Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 46: Terumi Mei

"Two are standing in the trees, two hiding in the foliage. Judging by their chakra levels, there's one jonin among them. No sensory ninja detected; we haven't been exposed."

After receiving Hyuga Fuji's report, Kushina took the lead, charging directly toward the front.

The others followed close behind.

Under the Byakugan's gaze, the positions of the Kirigakure ninjas were laid bare.

One jonin—why so cautious?

In a flash of gold, the jonin didn't last more than a few seconds before the ferocious Kushina bound him with her adamantine sealing chains, slamming him into the ground and ending his life.

The three subordinates of the jonin watched their leader get killed in an instant. Without a moment's hesitation, they scattered in three directions, each hoping Kushina wouldn't come after them.

"Three o'clock, ten o'clock."

Hyuga Fuji called out two directions before vanishing from his spot to chase down the fastest one. Kakashi, blade in hand, darted toward another target, while Yakumaru had already formed his seals.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.

The fleeing Kirigakure ninja was engulfed by a massive fireball, his charred corpse collapsing in the forest.

"Killed by a Great Fireball? This guy was just a genin, right?" Yakumaru clicked his tongue in annoyance.

A completely one-sided battle. Taking down small fry like this was no fun for the Hokage's guard unit.

"One jonin, one chunin, two genin."

Hyuga Fuji returned, dragging a still-alive Kirigakure chunin and tossing him to Yakumaru. "Use genjutsu to interrogate him. We should be able to get some intel about this area."

Yakumaru gave Fuji a surprised glance before silently carrying out the task.

This is experience, isn't it? On the Kirigakure battlefield, Hyuga Fuji had clearly worked with Uchiha clansmen many times before. While they killed without hesitation, Fuji, seeing Uchiha in the group, had deliberately left a captive.

"..." Kushina blinked, looking at the jonin she had killed and then at the genin Kakashi and Yakumaru had taken down. Acting as if nothing was wrong, she nodded. "Fuji is very thorough."

It's definitely not her fault if they were outnumbered!

Kakashi, meanwhile, rubbed his left eye, his gaze lingering on the chunin under Yakumaru's genjutsu, his thoughts unreadable.

"The commander in this area is Lord Yagura. Among the jonin are Hozuki… and Terumi Mei."

"Terumi Mei, Yagura."

Repeating the names, Yakumaru ended the chunin's life with a kunai. "I remember both of them are elite jonin from Kirigakure, right?"

"Correct, and Yagura has a strong reputation in Kirigakure. He's likely the next Mizukage," Hyuga Fuji said quietly.

Yagura, huh…

"They sound like worthy opponents," Yakumaru said with a grin.

"Alright, clean up and let's continue the mission."

Realizing the chunin had provided useful information, Kushina, feeling slightly guilty about killing the enemy jonin outright, coughed lightly and directed Kakashi and Yakumaru to move ahead, deliberately slowing her own pace to fall back with Hyuga Fuji.

Once Kakashi and Yakumaru were far enough ahead, Kushina spoke:

"If we encounter more enemies later, give me your suggestions beforehand."

"You've been a jonin instructor, haven't you? Understanding your team members' abilities and visualizing situations where they can shine is a basic skill…"

Noticing the dark lines forming on Kushina's forehead and the way her chakra flared, Hyuga Fuji stopped mid-sentence, a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Got it. She probably only said she'd been a jonin instructor—she didn't actually meet the average standard.

Kushina, seeing Fuji fall silent, pouted slightly.

She had served as a jonin instructor, but with Anbu constantly guarding her, when would she have had the time or mindset to figure all that out?

Her usual habit was simply taking out enemies herself…

Today was so exciting because there weren't any Anbu watching her!

For the first time in over a decade!

...

With Hyuga Fuji and the others in action, the Kirigakure forces in the area rapidly dwindled. Noticing something amiss, two Kirigakure teams eventually crossed paths with them.

"Six ninjas ahead, all jonin! One is a sensory ninja, and they're heading toward us," Hyuga Fuji suddenly sped up, positioning himself in front of the group.

"A squad of elites, huh?" Yakumaru grinned. "Looks like we'll finally have a proper fight. Leave two of them to me."

Ignoring him, Hyuga Fuji turned to Kushina. "The lead ninja is Terumi Mei. She possesses two kekkei genkai: Lava Release and Boil Release. Both are extremely powerful offensively."

As he spoke, a few specially crafted kunai appeared in his hand, which he flung in several directions.

"Leave her to me," Kushina said with a smile, her body radiating golden light.

With sensory ninjas on both sides, the distance between them quickly closed. A kilometer meant little to such highly skilled shinobi; they met in the blink of an eye.

Just as Fuji finished explaining, the enemy was only 300 meters away, and both sides could see each other.

"Red hair, that overwhelming chakra… and Hyuga and Uchiha ninjas by her side…"

Terumi Mei's pupils contracted as she observed the approaching group.

Uzumaki clan? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

Her expression turning grave, she said to a ninja beside her, "Fire the distress signal immediately!"

Her subordinate didn't hesitate, launching the signal flare without delay.

"So cautious. We'll have to end this quickly."

Kushina frowned as chains emerged from her back, whipping toward the enemy ninjas.

They had ventured a bit too deep. There was no backup here.

While Hyuga Fuji's Flying Thunder God could serve as a safety net, they didn't need reinforcements. But this was their first encounter with a major target—they had to seize the opportunity.

"Uzumaki clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains?"

Leaping back, Terumi Mei's expression grew increasingly grim.

A Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the strongest tailed beast… How many rounds could she last against such an opponent with her current strength?

Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!

Without dwelling on her odds, Terumi Mei quickly regained her composure. White acidic mist poured from her mouth, spreading outward.

The other Kirigakure ninjas hurried to distance themselves, while Kushina lingered for a moment thanks to the power of the tailed beast. However, she quickly withdrew from the area enveloped by the acidic mist, her expression becoming more serious.

In just that brief moment, the golden chakra cloak around her had begun to corrode. Staying any longer would have damaged her body.

The acid mist possessed incredibly potent corrosive properties.

After a quick glance in that direction, Hyuga Fuji shifted his focus to the five other jonin.

Terumi Mei, not yet at her peak, had little chance against Kushina, who was in her prime. No need to worry about her.

"Take them out quickly. We don't have much time."

Hearing this, Yakumaru refrained from his usual banter about splitting enemies and instead unrolled a scroll, revealing shuriken and kunai connected by wires.

Kakashi activated the Sharingan in his left eye.

"Ha? Take us out? Just you brats—"

The speaker's words were cut short as his body froze, then collapsed lifelessly.

The remaining four Kirigakure jonin, seeing Hyuga Fuji standing behind their fallen comrade, retreated in disbelief.

Hyuga Fuji silently picked up the Flying Thunder God kunai from the ground before vanishing again.

In such unexpected encounters, it was hard to set effective traps, but the Flying Thunder God made up for it.

(End of Chapter)

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