Capítulo 123: Caught in the Crossfire: Mei's Unexpected Savior
Meanwhile, as the battle between Hikari and the Third Mizukage continued, they moved swiftly across different parts of Kirigakure.
Hikari cleverly used the fact that they were fighting in the Mizukage's own village to his advantage, constantly forcing the Mizukage to hold back to avoid destroying his home to buy himself as much time as possible to build some experience during this battle, turning the tides, and bridge the gap of experience in utilizing this specific fighting style they knew.
Despite this, the damage to Kirigakure was becoming significant. Buildings were falling apart, and the landscape was getting scarred as the intensity of their fight increased.
The Mizukage's attacks grew more reckless over time. Initially more cautious about preserving the village, his rage towards Hikari now drove him to care less about the destruction he was causing.
Hikari noticed that the Mizukage was getting lost in his anger and hate toward him, attacking wildly and caring less about the damage to his surroundings.
The Mizukage was not just trying to defend his position or beat an enemy anymore; he was overwhelmed by his emotions and lashed out without considering the consequences.
As the battle between Hikari and the Third Mizukage intensified, they found themselves once again on a hill within Kirigakure.
This time, however, the Mizukage's reckless abandon reached new heights. Surrounding him were Kirigakure shinobi, who had previously been assisting him against Hikari from a distance, but now they, too, were at risk.
Unconcerned by their presence, the Mizukage gathered a massive bubble of water mixed with natural energy, preparing to release it in a devastating explosion.
Sensing the imminent danger, Hikari prepared to use his Rotation Sphere as a launchpad to escape immediately.
But as he activated his Byakugan's 360-degree vision, he caught sight of a young girl among the frightened Kirigakure shinobi behind him next.
Something about her struck him — her face was oddly familiar. In that brief moment of recognition, Hikari's instincts kicked in, and rather than leaping to safety alone, he propelled himself backward to scoop up the girl as well.
The two of them flew backward just as the Mizukage unleashed his attack. The hill where they had just stood was obliterated in a high-pressure explosion of water and energy, leaving nothing but devastation in its wake.
Other Kirigakure shinobi who had been unable to escape were caught in the blast and perished.
Safely away from the immediate danger, Hikari took a moment to look at the girl he had saved to try and confirm his guess.
Now, away from the chaos, he could see her more clearly — her fair skin, green eyes, and auburn hair with distinctive bangs.
Though she wore a Kirigakure jonin uniform, different from her usual attire, which he had known from the original story, he quickly recognized her: Mei Terumi.
A young version, around only 12 years old, not yet the powerful kunoichi and future Mizukage she was destined to become.
Mei's expression, a mix of shock and confusion, shifted to one of cautious relief as they landed safely on a more distant building rooftop.
Still reeling from the shock, Mei Terumi tried to process the rapid shift in her reality. Her role during this "invasion" had been pretty clear: support the Third Mizukage in subduing the intruder, Hikari Hyuga, alongside the other shinobi who were tasked with a similar task.
From a distance, she had done exactly that, from the beginning, utilizing her unique twin kekkei genkai to try and assist in the battle once the target, Hikari Hyuga, had been locked.
For her, the Mizukage was a figure of authority and reverence, a leader she had looked up to as the epitome of wisdom and strength.
However, the previous events shattered her perception. The man she idolized had turned his lethal power against his own troops, including her, with a terrifying disregard for their lives, just for some single, meager chance to finish their enemy off who could've easily dodged it all again as he was doing the entire time more or less.
The image of his face, twisted into a demon-like expression of rage, was starkly different from the composed leader she had known.
It was a sight that would haunt her, marking a dramatic departure from the man she thought she was fighting for.
Caught in those terrifying moments, Mei had been certain of her impending death. She had whispered prayers, her mind racing with images of her end.
And then, in an unexpected twist, Hikari Hyuga, the very target of their mission, had diverted his path to save her for some reason.
The irony of her situation was not lost on her; the man they were sent to capture had become her savior.
As they landed safely away from the explosion, Mei's initial shock gave way to a whirlwind of emotions.
Gratitude for her unexpected rescue mixed with confusion and a deep sense of betrayal by the Mizukage.
Her allegiance to Kirigakure was unwavering, but she now found herself questioning the motivations and decisions of the "legendary" leader she had once unconditionally admired.
"Thank you...", Mei managed to say, her voice a mix of awe and confusion, as she looked up at Hikari, "But, I don't get why you changed your direction and saved me... I don't get it...?",
Her question was genuine, seeking to understand the motives of this enigmatic figure, often touted as the biggest enemy in the Kirigakure's history already despite his very young age, only slightly older than her, and his short contact against them during the war.
Meanwhile, Hikari's thoughts raced as he assessed the situation with Mei Terumi. His tactical mind quickly parsed through the possible outcomes and political maneuvers necessary in the wake of the Third Mizukage's potential downfall.
He understood the complexities of Kirigakure's political landscape well enough to know that neither Toru Kaguya nor Arata Yuki would be readily accepted as Mizukage by the broader factions within the village even if the Mizukage and his key supporters got defeated next.
His initial plan to foster a Hyuga-friendly Kirigakure needed a figure who could bridge the divisions and be seen as a unifier rather than a conqueror from this day.
Mei Terumi represented an ideal candidate in Hikari's strategic calculus. As a dual kekkei genkai holder, she shared common ground with the Kaguya and Yuki clans, potentially easing their integration and acceptance.
Moreover, her upbringing within the Kirigakure system, under the tutelage of the very academy led by the Mizukage, lent her a legitimate claim and familiarity with the village's core values and operations.
He had her in his mind from the beginning; it was just that he couldn't focus on her whereabouts amid his battle with the Mizukage until the previous opportunity came.
This crisis provided Hikari with the perfect opportunity to save Mei and start forging a beneficial relationship.
By rescuing her, he positioned himself as a protector and an ally, allowing Mei to witness first-hand the dangerous and unstable tendencies of the current Mizukage.
This act of 'heroism' was calculated—Hikari was no saint; his actions were driven by practical objectives and the broader goal of manipulating future events to his and the Hyuga clan's advantage.
As they stood momentarily safe from the battlefield chaos, Hikari spoke to Mei in a tone that mixed sincerity with the underlying strategic intent,
"You have the potential to lead and heal this village...", He began, gauging her reaction to plant the seeds of an ambitious idea,
"Kirigakure needs a leader who understands its strengths and deep wounds. The answer is never black and white but somewhere in between. Yuki and Kaguya, fighting for their existence around us now, also have a point. They are also human beings like others.",
"You've also seen the truth of what leadership can become just now...", Hikari continued, subtly weaving a narrative of opportunity and necessity,
"Think about your future, not just as a shinobi tool of other hypocrites, but as someone who could truly make a difference next."
As the Third Mizukage launched himself towards them with a forceful jet of water, Hikari's demeanor remained calm and focused, his eyes sharp, and he assessed the trajectory of the incoming attack.
Turning slightly to Mei, he instructed firmly, "Here he comes again... Stand behind me, I will protect you. We will talk about everything later after this is over.",
"I also know a bit about your real parents and your real background; just be patient and allow me to deal with this old madman now...",
Still reeling from the recent revelations and her rescue, Mei found herself instinctively obeying Hikari's directive.
She stepped behind him, her eyes wide with a mix of fear, gratitude, and growing curiosity about her rescuer.
Despite the chaos swirling around them, Mei's thoughts briefly drifted to what Hikari had hinted about her origins—secrets she hadn't been fully aware of herself.
She intuitively felt that judging from everything that had happened to her just now, she didn't know the full story.
As Hikari faced the Mizukage's aggressive approach, Mei watched in awe. His resolute posture was a stark contrast to the Mizukage's destructive frenzy.
Hikari's dark blue traditional kimono fluttered with the harsh winds stirred up by the battle, lending him an almost ethereal quality amid the harsh reality of their situation.
Mei found herself wondering about this young shinobi, just slightly older than her, who now stood so confidently against one of the most powerful and experienced figures in the shinobi world—a man who had been a cornerstone in the establishment of the major ninja villages.
As the battle with the Third Mizukage resumed, Hikari's confidence grew. Throughout the previous confrontations, he had been defending himself and adapting heavily.
Feeling a surge of newfound understanding, Hikari began channeling the natural energy surrounding him with increased proficiency in ways that he had only learned this morning.
He drew upon the life force from the land, the air, and even the small plants that clung to the ravaged battlefield more, weaving this energy into his jutsu to create a huge, potent force.
His movements became even more fluid and seasoned, and his chakra more vibrant as he harmonized his own abilities with the natural energy coursing through the environment.
He created barriers of pulsing energy, deflecting torrents of water and countering with precise strikes designed to disrupt the Mizukage's flow of chakra and balance himself.
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