Naruto: All depends on the Nine-tails Fox

"Leaf Village ninja? Hatake Kakashi... the one who's recently gained such a big reputation?"

The Hidden Mist ninjas fell silent, and soon, a figure resembling a team leader appeared in front of Kakashi.

She was a beautiful woman with long, chestnut hair that reached her waist. Her tall and curvy figure, with an alluring chest, exuded an undeniable charm that seemed to captivate any man in her presence. Her expression, carrying a sharp, determined air, only added to her allure.

But at that moment, rather than focusing on her beauty, Kakashi couldn't help but notice her impressive body flicker technique and the boldness she displayed in standing directly before him, the infamous white-haired reaper of the Leaf Village. Everything about her radiated the confidence of a powerful ninja.

She was clearly a formidable opponent.

Kakashi made an immediate assessment the moment he laid eyes on her—if this had been a year ago, he might not have been able to match her strength.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Terumi Mei."

Her emerald eyes lingered on Kakashi's face for a moment before she smiled softly. "You seem decent, a good man. You're here on a mission, right? With someone as outstanding as you, I'll personally accompany you back to the Hidden Mist Village."

[This woman, she sure knows how to make surveillance sound appealing.]

However, Kakashi wasn't here to start a confrontation. He calmly spread his arms, signaling that he meant no harm.

But it was clear the Hidden Mist ninjas weren't as accommodating. As Kakashi prepared to follow Terumi Mei, one of them, perched in a tree, suddenly spoke up, "Please, remove your weapons."

With that, the ninja extended his hand, seemingly trying to stop him.

However, Kakashi barely glanced at him before Terumi Mei waved her hand dismissively.

"Forget it. With me around, there's no need."

Kakashi noticed that Terumi Mei held a unique position among the Hidden Mist ninjas. With just a word from her, a fellow elite ninja stepped aside, allowing Kakashi to pass without question. It was clear that her authority was unquestioned here.

The Hidden Mist Village, known for its isolationist policies since the "Blood Mist" era, rarely interacted with the outside world. As a result, Kakashi was unfamiliar with Terumi Mei.

Watching her disappear into the thick forest ahead, Kakashi withdrew his gaze and followed.

As one of the five major countries with the largest landmass, each of the great ninja villages had critical responsibilities along their borders. If anyone tried to sneak across, they were to be killed without hesitation.

Though there were no official hostilities between the Hidden Mist Village and the Leaf Village after the Third Great Ninja War, their hidden clashes were not few. In fact, the Hyuga and Uchiha clans of the Leaf had some history with the Hidden Mist. Kakashi's connection to the village was especially tense—after all, it was most likely from the Hidden Mist that the mastermind behind Rin's death, the one who had implanted the Three-Tails inside her, came from.

This was precisely why the advisors at the Hokage's office had opposed Kakashi's mission to the Hidden Mist Village.

"Kakashi-san doesn't like to chat?"

After they had been walking for some time, Terumi Mei, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped and turned to Kakashi with a teasing smile.

"In front of someone as charming as you, I think most men would be too shy to speak up," Kakashi responded lazily, "I'm actually showing quite a bit of decorum."

"Is that so?"

Terumi Mei tilted her head slightly, locking her gaze onto Kakashi's eyes. A mischievous smile curled at the corner of her lips. "I think, Kakashi-san, you're just avoiding me because you're afraid I'll charm you."

Kakashi sighed, raising a finger to tap lightly on his forehead protector. "I'm on a mission, after all. I try to keep work and personal matters separate."

Kakashi glanced behind him, though the air was still, he could sense a number of ninjas trailing them. Their skill in covert operations was impressive—likely some elite Anbu members from the Hidden Mist.

Most likely, it was their assassination unit.

However, Kakashi kept his attention on Terumi Mei. She was the real challenge here.

"The mission, yes, of course. The mission of the Leaf ninja is important," Terumi Mei's voice shifted, becoming more dangerous. "But we can't let a Leaf ninja meet with the Mizukage so easily. For safety's sake, I'd rather personally escort you there. Don't worry, I won't take your life."

"If possible, I'd prefer to go by myself," Kakashi sighed, "After all, making it so formal will only lead to both of us looking worse for wear when we're covered in wounds and blood."

From the very beginning, it was clear that they had no intention of allowing him to enter the Hidden Mist Village without resistance. Their suspicions had never wavered.

[Is this how they treat a Leaf ninja just because of my affiliation? Does Uchiha Shisui's involvement in the Hidden Mist have a greater impact than I thought, or is there something else at play?]

"Heh, don't worry, I'll be gentle."

Terumi Mei's light laugh echoed as several elite Hidden Mist ninjas revealed themselves from the surrounding trees and surrounded Kakashi. They coldly issued their orders.

"Take him down, but don't kill him. We'll confirm his mission once he's been neutralized."

"Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique!"

As the Hidden Mist ninjas performed their jutsu, a thick, impenetrable fog descended, obscuring Kakashi's vision. Even the chakra and breath of the ninjas around him became undetectable.

"Kakashi-san, you said I don't like to chat, but it seems that no matter how hard I try to improve my conversation skills, it's not going to solve anything, is it?"

Amid the mist, Kakashi's lazy voice floated out, tinged with a hint of resignation.

"Ah, it's too late for sweet talk now."

Terumi Mei laughed softly.

"Troublesome woman."

Kakashi muttered under his breath before suddenly looking up.

The blade was drawn, and lightning crackled!

In an instant, the Hidden Mist jutsu that five ninjas had used was torn apart by a single lightning-fast strike. The thick fog was split by a blinding arc of lightning, and Kakashi's scarlet eye locked onto Terumi Mei's face. His figure vanished into the mist.

Bad.

It was only a fleeting thought for Terumi Mei, but by the time she felt the threat, it was already too late.

Kakashi's threatening face was right in front of her.

A single breath was all it would take for his blade to pierce her throat. She had no choice but to halt her hand seals and freeze in place.

[His speed and power... I didn't expect them to be so formidable!]

Terumi Mei was taken aback. In her memory, Kakashi was the most decisive fighter she had ever encountered. The instant he broke through her technique and appeared before her, even the other Hidden Mist ninjas hadn't been able to react. The sound of his lightning strike was too fast to follow.

She thought victory was within her grasp, but in an instant, Kakashi had her at his mercy. She hadn't even been able to initiate her own jutsu.

But Kakashi didn't continue his attack. He sheathed his blade and removed the short dagger from her neck.

Terumi Mei froze.

"You see? I'm not your enemy."

Kakashi lowered his forehead protector to cover his Sharingan, then walked on without a care in the world. His unique, magnetic voice reached her from behind. "Continue leading the way, Miss. This time, though, let's leave the entourage behind."

"Leaf ninjas... are they always this strong?" Terumi Mei stood frozen, staring at Kakashi's retreating figure, her hand gently touching the small cut on her neck left by his blade.

No hostility? If she hadn't stopped her hand seals and abandoned resistance just now, there was no doubt that his blade would have severed her head. His killing intent had been genuine in that moment.

He wasn't afraid of killing the Hidden Mist border ninjas.

"Hatake... Kakashi..."