Uchiha Kai didn't slit Terumi Mei's throat directly—but it wasn't because he was merciful or protective of Hyuga Aya. In fact, part of him wished Ao would go ahead and kill her. It would make things simpler.
But Kai wasn't done yet. He had questions—and a hostage. That gave him leverage.
Even under Uchiha Madara's manipulative "Bloody Mist" regime, Kirigakure hadn't yet descended into the chaos seen during Obito's reign. Bloodline limit users were still barely tolerated. Things hadn't reached the point of complete purges.
That meant Ao still cared about Terumi Mei's life. Kai remembered from his knowledge—his memories of a different world—that in the future, Ao would serve as her right hand. Perhaps their current relationship wasn't as deep yet, but it was enough. Whether it was camaraderie, duty, or belief in her potential, Ao wouldn't abandon her.
That gave Kai a window. He might not win in a direct fight with Ao—especially now—but he could get what he needed.
"Are you satisfied with this answer?" Kai said coolly, blood still trickling from the shallow cut across Mei's neck. "If you want her alive, give me something valuable. I might consider a trade."
"You—" Ao's face darkened with rage. He hadn't expected such ruthlessness from a Konoha shinobi—let alone a young Uchiha.
But on reflection, he couldn't blame Kai. From his perspective, Hyuga Aya was just a branch member with no classified intel. Terumi Mei, on the other hand, possessed two kekkei genkai—boil and lava release—and was a potential future Mizukage.
It was a simple trade, and one any cold strategist would make.
Hyuga Aya's expression tightened. She could tell from Kai's eyes—he didn't care if she lived or died. If Ao said the wrong thing, she'd die here, and Kai wouldn't blink. She was just a Hyuga branch member—expendable.
She shut her eyes. No use relying on Kai. If she wanted to live, she'd have to act on her own.
"…What do you want to know?" Ao growled at last, jaw tight.
Kai smirked. "Why are you here? And don't try to feed me lies—or I'll put this woman through genjutsu torment worse than death."
"Don't say a word!" Mei barked. Even restrained by Kai's paralysis technique, her voice had fire. She would rather die than sell out her mission.
But her words had no power. The choice wasn't hers.
Ao looked between Mei and Kai, then exhaled slowly, resignation in his eyes. "…Mei, our mission failed."
He turned to Kai. "I suppose it doesn't matter anymore. Maybe you know a bit about our village?"
Kai nodded slightly. He had been a Naruto fan in another life. After arriving here, he'd written down every detail he could remember—just in case. Even if the memories were fuzzy, he reviewed them obsessively before missions.
"Go on," he said.
Ao hesitated, then said, "We're loyal to Elder Yagura-sama's predecessor—Elder Genji, often called 'Master Yuan.' We were sent to investigate a troubling matter…"
He trailed off, clearly reluctant. This wasn't something Kirigakure wanted outsiders to know.
Every village had dirty secrets—but airing them publicly could shake their foundations.
"…The Anbu sent by the current Mizukage were carrying sensitive materials. We feared that Yagura-sama was being manipulated. Our mission was to find out the truth."
Kai's expression shifted sharply.
Yagura. The Fourth Mizukage. The jinchūriki of the Three-Tails.
Kai had suspected Obito's involvement, but this confirmed the timeline. Yagura was already under genjutsu—or soon would be. Obito was pulling the strings behind the curtain, just as he did in the canon timeline.
And these two—Ao and Mei—were part of a resistance.
That explained why they lived. That explained why they weren't working for Obito. Kai had misread the situation badly.
He clenched his jaw. He had come here thinking he was closing in on Obito's trail, maybe even Uchiha Madara's remnants.
But he was chasing shadows in the wrong direction.
If Obito was already in play, then Rin's death had likely already occurred—or was imminent. Could he change that outcome? Probably not. Madara's plan was meticulous, and Obito was just one chosen pawn. If Rin didn't die now, Madara would ensure she died another way.
Still, Kai had his own goals—and if he wanted to survive and thrive, he needed to get something from this mission.
His grip on the kunai tightened, digging deeper into Mei's skin. Blood welled again.
Ao's knuckles whitened as he pressed his own blade tighter against Aya's throat.
"So," Kai said coldly, "where are these Anbu now?"
"…To the north," Ao bit out. "Your teammate found them already."
"Which teammate? White-haired or black-haired?"
"White-haired," Ao replied.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
Kakashi…