Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

If Kakashi hadn't worked tirelessly as a mediator and peacemaker throughout the discussion, the Third Hokage probably would have already been considering how to apprehend Mei Terumī and personally ship her back to the Mizukage.

Still, after gaining a clearer understanding of Mei's situation, Hiruzen gradually realized that this Kirigakure shinobi had truly reached a dead end.

If she stayed in the village, she would remain a thorn in the Mizukage's side and would inevitably be eliminated.

If she fled far away, she couldn't bring herself to abandon the friends and comrades she still cared about within the village.

Behind the seemingly joking statement—

"Seize political power."

—lay an unimaginable amount of determination.

And so...

The experienced and worldly Third Hokage remained completely unmoved.

He ordered Kakashi to bring her to the Torture and Interrogation Department so professionals could verify her true motives through official procedures.

"I accept."

Mei agreed immediately.

In truth, she had already prepared herself mentally.

She had even expected Konoha to place some kind of seal or restriction on her.

After all, if she put herself in their shoes, she fully understood how outrageous her request sounded.

But perhaps out of consideration for Kakashi's recommendation, Hiruzen ultimately chose not to go that far.

It was also his way of giving Kakashi an answer.

"Konoha doesn't intend to do anything to her."

"But keep an eye on her."

"Don't let her do anything that might affect Konoha."

"As for her idea of opposing the Mizukage, try to persuade her to give it up."

"During the upcoming Three-Village Chūnin Exams, I'll speak with the Mizukage personally and see if there's any room for negotiation."

As for Karin's situation and Grass Village's ambush against Konoha shinobi...

Once Hiruzen learned of those matters, he immediately began handling them.

Karin's condition wasn't good.

Although her Uzumaki vitality granted astonishing recovery abilities, the inhuman treatment she had suffered in Kusagakure meant she would need to spend considerable time recuperating in the hospital.

When Kakashi left the Hokage's office, he couldn't help noticing Hiruzen's face.

In less than half a year, the Third Hokage had visibly aged.

Far more than when they had first departed on their mission.

After returning to the village, Kakashi had learned about Danzō and the advisors being imprisoned.

Personally sending old comrades-in-arms to prison had clearly taken a toll on Hiruzen.

Not to mention that nearly all village affairs now rested upon his shoulders.

The workload was exhausting him.

It was as though an old man standing near the end of his life still desperately wanted to accomplish a few more things before handing the future to the next generation.

Some time later...

Mei finally emerged from the gloomy interrogation building.

Judging from her expression, she was far from pleased.

"You people in Konoha really don't know how to spare someone's dignity."

"You were the one who showed up demanding to join Konoha."

"This is already special treatment."

Mei immediately looked annoyed.

"And now you're blaming me?"

"That interrogation lasted an entire day!"

"The least they could've done was let me take a break halfway through!"

"Whose fault is it for telling the Hokage the truth right away?"

"If you'd simply said you wanted to leave Kirigakure and stay in Konoha—or even just the Land of Fire—for a while, things would've gone much smoother."

"Oh?"

"And if I'd said that, you wouldn't have exposed me?"

Kakashi paused.

Before he could answer, Mei casually replied:

"If I hadn't been honest, you wouldn't have brought me back to Konoha in the first place."

"We're both shinobi."

"I understand that much."

"At the very least, I now have a place to stay."

"And time to think about how to solve my village's problems."

"For that..."

"Thank you."

At that moment, Ibiki Morino emerged from the building as well.

Both Kakashi and Mei turned toward him.

He waved a hand.

"I'm heading to report to the Hokage."

"Miss Mei Terumī, your examination results are clean."

"Konoha welcomes your arrival."

"As for officially joining the village, that'll depend on the Hokage's final decision."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

Mei's response was noticeably perfunctory.

Clearly, she hadn't enjoyed the experience.

But Ibiki had interrogated countless criminals.

Compared to some of them, her attitude was practically pleasant.

Then he glanced between Kakashi and Mei before suddenly adding:

"Oh, and the suggestion I gave you earlier."

"You might want to consider it."

"It's currently the fastest way for you to join Konoha."

Mei immediately looked speechless.

"Wait."

Kakashi suddenly remembered something and pulled Ibiki aside.

"What happened with that immortal Akatsuki member?"

"How did you get him to talk?"

"Him?"

The moment Hidan's face came to mind, Ibiki felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Still, professionalism prevailed.

"At first, we couldn't do much."

"But eventually we realized that no matter how immortal he was, he still needed food and water."

"After that, things became much easier."

"We simply fed him..."

Ibiki stopped midway.

"...Actually, never mind."

"If I tell you, you probably won't be able to eat dinner."

He wore the expression of a true torture specialist.

"...Understood."

"Some things are better left unsaid."

Kakashi nodded solemnly.

After watching Ibiki depart, he treated Mei to a meal.

After all, she'd just endured a full day of interrogation.

Unfortunately, it was already late and most restaurants had closed.

So Kakashi ended up bringing her back to his apartment and preparing a simple meal himself.

Once the food was served, he casually asked:

"What was that suggestion Ibiki gave you?"

Mei looked up.

A meaningful smile appeared on her lips.

"He suggested I marry into Konoha."

"That would be the fastest way."

"..."

Kakashi froze.

Completely.

He stared at her.

Meanwhile, Mei simply lowered her head and continued eating.

He genuinely couldn't tell whether she was joking or serious.

I'd better focus on arranging a place for her to stay first...

After hesitating for a long time, Kakashi ultimately decided not to pursue the topic.

And so—

Two more days passed.

"...Huh?"

Naruto blinked in confusion after hearing Kakashi's announcement during their next gathering.

"You heard correctly, Naruto."

"There have been changes to the mission."

Kakashi held up the mission assignment.

"The special operation period has been extended to one year."

"The team leader is being changed."

"As a chūnin, you will now serve as team captain."

"Your team members will be Genin Uchiha Sasuke, Genin Hyūga Hinata..."

He paused briefly.

"And Ninjutsu Advisor Mei Terumī."

"The four of you will head to the Land of Wind first."

"????"

Everyone immediately turned to look at Mei.

She casually spun a Konoha forehead protector around her finger before attaching it to her waist.

Ninjutsu Advisor?

The Third Hokage's final compromise had been giving her the title of advisor.

She possessed no actual authority.

Technically, her status wasn't even higher than a genin's.

But it counted as temporary admission into Konoha.

And at least the title sounded respectable.

"Please take care of me, Captain Naruto."

Mei smiled.

The title rolled off her tongue effortlessly.

Kakashi immediately covered his face.

The less he looked at this situation, the better.

"Konoha has already contacted Sunagakure."

"There will be personnel there to assist you."

"They'll cooperate with the investigation into Akatsuki."

"I'll join you as soon as I finish handling matters here."

After confirming Naruto knew the route, Kakashi pulled him aside for a private conversation.

"Remember."

"Keep an eye on Mei."

"I mean... Mei Terumī."

"Don't let her act on her own."

"If she does, things will become very troublesome."

"I understand, Sensei!"

Naruto slapped his chest confidently.

"You can leave it to me!"

Afterward, Kakashi carefully went over maps and routes with the ever-reliable Hinata.

Only then did he watch the group leave through the village gates.

As their figures gradually disappeared from sight, Kakashi let out a long sigh.

"I think I finally understand how parents feel when their children leave home..."

Then he turned and headed toward his own destination.

A forest so remote it didn't even exist on official maps.

And waiting there—

Perched silently upon a branch—

Was a crow.

One of Uchiha Itachi's crows.

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