However, Hayato Ren currently had no intention of making contact with Hoshigaki Kisame.
After all, before experiencing Suikazan Fuguki's betrayal, Hoshigaki Kisame remained quite loyal to the Hidden Mist Village.
If he were to discover something suspicious, Hayato Ren might have to end this mission prematurely.
Just then, a little girl with sharp shark-like teeth in the crowd caught Hayato Ren's attention.
After glancing at Mei Terumi who was browsing in an accessory shop, Hayato Ren walked up behind the little girl and called out:
"Little Apple?"
Hearing this, the girl immediately turned around with a fierce expression and threatened:
"Do you have a death wish, you bastard?"
However, with her petite frame and delicate features, her angry expression didn't inspire fear but instead came across as somewhat cute.
This little girl was Ameyuri Ringo, the future second master of the Lightning Blade Fang, known as the Lightning Release genius ninja.
Unfortunately, due to a serious illness, she died young. In the original story, she was revived through Yakushi Kabuto's Reanimation Jutsu and caused significant trouble for the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Additionally, "Ringo" in her name means "apple" in Japanese.
Clearly, however, Ameyuri Ringo wasn't very fond of this nickname.
After glaring fiercely at Hayato Ren, Ameyuri Ringo showed a puzzled expression.
"Who are you? Why don't I have any memory of you?"
"My name is Hayato Ren, a writer here in the Hidden Mist Village for research. As for how I know you're called Little Apple..."
Meeting Ameyuri Ringo's searching gaze, Hayato Ren slowly spoke a few words.
"That's a secret."
Hearing this, several veins immediately bulged on Ameyuri Ringo's forehead.
"What? Are you messing with me?"
Ameyuri Ringo pulled out a kunai and swiftly lunged at Hayato Ren with the blade.
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding villagers showed no reaction, as if this were commonplace.
However, they all quickened their pace to distance themselves from the area, avoiding getting caught up in unnecessary trouble.
With agile footwork, Hayato Ren effortlessly dodged all of Ameyuri Ringo's attacks.
Instead, she was the one left panting from her own assault.
Surprisingly, Ameyuri Ringo didn't appear angered but instead curled her lips into an intrigued smile.
"Heh, if you're so good at dodging, how about trying this? Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"
Ameyuri Ringo rapidly formed hand signs and produced a basketball-sized sphere of lightning from her palms.
It was hard to say whether this spoke to the Hidden Mist Village's "simple folk customs" or just how unhinged Ameyuri Ringo truly was.
To actually use lethal ninjutsu right on the street—if this were the Leaf, you'd be headed straight to the Garrison in no time.
Under the effect of the electric current, Hayato Ren's hair stood slightly on end.
Yet, he didn't move a muscle, as if frozen in shock.
However, the shadow in front of Hayato Ren suddenly began to writhe, as though something was trying to emerge from it.
Just as the lightning ball was about to strike Hayato Ren, a figure flashed in front of him and slapped the ground forcefully.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A wall of earth abruptly surged from the ground, blocking the lightning ball.
After accomplishing this, Mei Terumi glanced back at Hayato Ren with a resigned expression.
"Old man, you're really such a handful. The moment I take my eyes off you, you stir up trouble like this."
In response, Hayato Ren simply shrugged and offered a faint smile.
"I'm just counting on you. With Lady Mei Terumi around, I can strut through the Hidden Mist Village without a care."
"Oh, cut it out. I'm not that capable. At most, I can just collect your corpse after you're dead."
Mei Terumi made a disgusted face and waved her hand under her nose.
The scene just now looked quite perilous, but that level of Lightning Release was nothing more than a drizzle to Hayato Ren.
Not to mention that Hayato Ren had the Flying Thunder God and could teleport away at any moment, the Haunter within his shadow was also itching to act.
Even if Hayato Ren took that lightning ball head-on with his current physical condition, it wouldn't be much of an issue.
Although he might end up "streaking" as a result—after all, the clothes he wore were ordinary and couldn't withstand ninjutsu.
At that moment, Ameyuri Ringo slowly walked up to Hayato Ren and Mei Terumi, baring her shark-like teeth.
"So it's you. No wonder you'd dare to provoke me like this. Turns out you're one of Mei Terumi's people."
Looking down at Ameyuri Ringo, who stood a head shorter, Mei Terumi showed a puzzled expression.
"Who are you? Have we met before?"
Hearing this, Ameyuri Ringo immediately flared up in anger.
"Typical of you, forgetting even me. We fought on the arena just two months ago."
Mei Terumi lifted her chin proudly, like a graceful white swan, and replied indifferently:
"Sorry, I don't remember the names of those I've defeated—there are just too many. Memorizing them one by one would take up too much of my brain capacity."
After saying that, Mei Terumi took Hayato Ren's hand and started leading him away.
Left behind, Ameyuri Ringo watched their retreating figures, her face flushing bright red and her body trembling slightly with rage.
"Mei Terumi, just you wait! Next time—next time—I'll definitely take you down. I'll make you remember the name Ameyuri Ringo forever!"
Without even pausing her steps, Mei Terumi casually tossed back:
"Many people have said the same thing to me, but none have succeeded. Good luck with that."
Inside a café, Mei Terumi stirred her coffee with a spoon while looking across at Hayato Ren and asking:
"Uncle, how did you end up provoking that person?"
Hearing this, Hayato Ren was momentarily stunned before responding:
"I have no idea. That person suddenly came at me with a kunai for no reason. When they couldn't stab me, they started attacking me with ninjutsu. From what you're saying, it sounds like you know her?"
Mei Terumi leaned back in her chair, stretching lazily as she replied in a languid tone:
"That person is called Ameyuri Ringo. She was in the same year as me. She's a Lightning Release genius with pretty decent skills."
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