MTLNOVEL Chapter 448: Terumi
After dinner, Kazuyama stood in the courtyard, eyes closed as he felt the increasingly damp air around him.
"What's wrong? You went out this afternoon and came back like this."
Pakura stepped out of the house and walked over to his side.
With his partner beside him, Kazuyama opened his eyes, his gaze heavy with thought. He was still trying to figure out where the Three-Tails had gone.
Could it be that the Three-Tails was once again being used by Black Zetsu and Muren Uchiha for some scheme?
He couldn't make sense of it—none of it.
But soon, a new thought emerged. If he couldn't figure it out, then there was no point dwelling on it.
"It's nothing. I just went for a walk. You know me, I can't sit still."
"What about Kakashi and the others?"
Burdened by his thoughts, Kazuyama hadn't made any arrangements for Kakashi and the three little ones.
He really wasn't cut out to be a teacher. Then again, like teacher, like students.
Just look at how Orochimaru treated him—he was simply returning the favor with his own disciples.
Even Yugito and the others would have something to say about that.
"They're all off training. I taught them a few new ways to use chakra."
"They're practicing now."
Kazuyama nodded, looking at Pakura with soft eyes.
She really had become more and more of a role model since becoming a teacher—not like him.
"Pakura, you get some rest. I'm heading out again."
"But don't worry, I won't do anything reckless."
Pakura knew he had his reasons. Given his skills, nothing was likely to happen anyway, so she agreed.
With her approval, Kazuyama chuckled, but didn't set out right away.
Instead, he activated a shadow clone. Once formed, the clone walked over to the edge of the house to act as a guard.
"I'll leave a clone behind to keep you all safe."
"I don't think Kirigakure will make a move on us, but it's better to be cautious."
Right after, Kazuyama brought his hands together. A surge of unfamiliar energy rippled from his body.
Sage Mode. With his current strength, activating it was smooth and seamless. The Coiling Serpent Technique triggered simultaneously.
Three colored glows faintly emerged as the auras of the three Snake Princesses flared up around him.
Then, Kazuyama's figure slowly vanished from the courtyard...
"Kazuyama, how many times have we told you not to summon us in the middle of the night? What is it this time?"
"Seriously, I was having such a nice dream."
"Enough, you two. Like anyone believes you sleep—everyone knows you two stay up all night."
Kazuyama shook his head, a bit helpless.
The three Snake Princesses knew him too well. Once summoned, one would cloak herself, one took to the skies, and the last focused on sensing.
Every time he called them, they just had to chatter.
"Can we not go through the whole scolding routine every time you come out?"
"This isn't our territory. We're in Kirigakure. I need your help."
Hearing that, the three Snake Princesses fell silent, ready for instructions.
"Help me find someone. Not too old—about the same age as my apprentice, Kakashi."
"A girl. As for her strength… I'm not really sure."
The three Snake Princesses exchanged knowing grins.
Kazuyama felt a bit awkward under their looks.
"What's with the stares?"
"You tell us."
Their grins turned mischievous. In their eyes, Kazuyama's intentions seemed just as shady.
A girl? A young one at that? Coming all the way to Kirigakure to look for someone?
They had to admit—Kazuyama's move was… curious.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you thinking?"
"Cut it out with the dirty thoughts. Stop messing around and start looking."
This was Kazuyama's second objective. He had been building his own team from the start—after all, he couldn't take on the future threats alone.
"Kazuyama, you're being way too vague."
"Can you give us a few more details? It'll help us find her faster."
"Even though it's damp here, I still don't like it much."
Tagorihime glanced around at the thick fog, frowning. Although she was a snake and liked moist, dark places, the mist in Kirigakure felt different. It wasn't like the coolness of an underground lair—it carried a stifling sense of lifelessness that put her on edge.
Even as a Snake Princess, she preferred areas rich in spiritual energy.
Kazuyama paused to recall, then said, "Hmm..."
"Emerald green eyes, reddish-brown hair."
"Same age as Kakashi—like I said earlier."
"That's about it."
"Oh, and if you sense her chakra, she should be fairly strong."
Yes, the one Kazuyama was looking for was Terumi.
Future Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure, wielder of two Kekkei Genkai: Melt Release and Boil Release.
She was someone who had reached the top on her own merit.
And someone Kazuyama was keen on recruiting.
She was about the same age as Kakashi and hadn't grown into her full strength yet—making this the perfect window to bring her in.
With her general appearance and traits laid out, the three Snake Princesses simultaneously activated Senjutsu to begin their search.
"Oh right, while you're at it, see if there are any Uchiha clan members in Kirigakure."
The Snake Princesses didn't ask any questions. They had all heard Kazuyama talk about Madara Uchiha before.
The sensing began. Kazuyama floated above Kirigakure. With the three Snake Princesses assisting, he could take it easy for now.
Using the Hive Mind's vision, he scanned the village below.
After a while, Ichikishimahime was the first to speak.
"Kazuyama, I think I've found the girl you're looking for. But the place she's in..."
"How should I put it? It's... odd."
Kazuyama frowned, puzzled.
"There's a strong smell of blood in that area."
"And her chakra feels a bit faint."
Blood? Weak chakra?
Kazuyama suddenly remembered—Kirigakure was still under the Blood Mist era.
This was common knowledge.
From their academy days, students were raised in a brutal system where graduation often required killing their classmates.
Judging by the timeline, the Blood Mist period was still ongoing. It seemed Terumi was one of its victims.
Even so, Kazuyama wasn't particularly worried about her.
Her potential was rock solid, even if she hadn't fully awakened yet.
Well, she wasn't exactly a kid either—she was the same age as Kakashi. Tsk, tsk… a rare powerhouse of a woman.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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