---

  The mist-shrouded grove fell silent for a moment before Mei Terumi's voice cut through it.

  "What's happening over there?"

  Cod glanced toward the distant sounds of combat, his expression unreadable. "A boy from Konoha. Just a clone, though. I haven't located the original yet."

  "A boy?" Mei Terumi's eyes narrowed. "How old?"

  "Around your age," Scallop replied, still tracking the chakra signature through the trees.

  Mei Terumi's jaw tightened. She'd faced many opponents, but something about this situation felt different. "He won't be alone. Scallop, continue pursuing him. Cod, search for other Leaf Village ninjas in the area."

  Cod chuckled darkly. "Looks like our little genius is about to have her pride tested."

  Mei Terumi didn't respond, but her hands were already moving through hand seals. She'd never been one to let a loss slide—and she certainly wouldn't start now.

  ---

  Through his 8x scope, Hanekawa watched the three Hidden Cloud ninjas split up. He hesitated for only a moment before making his decision.

  Nope. Not doing this.

  Aside from genuine geniuses, anyone who made it into the ANBU was at least a special jonin. He wasn't stupid enough to think he could take all three. Better to let Tsunade handle the cleanup.

  Two kunai materialized in his hands, then vanished just as quickly.

  Mei Terumi's perception ninjutsu caught the movement instantly. She formed seals with practiced precision.

  "Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

  A barrier of water erupted from the ground, intercepting his kunai. The projectiles punched through with enough force to leave deep gouges in the liquid wall.

  Mei Terumi's pupils contracted. That's not normal.

  She didn't have time to process the anomaly. Two more kunai were already in flight, striking the previous pair with a resonant boom that shattered her water defense entirely.

  She drew a kunai on instinct, dodging while simultaneously slashing at the incoming projectile. The moment her blade connected, she felt it—a force far beyond what an eight-year-old should possess. Her hand went numb. She released her grip without hesitation, rolling backward to create distance.

  A shadow fell across her face.

  Mei Terumi looked up and her blood ran cold. A sword descended in a crescent arc of pure killing intent.

  I'm going to die.

  A dragon's roar split the air.

  Water coalesced into a serpentine form, intercepting the blade just inches from her face. Cod's water dragon technique had saved her life.

  "Thanks for the assist," Mei Terumi muttered, pushing herself upright.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Hanekawa's expression darkened slightly. He'd been hoping to end this quickly. Instead, he pivoted smoothly, sheathing his blade while simultaneously driving a powerful kick toward Mei Terumi's position.

  She was already moving, but not fast enough.

  His heel connected with her mask, shattering it. The impact sent her flying backward, blood spraying from her mouth.

  Hanekawa twisted mid-air, his sword rising to meet the water dragon. Wind-style chakra flowed across the blade's edge, creating a cutting force that split the technique cleanly in two.

  "Damn it!" Mei Terumi staggered to her feet, wiping blood from her lips. Her face was already swelling where his kick had landed. "We can't let him escape!"

  Cod appeared beside her instantly, his expression grim. But when he turned to pursue, Hanekawa had already vanished.

  "He won't get far!" Mei Terumi's hands flew through seals as she activated her perception ninjutsu again.

  Three shurikens whistled through the air. Cod was ready—he caught all three with his blade, the metallic clangs echoing through the grove.

  But Hanekawa was already there, his form materializing from the shadows. Cod's eyes widened as he realized the truth too late.

  An illusion.

  The sword came down without mercy.

  "Senior Cod!" Mei Terumi's scream cut through the moment as she watched him cleave through empty air and tree trunk alike.

  Genjutsu. Of course.

  She didn't hesitate. Her hands moved through seals with practiced speed.

  "Water Style: Water Whip!"

  A whip of pressurized water materialized in her grip. She swung it toward where Hanekawa should be, but he was already moving—using the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance like an arrow.

  The water whip lashed out, but he was faster. His blade came down in a vicious arc aimed directly at her.

  The water scattered. A water clone—smart.

  Hanekawa spun, tracking the real Mei Terumi just as a water dragon erupted from the ground, charging straight at him. He formed seals while running, timing it perfectly.

  The Body Flicker Technique activated just as the dragon's jaws snapped shut on empty air.

  Mei Terumi's face went pale. That didn't work?

  For the first time in her life, the pride of the Hidden Mist's younger generation felt genuine frustration. Even Zabuza Momochi, who'd slaughtered his entire graduating class, couldn't match her abilities. Yet here she was, being outmaneuvered by a child from Konoha.

  Hanekawa allowed himself a moment to breathe, already analyzing the situation. Reddish-brown hair, water-style mastery at this age, that arrogant bearing...

  Future Fifth Mizukage. Fantastic.

  "Asshole!" Cod finally broke free from the genjutsu, his face flushed with humiliation. An eight-year-old had trapped him. An eight-year-old.

  He charged forward with renewed fury.

  Hanekawa had anticipated this. He knew his illusion couldn't hold a special jonin for long. He casually tossed his kunai aside.

  "Kunai mean nothing to me—" Cod's boast died in his throat as he saw them.

  The three projectiles were wrapped in detonating talismans. Thick ones. Multiple layers.

  His calculations ran instantly: nine kunai total, each carrying enough explosive force to rival a Fire Style jonin's full-power attack.

  "Fall back! Fall back!" he roared, reversing direction at maximum speed.

  Mei Terumi didn't question it. She jumped backward without hesitation.

  The world erupted in flame and thunder.

  Trees ignited and blackened. The shockwave rippled through the grove like a physical force.

  Good thing I'm rich, Hanekawa thought, landing on a distant branch. He knew Mei Terumi's perception ninjutsu was too dangerous to stay near.

  The Body Flicker Technique carried him away, using the firelight as cover.

  Cod had barely regained his footing when the air itself seemed to scream. He dodged on pure instinct, but not fast enough.

  A blade carved a deep gash across his right arm. Blood painted the ground crimson.

  He rolled away, cradling his injured limb, finally breaking off pursuit.

  Hanekawa landed across from Mei Terumi, his blade still dripping blood. Despite his handsome features, the gore coating his body made him look absolutely feral.

  Mei Terumi took an involuntary step backward, her mind racing.

  Who is this child?

  ---