Mu Yue's finger accurately landed on Obito's forehead.
"What's wrong? Didn't you always say that theory is unnecessary?" Mu Yue's shadow clone asked with a smile.
This particular shadow clone had been created that morning, so it was easy for him to guess the reason behind Obito's request—the upcoming Chunin Exams.
"I wish that were the case, but the theoretical exam is still happening," Obito said, burying his head in his hands in despair.
"I already told Rin that I'll definitely become a Chunin this time. If I fail the theory exam, Kakashi will surely laugh at me, and Rin will be disappointed as well," Obito added.
While he exuded confidence about becoming a Chunin in front of others, Obito felt truly helpless when he was alone with Mu Yue, pleading for help with the theoretical exam.
"Just come directly to my house tonight. There's something there that can help you with your problem," Mu Yue's shadow clone said, smiling as he pulled Obito up.
Mu Yue had set the questions for this Chunin Exam, and he had anticipated that Obito would encounter such a situation. After setting the exam questions, he had prepared several practice tests with similar questions specifically for Obito.
If Obito could absorb the knowledge effectively, he would be able to ace the exam on his own. Even if he struggled, it would at least reduce the pressure on Kakashi and Rin to help him.
"Could it be a magical artifact that can instantly impart vast knowledge?" Obito asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he looked at Mu Yue.
He longed for something that could imprint knowledge onto bread, allowing him to gain knowledge through eating. That way, Kakashi might not necessarily surpass him in knowledge. When it came to eating, Obito didn't think he was any worse than Kakashi.
Mu Yue's shadow clone smiled but remained silent. If only there were such wonderful things, he would have used them to learn medical ninjutsu himself.
"Could it be that I have to do practice tests?" Obito asked, his forehead beginning to sweat. Despite the blazing sun overhead, the sweat that trickled down his face was cold.
He recalled the terrifying experience of doing practice tests in the past, when he had become so engrossed that he had even forgotten about the passage of time. Even now, the memory made Obito shudder.
Mu Yue's shadow clone nodded gently, his face wearing a gentle smile.
Finally finished translating the second big chapter at 2 a.m. I guess this makes up for a bit of yesterday's debt. I'll continue tomorrow, but I probably won't stay up so late.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
