"What are you doing, Obito?" Rin exclaimed in surprise.
"I, Obito Uchiha, will definitely become Hokage someday! And I'll defeat that demon Uzumaki Heiyan to rescue Tsunade-sama!"
Obito stood with his hands on his hips, proudly shouting toward Guixu.
"Go for it! I believe in you," Rin said brightly, cupping her chin and looking up at Obito with a smile of encouragement.
"Obito, your ambitions are too grand. I should learn from you too!" Guy got infected by the enthusiasm and stood up, feeling fired up.
Kakashi merely gave a slight snort, remaining noncommittal.
At that moment—
"What a load of crap from a clown," a mocking voice came out from the woods.
"Who's there? Stop hiding and come out!"
Obito instantly turned around furiously upon hearing someone call him a clown, staring into the woods as he shouted.
Hmm?
Kakashi was also taken aback. He hadn't detected anyone nearby at all. If this were a battlefield...the consequences would be unimaginable.
Under the tense gazes of these young kids, a figure with long red hair slowly emerged from behind the bushes.
Mei Terumi had one hand in her pocket, the other holding a huge lollipop. After licking it twice, she disdainfully looked at Obito and continued her mockery:
"Master Uzumaki Heiyan and Tsunade-sama are already a couple. They've finally reunited and they might be living it up together. There's absolutely no need for brats like you to butt in. Especially you, Obito."
Mid-sentence, she even pointed straight at Obito:
"You're good for nothing but hot air. If you really became Hokage, Konoha Village would surely go to ruins."
"You damn—"
Upon hearing this, Obito gritted his teeth angrily and instinctively wanted to rush forward and teach Mei Terumi a lesson.
But the next second, he remembered how thoroughly she'd beaten him at the training grounds that night, so he could only fume helplessly before slumping in defeat.
"Hmph."
Seeing Obito cower like this, Mei Terumi gave another light snort and smugly boasted:
"Let me tell you something else too—Master Uzumaki Heiyan is actually our Penglai Ninja Village's village headman. He went back to fetch Tsunade-sama here specifically so she could become the Village Headman's wife."
What?!
Everyone, including Kakashi, was shocked beyond words, frozen in place.
This was undoubtedly explosive intelligence.
"Is what you're saying...actually true?"
After calming down somewhat, Kakashi carefully asked Mei Terumi, doubting whether she wasn't just making things up.
"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Believe it or not."
Mei Terumi gave another small snort and continued boasting to Kakashi after finishing her lollipop, "I'm Master Uzumaki Heiyan's personal disciple, so beating you isn't surprising at all. Don't feel too discouraged though—Master Heiyan praised you too.
So, Kakashi, what do you say… join the Penglai Ninja Village?
Master Heiyan mentioned that given your father Sakumo Hatake's personality, he'll eventually get sabotaged and pushed aside anyway. In a snake pit like Konoha, he won't last long."
"Why don't you just go home and try convincing him? You two could leave Konoha together and join us in Penglai."
Mei Terumi said on a whim, trying to invite Kakashi to Penglai because she believed doing so would earn praise from Master Heiyan.
"That's none of your business."
Kakashi shook his head and rejected Mei Terumi outright. He then countered, "And your father? How could he allow you to come here alone?"
Hardly had the words left his mouth when lightning flashed through Kakashi's mind. Suddenly enlightened, he exclaimed in shock:
"That night, that red-haired man who claimed to be your father—was he actually Uzumaki Heiyan?"
"It seems you're not as dull-witted as you appear, Kakashi," Mei Terumi smiled sweetly.
Upon hearing this, Kakashi and the others tensed up and instinctively scanned their surroundings, fearing Uzumaki Heiyan might be near.
"There's no need to look around. I'm alone—I came here just for fun," Mei Terumi said, shrugging and spreading her arms wide.
"Regardless of who you are, no one is permitted entry into the Place of Ultimate Ruin. It's extremely dangerous inside," Kakashi coldly stated while stepping in front of Mei Terumi to block her path.
"Tch, like I'd take orders from you," Mei rolled her eyes dismissively at Kakashi. With chakra bursting from beneath her feet, she activated the Body Flicker Technique and dashed like a phantom toward the Place of Ultimate Ruin.
"Stop!" Kakashi cried out in alarm, quickly giving chase. But before he could catch up, Mei turned her head and spat forward—a massive water ball shot from her mouth, forcing Kakashi back.
By the time he steadied himself, Mei had already vanished from sight.
"What should we do now, Kakashi?" Rin Nohara and the others hurried over, asking with concern.
Although they didn't understand why Mei Terumi hadn't left with Heiyan, as someone highly regarded by Heiyan, if something happened to her inside the Place of Ultimate Ruin, it could cause serious problems.
"If she hasn't returned in half an hour, we'll report it to the village," Kakashi thought for a moment, then made his decision.
After speaking, he sat down on the spot and entered meditation.
...
Deep within Guixu.
"Waah!"
Dodging between towering stone pillars, Mei darted around playfully, looking up in awe at the colossal rocks that stood dozens of meters high. Originally part of a mountainside, they had been sliced apart by the immense chakra released during Heiyan and Tsunade's clash.
The surfaces still radiated large amounts of residual chakra and natural energy.
Curious and playful, Mei had come specifically to get an up-close view of this mysterious location just to satisfy her own sense of wonder.
Unable to resist the urge, she reached out and placed her hand against one of the rock surfaces.
At that moment—
"Ahh!"
Mei suddenly let out a scream. She noticed that her fingers had somehow multiplied—one hand now had six instead of five! And almost immediately, a seventh finger began emerging.
This cell division rapidly spread from her arm to the rest of her body.
Mei realized she was under invasion by natural energy.
Luckily, she had come prepared.
[Chakra Release!]
Mei Terumi remained calm as she retrieved a Storage Scroll from her robes and pulled out the Immortal Sage armor, a legendary artifact, quickly donning it.
As the armor bonded with her body, the wild natural energy inside her calmed down, finally settling without tormenting her anymore.
"Phew, finally safe."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Mei continued deeper into the Place of Ultimate Ruin wearing the armor.
Before long, she flew a single loop around the area, satisfied with what she had seen.
Hmm, probably time to go back now.
Done with her exploration, Mei turned back the way she came. Now it was time to head back—to Penglai, away from Konoha.
Just then—
Screech!
A sharp eagle cry rang out from above. As Mei lifted her head, she saw a pitch-black hawk diving straight toward her from the sky.
However, she didn't dodge because she recognized it—the hawk was Master Heiyan's Ninjutsu: Super Beast Imitating Drawing.
Sure enough,
As the hawk dove, it slowed down and gently landed on Mei's shoulder.
Rustling softly, it spat out a scroll before dissolving into a pool of ink that seeped into Guixu Lake beneath Mei's feet.
Mei opened the scroll and read its contents—Master Heiyan had given her a new mission:
Retrieve Miroku, the shrine maiden and attendant of Tsunade from the Land of Demons.
A mission from Master Heiyan couldn't be delayed.
Without hesitation, Mei sprang into action immediately.
Fwoosh!
Flying through the air, she soon exited the Place of Ultimate Ruin and passed over the midway point down the mountainside where she had previously encountered Kakashi and others.
Huh?
Mei casually glanced downward, curious whether Kakashi had already left, only to witness a shocking scene unfold below.
A giant black serpent over ten meters long and as thick as a water barrel was chasing Kakashi and his group through the woods, spewing balls of corrosive acid from its blood-red maw, forcing them into frantic evasive maneuvers.
Hiss hiss hiss!
The acid splashed against trees, flowers, and rocks, sending up puffs of white smoke as it ate through them like paper. One could easily imagine what kind of destruction this acid would wreak upon human flesh—it would likely melt right down to the bones.
This wasn't some enemy ninja's summoned beast or a creature that just showed up. It had been warped by the natural energy near the Place of Ultimate Ruin—and had only just woken from hibernation deep inside its cave.
Upon returning to the surface, it had set its sights on the unfortunate Kakashi and his companions.
"You three go! I'll lead it off!"
At that moment, Kakashi suddenly shouted, hurling a kunai laced with an Explosive Tag at the serpent. BOOM! The explosion attracted the serpent's attention.
He had realized that if things kept going like this, Guy, Obito, and Rin would die. To save his companions, he had no choice but to risk his life and use himself as bait to divert the serpent.
"Sssss!"
The mutated serpent flicked its tongue and charged toward Kakashi, swinging its massive tail violently, creating a powerful gust of wind.
Too slow.
Kakashi's expression shifted, and he quickly activated his Shifting Body Technique, leaping into the air—but unfortunately, just a second too late.
Bang!
He wasn't struck head-on, but the giant snake's whipping tail still caught him. His body flew backward and slammed hard against a tree trunk.
"Kakashi!"
Nearby, Rin and the other two saw what happened. Without caring for their own safety, they rushed forward frantically.
"Run away now!" Kakashi roared at them while pushing himself up with his hands on the ground. To his shock, he realized he'd somehow been poisoned—the strength had completely vanished from his body.
All he could do was sit there, paralyzed. The massive serpent reared up, its gaping maw lunging straight at him.
So this was it?
Would his life end right here?
In that moment, Kakashi felt the ultimate terror of life and death, consumed entirely by despair.
Just then—
WHOOSH!
A freezing gust of wind tore through the forest out of nowhere.
Snap! Snap!
Right before Kakashi's disbelieving eyes, the giant snake instantly solidified into a towering ice statue from head to tail.
At this moment, its blood-dripping mouth hovered less than a meter from Kakashi.
Gulu…
Kakashi swallowed hard, relief flooding him after narrowly escaping death. Instinctively lifting his head, he saw an old man leaning on a cane, floating midair.
Immortal Sage?!
Recognizing the identity of the one who saved him, Kakashi felt extremely shocked. He never expected his life would be saved by this legendary Immortal Sage of Mist.
Immortal Sage slowly descended to the ground.
E-Esteemed One… Thank y-you very much," Kakashi stuttered nervously as he spoke.
"Haha."
Immortal Sage smiled kindly, tapping the frozen serpent's icy form with his cane. With a thunderous crash—
Before Kakashi's astonished eyes, the ice statue collapsed instantly, shattering like a collapsing iceberg into countless tiny fragments.
What terrifying power.
Was this the majesty of an Immortal Sage?
After casually disposing of the giant snake, Immortal Sage cast a pitiful glance at Kakashi and simultaneously helped remove the snake poison from his body.
The moment he regained movement, Kakashi scrambled to his feet, kowtowing deeply in gratitude for the Immortal's life-saving act.
Great Sage Tortoise, thank you so much for saving Kakashi," Rin, Guy, and Obito rushed over, panting heavily, their expressions full of gratitude.
"Just a small favor."
Waving his hand dismissively, Immortal Sage assumed an air of mystical grace. Then he gave Kakashi a meaningful stare and advised solemnly,
"Kakashi, I hope once you get back, you'll persuade your father, Sakumo Hatake, to leave Konoha with you and join Penglai instead. Otherwise, if the Hatake family remains in Konoha, future catastrophes involving bloodshed await them."
These words left Kakashi stunned on the spot.
If someone else had said such things, he definitely would've thought it was exaggerated nonsense—but when spoken by Immortal Sage, their weight carried undeniable authority.
Had the elder somehow foreseen the Hatake clan's future?
What worried Kakashi even more was that Mei Terumi had said something almost identical to him less than half an hour ago. Her words basically carried the same meaning as Uzumaki Heiyan's.
Why?
Why were powerful shinobi like Uzumaki Heiyan and the Immortal Sage so certain that tragedy would strike if the Hatake clan remained in Konoha?
This was definitely no coincidence.
"Remember, Penglai Ninja Village is where the Hatake truly belong."
Seeing Kakashi deep in thought, the Immortal Sage patted his head once again, left him with those words, then took off into the sky and vanished in the distance.
"Kakashi, was what the Immortal Sage said true? Are you okay?"
After the Immortal Sage departed, Kakashi's companions gathered around him with concern.
"Whatever happens, we should head back to the village first and report everything that happened today. Creatures like that giant serpent might not be the only ones out there—we need to warn the adults as soon as possible."
Kakashi sighed and said this.
So after quickly preparing, the group made their way toward the village.
After parting ways with Kakashi and the others, the Immortal Sage landed in a nearby woods. As he stepped out from behind a tree, he transformed back into Mei Terumi.
"Hehe!"
Mei could no longer hold back and broke into a mischievous, little-devil-like grin.
Today, she had successfully fooled Kakashi.
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