In fact, the reason why Kakashi saved Terumi Mei is, on the one hand, because of the reasons just mentioned, and on the other hand, because of the memories of previous lives.
For a girl like Terumi Mei, Kakashi has a kind of admiration in his heart. For such a character, Kakashi doesn't want to watch her perish.
Moreover, if Terumi Mei died, it would have a major impact on the future plot.
Apart from anything else, Terumi Mei is needed to stabilize the chaos in Kirigakure.
If Obito were allowed to continue manipulating Kirigakure unchecked, something disastrous would happen sooner or later.
Moreover, Kirigakure would later become an important force against the White Zetsu Army.
Although high-end combat power would be the main factor, regular shinobi forces would still be crucial to clearing out enemies.
Just as Kakashi was thinking this, the light in Terumi Mei's eyes dimmed slightly, and her face became serious.
There were still urgent matters to deal with.
"Hatake Kakashi, I have a question for you."
"Hmm?"
Kakashi was puzzled by her sudden change in tone.
"A few days ago, near Kirigakure, a person with a Sharingan in one eye killed many Mist Anbu. Do you know anything about that?"
Terumi Mei asked meaningfully, a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.
Kakashi froze for a moment, then couldn't help but smile wryly. He was exposed, after all.
Sure enough, no one in this world could be underestimated.
Kakashi wasn't surprised that Terumi Mei found out. After all, this was her territory—there would naturally be ways to gather such information.
Seeing Kakashi's expression, Terumi Mei's heart tightened. Was it really this guy?
But this man had just saved her—should she kill him?
Terumi Mei hesitated.
"I did it."
Kakashi admitted directly. Since she asked so bluntly, there was no point in hiding it.
Besides, Terumi Mei appearing here was obviously not a coincidence. Otherwise, this isolated island had no reason for her visit.
A mission?
Impossible. Since Obito's manipulation, Kirigakure hardly accepted any missions and rarely operated outside the Land of Water.
Hearing this, Terumi Mei acted without hesitation, pressing a kunai to Kakashi's neck, her eyes cold.
"I need a reason. If you can't give me one, you will die here today."
Facing Mei's move, Kakashi remained calm.
Though her actions were fierce, he could sense no true killing intent. Clearly, Terumi Mei didn't really intend to kill him yet.
"I just saved you, and you want to treat me like this?"
Not knowing what got into him, Kakashi even joked.
Terumi Mei's hand holding the kunai paused but didn't withdraw it.
"Saving me is one thing, but you killed many Mist Shinobi. As a Mist ninja, I have an obligation to avenge them."
"Sure enough, in the ninja world, people always view matters from their own standpoint. No, maybe this is true in all worlds."
Kakashi sighed.
Terumi Mei didn't quite understand Kakashi's words, nor did she have time to think too deeply.
"State your reason! Or your head will leave your body in the next second!"
"Well, simply put, I went to Kirigakure to gather information but was surrounded by Mist shinobi. Instinctively, I fought back and killed them all to escape."
Hearing this, Terumi Mei wasn't angry but immediately caught the key point in Kakashi's words.
"On the surface? There's more?"
Terumi Mei asked, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of expectation.
"Oh? Sharp. Indeed, there's more to it, but it's just my speculation. Want to hear it?"
"Speak!"
"What a rude reply."
Terumi Mei froze slightly. Where was she being rude?
Ignoring her reaction, Kakashi continued, "You've seen my skills. With my level, there's no way regular patrolling Anbu would detect me. You agree, right?"
Terumi Mei nodded.
Just now Kakashi's speed and strength were astonishing. Regular Mist Anbu would never have caught him.
"Then why was I discovered? And by five Jonin and five Chunin, no less."
"What?"
Terumi Mei was shocked. Regular patrols wouldn't include so many elites. Kirigakure wasn't that extravagant.
Moreover, most of the Anbu had been mobilized earlier to deal with the Kaguya clan uprising. Where would they get such strength for patrols?
As the next Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei was obviously not stupid.
Far from it—she was extremely sharp.
She quickly realized something was wrong.
Quietly withdrawing her kunai, Terumi Mei asked, "What's your theory?"
"Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage—you've noticed something's wrong with him, haven't you?"
Kakashi didn't answer directly but asked back.
Terumi Mei's expression changed drastically.
"How do you know?"
"Heh, of course I know. Konoha has been paying close attention to the situation in Kirigakure. In fact, while gathering intel, I found that Yagura's behavior is very abnormal. In my view, it's highly likely that he is under a powerful genjutsu."
Terumi Mei's gaze toward Kakashi became more complicated.
"Yes, we have suspected that. But Lord Yagura is extremely strong, and as the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, ordinary illusions should have no effect on him."
"But a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu could. The Mangekyō is the natural enemy of tailed beasts."
"Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Terumi Mei was stunned, then remembered the terrifying dojutsu.
Uchiha Madara once used Mangekyō Sharingan to shake the entire ninja world—that scene remained vividly recorded among the great clans.
The Terumi clan's archives naturally included it.
"Yes, Mangekyō Sharingan—you should be familiar with it."
Terumi Mei nodded solemnly.
"Is it someone from the Uchiha clan? Could it be Konoha's doing?"
Terumi Mei said this, her kunai hand tightening slightly again.
"Hey, don't accuse Konoha so casually. It's indeed Uchiha, but it's unrelated to Konoha."
"What do you mean?"
"Uchiha Madara!"
"What? Impossible! Someone from that era is still alive?"
"You should know, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan isn't easy. Besides Madara, very few can use this kind of genjutsu against Jinchuriki."
"Isn't your Sharingan a Mangekyō too?"
Terumi Mei stared at Kakashi's left eye and asked, half-curious, half-probing.
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