In Konoha, May of the thirty-eighth year, on a quiet morning, Hayashi left the Land of Waves without saying goodbye to anyone. Dabai followed closely behind him as the two departed in silence.
This time, Hayashi's infiltration into Kirigakure had two clear objectives. The first was to retrieve Himeji's Byakugan. The second was to strike at Kirigakure itself.
Ordinarily, shinobi who entertained thoughts of attacking another hidden village rarely met good ends. Even Orochimaru, one of the few who survived such actions, had paid a heavy price before managing to continue his path.
Hayashi had no intention of dying. Fortunately, Kirigakure was currently in a state where its strength was stretched thin.
Unlike Konoha, which often lacked numbers among its general forces, Kirigakure's issue lay in its shortage of top-tier combat power.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had been severely injured and was unable to recover anytime soon. Uchiha Fugaku, hidden in the shadows, could not act without exposing himself.
Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, two had already been confirmed dead. The remaining five were deployed on the front lines, leaving the village further weakened.
The once-powerful bloodline clans of Kirigakure had also declined. In recent years, many of their strongest members had been eliminated. Those who remained with any significant strength had been sent to the battlefield.
With this in mind, Hayashi realized that the situation he would face was far more manageable than the one Orochimaru encountered during his invasion of Konoha.
That understanding gave him confidence.
A few days later, within Kirigakure Village.
Since the war began, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere had settled over the village. Still, life continued. After years of tension, the villagers had gradually grown accustomed to it, and the streets had regained a faint sense of activity.
On one such street, a delicate little girl walked along in a kimono.
Beside her was a woman in her twenties, dressed as a jonin, clearly acting as her bodyguard.
A child guarded by a jonin was no ordinary civilian. The girl was Terumi Mei, daughter of Terumi Kuu, one of Kirigakure's frontline commanders and a figure of considerable influence.
At this time, Terumi Mei was only five or six years old, having spent just a year at the Ninja Academy.
She had turquoise eyes and brown hair styled in soft curls, with one eye partially covered. Her clothing already resembled her future style, though her young age gave her an innocent charm rather than the elegance she would later possess.
From an early age, she had shown remarkable talent, possessing three chakra natures, Water, Fire, and Earth. As she grew, she awakened two kekkei genkai, Lava Release and Boil Release.
Kekkei genkai were rare in themselves, but possessing two was almost unheard of. Only exceptional figures like the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, who wielded a kekkei tota, stood at a comparable level of rarity.
Upon discovering this, Terumi Kuu immediately sealed the information, ordering strict silence from anyone who knew. He also forbade Mei from using her abilities in front of outsiders.
Genius children often became targets. He refused to let his daughter fall before she could reach her potential.
It was also this discovery that led him to abandon any thoughts of supporting a coup alongside Yagura. When people see hope, they often choose patience over risk.
In his eyes, as long as Mei grew safely, she would one day become Mizukage. Compared to that, rebellion was unnecessary.
On the street, Mei walked in silence, puffing her cheeks in clear frustration.
Today was her birthday, yet the gift her father had promised had not arrived. To make matters worse, she had been mocked at the Academy by a boy with a shark-like face.
It was no surprise she was upset.
"If I used Lava Release or Boil Release, he would not stand a chance," Mei muttered, kicking a small stone aside. "One day, I will deal with that shark face."
"Mei-sama, you remember the clan head's orders, don't you?" the woman beside her said with a gentle smile.
"Do not mention my father," Mei replied, clearly annoyed. "He forgot my birthday. I will not forgive him."
The woman shook her head lightly. "The clan head is leading forces on the front lines. He is likely overwhelmed. It may not have been intentional."
Mei understood that, but she still sighed, placing her hands behind her back.
"Sister Ado, when do you think this war will end?"
Ado looked at her and smiled, gently patting her head. "Soon, hopefully. And if not, perhaps you will end it yourself one day."
Mei immediately pulled away, grabbing her hair and frowning. "How many times have I told you not to touch my head? I am not a child."
"You are five years old," Ado replied with a soft laugh.
"Do not call me a child," Mei said, raising her fist in protest. "That is unacceptable."
Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, "Also, Sister Ado, you are already in your twenties and still do not have a boyfriend. Be careful, or you will stay single forever."
Ado responded by lightly tapping Mei's head. "That technique works better on you than on me."
Mei made a face and ran ahead, her mood slightly improved. Ado followed closely behind.
After a short while, they arrived at a barbecue restaurant.
Even under strict policies, Kirigakure still maintained such establishments. Life, after all, had to continue.
This was where Mei's small birthday celebration was meant to take place.
As they began eating, a sudden loud noise erupted from outside. The ground trembled slightly beneath their feet.
Ado's expression immediately changed. As a shinobi, her instincts took over. She set down her chopsticks and drew a kunai.
The two stepped outside.
In the distance, toward the northeast of the village, a cloud of dust rose into the air.
"An attack?" Mei asked, her voice tense.
"It seems so," Ado replied, her tone serious.
"Should we go help?"
Ado glanced at Mei before shaking her head. "My priority is you. The village can endure damage, but you must remain safe."
Without hesitation, she placed a hand on Mei's shoulder and used the Body Flicker Technique, moving swiftly toward the clan compound.
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