12dz Chapter 723 Confrontation
Chapter 723 Confrontation
Bai overheard their conversation, her eyes filled with confusion. She couldn't understand why Jiao Du would say Zhang Hai was heartless and ruthless, yet Zhang Hai didn't refute it.
Zhang Hai ignored Bai's confusion, silently acknowledging to himself that he did indeed have feelings for Mei Mei; her beauty, her kindness, and her strength all attracted him. But these feelings hadn't yet reached the level of love. Everything he said was for the sake of completing his mission, to create an opportunity for himself.
"One day, I will come and take you away, Mei Terumi..." Zhang Hai silently said in his heart. He knew that he had to resolve the matter with White Fang first, and then improve his strength. When he was strong enough, he would return to Kirigakure, defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and retrieve the S-rank intelligence. At that time, he would carefully cultivate his relationship with Mei Terumi, making her truly fall in love with him.
He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination.
……
Meanwhile, in the valley, Mei Terumi watched Zhang Hai's departing figure, her eyes filled with tears. She knew she had been deceived and used. But she couldn't bring herself to hate him.
She wiped away her tears, turned around abruptly, and sped off in the direction where Master Yuan was.
When Genshi saw Terumi Mei chasing after him, a worried expression appeared on his face. "Terumi Mei, are you alright?"
Mei Terumi shook her head, her eyes filled with determination. "Master Genji, I'm fine. I just... figured some things out." She paused, her tone resolute, "From now on, I will become stronger! I will become as strong as the Mizukage!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't expected that Terumi Mei would suddenly switch from a romance-oriented persona to a career-oriented one.
"Mei Terumi, what... what did you say?" Genji asked incredulously.
Mei Terumi's eyes were filled with determination. "Master, please use the strictest standards to supervise my training! I want to change Kirigakure, to make it full of life! I want all bloodline limit ninjas to receive respect and recognition here!"
Looking into Terumi Mei's eyes, which were brimming with fighting spirit, Yuan Shi couldn't help but feel deeply moved. He knew that Terumi Mei had been spurred on by Zhang Hai, which had completely unleashed her inner potential.
"Alright! Mei Terumi!" Master Genshi nodded emphatically. "I promise you! From now on, I will supervise your training with the strictest standards! I believe you will definitely become an outstanding Mizukage!"
A resolute smile appeared on Mei Terumi's face. She knew she bore the heavy responsibility of changing Kirigakure. She would become stronger, for herself and for those rejected bloodline limit ninjas!
"Master, once Kirigakure is back on track, I... I will pursue my own happiness," Mei Terumi said softly, a hint of longing in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi couldn't help but sigh. He knew that the "happiness" Terumi Mei spoke of still referred to Zhang Hai.
"Good child." Master Yuan gently patted Mei's shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness, "I hope that when you take charge of Kirigakure in the future, you will remember what I said today."
Mei Terumi nodded vigorously. She knew she would not forget everything Zhang Hai had told her, nor would she forget her resolve today.
……
After a day of rest, Zhang Hai and Bai had both recovered considerably. Zhang Hai's injuries had healed, and his chakra had recovered to about 70-80%. Although Bai was still unable to fight, his mental state had improved significantly.
Kakuzu looked at Zhang Hai, who had recovered, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. "Hey! Uchiha brat, now that you've recovered, I should leave!" He offered to leave, which delighted Zhang Hai. He knew that Kakuzu was giving him a chance.
"Lord Kakuzu, are you leaving so soon?" Zhang Hai said, feigning reluctance, his tone carrying a hint of pleading. Although he spoke of wanting him to stay, he actually wished Kakuzu would leave right now.
Kakuzu snorted coldly, "Hmph! I don't have that much time to waste here with you! My mission isn't finished yet!"
Zhang Hai knew that Kakuzu was urging him on. He quickly echoed, "Lord Kakuzu is right! We should indeed leave as soon as possible! The ninjas of Kirigakure are definitely still searching for us!" He took the opportunity to express his desire to leave Kirigakure as soon as possible, while cleverly concealing his desire for Kakuzu to escort him.
Kakuzu glanced at Zhang Hai but said nothing. He knew what Zhang Hai was thinking, but he didn't expose him. He simply snorted coldly, then set off again with Zhang Hai and Bai.
They sped away, leaving the territory of Kirigakure. Thanks to Kakuzu's immense strength, they successfully evaded Kirigakure's pursuers. Kakuzu carried Zhang Hai on his back, while the black-bodied monster carried Bai; their figures moved like ghosts through the thick fog.
Kakuzu stopped when they reached the border of the Land of Fire.
"Alright, you Uchiha brat, this is the Land of Fire now. My mission ends here." Kakuzu's voice carried a hint of impatience. "Don't forget the payment you owe me!"
Zhang Hai jumped off Kakuzu's back, and Bai also dismounted from the black monster's back. He looked at Kakuzu, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.
"Lord Kakuzu, thank you so much this time!" Zhang Hai said sincerely. "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have lost my life long ago." He felt that Kakuzu was more humane than last time, and his impression of Kakuzu had changed a lot.
Kakuzu snorted coldly and said nothing more. He simply gave Zhang Hai a deep look, then turned and disappeared instantly at the border of the Land of Fire.
Zhang Hai gazed in the direction where Kakuzu had disappeared, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that although Kakuzu was greedy, he was a man of his word. Moreover, Kakuzu had indeed saved his life this time.
He put away the wooden ox puppet and then held Bai in his arms. He knew he had to return to Konoha as soon as possible to deliver the S-rank intelligence to the Hokage. He couldn't wait to see his teacher and tell him everything.
However, before that, he had to settle Bai first.
He took Bai and sped off towards Konoha Village.
Soon, Zhang Hai returned to Konoha Village. He went straight to his house. He knew that Konan should still be home.
He knocked gently on the door, and soon Xiao Nan opened it.
Xiao Nan saw Zhang Hai standing at the door carrying a woman, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She noticed that although Zhang Hai looked tired, he seemed to be in good spirits. She also saw Bai; although her injuries had been treated, it was still clear that she had been through a fierce battle.