Naruto: We Agreed on a Simulation, But They Actually Came to Life?

"Enough! Dispel your techniques, both of you!"

Kitahara Kaede stood between the two women, his expression terrible.

The first time he had ever used Wood Release in front of others had been to break up a fight born of jealousy.

The entire clearing was a wreck.

Terumi Mei lowered her hands and remained where she stood.

She really had lost herself to anger just now.

But Kaede’s command to stop had snapped her awake.

He was genuinely angry.

Mei hurried toward him, only to stop half a step away.

She wanted to touch him but didn’t dare reach out. Her lips moved hesitantly.

"Kaede... do you think I’m annoying?"

Kaede turned and saw the insecurity she couldn’t hide.

He had been holding back an entire lecture, but suddenly found himself unable to continue.

"No. I don’t think you’re annoying."

Mei didn’t brighten immediately. She studied his face carefully.

"Really?"

"Really."

Only then did she lower her head and softly acknowledge him.

On the other side, Pakura also completely dispersed her Scorch Release.

When she saw Mei’s expression, the combative edge in her own heart faded.

She had truly been angry earlier.

Anyone would have been uncomfortable seeing Mei act as though Kitahara Kaede were her private possession.

But now, looking at her like this, Pakura was reminded of herself.

Afraid Kaede would find her troublesome. Afraid he would think she had no right to appear before him.

Pakura said nothing more.

Kaede turned to Mei.

"Wait here for a moment. I need to speak with Pakura."

Mei instinctively wanted to ask why, but stopped before the words left her mouth.

Pakura’s accusation—that she had made it hard for Kaede to breathe—was still lodged in her heart.

She didn’t want to make him feel suffocated again.

Mei forced herself to nod.

"All right. I’ll wait here."

Kaede led Pakura to one side.

They put some distance between themselves and Mei, though all three could still see one another.

Pakura spoke first.

"I’m sorry about what happened just now. I shouldn’t have deliberately provoked her."

She paused.

"I know being caught between us is difficult for you. But when I remembered everything you told me she did, I couldn’t hold myself back."

Kaede looked at her without answering immediately.

Pakura began to feel uncertain.

She didn’t regret the kiss, but she cared whether Kaede would think she was pressuring him too.

"You aren’t angry with me, are you?"

Kaede shook his head.

"No. This is my fault to begin with."

Pakura studied him and confirmed again, "You really aren’t?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Only then did Pakura relax, a smile returning to her eyes.

"Good."

After a brief pause, her gaze still drifted toward Mei despite herself.

"Are you going back to Kirigakure with her afterward?"

Kaede immediately understood what she was worried about.

"No. I’m returning to Konoha."

"I’ll take her to the harbor, ask her to handle something for me, and then have her return to Kirigakure."

The last trace of unease in Pakura’s heart finally disappeared, and her smile brightened considerably.

"Then I can stop worrying."

Kaede looked at her and wanted to say something else.

Pakura waved first, cutting off whatever words he had been about to offer.

"Stop acting like you owe me something. Take care of your own affairs first."

"Be careful on the road back to Konoha."

Kaede nodded.

"You too."

Pakura stepped back and turned toward Amegakure.

After walking a few paces, she looked back at him once.

"See you next time."

She didn’t linger any longer and soon disappeared at the end of the road.

Mei had remained at a distance the entire time.

As she watched the two of them speak, her heart stayed suspended.

She was afraid Pakura would suddenly move close to him again. Afraid Kaede would show her a smile Mei had never seen before.

Only after Pakura left did Mei slowly exhale.

Even so, the sight of Pakura departing with a smile still made her deeply uncomfortable.

During the month Kaede had stayed in Amegakure, had he always looked at her that way?

Mei didn’t want to think about it.

The more she did, the tighter her chest felt.

Kaede walked back and stopped in front of her.

"Let’s go."

Mei softly acknowledged him and followed behind.

Along the way, she kept glancing at his profile before quickly looking away.

After several dozen steps, Kaede finally stopped.

"What’s wrong with you?"

Mei stopped as well, unease appearing on her face.

"You aren’t angry with me, are you?"

Kaede felt helpless.

Pakura had asked the same question moments ago. Now it was Mei’s turn.

Both women were normally stronger and prouder than almost anyone, yet they became excessively cautious around him.

"No. If I were angry, I wouldn’t have spoken to you calmly just now."

Mei’s complexion finally improved.

Kaede resumed walking.

"Why did you come all the way to Amegakure?"

Mei was silent for a moment before answering honestly.

"I had someone investigate where you went."

"When I learned you’d been in Amegakure for a month, I couldn’t sit still anymore."

She immediately added, "I know that was wrong, but I was truly afraid you wouldn’t come back."

She had expected Kaede to rebuke her.

After all, she had opened his letters and withheld information before.

But Kaede merely asked, "How have things been in Kirigakure?"

Mei froze, then her eyes lit up.

He hadn’t blamed her. Instead, he had first asked how she had spent the past month.

She quickly caught up to him, becoming far more talkative.

"Everything’s settled. Genji no longer restricts me either."

"I dug up the records of every person still clinging to the old system."

"And I’ve abolished the graduation exam. Children will never again be forced to kill one another."

She spoke quickly, even recounting how each stubborn elder had eventually changed their tune.

Kaede listened quietly and nodded.

"Well done. You truly learned everything I taught you."

Mei raised her chin, a trace of pride finally returning to her face.

"Of course. I’ve never disappointed you."

Kaede couldn’t help laughing.

Mei turned toward him, slightly embarrassed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You looked ready to kill someone a moment ago. Now you look like you’ve come to claim a reward."

Mei gave a soft huff, then couldn’t resist defending herself.

"That’s because Pakura had wicked intentions toward you!"

Kaede rubbed his nose.

"I’m not so wonderful that the two of you need to go this far over me..."

Mei suddenly stopped and raised a hand to cover his mouth.

Kaede failed to react for a moment.

She looked at him with unprecedented seriousness.

"Don’t say that."

"To me, you’re the best person in the entire Shinobi World."

Kaede fell silent.

Mei quickly lowered her hand. Her cheeks burned, but she didn’t avoid his gaze.

She had spoken from the heart.

When the Bloody Mist had been at its darkest, this man had given her hope.

Even if she alone remembered that experience, its weight would never lessen.

Kaede smiled faintly.

"All right. I’ll remember that."

By the time they reached the sea, the sky had darkened.

The boatmen at the harbor were inspecting the ropes.

Kaede stopped before the pier.

"I’ll see you onto the ship, then return to Konoha."

Mei’s lips moved.

She wanted to ask him to return to Kirigakure with her. She wanted him to live in that small house again.

But she forcibly swallowed the words before they could escape.

She didn’t want to pressure him again.

Kaede noticed her disappointment.

"I spent a month resting in Amegakure. Now I have to take care of serious business."

Mei looked at him.

Kaede’s expression became solemn.

"Besides, I’m sending you back to Kirigakure because I need your help with something."

At the word help, Mei thought of Pakura. Pakura had helped Kaede, which was why he had gone to Amegakure.

Then perhaps...

Mei immediately straightened.

"Tell me. I’ll make sure it’s done!"

Kaede stepped half a pace closer, avoiding the crowd near the harbor.

"Keep a close watch on the Jinchuriki in the Land of Water. Focus especially on information concerning the Three-Tails and Six-Tails."

"If anyone contacts the Tailed Beasts, or if either Jinchuriki shows anything unusual, send word to me immediately."

Mei committed every word to memory.

She didn’t understand why Kaede placed such importance on the Tailed Beasts, but she knew there could be no mistakes.

More importantly, if something happened to Kirigakure’s Jinchuriki, he would come back.

A secret trace of delight rose in her heart.

She nodded seriously.

"I’ll watch them personally. I won’t miss a single detail."

Seeing her regain her energy, Kaede relaxed as well.

"Then... I’m leaving," Mei said reluctantly.

Kaede nodded.

She took a few steps, then looked back.

"Kaede."

He turned toward her.

"I’ll wait for your letters, and I’ll protect Kirigakure."

She paused before adding, "When there’s news about the Jinchuriki, you have to come."

Kaede could see the reluctance she failed to hide.

"All right. Be careful when you act."

Only then did Mei continue forward.

Halfway to the ship, she turned around again.

"I’ll write to you often! You have to answer me!"

Kaede waved.

"I know. Get on the ship."

The merchant vessel slowly pulled away from shore. Mei remained at the stern rather than entering the cabin.

Only when the figure on the pier had become too distant to see clearly did she finally look away.

Kaede turned and began walking toward Konoha.