Chapter 34 : Choices
Terumi Mei smiled politely, but the sharpness in her tone was unmistakable.
"I hope this clarifies our intent, Kakashi.""They are criminals to you—""—but to us, they're legacy holders. Treasures of our village."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't lower the kunai.
"Ice Release, Bloody Red Eye, Seven Ninja Swords...""Too many rare elements for it to be coincidence."
Haruto stepped forward. He glanced at Haku and Ranmaru, still unconscious.
"And what happens to them if we hand them over?"
Terumi Mei paused for half a breath. Then:
"They will be protected. Studied, yes—but not harmed." "I have abolished the Bloody Mist policy. Our village is rebuilding. We're no longer the monsters people once feared."
Naruto folded his arms, looking skeptical.
"Yeah, but saying it doesn't make it true. You sure they won't be locked up in some lab like rats?"
Terumi Mei's eye twitched.