Conflict

These past few days, Kaguya stayed in the room Mei Terumi had arranged for her. Mei Terumi would occasionally check on her. Reluctantly, Kaguya had to pretend to be a girl experiencing her period. She felt like she was going to explode from embarrassment and regretted taking the time off.

However, at night, Kaguya secretly snuck into the Mizukage's office, rummaging through documents and information to find any leads on the tailed beasts. The Land of Water was simply too vast. Even though the tailed beasts were once part of Kaguya, allowing her a slight sense of their presence, finding them in an area spanning tens of thousands of kilometers was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

The information held by the Land of Water was the simplest and most convenient method.

Finally, beneath a stack of documents, she found information about the Three-Tails. The Three-Tails seemed to be located near the border of the Land of Water.

Kaguya initially wanted to leave immediately, but it was already late. Patrols and surveillance were doubled at night. Moreover, engaging the Three-Tails in battle would produce significant noise, making it much more noticeable at night. She decided it would be better to wait until daylight to scout the area.

However, an unexpected event occurred.

"Mizukage-sama, there's an emergency!" A Mist ninja rushed into the office, his face full of urgency, indicating something serious had happened.

"What is it? Why the panic?" Mei Terumi frowned.

"The Raikage from the Hidden Cloud Village is leading over ten ninjas towards our border, accusing us of kidnapping their people and demanding we hand them over."

"The Raikage?" Mei Terumi raised an eyebrow. "Notify the border guards to ensure they do not cross into our territory. We will head there immediately."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama," the Mist ninja responded.

Mei Terumi stood up, ruffling Kaguya's hair with a smile, "Wait here for me. I'll be back soon, and I'll bring you some dango."

"Okay." Kaguya's watery eyes stared at Mei Terumi, "But can I come along?"

"No, it might turn into a battle, and I might not be able to protect you," Mei Terumi said seriously.

"It's okay. I'll just watch from a distance," Kaguya clasped her hands together, pleading.

"No," Mei Terumi said firmly. Sensing she had been too stern, she softened her tone, "It's really dangerous there. Please be good and stay here."

Realizing Mei Terumi wouldn't relent, Kaguya nodded reluctantly.

Mei Terumi tilted her head and smiled, ruffling Kaguya's hair again before leaving with Chojuro and Ao.

Since they wouldn't take her, Kaguya decided to go on her own. She smiled slightly, turned around, and disappeared.

"Hand over Killer Bee."

At the border of the Land of Water, a blonde man stood opposite Mei Terumi. He had yellow hair, slanted eyebrows, and a muscular build. His biceps were as thick as an adult's thigh, exuding explosive power. This man was the Fourth Raikage, A.

"It seems there's been a misunderstanding, Raikage-sama," Ao said seriously, "We haven't invaded the Land of Lightning, nor have we captured Killer Bee."

"Who are you? Get out of the way. This isn't your place to speak," the Raikage snorted, "Bring out your Mizukage."

Ao clenched his teeth, his face turning white with anger as he balled his fists.

"Ao, step back," Mei Terumi stepped forward, "We truly haven't captured Killer Bee. Why are you so certain it was our Hidden Mist Village?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The Raikage said, displeased, "Our people saw it was Mist ninjas, and we found a Mist headband at the scene." He held up a headband with the Hidden Mist Village's symbol.

"That doesn't prove anything. It could have been someone posing as us," Mei Terumi folded her arms, "And with Killer Bee's strength, it wouldn't be easy to capture him."

"No matter how much you argue, it won't change anything," the Raikage said, pointing a finger at her, "You must hand over Killer Bee today."

"Sorry, but we really don't have him," Mei Terumi raised an eyebrow.

"Then don't blame me," the Raikage snorted.

As soon as he finished speaking, a surge of chakra erupted from the Raikage's body. Lightning chakra crackled around him, and with a leap, he charged towards Mei Terumi.

Mei Terumi jumped back and quickly formed hand signs.

"Water Style: Water Pillar."

A massive column of water shot out from her mouth, directly towards the Raikage.

The Raikage collided with the water column, causing a huge splash. Water droplets scattered, and mist filled the air. The Raikage's advance was momentarily halted, but he then swung his arm, cutting the water column in half with a single chop.

Seeing the Raikage closing in, Mei Terumi leaped back to dodge.

Several strands of hair fell, drifting in the wind; the fierce wind from the Raikage's charge had grazed her hair.

Mei Terumi's face darkened as she formed more hand signs.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet."

Two pillars of water rose from the surface, forming into two giant dragons. They roared in the air and then dove towards the Raikage.

The Raikage roared, and the lightning around him surged. He stepped forward and delivered an elbow strike to the water dragon.

With a crash, the water dragon shattered into a spray of water. For the Raikage, such an attack was child's play, but this was not Mei Terumi's true aim.

She had already completed her hand signs, her eyes focused.

"Lava Style: Melting Apparition Technique."

From Mei Terumi's mouth shot a stream of yellow liquid, hitting the charging Raikage directly. A white mist immediately rose.

"What is this?" The Raikage frowned. He could feel his protective chakra rapidly depleting. The liquid seemed corrosive, eating away at his defenses.

This was Mei Terumi's bloodline limit, Lava Style, capable of melting even Susanoo.

The Raikage clenched his fists and roared, his chakra exploding outward. Lightning and chakra covered his body like armor, blasting the liquid away.

Suddenly, the Raikage vanished from sight. Mei Terumi's heart raced as she looked around but couldn't find him.

"Above!" Ao shouted.

"Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop."

The Raikage had used his lightning-quick movement to leap into the air. He now dove down, his hand forming a blade charged with lightning chakra, slashing towards Mei Terumi.

The Raikage's speed was immense, like a white lightning bolt. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Mei Terumi, too fast for her to dodge.