Chapter 66: Symphony of Time and Space 4
For Mei Terumi, a reunion after three years was immensely significant, but for Kakashi, their last meeting was merely a few hours ago.
Even so, there seemed to be no gap between them, no age difference.
When the Mizukage, arm in arm with the youth, entered the underground city, a group of Kirigakure ninja distributing supplies stared dumbfounded, their jaws dropping.
Facing everyone's gazes, the Mizukage beside Kakashi didn't reprimand them; more accurately, she directly ignored them. What these fellows were thinking was none of her business. As long as they didn't obstruct her, even if they defected now, Mei Terumi couldn't be bothered to chase them.
There were also the four Rouran Queen's guards who had previously wanted to capture Kakashi, now instantly on alert.
"Lord Mizukage, please step aside! This fellow is an enemy disguised as the Prince!"
A certain guard stepped forward, pointing his sword at the silver-haired youth with righteous indignation.
Mei Terumi tilted her head, looking at Kakashi's reaction. Seeing him unmoved and offering no explanation, she merely released a bit of her own chakra. The guard was immediately oppressed by the powerful aura, unable to move.
Throughout their journey here, the youth hadn't asked the orange-haired beauty any specific details about his death, nor about the current state of the world, nor even why Rouran had become like this.
The reason was simple: the more one knew, the more would change. When he learned he would die in the future, Kakashi hadn't paid it too much mind. He believed he wouldn't just perish like that. Based on strength, there weren't many renowned individuals in the entire ninja world who could kill him. Most had no grudge against him, and if he wanted to escape, he generally could.
Except for his teacher, who had left a mark on him.
But clearing that mark was also a matter of time; it wasn't a bother.
There was only one question that Kakashi cared about deeply and had to ask.
"How did I become the Prince of Rouran?"
Mei Terumi, who had just been overcome with the joy of reunion, her Mizukage hat even bobbing twice, no longer spoke in a gentle tone.
"What Prince of Rouran? How would I know?"
"You're really not good at lying."
This blatant attempt at concealment made Kakashi cough lightly and nonchalantly correct his course towards the Queen's inner chamber in the underground city.
This irked the Mizukage. She repeatedly tugged at the youth's sleeve but couldn't stop him from continuing forward.
"Interesting."
The more it was like this, the more Kakashi wanted to know what had happened. Sara's previous anger didn't seem feigned. With Mei Terumi by his side now, she could also explain what had transpired.
Knocking on the door, Mei Terumi, also unwilling to leave, waited beside the youth for the Queen of Rouran to appear.
"Who is it?"
Sara's voice came from within the room. Kakashi nudged Mei Terumi's slender waist, signaling her to speak.
"It's me."
She had no choice but to comply with his request. Or rather, whatever request the newly reappeared Kakashi made now, Mei Terumi would agree to. Even relinquishing the position of Mizukage would just be a matter of a few words.
The age difference did play a small role. Although the orange-haired beauty now seemed completely obedient, in reality, due to the information gap, she understood Kakashi at this age, but Kakashi didn't understand her.
If she used some means, could she make him abandon the thought of returning to the past and stay in the future?
A frantic possessiveness spread in her heart. The matter of the Prince of Rouran was already a minor issue. From his current behavior, Kakashi undoubtedly wanted to return to his era. So, how could she make him stay?
Three years ago, the young woman who had always used Kakashi as her external thinking circuit had endured countless hardships in the three years since his death. She had encountered unimaginably strong enemies, all of whom she overcame by her own strength, turning them into stepping stones on her path of growth.
Today, she was no longer that naive girl, but one of the five at the pinnacle of the entire ninja world...
If, if she used force, based on his strength when facing her Water Clone earlier, she might have a chance to defeat Kakashi.
"Is that Mei Terumi?"
Queen Sara of Rouran asked in a confirmatory tone. Footsteps gradually approached. No one knew how many thoughts had raced through Mei Terumi's mind before Sara opened the door.
Kakashi had also never imagined that the current Mizukage's personality hadn't changed, but her thoughts would undergo such a major transformation.
Creak---- The sound of the long-neglected door opening was somewhat jarring. After the door opened, what appeared before Sara was the fellow who had previously used a transformation jutsu to disguise himself as him, and the Mizukage on his arm.
The Mizukage's strength was much greater than her own; the Queen of Rouran naturally understood this. After all, some of her own ninjutsu had been taught by her; Mei Terumi could be considered half her teacher.
So, if her teacher hadn't attacked this fellow, didn't that mean...
A legend suddenly came to mind: the Dragon Vein could distort everything.
Among those distorted things, did it include time?
After looking at each other for a long time, expressions shifting like clouds, none of the three spoke, because all the information already pointed to Kakashi's true identity.
"Come in."
Just like Mei Terumi at first, her cool voice carried a tremor. The Queen of Rouran let down her coiled red hair, her eyes sweeping over the hand with which the Mizukage held Kakashi's arm.
The two walked side by side into the inner chamber, the Queen's resting room. Inside, neatly arranged piles of documents, lists, and untouched dry rations on the side all proved how hard Sara was working to contribute her strength to this country.
The Kirigakure ninja and Rouran civilians watching from outside the door whispered among themselves. They had all heard a little about the Prince, the Mizukage, and their own Queen. Although it was unclear how the Prince had suddenly resurrected and even reverted to his appearance from years ago, ninjas were inherently beings beyond common sense; perhaps it was some strange ninjutsu.
Entertainment was so scarce in small places. Long-term suppression caused this gossip to ferment and spread rapidly. A furtive-looking fellow approached a man who was animatedly discussing the gossip and asked about the situation.
"The Prince of Rouran has been resurrected?"
Upon hearing this news, the spy immediately left the underground city, summoned a desert lizard specialized for transmitting information, wrote a note, and stuffed it into its mouth.
In the inner chamber, the seated silver-haired youth was just about to greet Sara when the Queen of Rouran's address made his head spin.
"My Lord Husband....."
Tears welled in her eyes; this expression was definitely not feigned. Kakashi looked back blankly at Mei Terumi, whose face had turned green, and suddenly felt an urge to grease his soles and flee.
"Stop, stop! You've definitely mistaken something!"
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