Chapter 226: Does It Bother You?
Kitahara Kaede followed behind Terumi Mei.
"That is the administrative building; the mission hall is behind it," Mei said, raising her hand to point toward several towering structures ahead. "The hospital is to the west."
She lowered her hand and turned her face slightly toward him. "If you need anything later, you can come directly to the Anbu office in the administrative building to find me."
Kaede looked in the direction she pointed. In his mind, he already possessed a far more detailed map of Kirigakure’s layout. However, he didn’t look away immediately. To avoid raising suspicion, he let his gaze linger on the buildings for a few more seconds, perfectly mimicking the look of a newcomer trying to memorize the route.
"I’ve got it," he replied.
Mei turned back and continued walking. They crossed two main streets, and the buildings gradually grew sparse. At a fork in the road, Mei stopped.
"This way."
She led the way down a secluded side path. The smooth stone pavement beneath their feet soon ended, transitioning into hard-packed dirt.
"The layout of the Hidden Mist is different from the Hidden Leaf," Mei added casually. "Since this is Jonin Kitahara’s first time here, let me give you a proper introduction."
Kaede watched her back. "Understood."
As they pressed on, the surrounding scenery became increasingly desolate. Looking at the path, an indescribable sense of familiarity surged within him. At the end of the road, a low wooden fence appeared. Inside the fence was an open clearing, guarded by two Anbu members at the entrance.
Seeing Mei approach, the two guards immediately straightened their backs and bowed their heads respectfully.
"Director."
Mei gave a brief nod and walked straight inside, with Kaede following close behind.
As he passed the guards, one of them looked up slightly, his gaze landing on Kaede. The man froze mid-motion. Sensing his companion’s sudden rigidity, the other guard looked over as well, only to freeze in place himself.
Even through their masks, Kaede could sense their shock.
*Why that reaction?* he wondered. He was wearing a mask; there was no way these two knew who he was. Therefore, their surprise could only stem from one thing: the fact that someone had been allowed to accompany Terumi Mei to this place.
*So?* This area was clearly a restricted zone for Mei—a place where no one was normally permitted to enter.
Kaede suppressed the ripple of curiosity in his heart and walked to the center of the field, taking in the full view. It was an expansive training ground. A row of wooden posts stood along the edge, and various pieces of training equipment were neatly stacked in the corners.
Mei turned around, her tone casual. "This is a training ground I frequently use. If you need it, you are welcome to come here anytime."
Finally, it clicked. This was the place where, in the simulation, he and Terumi Mei had trained together. But in his memories, it hadn’t looked like this at all. Back then, it had been a piece of abandoned wasteland. They had poured their sweat here; they had stood together in the rain here.
Now, it was clean and orderly. Someone had taken that wasteland—the witness to their past—and rebuilt it brick by brick into what it was now.
In that moment, all the pieces of information connected themselves automatically. The sudden secret invitation for an alliance from Kirigakure. The specific demand that the Leaf send *him* to negotiate. The fact that Mei, as the Director of the Anbu, had personally come to meet him at the border. And now, she had brought him to this training ground that existed only in the memories shared by the two of them.
The answer no longer required guessing.
Terumi Mei had her memories. Not only did she possess them, but she had used them to seize power ahead of schedule and climb to the position of Anbu Director. This so-called alliance was, from beginning to end, a trap she had set specifically to lure him to the Hidden Mist.
Kaede steadied his mind. He couldn’t reveal himself yet. He needed to determine Mei’s attitude toward those memories. Was it gratitude? Obsession? Or did she hate him for his deception and his eventual death?
He turned his head and met Mei’s gaze. "Thank you, Director Terumi. The facilities here are indeed very comprehensive."
Mei stood a few paces away, watching him silently. She looked into his eyes—eyes that were calm and rippleless.
The name was right. The man was undoubtedly him.
And yet, as he stood upon this painstakingly restored training ground, there was not a single flicker of emotion in his gaze.
He didn’t remember. Or simply he had forgotten.
This thought pierced Mei’s heart. The smile on her lips stiffened, bit by bit. She had believed those indelible memories were a treasure shared between them. It turned out she was the only one carrying the burden.
A massive wave of loss overwhelmed her. Her hand, hanging at her side, slowly curled into a fist.
*He doesn’t remember?*
*It doesn’t matter.*
She was now the Director of the Anbu in the Hidden Mist. And he was alone, having come to the Land of Water—her domain.
Since he didn’t remember the past, she would simply make him get to know her all over again, starting now. She had plenty of time, and plenty of means.
The curve returned to Mei’s lips, a smile more brilliant than before, and far more dangerous.
"As long as Jonin Kitahara is satisfied." She took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "The Land of Water is not like the Land of Fire. The situation is volatile, and there are many eyes watching from the shadows."
Her voice was almost a whisper in his ear. "Therefore, for the time being, for your own safety, you may have to remain within my sight at all times."
Kaede looked at her. There was something alarming hidden in those eyes, but his expression remained flawless.
"A necessary precaution," he replied. He paused, then added, "I also hope the Director can expedite the alliance negotiations as soon as possible."
Mei let out a soft laugh. "Naturally." She turned and walked toward the exit of the training ground. "Come, I’ll take you to your quarters."
***
As dusk fell, the two of them walked through several quiet streets and stopped in front of a detached two-story building. Mei produced a key and handed it over.
"A house prepared specifically for you. Everything you need is inside."
Kaede took the key and nodded. "Thank you, Director Terumi."
Mei didn’t linger. With a simple "Get some rest; official negotiations begin tomorrow," she turned to leave.
Kaede watched her go, then turned back to the house. He inserted the key into the lock, but just as he was about to turn it, the sound of a door opening echoed behind him.
He paused and looked back. Terumi Mei was pushing open the door to the house directly opposite his.
The look behind Kaede’s mask shifted. Mei happened to turn her head and saw him watching.
"This is a secret operation, but there’s no guarantee your identity is completely unknown," she explained. "Living opposite me makes communication easier, and it allows me to protect you at a moment’s notice."
She paused. "Jonin Kitahara... does it bother you?"
Kaede replied, "Not at all. It’s very thoughtful."
Mei nodded, entered her room, and closed the door.
The moment the door clicked shut, a calico cat leaped from the shadows and rubbed against her leg. Mei looked down at it. She had come across this cat by chance. It was in the exact same location—by the river, under the tree—where they had first met in her memories, with the exact same coat patterns.
She knelt and pulled the cat into her arms. The cat let out a contented purr.
"He doesn’t remember..." Mei murmured softly. "But it doesn’t matter."
The hand stroking the cat’s neck tightened unconsciously. The calico cat felt the discomfort and struggled slightly.
"As long as he is here, by my side, that is enough."
Holding the cat, she stood up and walked barefoot up to the second floor. The bedroom window faced the house opposite. Mei walked to the window and pulled the curtain back just a sliver, staring intently at the window across the way.
On the other side, Kaede entered his room and locked the door behind him. He didn’t rush to rest. Instead, he stood in the entryway and quickly swept the room with his gaze.
First floor living room, kitchen—the furniture was simple. He began in the living room, searching inch by inch. After clearing the first floor, he moved to the second. He checked every possible hiding spot for listening devices.
Once he confirmed the area was secure, Kaede walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut.
***
In the opposite room, Mei saw the curtains close. The fabric blocked the light from within and severed her line of sight. It was like a wall, shutting her out.
The cat in her arms seemed to sense its owner’s shift in mood and let out an uneasy meow. Mei snapped back to her senses, loosening her grip and soothingly stroking the cat’s fur.
The cat grew quiet again, but the look in Mei’s eyes as she stared at the opposite window grew darker.