Upon hearing the familiar voice, Anya's body stiffened. Her focus broke from the [Barrier], and she exhaled deeply. Standing up, she flashed a bright smile toward the incoming figure and said, "Girl, it's been a long time."
Terumi Mei's previously graceful posture abruptly stopped in place. Her eyes revealed disbelief at first, then transformed into delight, followed by grievance, even slightly misty with emotion.
The two stood face to face, like they had a thousand things to say but couldn't find the words.
Eventually, Terumi Mei waved her hand, and an extra door appeared within the enclosed room formed by [Boil Release].
Lowering her head slightly, she spoke in a deep tone, "Old man, please step out for now."
Master Gen let out a long sigh. He looked at both of them before leaning on his cane and stepping heavily outside.
Soon after, the chamber sealed again. Just as Anya was about to speak, she saw Terumi Mei rushing forward at incredible speed.
Instinctively, Anya opened her arms wide, ready to receive the embrace.
They did embrace—warmth and tenderness filled her arms—but before she could even savor the moment, a [Seal Tag] appeared on her body. As the [Seal Tag] activated, her entire chakra became locked down. Several [Water Chains] rose from the ground like bindings, wrapping around Anya's limbs. With a hard tug, she was yanked onto the floor like a wooden post, completely immobilized.
Looking down at her, Terumi Mei stared coldly and said, "You finally had the guts to show up?"
"What's going on?" Orochimaru was confused. Did Anya have some kind of relationship with this Mizukage? Yet somehow, this connection seemed quite... off.
Terumi Mei clearly noticed Orochimaru's small serpent form too. She flicked her finger toward him, sending a water droplet flying straight to his forehead, trapping him as well.
"You even brought along a little snake," she sneered. "So that carving on the ground is a [Space-Time Barrier], right? Tell me, you wanted to run off without even saying goodbye?"
Her face showed nothing but cold mockery, though her eyes betrayed unusual sorrow.
"Do you remember what you promised me back then?" she continued bitterly. "A parting is just the start of a reunion. Because of those words, I kept waiting here in Kiri all these years. But you... not even one letter did you ever send me!"
All those years of pent-up anger came pouring out.
"And now you sneak in secretly again, planning to leave quietly like nothing happened. In your heart, what exactly am I to you?" Squatting down beside her, Mei's eyes shone sharply, clear and brilliant, with hidden pain behind them, making Anya unable to meet her gaze.
Silence stretched between them for a long while until Mei asked, "Why won't you say anything?"
Anya sighed softly. "Whatever has passed is but a prologue. I don't want to bring up the past anymore. And for the future, I promise I won't keep you waiting again."
"I don't believe you. Anyway, you're not going anywhere now." Mei gently touched the [Seal Tag] on Anya's body. "This [Seal Tag] has always been prepared just for you. Without chakra, there's no way you're escaping. Right now, you're an enemy ninja infiltrating Kiri—you'll be locked up forever under my custody."
"Stop being silly," Anya lightly chuckled, without any apparent effort. Flames flared from the [Seal Tag] on her body, instantly nullifying its effects. She slightly tensed her limbs, and the [Water Chains] shattered completely.
"Nobody likes it when a girl gets rough," she said. "Girl, you've grown mature, so why do you still act like a teenage girl?"
Anya smiled faintly and teased Terumi Mei.
"I..." Terumi Mei started to say, pretending as if she would attack him.
But Anya quickly pulled out a flyer and said, "I didn't send just one letter. In fact, the whole Ninja World must've known by now—surely you've seen it?"
Terumi Mei hesitated for a moment before taking the flyer and looking at it. "You're attending a blind date? When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"
"See?" Anya shrugged helplessly. "I was actually waiting for you too, but over these past years, I just..."
Terumi Mei tightened her grip on the flyer, understanding instantly what had happened, and cut in directly, "Since you came this time, why are you in such a hurry to leave? If I hadn't arrived quickly, you would've already left using that Space-Time Barrier."
Anya admitted his mistake openly: "It's my fault. I lied to you back then, causing Master Gen to become wary of me. He's already old; surely I couldn't anger him to death, could I?"
"What happens between us is none of his business," Terumi Mei muttered, her expression deepening, her beautiful face unreadable and cold.
Feeling guilty, Anya hadn't originally planned to meet her like this—but since they'd met, he decided he'd clear everything up.
"This time I came to Kiri Village to collect Six-Tails' cells. Soon enough, great changes will occur in the Ninja World. I was planning to wait until things calmed down before coming to see you again. At that time, I believe there won't be any more obstacles between us. As I once said, I don't regret anything—and I still feel the same today."
A soft veil formed in Terumi Mei's eyes, and she turned her head away. Her heart felt hollow—she didn't know what to feel anymore.
After a long silence, Terumi Mei finally opened her heart: "I don't care about whatever crisis comes upon the Ninja World. Right now, I'm already the Mizukage. Everything in the village is gradually getting on track. After some time, when I've trained a proper successor, I'll be able to let go of everything completely. I just have one question—will you stay here and wait with me until that day comes?"
"Ahh, you silly girl." Anya sighed deeply, suddenly smiling. "Alright, I won't go anywhere—I'll stay right here in Kiri Village with you. But tell me, are you sure you'll have time for me?"
Terumi Mei's gaze revealed shockingly bright hope. She seemed unable to believe what she just heard. "Really? You're not lying to me again?"
Anya nodded. "Of course it's true. However, we need to make a deal. If ever you, as the Mizukage, need to leave Mist Village, I'll follow along wherever you go."
Terumi Mei blushed prettily. "I won't leave the village—not ever—and neither will you. Remember our promise. Don't you dare lie to me again, or else… I won't speak to you for the rest of my life!"
Such a threat—still so much like a teenage girl. It seemed that no matter how old she got, deep down, nothing had really changed.
"So then, Miss Terumi," Anya smiled, opening his arms wide, "can I give you a proper hug now?"
Looking at Anya's even more handsome face than in his youthful days, Terumi Mei's body weakened and her breath grew ragged. How many times had she imagined this moment in her heart? Yet now, with him standing before her, calling her name and asking for an embrace, the feeling was magnified a hundredfold—like spring thunder shaking her very soul.
Terumi Mei stood frozen. Her delicate shoulders quivered, and her entire body trembled involuntarily before she even realized she had wrapped her arms around Anya. Two long-separated lovers, Terumi Mei and Anya, finally shared a passionate embrace.
The shield of strength Terumi Mei had held up until now shattered completely. Tears surged like a bursting dam. She wailed bitterly, crying out, "Oub, I hate you! I hate you so much! Do you know how hard it is to wait endlessly for someone who may never return?"
She clung desperately to Anya's neck, as if trying to merge him into her very being. Her heart, once again alive with vigor, could no longer endure the prolonged suffering of longing. She buried herself in his chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
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