Chapter 66 – Terumi Mei: So What's the Price?
Although the Mist Ninja Village was one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, in terms of strength, it could currently be said to rank last among them.
The "Bloody Mist" policy had led to the death of countless bloodline families within the village, and many elites—such as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—had either defected or perished.
At present, there was only one true powerhouse left in the Mist Village: Terumi Mei.
Even in the future, the Mist would struggle to recover its former glory. After all, the future Sixth Mizukage, Chōjūrō, would be regarded as the weakest of all Five Kage throughout history—without question.
In this situation, as long as Su Li brought out his manga, it was certain that the Mist Ninja would never refuse the deal.That meant Su Li could secure himself another profitable partnership.
Of course, Su Li didn't plan to fully open access to the manga for the Mist Village.
Although the Mist wasn't very powerful right now, Terumi Mei's ambitions were by no means small—her heart burned with the desire to revive her village's former strength.That woman's pride would never allow her to be submissive to anyone.
If he gave them full access to the manga's powers, who could say they wouldn't turn into dangerous tigers later on?
Even though Su Li had no intention of sharing comics containing the most powerful abilities, it was still troublesome.
Unless, in the future, he could unlock the system permission to reclaim powers obtained from his comics, he had to remain cautious.
"Elder Yagura, please take a look… this is what I intend to trade."
While speaking, Su Li took out several mass-produced manga volumes from his system backpack.One was about Haki, another about Breathing Techniques, and the rest covered other general abilities.
"...Comics?"
Elder Yuan Shi's eyes fell on the books laid neatly on the table. His tone carried confusion and disbelief.
"How could something like this possibly help the Mist Ninja become stronger?"
If this had been said by anyone else, Yuan Shi would have assumed it was a joke.But this man—the Acting Hokage of Konoha—had just pulled those books out of thin air.That alone suggested some kind of advanced space-time ninjutsu. There had to be more to it.
"Yes," Su Li explained calmly. "I've sealed within these manga certain abilities—similar to Kekkei Genkai. As long as you read them, there's a high probability you'll gain those abilities yourself. And there are no side effects."
Su Li's introduction was simple and direct.
But to the three Mist elders listening, it sounded utterly absurd.
"Enough! Acting Hokage of Konoha, do you take us for fools?!"
Terumi Mei could no longer stay silent. She slammed her palm down on the table, her fiery eyes blazing.
"Become stronger just by reading manga? What kind of ridiculous joke is that?!If it were that easy to gain Kekkei Genkai, why was Konoha nearly destroyed by the Sand Village before? Lies should at least sound believable!"
"It seems that before we talk specifics, you'll have to see for yourselves whether these comics are real or not," Su Li replied smoothly, not at all offended.
He had expected that reaction—it was only natural.If Terumi Mei had believed him immediately, that would have been strange.
"You can pick any one of your accompanying Mist Ninjas," Su Li continued. "Let them read one of these manga. After that, you'll see for yourself whether they actually gain the abilities within."
If he had only allowed a Konoha ninja to test it, they would surely suspect trickery.By offering them a direct test, Su Li left them no room for doubt.
Hearing this, Terumi Mei stared hard at Su Li, as if searching for any hint of deceit.But Su Li's calm smile didn't waver in the slightest.
Real gold fears no fire, and he had no reason to worry.
"Very well," said Elder Yuan Shi, replying in place of Terumi Mei."Let's do as you suggest. Terumi Mei, bring in Taya."
Taya was an Elite Chūnin of the Mist Village and part of their envoy group.
Naturally, Elder Yuan wouldn't let Terumi Mei herself test the comics before confirming their safety—she was the future pillar of the Mist Village.
Terumi Mei nodded, left the room, and soon returned with Taya. After briefly explaining the situation, she handed him the manga about Haki.
"You have thirty minutes," she instructed coldly. "After that, you'll fight me using whatever ability you gain."
Thirty minutes was the time Su Li had specified.This manga only contained Armament and Observation Haki—it wasn't long, and could be read in under fifteen minutes.The remaining time was for the reader to familiarize themselves with their new power.
The test of combat afterward was Terumi Mei's own idea.Even if it looked real, there was always the chance of genjutsu trickery—only through battle could she confirm the truth.
Thirty minutes passed quickly.
"How is it?" Terumi Mei asked sharply.
"L-Lady Terumi Mei! This manga… it's real! I actually gained Haki!"Taya's voice trembled with excitement as he held the manga in both hands.
Terumi Mei's eyes narrowed. She sensed no illusion, no trick.
Still, to be certain, she leaned toward Ao, who had been watching with his Byakugan active.
Ao shook his head. "No genjutsu at all."
"...So it's real." Terumi Mei nodded slowly, then ordered, "This isn't the place to test your new power. Follow me."
They soon arrived at the rooftop of the Hokage Building, where Su Li and several others waited.
"Taya," Terumi Mei said, glancing toward Su Li before turning back to him. "Attack me with all your strength."
She knew Taya's strength well—an Elite Chūnin, competent but far from remarkable.If what Su Li claimed was true, then in just half an hour, Taya's power should have risen to Special Jōnin level.
If that was the case…Then she had to secure those manga no matter the cost.
"Yes, Lady Terumi Mei!"
Taya responded, and his entire body was soon covered in a black metallic sheen—Armament Haki.
"This power…" Terumi Mei murmured, surprised. "It's the same ability that Gangzō Iron used?"
She remembered what Gangzō Iron had said earlier—
"That's just a common ability in Konoha."
Back then, she'd thought he was spreading misinformation.But now, it seemed he had been telling the truth all along.
Something you could learn in half an hour…And yet powerful enough to rival a Kekkei Genkai?
Without hesitation, Terumi Mei drew her kunai and lunged.Though best known for her two bloodline limits, her taijutsu was anything but weak.A top-tier ninja like her had to be strong in every discipline.
Her movement was swift, precise, and deadly.
"Come!" Taya shouted, his Observation Haki instantly capturing her every motion.He raised his Armament-covered arm to block.
Clang!
Kunai met hardened flesh, producing a metallic ring.Terumi Mei's eyes widened slightly as she was forced back half a step.
So it's real…
Her anticipation only grew stronger.This ability might be "common" in Konoha, but its strength truly rivaled the limits of blood!
"The Kekkei Genkai… that can be mass-produced!"
Ao muttered in disbelief, his Byakugan wide open.Elder Yuan Shi, too, narrowed his eyes at Su Li, his expression unreadable.
"Lady Terumi Mei, this is the power I've gained!"Taya's voice trembled with excitement. He had forced Terumi Mei—a quasi-Kage level ninja—to take a step back.
Before, such a thing would have been unthinkable.
He had been just an Elite Chūnin.Now, he had actually fought her on even ground.
All thanks to that manga.
"An impressive ability," Terumi Mei said, catching her breath. "What do you call it?"
"Armament Haki! And there's another—Observation Haki—which sharpens my senses and lets me predict enemy movements!"
"I see…" Terumi Mei's eyes gleamed with realization.
Without resorting to ninjutsu, she once again rushed in, testing his claim.
Taya parried and dodged with uncanny precision, his Observation Haki guiding him.Their movements blurred, the sound of impact echoing again and again.
After a minute of fierce exchanges, Terumi Mei finally leapt back, signaling the end.
"Enough."
The battle ceased.There was no need to continue—the results were more than clear.
Taya collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. The new ability consumed considerable stamina, but his eyes still shone with exhilaration.
Terumi Mei ignored him for now. Her gaze was fixed on Su Li, who stood at the edge of the rooftop, calmly clapping.
This man had given her something that could revive the Mist Village.If she could obtain those comics…
Then the dawn of a new Mist was within reach.
Her eyes burned as she looked at Su Li.
"Lord Su Li," she said finally, her voice steady but intense."What's the price?"