"Sorry, Lady Mei, but this is our duty!"
"Our apologies—please don't make this hard for us!"
With a collective cry of regret, the ANBU surged toward Terumi Mei.
Senta Yasu, ever arrogant, sneered, "Surrender, Mei! Resist in the Elder Council's domain, and you'll only dig your grave deeper. You'll lose any chance to save your precious brother!"
Mei's laughter was chillingly cold. "You think I don't dare?"
"Water Style: Water Dragon Whip!"
A massive water orb materialized in her hand.
Countless water tendrils erupted, slicing through the air with lethal precision.
The ANBU screamed as they collapsed, blood spattering the ground, staining the scene with a grim aura of slaughter.
In an instant, Mei vanished, reappearing before Senta Yasu.
"Enough of your insolence, Terumi Mei! Others may fear you, but I don't!"
Senta Yasu, no slouch himself, formed seals and roared, "Water Style: Ice-Breaking Fierce Tiger!"
A roaring water tiger charged, slamming Mei backward with earth-shaking force.
The ground trembled under its might—an undeniably fearsome power.
"Hmph, is that all? Some ANBU commander—nothing but a fancy showpiece, all looks and no substance!"
Senta Yasu scoffed, urging the tiger for a finishing blow.
"Oh? Senta Yasu, who're you underestimating?"
Mei's voice rang out behind him.
The figure struck by the tiger dissolved—a mere water clone.
"Damn it!"
Senta Yasu's hair stood on end, but his pampered reflexes, dulled by years of luxury, failed him.
BAM!
A devastating whip kick, laced with a fragrant breeze and thunderous force, sent Senta Yasu crashing into the wall like a broken kite.
"Gah!"
He spat blood, still reeling.
Before he could break free, a pale hand seized his throat, slamming him deeper into the wall.
CRACK!
Senta Yasu howled like a slaughtered pig, several bones snapping.
"You really thought I wouldn't kill you?"
Mei's icy words echoed as her grip tightened, the faint crunch of his throat bones audible.
Terror flooded Senta Yasu's eyes. His legs thrashed wildly.
The crushing force on his neck was suffocating, like iron clamps, unyielding.
His eyes bulged, bloodshot and desperate. He was terrified—truly terrified!
Mei meant to kill him. Gasping, he begged, "Spare… spare me… I… I was… wrong…"
SNAP!
Without letting him finish, Mei twisted, breaking his neck.
A dragon's reverse scale had been touched, and Mei's wrath was absolute.
Threatening Yoru Ryo? Did he think Terumi Mei wouldn't kill?
"HGH!"
Even in death, Senta Yasu couldn't believe Mei's ruthlessness—so swift, so decisive.
The son of Elder Genryu, killed by a washed-up former ANBU commander—how dare she?!
Wasn't she afraid of punishment?!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sharp gusts cut the air behind Mei.
A squad of ANBU encircled her.
Elder Genryu hobbled forward, cane in hand, his face etched with panic.
"Terumi Mei, let's talk this out—don't be too harsh!"
Senta Yasu might not know Mei's temperament or strength, but Genryu did.
She was the village's top ninja, second only to the Mizukage. The Elders' Council couldn't stop her.
When truly enraged, Mei was cold, decisive, merciless.
Senta Yasu, that fool, was as good as dead.
Genryu arrived praying he wasn't too late—or everything would be lost.
"Too bad, Elder Genryu—you're late."
"Senta Yasu, for plotting to harm Kirigakure's comrade and hero Yoru Ryo, has been executed by my hand!"
"It's been just two years since I stepped down as ANBU commander, and already some dare challenge my authority. Seems I haven't made my mark yet!"
Mei's gaze swept the ANBU, her smile deceptively sweet.
None dared meet her eyes.
Her stare was predatory, as if it could devour their very souls.
Genryu stood stunned, as if struck by lightning.
Senta Yasu—dead?!
He followed Mei's gaze, spotting the corpse: blood oozing from every orifice, neck twisted, a wretched end.
"TERUMI MEI! How DARE you?!"
Genryu's roar was raw with fury, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Mei met his gaze, unflinching. "A wretch like him—what's worth sparing?"
"Better to rid us of such a useless parasite stirring trouble than let him fester. Everyone wins!"
Genryu's face flushed with rage, neck veins bulging. "You've gone too far!"
He barked at the ANBU, "Seize her! She's killed Elder Senta Yasu—she must face the Mizukage's judgment and death!"
But few ANBU moved. They hesitated, glancing at the figure behind Mei, wavering.
"Akiya Taku, you're opposing me too? Do you know the consequences?"
Genryu's face darkened at the sight of the man.
Akiya Taku, Kirigakure's ANBU commander!
"Consequences? Hmph, is there a problem with Elite Jonin Mei's actions?"
"Senta Yasu plotted to harm Kirigakure's comrade Yoru Ryo with malicious intent. Per ANBU code, he deserved death!"
"Mei has shown enough restraint. Elder, don't push this further!"
"And at your age, don't get so worked up—you might hurt yourself!"
Akiya Taku, a sharp-looking man in his thirties, exuded commanding presence.
He glanced at the ANBU encircling Mei. "Stand down! Or are you lot planning to draw blades against me?"
At his words, the ANBU exchanged looks and promptly backed off.
Facing their direct superior, they couldn't muster defiance.
"Well, well, well! You're all in cahoots, planning a rebellion, are you?!"
Genryu's fists clenched, knuckles cracking, his face twisted with fury as he spat the words.