"You killed Zabuza Momochi?!"
Seeing the absence of the Demon of the Hidden Mist, the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost and Black Hoe Leiya both glared at Bai Ye with murderous eyes.
"Why didn't either of you speak up when that lunatic was ready to kill Bai Ye?"
Terumi Mei spoke coldly, her words sharp and without courtesy: "If you two still want to make a fuss, then come—I'll play with you."
Don't be fooled by how Terumi Mei behaves around Bai Ye—clingy, overly familiar, sometimes acting like a fool. When things get serious, her eyes become like sharpened blades. Bai Ye is her bottom line—her untouchable reverse scale.
Bai Ye muttered to himself: Damn brocon…
"Terumi Mei, we're here under the orders of the Fifth Mizukage!"
The faces of Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost and Black Hoe Leiya were dark with suppressed fury.
To be fair, as senior swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, being humiliated so openly by a younger woman was a huge loss of face.
"Don't worry, Terumi Mei."
Bai Ye stepped forward, clearing his throat, and spoke in a composed voice, "You guys—crack!"
Before he could finish, Terumi Mei gave his rear a firm slap, "You stupid little brother! That's the second time—call me 'Sister' properly! And don't ever say my name so casually again!"
"You damn woman!!"
Bai Ye's face turned as black as the night, utterly embarrassed in front of everyone.
"I risk my life for you, and you still hit me? Seriously, you're ungrateful!"
Terumi Mei pouted, tilting her head as if hurt, though her tone remained teasing.
Bai Ye ignored her and composed himself. Looking calmly at the two swordsmen, he said, "I'm also a shinobi of Kirigakure. Killing Zabuza Momochi wasn't ideal."
"But you saw it—he fell into the sea."
Bai Ye looked out over the water and sighed, "The sea is vast, teeming with danger. It's not unusual for sharks to show up. That's out of my hands."
"We'll report this to Mizukage-sama ourselves."
The two swordsmen gave Bai Ye one last stare, then rushed toward the shore—likely hoping to retrieve Zabuza. Without him, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would be incomplete.
"Feels kinda good."
A soft, sultry voice tickled his ear—but to Bai Ye, it was nothing short of harassment.
He knew exactly what Terumi Mei meant.
"Little brother, I used to underestimate you."
Terumi Mei examined Bai Ye again, her shimmering eyes serious for once. "Turns out you're not just a pretty face."
Bai Ye had inherited the sharp looks of both his parents. In his youth, he resembled a flawless porcelain doll, and Terumi Mei used to love pinching his cheeks.
As he grew older, his features matured. He hadn't lost any beauty—in fact, he'd only gotten more attractive.
What baffled Terumi Mei was that Bai Ye, clearly the "village flower" of Kirigakure, had zero interest in girls. Instead, he spent his time buried in steamy novels and erotic literature with that perverted uncle.
"Tell me honestly, little brother—did you get dumped by some heartless woman? Is that why you're scared of girls now?"
"Can you stop talking nonsense?"
Bai Ye waved her off, scowling. "Get lost. You're no help, and those two are gone already."
"That's not safe—what if they sneak back and ambush you at night?"
"Besides, I've decided to move in starting today. I'll guard my precious little brother 24/7!"
Terumi Mei's voice was suddenly serious.
"Don't be ridiculous. I only have one bed at my place."
Bai Ye shook his head vigorously.
"So what?"
Terumi Mei casually slung her arm around his neck, "We can squeeze in. I don't mind."
"I mind!"
Black lines appeared on Bai Ye's face. "We're siblings."
"Biologically, sure."
Terumi Mei responded halfheartedly.
"If Uncle finds out, he's going to break your legs."
Bai Ye sighed. He was convinced—Terumi Mei needed to see a therapist. Or a priest.
"If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, how would that old pervert find out?" Terumi Mei rolled her eyes. "Besides, if he knew the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were after you, he'd definitely make me your bodyguard."
That shut Bai Ye up.
Truthfully, this was how his life had been for years—Terumi Mei sticking to him like glue.
"Relax, I swear on my honor—I'll never compete with your precious books and fantasies!"
Terumi Mei gently patted her chest.
"You can sleep on the floor."
"Oh come on! I'm your sister, and you want me to sleep on the floor?"
"You're the one who said we're not siblings."
"Brother, I'm open to developing things."
"Develop? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Hehe… what do those heroines in your dirty books look like? Got any real experience?"
...
After trading a few more jabs with Terumi Mei, Bai Ye finally went quiet.
The more she spoke, the more chaotic things became.
In truth, Bai Ye had always had someone in his heart—but she was from the wrong village.
"Don't worry," he thought to himself, "There's still a chance to meet Kurenai Yuhi again. Asuma won't marry her for another decade—and by then, they'll have a child. There's still time."
Yes, the one Bai Ye liked… was Konoha's crimson-eyed beauty—Yuhi Kurenai.