[Kirigakure, Old District]
Kakashi had disguised his identity and was walking down the street with Terumi Mei.
At this time, though it was already close to noon, the blazing sunlight still couldn't fully pierce through the thick mist surrounding the area, making this place appear somewhat gloomy.
Kakashi looked at the rows of houses built with crude wood and thatched grass, looked at the passersby hurrying by in coarse hemp clothing, their faces full of worry, and for a moment his heart was overwhelmed with countless emotions.
In Konoha as well, there were many slums. The residents' quality of life and housing conditions couldn't really be called good either.
But… at least the corresponding basic infrastructure was relatively complete. Water and electricity were basically available, and the village would also regularly provide some welfare and subsidies.
Back when he, Obito, and Rin had just formed their team, they had even done missions the village assigned such as clearing out sewers. Those D-rank missions didn't require the citizens to pay out of pocket.
But none of that could be seen here in Kirigakure.
All he saw were houses that had decayed and rotted badly due to age, exuding a foul smell from within.
Yet it seemed as if everyone had already gotten used to that stench, as if life, just muddling along, was enough.
Kakashi suddenly felt like saying something, but stopped himself. After all, right now he was deep behind enemy lines, and every word and action had to be cautious, to prevent exposure.
At the side, Terumi Mei was completely unbothered. She only showed a helpless smile and said self-mockingly, "What's wrong, you're used to the beauty of Konoha and now you think our Kirigakure is unbearably backward?"
"Actually… you saw it on your way here too. The streets in the eastern part of the Land of Water are wide and neat, the houses there are all little villas. Every household has its own private garden and beautifully decorated balconies. The people there, aside from slaves, dress tidy and proper."
"It's just, those things are only for the rich to enjoy. As for us in Kirigakure, even the strongest ninja in the eyes of the rich are nothing more than convenient tools. And tools, have no right to complain about their environment."
Kakashi was startled and said nervously, "If you want to express personal opinions, please find a private place. Otherwise, if someone with an agenda hears you and reports it, my identity might also be exposed."
But Terumi Mei didn't care at all.
"This is just the poorest corner of Kirigakure, how could there be that many Anbu overseeing things? As for the common folk, their heads are all filled only with thoughts of how to get a full meal tomorrow. How would they have the energy to care what others are doing?"
Kakashi sighed. He felt that what she said was true, because Obito had once told him that for some people, just surviving was exhausting enough; they had no strength left to think about other issues.
Unknowingly, a strong impulse rose in his heart, and he blurted out, "Then you, if you became Mizukage, what would you do?"
Terumi Mei answered without the slightest hesitation, "Of course, I'd make Kirigakure the most prosperous place in the entire ninja world, surpassing your Konoha."
"I want every family to live a good life. I also want ninja to forget the reality of being treated as mere tools. I hope that ninja can live like real people!"
Kakashi couldn't help but think back to the things Obito had told him about peace and ideals.
What Terumi Mei said sounded so similar.
Besides, Obito had the experience of two lifetimes, had traveled countless places, and it was natural for him to have deep thoughts.
But Terumi Mei, she was about their same age, and already had such ideas.
This was without a doubt something great. So great that Kakashi suddenly began to admire this woman a little. No wonder she later became the Kage of a village…
He said seriously, "Maybe one day, your dream really will come true."
Terumi Mei smiled sweetly, "Whether it comes true or not, first I have to settle the problem of the Third Mizukage before thinking about it. Besides, that's not even the most important thing. The most important, after all, is to find a man to marry at the right age, you absolutely can't miss your marriage timing!"
Saying this, Terumi Mei turned her head and carefully looked over Kakashi, her face showing an infatuated smile.
"You're the most handsome little man I've ever seen. You don't even know, men in Kirigakure look all kinds of strange, practically not even human."
"So I'm very moved by you. Really don't want to consider it? Leave Konoha, marry me. A handsome little man like you wouldn't need to do anything, I could support you for a lifetime."
Cold sweat beaded on Kakashi's forehead. How could he possibly agree to something like this.
But then, a scene suddenly popped into his mind: him doing absolutely nothing, lying lazily around every day, holding a volume of Icha Icha Paradise, reading it and reading it...
'That kind of life actually doesn't seem so bad?'
'But wouldn't that make me the "good-for-nothing" Obito always mentioned?'
Kakashi quickly shook his head and urged, "Let's hurry and get to that hideout you mentioned."
Terumi Mei only smiled without answering, simply quickening her pace.
———
Not long after, the two of them arrived at a dilapidated house not much different from the other buildings.
The house was covered in a layer of dust, it was clear no one had lived here for a while.
Terumi Mei looked at the house, her eyes showing a trace of nostalgia. She murmured, "We're home."
Kakashi froze, and asked in surprise, "Home?"
Terumi Mei smiled, "Yes. This used to be my home, where I lived with my father and mother, the three of us."
"Only, they were both just genin. During one mission, they died, died in a way that wasn't very clear."
Her lips curled in mockery, "The death notice said they encountered rogue ninja during the mission and were killed. But how could there be that many rogues in Kirigakure? Maybe, it was just because they learned some sensitive intel while on the mission… and got silenced by their own."
A chill rose in Kakashi's heart. The entire military style of Kirigakure was filled with the flavor of one man. That already-dead Root leader, Danzo's flavor.
He couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you ever think of investigating, then avenging your parents?"
Terumi Mei said, "Isn't that exactly what I'm doing now? How can villagers kill their own? That mindset is extremely twisted, and I want to correct it."
"So, would Konoha be willing to help with this? The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, definitely doesn't have the resolve, but your teacher, maybe he does."
Kakashi began to reconsider.
He didn't know why, but in his heart he actually wanted to help. Not just because he had seen too much suffering since coming to the Land of Water, but also because it was Terumi Mei asking.
This woman, he seemed to care about her a little.
In fact, it wouldn't be hard to help. Even if Minato-sensei didn't agree, Obito definitely would. After all, what Terumi Mei wanted was also what Obito wanted to see.
If Obito agreed, then Akatsuki would act. And really, in the entire ninja world, was there anything Akatsuki couldn't handle?
Thinking this, Kakashi spoke, his voice serious, "I really can help you."
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