Terumi Mei's words left Kakashi speechless.
He remembered the same kind of words Obito had told him, great-nation shinobi always had a kind of arrogance they themselves didn't notice.
Now it seemed that even another great nation, Konoha, was still arrogant.
He said, "Sorry, I thought too much. I only hope you at least deal with the human trafficking problem."
"The ones who came here by ship to the Land of Water were countless innocent, pitiable war orphans. If you haven't been made into an object, at the very least you should have basic compassion and not aid the wicked."
Terumi Mei snorted with laughter, "Saying sorry on one hand, yet still so shameless. My last mission was assigned by the Mizukage, could I refuse? If it were you, could you refuse a mission handed down by the Hokage?"
Kakashi suddenly didn't know how to reply; in his heart he actually had something to say, but he couldn't speak it out loud.
Openly refusing of course wasn't an option, but secretly refusing, how is that not a refusal?
Many missions handed down by the Hokage, like ordering them to fetch Danzo back to the Rain Village, are basically like sending them to another homeland for a vacation.
What's the difference from refusing?
Still, this gave him a bit of a clue about why Terumi Mei had helped him.
He was all too familiar with people who dared not openly resist superiors but did little secret actions privately; even Obito's collusion with Akatsuki to trap Danzo seemed even more serious.
Thinking this through, Kakashi finally relaxed a little, half of his hanging worry put down, and he naturally said to Terumi Mei, "Your Mizukage really goes too far."
Terumi Mei rolled her eyes at Kakashi and said angrily, "So if it's rescuing slave traders, you do it yourself. Or, if Konoha has the ability to help me overthrow the Mizukage's rule, I'll not only solve all the human trafficking problems, I'll owe Konoha a favor."
This time Kakashi gave her deadpan eyes, "A little girl, even if the Mizukage were overthrown, it wouldn't be your place to take charge. What qualification do you have to owe Konoha a favor?"
Terumi Mei was momentarily choked, speechless, not even clear which point Kakashi had hit. Her emotions surged.
"Little girl, little girl, not your place, not your place, Kakashi, are you my father? Do you decide whether I have the qualification to take charge?"
Now Kakashi was the one stunned. After all, Terumi Mei later did sit in the Mizukage's position in Obito's mouth's telling, it seemed she might, maybe, probably… actually have qualifications.
His expression turned serious, "This matter isn't completely unnegotiable. When I return I will report to the Hokage."
Terumi Mei snorted disdainfully, "That self-proclaimed strongest Hokage of all history, Sarutobi Hiruzen? Now with Uchiha Madara rampaging the shinobi world, is Hiruzen really stronger than the legendary god of shinobi, Senju Hashirama who defeated Madara?"
"When facing the Akatsuki, how did Konoha act then?"
"Sensei already evaluated him: a hypocritical old nice guy, only ever chanting slogans, not doing real things. You report to him and you expect him to mouth some condolences to the Mist Village, is that it?"
Kakashi had never known Terumi Mei's mouth could be so poisonous, yet he also knew the Third Hokage was not that kind of person, and he had no retort.
Because Terumi Mei's words were facts. No wonder Obito often said that if you fully recount what Konoha has done, most people would think Konoha couldn't be blacker.
Of course, before calling someone black, they must have been white; the Mist Village never had that luxury.
Kakashi could only say, "When I return to report, maybe the person I report to will be different by then."
Terumi Mei's eyes rolled, "The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, your teacher? Now that would be interesting."
"But who knows, maybe your teacher and Hiruzen aren't so different? Relying on others is less reliable than relying on yourself."
Kakashi was completely helpless now and could only say, "Whether Konoha helps you or not is another matter. Right now my identity is exposed and hard to hide, can you find me a safe place to stay?"
Terumi Mei immediately grew annoyed, "Little man, you sure know how to make requests and demands. You promise me a favor you don't even know you'll get, and you want me to help you?"
"I never do these loss-making deals. I helped you earlier only because my skills weren't enough and it was for survival, one life for one life."
"Now my life is already saved. Why should I still help you?"
Kakashi could find no argument; what Terumi Mei said was true. She was already free, and another fight would be inconvenient.
What if the commotion drew the Seven Ninja Swordsmen back over?
Kakashi could only say, "Alright. Tell me what benefit you want. If it's within what I can do, I'll do it."
Terumi Mei smiled, "Fine. You must promise me three demands. I haven't decided them yet, I'll tell you later when I do."
Kakashi frowned, "If it's against Konoha or against my conscience, I won't do it."
Terumi Mei said, "I won't ask you to do that. They'll all be within your capability. Okay?"
Kakashi hesitated a moment and said, "Okay."
Terumi Mei suddenly showed a very curious look, "I'll use one demand now. I want to know,.I want to see the face you hide under your mask."
Kakashi was instantly embarrassed. His face had only been seen while eating by Obito, Rin and Minato-sensei, and he ate quickly, never intentionally revealing his full face to anyone.
How could this be done?
Kakashi shook his head, stammering, "You're wasting a promise like this. Why not change the demand?"
Terumi Mei smiled and stared into Kakashi's eyes, "No. I want this one. Can you not do it?"
Kakashi had no choice. Although he didn't want to, this didn't violate his conscience.
He hardened inside, bit his teeth, feeling awkward, and raised his hand to lift his mask.
A breeze passed between them; it didn't lift their hems but blew away countless dry leaves.
Terumi Mei's eyes went wide. Her gaze lingered and did not return for a long time.
Only when Kakashi awkwardly said, "Have you seen enough?" did she snap back.
Terumi Mei reflexively said, "No."
Then she came back to herself and her face flushed red in two waves.
"I didn't expect you to be even more handsome than I imagined. Such a face hidden all this time, what a pity. Why not consider not being a Konoha shinobi anymore, let that Rin and Obito play among themselves, and come be my husband in the Land of Water?"
Kakashi turned his head and quickly pulled the mask back on, spitting out two words, "Boring."
Terumi Mei laughed, "Kakashi, you're as cold as ever."
Kakashi felt a bold, continuous gaze sweep over him, far more uncomfortable than the interrogations he'd endured when captured before.
He said, "Is that it or not? Since I kept my promise, don't go back on yours, take me to a safe place."
Terumi Mei, hiding her l*stful thoughts, restrained herself. The remaining two demands must be used carefully; she must not lose out.
She turned, facing toward the village, and said, "There is such a relatively safe place, inside the Mist Village itself. Kakashi, do you have the courage to come with me?"
"Sometimes the most dangerous position is the safest position."
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