Chapter 210: Mei Terumī's Black Long Stockings
On the wide road.
Hoshikawa stood on the roof of the supply convoy's carriage, his eyes closed. With the Mind's Eye activated, the surroundings were fully mapped in his mind.
After two days of travel, they had finally left the Land of Fire and entered the Land of Rivers. In about half a day, they would reach the main camp of Konoha and Sunagakure.
Hoshikawa hadn't been idle during the journey, constantly using his Mind's Eye on the roof of the carriage. First, to scout for any enemy ambushes. Second, to seize the time to practice and improve his mastery of Sensing Ninjutsu. Fortunately, the past two days had been smooth, with no enemy encounters.
However, once they entered the Land of Rivers, the situation was uncertain, as Kirigakure ninja were currently active in the area.
Half an hour later, Hoshikawa 's expression tightened slightly. Within his sensing range, three Kirigakure ninja squads, totaling twelve ninja, had appeared, including three Jōnin.
Hoshikawa suddenly raised an eyebrow, sensing a familiar chakra signature Mei Terumī.
"Hoshikawa , we have contact!" Hizashi Hyūga, only a few seconds slower than Hoshikawa , used his Byakugan to discover Mei Terumī's group.
The Kirigakure ninja likely never dreamed that the Konoha supply convoy would include both Hizashi Hyūga and Hoshikawa . After all, their presence was impromptu. Under normal circumstances, even if the supplies were important, a supply convoy wouldn't feature such powerful ninja.
Chen Baojun and the others immediately became vigilant upon hearing this.
"They are Kirigakure ninja," Hoshikawa opened his eyes, his expression calm. "You continue the journey; I'll deal with them."
"This... should I go with you?" Hizashi Hyūga hesitated and asked.
"No need." Hoshikawa shook his head.
"Alright, be careful." Hizashi Hyūga said nothing more. After all, Hoshikawa was not an ordinary Chūnin; he had captured the Four-Tails alive and killed the Third Mizukage. In terms of strength, he was undoubtedly the strongest person in the Konoha supply convoy.
Body Flicker Technique! Hoshikawa vanished on the spot.
He followed the convoy's path forward and stopped a moment later.
Mind's Eye! Hoshikawa closed his eyes and quickly made a discovery.
The twelve Kirigakure ninja were silently lurking nearby.
Hoshikawa thought for a moment, then formed hand signs and exhaled a stream of air. The air current dispersed with the wind, quickly turning into a dense fog that spread to the surroundings.
"Who cast the Hiding in Mist Technique?" Mei Terumī, hiding behind a large tree, was momentarily stunned. But she immediately realized the problem: the direction of the fog was wrong. If they had cast the Hiding in Mist Technique, the fog should emanate outward from their center, but it was doing the opposite. This meant the technique was cast by someone else.
"Be careful! There might be an enemy!" Realizing this, Mei Terumī quickly shouted. The nearby Kirigakure ninja immediately looked around and began searching. Mei Terumī did the same.
However, she was puzzled: who else knew Kirigakure's Hiding in Mist Technique?
Suddenly, Mei Terumī felt a sensation, her eyes narrowed, and she instinctively threw a punch behind her. But the next second, her face showed shock.
Thump!
Her slender wrist was grabbed by Hoshikawa .
"You... how are you here?" Mei Terumī asked subconsciously.
"Guess." Hoshikawa looked at the long reddish-brown-haired girl with a smile.
"Are you in charge of the Konoha supply convoy?" Mei Terumī's tone changed. She could imagine the consequences of them ambushing Hoshikawa . All twelve Kirigakure ninja here would likely not leave alive, including herself.
"Looks like you're not stupid." Hoshikawa released her wrist.
"If you're here to persuade me to surrender, that's impossible!" Mei Terumī took half a step back, showing an expression of defiance.
"Is that so?" Hoshikawa sized her up with a teasing look.
"What do you want to do?" Mei Terumī's body trembled slightly, feeling nervous.
"You don't want your eleven teammates to die here, do you?" Hoshikawa 's smile grew wider as he couldn't help but joke. Teasing the future Mizukage was quite fun.
Mei Terumī's heart trembled, and she stood frozen. She hesitated for a few seconds, then made up her mind.
"Here!" Mei Terumī tossed her money pouch at him.
Hoshikawa instinctively caught the pouch, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement.
Mei Terumī was one of the few ninja who could give him new titles. His goal was actually very simple: he just wanted to fight her. The last time, with the Kaguya clan ninja involved, plus the fight ending without a clear victor, he didn't get a title.
As for the rest of the Kirigakure ninja, in his view, they were insignificant. Killing all of them wouldn't affect the overall situation. It was better to give Mei Terumī face and facilitate future investment.
"You really are a pervert!" Seeing his lack of reaction, Mei Terumī hardened her resolve and took off her shoes.
Hoshikawa was speechless. What was the future Mizukage thinking? Is my image really that bad in your mind?
Hoshikawa subconsciously lowered his gaze. The blue dress couldn't conceal her shapely figure. Between the hem of the skirt, her legs, encased in black fishnet long stockings, were visible. Since she had taken off her shoes, the black fishnet long stockings continued down, wrapping around the arch of her foot. This was a stirrup-stocking design, with her toes exposed, round, translucent, and fair like pearls.
"You... stop looking!" Mei Terumī noticed his gaze and said angrily.
"I think you misunderstood. I don't want your shoes," Hoshikawa said seriously.
"You..." Mei Terumī suddenly remembered something, gritted her teeth, and took off the black fishnet long stockings.
"???" Hoshikawa looked at the warm long stockings shoved into his hand, completely confused. Her movements were too fast for him to react.
"Is this enough?" Mei Terumī's face was flushed, but she asked through gritted teeth.
"That's not what I meant. I just want to spar with you." Hoshikawa was silent for a moment, then pocketed the black fishnet long stockings.
Mei Terumī's expression stiffened, and she subconsciously looked at him.
"Alright, we fight one match, and then you can leave." Hoshikawa glanced at Mei Terumī's straight, long, fair legs.
"Then give me back my long stockings!" Mei Terumī couldn't help but retort.
"What's in my hand is mine," Hoshikawa said with a serious face. "If you want them back, you have to defeat me."
"Die!" Mei Terumī formed hand signs, parted her red lips slightly, and spat out a jet of orange-red acid. The acid spread like a stream of water, completely engulfing Hoshikawa . In her sheer fury and embarrassment, Mei Terumī started with her Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique! Hoshikawa retreated backward, clapping his hands together. A water dragon roared out and plunged into the acid. Water splashed, rapidly dissolving. But to Mei Terumī's shock, the water dragon still maintained most of its form, smashing through her acid.
The immense impact dispelled the dense fog, revealing the situation of the battle between the two.
"It's Hoshikawa !" The nearby Kirigakure ninja showed expressions of shock. The rest of the ninja felt the same, and panic spread. None of them were fools; facing an enemy who could kill the Third Mizukage, they knew they couldn't win.
"All of you, leave!" Mei Terumī recovered and shouted. "I'll hold him off!"
"But..." The Kirigakure ninja widened their eyes. Although Mei Terumī was strong, Hoshikawa was stronger. If she stayed, there would only be one outcome: death.
"Go now!" Mei Terumī roared.
"Yes." The Kirigakure ninja scattered and left, their faces a mix of gratitude and unwillingness.
"Not bad acting." Hoshikawa couldn't help but smile.
"..." Mei Terumī didn't smile. She knew that if Hoshikawa hadn't held back, the previous scene wouldn't have been an act; it would have been reality. As a proud genius, she was forced to put her life in someone else's hands. This made her feel incredibly frustrated.
"Continue!" Mei Terumī's expression was serious as she quickly formed hand signs.
Water Release: Water Column! A huge sphere of water descended from the sky like a meteorite. Mei Terumī stared intently at Hoshikawa . She had noticed earlier that his Water Release power was abnormal. Although Hoshikawa 's Water Release had always been powerful, it was now unreasonably strong, comparable to her Lava Release.
Water Release: Water Trumpet Technique! Hoshikawa leaped into the air and, aiming at the meteorite-like water sphere, spat out a trumpet-shaped stream of water. In an instant, the water sphere shattered, and torrents of water splashed outward, covering Mei Terumī.
As expected. Mei Terumī's heart sank. Hoshikawa 's Water Release power had improved again. How long had it been? Mei Terumī felt a sense of powerlessness.
If Hoshikawa knew her thoughts, he would simply say it was because of the cheat. After defeating the Third Mizukage, he obtained the B-rank title 'I Am the Mizukage', with the effect of a 100% bonus to Water Release power. Since there were no restrictions, it was a permanent title. Hoshikawa 's Water Release power was now at a 200% bonus when it wasn't raining, and a 300% bonus when it was raining.
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique! Mei Terumī pulled herself together, opened her mouth, and spat out high-temperature mist. The moment the water streams touched the mist, they were instantly melted away without a trace.
Hoshikawa naturally didn't dare to take the attack head-on. His body wasn't yet as resilient as a Susano'o.
Water Release: Water Collision! Hoshikawa clapped his hands together, and water quickly swirled in front of him, forming a tornado. The mist engulfed the area, and the two forces clashed, producing a dull sound. The tornado instantly expanded, mixing countless streams of water with the mist like a waterfall.
"Was it blocked?" Mei Terumī frowned, staring at the distant water and mist.
The next second, a water dragon emerged from the mist and hurtled toward her at incredible speed.
Water Release: Water Wall! Mei Terumī's pupils constricted, but her reaction was fast. A wall of water rose in front of her. But it only held for a moment before failing. A large volume of water poured down from above, completely soaking her dress.
Mei Terumī's body involuntarily retreated. Her face was full of disbelief. How had she fallen into a disadvantage so quickly?
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow slightly. When wet, her dress clung tightly to her body, fully showcasing her shapely figure.
But Mei Terumī clearly had no time to worry about that. Unwilling to concede, she formed hand signs again.
An orange-red solution sprayed out, and the air warped where it passed.
Lava Release: Rasengan! Hoshikawa stood his ground, and a Rasengan of molten lava smashed toward her. The scorching lava sphere collided with the acid, immediately producing a large amount of gas and a sizzling sound. But this was followed by a rotational effect. The acid was flung away by the rolling lava sphere, and much of it rebounded toward Mei Terumī.
Water Release: Water Wall! Mei Terumī quickly formed hand signs. A wall of water blocked her path, intercepting the acid. Heated by the lava, the acid rapidly melted most of the water wall.
The scorching heat rushed toward her face. Mei Terumī's face showed a slight, unnatural blush, or perhaps heat exhaustion. She looked at the motionless Hoshikawa and suddenly said with disappointment, "I surrender."
Neither her Lava Release nor her Boil Release could match his Water Release. Mei Terumī felt despair overwhelm her.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. Two lines of text appeared before him.
[C-Rank Talent Title: Boiling and Melting.]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat Mei Terumī.]
[Effect: Lava Release Talent and Boil Release Talent are increased by 100% on the existing basis.]
Only C-rank? Hoshikawa quickly understood the reason. Mei Terumī was still young, and she only knew one ninjutsu for both Boil Release and Lava Release, so she wasn't proficient. A 100% increase was already decent.
But talent was one thing; Hoshikawa still had to learn Boil Release and Lava Release himself. Still, it was better than having no talent at all. Boil Release was Water plus Fire, and Lava Release was Earth plus Water. With the talent now, Hoshikawa could try to combine these two Kekkei Genkai. Coupled with Magma Release and Wood Release, he would have four Kekkei Genkai, not far from the A-rank title 'Seven Kekkei Genkai'.
Hoshikawa suddenly thought of the Kaguya clan ninja from before. He didn't gain the Shikotsumyaku talent after killing him. Hoshikawa guessed that either it was because he was an unnamed character or because Shikotsumyaku had no so-called talent. Like the Sharingan, Shikotsumyaku couldn't be learned; it was a bloodline Kekkei Genkai. Since he was not from the Kaguya clan, he did not have the corresponding bloodline and therefore could not trigger the title.
Hoshikawa looked at Mei Terumī. She was distraught, and completely drenched, looking extremely miserable and aggrieved.
"Here." Hoshikawa took out a windbreaker from his storage scroll and handed it to her. "Thank you for today."
"...?" Mei Terumī was stunned, instinctively clutching the windbreaker, her face blank. Why is he thanking her?
"Remember to go back, take a bath, and change your clothes." Hoshikawa reached out, patted her head, and said with a smile, "It wouldn't be good to catch a cold."
Mei Terumī looked at him, and after a few seconds, her face suddenly flushed, and she lowered her head. She pursed her lips and said haughtily, "I don't need your concern! You pervert!"
"Remember to practice your Lava Release and Boil Release well." Hoshikawa reminded her.
"Don't worry!" Mei Terumī said fiercely, her face red. "Next time, I'll melt you in one bite!"
"I look forward to it." Hoshikawa squeezed her cheek again and vanished on the spot.
Mei Terumī stood there, stunned for a long time, before finally putting on the windbreaker he had given her. However, her feelings toward Hoshikawa were now complicated, and she didn't know how to describe them.
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