Mei Terumi 02

Mei Terumi had listened to Naruto's explanation. It was simple.

He was just Naruto. A kid from Konoha.

That was all. And yet—

Her gut told her otherwise.

She had seen it. Felt it. That girl—Furude Erika—was powerful beyond reason. A being so dangerous that Mei instinctively knew she couldn't even scratch her if she tried. And yet… she submitted to Naruto's will.

That was not normal.

Ao and Chōjūrō groaned as they sat up, still recovering from their sudden unconsciousness. Mei had used a basic first aid kit—something she always carried.

Ao rubbed his head, his Byakugan still pulsing faintly. "Lady Mei… is this the kid you were looking for? The one with the circus hat and an eye patch?" His gaze settled on Naruto, scrutinizing him. "Yellow hair, small build… doesn't look like much."

Chōjūrō frowned slightly, adjusting his grip on Hiramekarei. "From what I can tell, he's maybe… genin level? No—probably even lower."

Meanwhile, Naruto had casually placed his top hat on the ground, pulling out several rabbits—one after another. He set them in the grass and fed them fresh greens from the forest.

Ao and Chōjūrō kept staring.

Naruto's brow twitched. "Four-eyes, you're so damn annoying," he muttered, making a shooing motion with his hand. "Go away. You don't have business with an average genin, do you?"

Ao frowned, narrowing his eyes. "A very rude average genin."

But Mei…

Mei smiled. "You're stronger than any shinobi I've ever met."

Naruto tilted his head. "Why would you think that?"

Mei's jade-green eyes glowed with something knowing. "Just a feeling."

Naruto let out a short chuckle. "Feeling, huh? You trust that so much? Humans are amusing creatures."

Ao cleared his throat, shifting the conversation. "Lady Mei, we need to go to the rebel camp. The revolution is rallying, and they're waiting for your command."

Mei nodded but turned back to Naruto. "I need your help in this revolution. The pay—"

Naruto interrupted before she could even finish. "It's on the house." He grinned, tipping his hat slightly. "Also, the payment's already enough. I kissed you, right?"

Ao and Chōjūrō stiffened, eyes widening slightly. The statement left them momentarily speechless.

Mei, on the other hand, immediately turned red. "You—!" Her anger flared as she wove hand signs in a blur, releasing a wave of molten lava.

"Yōton: Yōkai no Jutsu!"

A massive surge of lava rushed toward Naruto in an instant.

Naruto lazily lifted his hand, catching the lava mid-air.

And then—he transmuted it.

The molten rock shimmered, twisting in his grip, until— Fluffy bunnies.

Lava turned to harmless, grass-munching rabbits, hopping around like nothing had happened.

Ao's jaw clenched. "Lady Mei was right," he muttered under his breath. "He's hiding his true power."

Mei, still flushed from earlier, scooped up one of the rabbits and cradled it in her arms. "Can I keep one?" she asked, her voice much softer than before.

Naruto smirked. "Five minutes," he said, watching her reaction.

Mei blinked. "Eh?"

"Then it turns back into dirt." Naruto said

She pouted, visibly deflating. "Ehhh, no fun."

Mei Terumi gazed toward Ao and Chōjūrō, her sharp jade eyes scanning the surroundings. "I think we've traveled far enough. We didn't even realize it's already dark. We set camp here."

Chōjūrō hesitated before leaning toward Ao, whispering, "It's Lady Mei who traveled too far and didn't realize it…"

Ao sighed, rubbing his temples. "Can't blame her. She's already—"

Before he could finish, Mei appeared between them in an instant, her voice a dangerous whisper. "Shut up, or I'll kill you."

Ao immediately straightened, sweat pouring down his face. "Understood."

Naruto, meanwhile, had already gathered a pile of wood, each log cut with surgical precision. "I already cut the wood," he announced casually. "As for the food…" He reached into his top hat and pulled out a plump rabbit, holding it up with an easy smirk. "This will do."

Before he could do anything,

Mei snatched the bunny from his hands, cradling it protectively. "This one didn't turn to dirt, right?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "That means it's mine."

Ao sighed, lowering his voice as he leaned toward Naruto. "Just let her have it."

Naruto shrugged, waving a dismissive hand. "Sure, sure, Mei-chan."

Mei blinked, then grinned. "Mei-chan?" She giggled. "I like that nickname."

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Five minutes passed.

Mei glanced around. "Naruto, you didn't bring a tent?"

Naruto laid back on the ground, arms behind his head, gazing at the sky. "I like watching the stars at night. It's natural."

Ao frowned. "Naruto, what's your chakra nature? It's like you don't use chakra at all."

Chōjūrō and Mei answered in unison. "He doesn't use chakra ? ."

Ao crossed his arms. "My Byakugan can precisely detect life force and chakra flow, but you—" He narrowed his eyes at Naruto. "I'm sorry to say, but it's like you don't belong here."

Naruto smirked. "I expected the Tenseigan might be able to detect my anomaly, but I wasn't sure about the Byakugan. Seems like it's good enough to act as a detector. The Mangekyō, on the other hand, can't tell me apart from everyone else."

Chōjūrō hesitated. "The reason I thought he was a genin at first was because—"

Mei cut in. "Naruto is very different from everyone else."

Naruto sat up and placed a plate in front of them. Hot dogs, freshly cooked. "Bon appétit."

Ao chuckled. "I hope it's not poisoned."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "You have a high-level sensory ability. You'd know if it was."

Mei narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. "Where did the meat come from?"

Naruto didn't answer. He simply looked at his rabbits.

Or rather, where some of them used to be.

Mei gasped and grabbed Naruto's cheek, pinching hard. "Naruto! I forbid you from killing these innocent creatures! I won't let you!"

Naruto groaned. "Mei-channn, my face—!"

Chōjūrō took another bite, his expression lighting up. "What's this food called? It's so practical and tastes really good."

Naruto, still suffering under Mei's pinching grip, mumbled, "'tshcall'd… hot dogs…"

Mei finally let go, and

Naruto rubbed his cheek with a dramatic sigh. "If you wanna know, get out of your continent and travel far, far away. Maybe then you'll find it."

Chōjūrō blinked. "Huh?"

Ao frowned. "Naruto, you're not from Konoha, are you?"

Mei's gaze sharpened slightly as she studied his reaction.

Naruto stretched lazily. "I am from Konoha. I was born there. I just got… flung very far away for a while."

Mei's eyes gleamed with something unreadable. She seized the opportunity. "Then join Kirigakure when this war is over."

Naruto fell silent. Without a word, he turned and began walking away, his cane tapping against the forest floor. Mei watched him for a moment before following, her steps quick yet graceful.

Chōjūrō made a move to follow as well, but Ao grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.

"Don't," Ao warned in a hushed tone. "Lady Mei might melt us if we interfere."

Chōjūrō hesitated. "But… he's just a kid. We don't even know where he comes from. What if Lady Mei is trying to—"

"Kidnap him?" Ao finished dryly. He exhaled, shaking his head. "That's no ordinary child. That yellow eye of his… it marks the experience of someone who's seen far more than any shinobi should. I wouldn't even call him a person. More like—" He paused. "An unknown being inside a child's body."

Meanwhile, Naruto had settled beneath a large tree, his back pressed against its rough bark. His cane rested at his side. Mei approached, hesitating only for a second before lowering herself down and lying across his lap, her auburn hair spilling over his legs.

Naruto glanced down at her, his sharp yellow eye flickering in the moonlight. "You sure you want to get comfortable? What if I throw you off?"

Mei smirked, her jade-green eyes glowing softly. "Then I'll melt your legs and take your lap for myself."

Naruto chuckled. "Now that's a threat."

Silence settled between them. The night breeze carried the scent of damp earth and faint embers from the dying campfire.

"A ninja from another country whose origins are unknown…" Naruto finally muttered. His voice was quiet, unreadable. "And you heard it yourself, right? I'm not from this world."

Mei closed her eyes for a moment, as if absorbing his words. Then she spoke. "Do you want to know why, out of all the shinobi I've met, I chose you?"

Naruto didn't answer right away . "Because I saved all of your lives from Erika," he said at last.

Mei smiled faintly. "Yes, but… plenty of people have tried to save me before. And some of them died." Her voice softened, her fingers tracing small patterns on his sleeve. "I still remember their faces." A pause. "It's just… your kiss was honest."

Naruto blinked, his usual smirk faltering for the briefest moment.

Mei's voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes searching his. "You weren't trying to win me over. You weren't trying to manipulate me. It was like… for a second, I saw something real."

Naruto exhaled through his nose, his lips curling slightly. "A kiss is just a kiss, Mei-chan."

Mei chuckled, closing her eyes. "Not always."

Naruto leaned back slightly, letting the silence stretch between them before breaking it. "How long have you been at war against Yagura?"

Mei sighed. "About half a year. He became a dictator… and he's by far the strongest opponent our group will ever face."

Naruto tilted his head. "Mei-chan, do you have a Kekkei Genkai?"

Mei pouted, crossing her arms. "You first. Tell me how you made that monster girl, Erika, afraid of you. And who is Bern?"

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Is Erika really that terrifying? At least for you?"

Mei's expression darkened slightly. "My instincts are very sharp, and I think even if all the great nations united against that girl, we would lose."

Naruto's gaze sharpened, but his smirk remained. "I can only tell you some things. All you need to know is that out there, beyond the stars and universes, there are groups so terrifying they can do whatever they want to worlds."

Mei frowned. "You talk like… you were part of those groups."

Naruto shrugged. "I was. But I quit." His tone was casual, but there was something deeper beneath it. "My reason is personal."

Mei's fingers tapped against her thigh before she asked, "And Bern? If Erika is already terrifying… you make it sound like she's nothing compared to this Bern."

Naruto let out a short laugh. "If Erika is terrifying to you, then Bern is a million times stronger than her."

Mei hesitated. "Is Bern… your lover?"

Naruto groaned. "In her eyes, I might be. But for me?" He sighed. "She's a crazy, possessive stepsister… and beyond selfish."

Mei blinked, caught between curiosity and disbelief. "Stepsister?"

Naruto waved a hand. "Long story. One you really don't want to hear."

Mei hummed, leaning against him slightly. "You're a very complicated person, Naruto.

Naruto smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."

Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips curling into a small smile. "Are you being honest with me, Naruto? Because from the look in your eyes… you look bored."

Naruto chuckled, scratching his cheek. "Ahh, I got caught."

Mei giggled at that, shaking her head. A small silence stretched between them before she spoke again, this time softer, more vulnerable. "I have a confession, Naruto. It wasn't just to recruit you."

Naruto raised a brow, intrigued.

Mei sighed, running a hand through her auburn hair. "When we defeat Yagura and I become Mizukage… then what? I don't even have a man in my life. I'm thirty years old." She laughed bitterly. "Sure, I have suitors, but they only like me for my body and looks—not for me."

Naruto leaned back slightly, his sharp yellow eye watching her closely. "What's this about, Mei-chan?"

Mei scoffed, shaking her head. "I guess I just wanted to vent."

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Listen, you are a beautiful woman. Age is nothing but a number. You will find love, I can guarantee it. Don't force it—let it come to you. You will find someone who will love you for you, flaws and all."

Mei blinked at him, a little surprised by his words.

Naruto grinned. "And if it makes you feel better, when I first saw you, you were probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. And now that I've gotten to know a little about you… I can tell your inward beauty matches your outward."

A small, genuine smile formed on Mei's lips, and for once, she found herself at a loss for words.

Mei Terumi's smile softened, her jade-green eyes shimmering in the dim moonlight. "Thank you for your kind words, Naruto." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Does that mean… I can hold onto you tonight? Until morning?"

Naruto didn't answer right away. Instead, he gently pulled Mei's head toward him, pressing it against his chest. His voice was calm, steady. "Good night, Mei-chan."

Mei let out a small sigh of contentment, her body relaxing completely as she drifted off into sleep. Naruto followed soon after, his breathing slow and even, the cool night air wrapping around them like a silent guardian.

And then—memories surfaced.