"So sharp, Terumi Mei-san."
Although Naruto's words carried a hint of admiration, the corners of Mei's eyes could not help but twitch. They could sense a subtle undertone of condescension in his tone, which is a kind of disdain that the strong held for the weak.
However, none of them showed any overt reaction. They were all seasoned individuals, having lived long enough to develop keen observational skills. The fact that the proud Uchiha Clan showed such respect to this young man meant they couldn't afford to underestimate him.
As for his youthful appearance, that meant little. After all, the current Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, didn't look much older than him, so who knew how old he really was.
Mei's previously grim expression softened, and a charming smile returned to her lips.
"So, this handsome young man is the current leader of the Land of Waves? I am Terumi Mei, a disciple of Kirigakure's Elder Genji. It was indeed our mistake to intrude into your waters without permission. How about we both take a step back today? Kirigakure is willing to offer appropriate compensation."
Mei's words were sincere, as she noticed two more patrol ships approaching.
If it were just the five Uchiha, they could have dealt with them quickly. But now, with two more individuals of unknown strength joining the fray, especially the one who had effortlessly countered Jiraiya's attack, they couldn't afford to be careless.
Moreover, she had a feeling that they had been dragged into this mess because of Jiraiya and Kakashi. From the Uchiha's earlier words, it was clear they had some grievance with Konoha. Kirigakure had simply been caught in the crossfire.
Naruto smiled warmly at Mei's words. "Terumi Mei-san, there's no need to worry. I bear no hostility toward any of you. It's just that I've long heard of your rare dual Kekkei Genkai, and I'd like to invite you all to the island as guests. What do you think?"
Mei's expression shifted again, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she stared at Naruto, who stood calmly on the damaged bow of the ship.
Due to Kirigakure's 'Bloody Mist' policy, the village had become a place of brutal violence, where students in the academy were forced to kill each other, and Kekkei Genkai users were systematically persecuted, nearly driving them to extinction. Even as a disciple of Elder Genji, Mei had kept her dual Kekkei Genkai a closely guarded secret. Aside from a few trusted allies, anyone who knew about her abilities had been silenced.
She hadn't expected this young man to know about the abilities she had hidden for so many years.
Mei's expression turned serious, and she began to channel Chakra within her body, "And if we refuse your invitation?"
Naruto's face showed a hint of apology. "I'm sorry, but this isn't a request."
"Heh, what a shame. You're such a handsome young man."
"Let me give you a kiss that will melt your bones!"
Mei's smile turned icy as she quickly formed hand seals, gathering a massive amount of Chakra in her throat. Her cheeks puffed out as she prepared to unleash her technique.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
A stream of yellowish, sticky, and highly corrosive acid erupted from her mouth, its wide range instantly engulfing the entire ship. The acid, resembling molten lava, cascaded like a waterfall, threatening to dissolve the entire vessel.
It can be said that Mei held nothing back this time. In the original work, this technique had even melted Sasuke's Susanoo. Although it was still a decade before that point in time, Mei's Lava Release was already a force to be reckoned with.
Naruto didn't move, but Izumi, who is standing beside him, acted first.
She clasped her hands together, and the three tomoe in her eyes began to spin rapidly, eventually transforming into a pair of swirling black and red patterns.
'What kind of eyes are those?!'
Mei and Ao, who had never seen such a thing, were visibly confused. Kakashi, on the other hand, only raised an eyebrow, having already resigned himself to the situation the moment Naruto appeared.
After all, the Third Hokage had mobilized most of Konoha's elite forces, only to be completely defeated by Naruto alone. The casualties had been severe, and Kakashi was one of the few still standing.
He knew that aside from Jiraiya, the rest of them were likely just training fodder for Naruto's subordinates.
Bang!
A deafening crash echoed as an enormous shield materialized out of nowhere, standing like an impenetrable barrier between the two ships. The shield blocked the torrent of acid, its surface sizzling as the corrosive liquid began to eat away at it.
At the same time, massive waves erupted beneath the shield, shaking the ship violently.
The acid clung to the shield, corroding its surface, but it couldn't completely dissolve it.
This was a weapon Naruto had specially prepared for Izumi to counter large-scale techniques. Since Izumi could only project things she had seen or used before, Naruto had to first manifest the shield himself before she could replicate it.
But once she projected it once, she could use it freely afterward.
Seeing her Lava Release being blocked, Mei narrowed her eyes. After steadying herself, she formed another set of hand seals.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Mei's lips parted slightly, and a stream of scorching mist, like flowing water, surged toward the shield still covered in acid.
The mist distorted the air around it with its intense heat, and the deck beneath it began to soften.
The heat of Boil Release was even more terrifying than Lava Release.
As the mist enveloped the shield, the metal began to melt at a visible rate, quickly forming a large hole. The scorching mist poured through the gap, rushing toward Naruto and Izumi.
Izumi's eyes flickered with surprise. She hadn't expected this relatively unknown Kirigakure Ninja to possess such strength.
'No wonder Naruto-sama had chosen her as my opponent.'
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Izumi formed hand seals and spat out a massive fireball, which shot toward the hole in the shield like a meteor.
The two techniques collided in mid-air, unleashing a wave of intense heat that caused the weaker members of the group to break out in sweat.
Molten droplets of metal from the shield fell into the sea, sizzling as they hit the water.
The smile on Mei's face disappeared, and she began forming hand seals again.
But Izumi was already by her side, her long sword drawn and aimed at her neck.
'Such fast movement!'
Mei's heart skipped a beat as she leaped back to create distance.
In the blink of an eye, her vision was filled with swirling sand.
She stared in shock as Izumi stood under the setting sun, countless swords materializing behind her, all aimed directly at Mei.