It could be seen that Shinji's analysis had a great impact on Mei Terumī.
She had come for peace, but instead, she was being drawn into a turbulent vortex. This was truly unfortunate.
But now, even if Mei Terumī wanted to escape this vortex, she couldn't. After all, it was all just speculation. If she left with her people now, she would offend both Konoha and Sand Hidden.
So, she could only take things one step at a time and adapt as needed.
Mei Terumī believed that Shinji's words were not groundless and that she had to find a way to deal with it early on.
Then she saw the other party say, "Alright, my duty is fulfilled. The rest is up to your own choices. Anyway, I'm planning to leave early."
Shinji had already planned to leave Konoha. Now that he knew the Chūnin Exam was about to begin, he had even less reason to stay.
However, while he wanted to leave, Mei Terumī didn't want him to go.
"Are you really going to leave me alone and leave by yourself?"
Mei Terumī suddenly looked at him with teary eyes, her expression aggrieved.
Damn!
I'm not afraid of women in black silk, but I am afraid of mature women acting cute!
This sudden contrast in charm was just a tiny bit away from breaking through his defenses.
So Shinji took a deep breath, silently recited the mantra "My heart is as pure as ice, unmoved by the collapse of the heavens," and said, "Stop that. Your beauty trap won't work on me. I said I'm leaving today, and I'm leaving today! Not even the Six Paths Sage can stop me, I tell you!"
Before he finished speaking, Mei Terumī suddenly leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Actually... you can leave now, but you can always come back later~"
This angle...
Damn it!
It was the long-lost "Lace Genjutsu"!
Shinji was almost swallowed by the bottomless cleavage, but thankfully, he broke free at the last moment.
What a seductress!
She could act cute, and then she could tease. It seemed only I, a monk, could subdue you, Great Heavenly Dragon!
Shinji said with a righteous expression, "Returning is impossible. I will never return in this lifetime. Unless... hehehe."
Mei Terumī's eyes, which seemed to speak, almost rolled to the heavens. She gritted her teeth and said, "Don't push it too far."
"Then I'll leave?"
"Two cursed objects. You stay and help me. If Sand Hidden really makes a move against Konoha as you say, I'll double the offer. Help me safely escort people out of Konoha, and then I'll give you another five cursed objects as reward. Deal?"
"That's it? Doubling two cursed objects only makes it four. Don't think I don't know you've mastered the technology of targeted harvesting of cursed objects. Although it's not mature yet, with enough time and sufficient curse spirit experimental subjects, you can produce as many as you want."
Mei Terumī's face darkened. She regretted bringing this scoundrel to the research base.
She even blamed the researchers for being so talkative and spilling secrets.
If those people knew what she was thinking at the moment, they would probably cry out in injustice.
If she hadn't brought him here and repeatedly called him an expert invited from outside, telling them not to hide anything, who would have told so many secrets to an outsider?
"You also said that the technology is not mature yet and needs further research. And it's easy for you to say, but we are severely lacking in time right now. It's not easy to capture curse spirits that can induce cursed objects, and the success rate for lower-level curse spirits is too low."
Saying this, Mei Terumī adjusted her breathing and said seriously, "I can give you two cursed objects as a deposit first. Regardless of whether your guess comes true, they are yours. If the crisis situation you mentioned occurs, you need to go all out to help me escort people back. Afterward, I can give you another five cursed objects as compensation. How about it? You won't lose out either way."
Shinji pondered. He really wanted to leave and not get involved in this mess.
But the other party offered too much.
A total of 7 cursed objects. Even if they were all trash, they could still be sold for at least ten thousand to eighty thousand Curse Soul value.
That was equivalent to killing two Special Grade curse spirits that couldn't release domains.
Moreover, no matter what, Mei Terumī and Mangetsu Hōzuki were considered half-insiders.
"Sigh, forget it. I'll take a small loss. Remember to ask the Konoha people to arrange a new place for me, preferably nearby, so it's not too late to notify me if something happens."
"Okay."
Seeing him acting like he was taking a loss while profiting, Mei Terumī really wanted to give him a passionate kiss of death with her Lava Style!
Melt his head off!
Afterward, Shinji also pretended to inquire about the situation in Mist Hidden after his departure, putting on a good show before contentedly taking the two cursed objects and leaving.
Since the plan had changed temporarily, he had to go back and inform Hidan and Tobi.
It was estimated that they would have to wait until after the joint Chūnin Exam to leave.
...
In Konoha's Training Ground No. 1.
"Huh? Teacher Kakashi! You're finally back!"
Naruto and Sakura were so happy they almost jumped for joy.
Everyone had been very busy during this period, except for their Team 7.
Although resting was great, after a long period of rest, they felt excessively bored and wished they could get busy again immediately.
After completing his mission, Kakashi, who had finally returned to the village today, went to find Naruto and the others immediately after meeting the Hokage.
Kakashi had no idea that so many things had happened during his absence.
And the thought of the news the Hokage had just told him made him feel a severe headache.
"Why isn't Sasuke here? Is he at home?"
Sakura immediately replied, "Sasuke is sick and is in the hospital. Naruto and I were just about to go visit him."
"Sick? Why would he suddenly get sick?" Kakashi was stunned for a moment, then said, "That's perfect. Let's buy some things and go together. There's something I need to tell all three of you."
A short while later, Naruto and Sakura arrived at Sasuke's hospital room with fruits and flowers.
Of course, Kakashi, as their teacher, paid for everything.
He felt somewhat guilty for abandoning his disciples for such a long time.
"Naruto, Sakura, why are you here? ...Teacher Kakashi? When did you get back?"
Sasuke, lying in bed, looked somewhat pale. Usually indifferent, he was the one who greeted them first today, which was somewhat unusual.
"Ino said she saw you when she was delivering flowers, and she came to ask us. That's how we found out you were hospitalized. Honestly, do you even consider us your companions?"
Sakura started off a little angry, but quickly turned to worry, constantly asking Sasuke how he was feeling and if he was getting better.
Only after Sasuke explained that it was just a common cold and fever did Sakura finally relax.
Kakashi could tell that Sasuke seemed to be hiding something, but as a teacher, he couldn't interfere too much with the thoughts of a young boy. So, he decided to leave such matters to Naruto and Sakura.
After things quieted down, he cleared his throat and said something that surprised everyone.
"In a few days, a joint Chūnin Exam will begin. People from Mist Hidden and Sand Hidden will be participating. I wanted to ask your opinion: do you want to sign up?"
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