Hearing Terumi Mei say that, Kakashi, still underground, felt awkward and crawled out of the earth.
He explained, "Sorry. Because I wasn't sure whether you harbored treasonous intent, and moving underground keeps your range limited, I used that tactic."
Terumi Mei spat, "Kakashi, I think you just wanted to take advantage of me. Since I was young, aside from my father, no man has been that close to me. No way, you have to take responsibility!"
Kakashi shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced sideways at the Terumi Mei still half-buried in the soil, scoffing, "You're so violent, bad-tempered, and not gentle like Rin."
"I only dislike girls like you. How would I be taking advantage of you?"
Terumi Mei's face instantly flushed crimson. She had never felt this angry; she immediately roared, "RIN GENTLE? ME VIOLENT?"
"Kakashi, listen to what you're saying. Does any of that make sense?"
"And how am I any worse than her? What gives you the right to compare her to me?"
Kakashi couldn't stand Terumi Mei's clamor and said coldly, "Lower your voice. I'm still not safe. Are you trying to attract the attention of other Mist ninja by shouting like this? If so, don't blame me for taking action."
Terumi Mei fell silent at once, but looked aggrieved and muttered softly, "I helped you and didn't even get a thank you, yet you suspect me…"
Of course, the most important thing was that she was still angry about earlier, so she couldn't help adding, "Besides, even if Rin is that great and Rin and Obito with the black fang are a pair, it's none of your business. Why do you care about her so much?"
Kakashi stiffened all over.
Seeing that, Terumi Mei teased, "You wouldn't like that violent girl too, like Obito? But Rin is in a three-person squad, and you're the loneliest one of them."
For some reason, Terumi Mei always kept calm and rational on missions, but Kakashi suddenly felt like pulling her out of the ground and giving her a beating.
Of course, in the end Kakashi restrained himself. He snorted, turned his back and said, "I was just worried about my teammate. So… can I trust you now?"
Terumi Mei was furious inside, "If I hadn't misled those three, you'd already be in danger. I didn't expose a single bit of your information, and you still ask if I can be trusted?"
"That's the question I should be asking you, Kakashi… Can I trust you?"
"If so, when are you going to bury me?"
Kakashi turned back. He squatted down, looked into Terumi Mei's eyes and said seriously, "Before I release you, I need to clarify one thing. Why did you help me? As a Mist ninja, you don't even fear death, so why help me in the end?"
Terumi Mei was silent for a moment, then said, "Haven't you seen? They weren't even willing to save me. My faction and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen aren't the same. Why would I give my life for them?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Terumi Mei and the Seven Swordsmen were from different factions and were at odds. Somewhat like Konoha's Root and ANBU, or the relationship between the Third Hokage and Danzo?
No, Danzo and the Hokage only appeared opposed on the surface; on many issues they cooperated externally. The conflict in the Mist seemed much deeper.
If the Mist Village had internal strife, its united strength against Konoha would be much reduced.
That was valuable intelligence.
Terumi Mei knew exactly what Kakashi was thinking and smiled.
"This is the proof I trust you: I just told you significant information. Will you tell me comparable intel?"
"For example… you infiltrated the Mist alone, risking everything. What exactly are you here to do?"
Kakashi considered for a moment, said nothing, but formed hand seals, "Release."
Immediately, the chakra binding the Decapitation Technique loosened. Terumi Mei relaxed; the earth could no longer restrain her, and she crawled out.
She disdainfully brushed the mud from her clothes and looked at Kakashi deeply, "See? From start to finish, you didn't trust me. You wouldn't even exchange information. Kakashi, I'll remember what happened today for the rest of my life."
Kakashi replied, "You still didn't speak the whole truth. It's obvious your loyalty lies with the Mist. Even so, unless you're sure my purpose won't harm the village, you have no reason to help an outsider against your own people."
Terumi Mei's eyes flickered, then she honestly said, "Can't it be that I like you? I thought such a handsome little man dying in the Land of Water would be a loss, where else would I find such a quality man to marry? That's why I helped."
"Also, who says I helped you before knowing your purpose? I'm asking you right now."
"And besides, who's harming the Mist more is another question entirely!"
For some reason, Kakashi felt Terumi Mei in front of him was trustworthy.
Since she had revealed important information and helped him a great deal, he considered and then said, "We of Konoha have no intention of harming the Mist. As you know, in several Shinobi Wars, when we went to war we were acting defensively, forced into it."
"So my main reason for coming this time is to understand what you're thinking. You're stationing people on the coast of the Land of Fire, do you intend to start a war?"
Of course, beyond that, any intel about the Mist was desperately needed by Konoha. If possible, Kakashi wished he could even learn what color underwear the Third Mizukage wore every day.
Terumi Mei suddenly understood, put her hands on her hips and said displeased, "I see. You came to steal all the Mist's secrets."
"As for that, you little thief, forget it. But I'll tell you one thing: the Third Mizukage's thinking is radical. Maybe he really does plan to move against Konoha."
"After all, who put you Konoha on such good land? If the situation permits, I'd fight you too."
Kakashi's face cooled. He suddenly thought of Obito's intentions and couldn't help asking, "Can't you pursue peace instead? Improve yourselves so people live better lives?"
Terumi Mei sneered in return, "Kakashi, easy for you to say. When I visited your Konoha and saw so many happy people, how envious I felt."
"But achieving what you suggest requires conditions. Tell me, where are the conditions?"
"The Mist Village is in dire straits. People can't even get a meal. Graduating from the ninja academy leads to mutually slaughtering one another, ultimately becoming tools for the upper ranks' private gains. Tell me, where is there any room for the Land of Water to develop?"
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