"Don't you think the alliance between the three great villages is a bad idea?"
Ebizō fell silent. It wasn't just that Lady Chiyo was pessimistic; deep down, he felt the same way.
Of course, this pessimism wasn't due to the preexisting conflicts between the three villages, nor any of the other various issues.
It was simply that the current threat was far from being enough to force the three great villages to join hands.
For an alliance to be possible, there would need to be a great enough incentive, or a threat significant enough to compel everyone to unite against it.
But if only one of Uchiha Madara, Hashirama Senju, or Yuto were to have been resurrected, such an alliance might still have been possible. After all, no one wants a legendary monster looming over them.
But now, all three legends had been resurrected, and this delicate balance was something many villages would be unwilling to break willingly.
After all, the relationship between these three was far from good.
Furthermore, the recent events in Konoha had confirmed this rumor.
Hashirama Senju was one thing, but with Uchiha Madara and Yuto's prideful personalities, it seemed unlikely they would ever join forces again.
And in Ebizō's view, with these three individuals keeping each other in check, the threat they posed was actually less than that of any one of them alone.
On this point, whether it was Ōnoki or A, the Fourth Raikage, surely they could see it just as clearly.
Therefore, while the three great villages might secretly maintain contact, a complete and total alliance was simply impossible.
Ebizō shook his head lightly.
A pity. Compared to the First Mizukage, Yuto, or Uchiha Madara, Hashirama Senju was by far the most suitable choice...
Ebizō looked up at Lady Chiyo and sighed softly.
He knew his sister held a deep grudge against Konoha. It was nearly impossible to ask her to cooperate with them.
"It seems you've made your decision."
Ebizō looked at Lady Chiyo, his expression one of helplessness.
"I will secretly travel to Kirigakure. In the meantime, I'll have to trouble you with the affairs of Sunagakure, Ebizō."
"Don't let anyone know about this. If I don't return, and you assist Gaara, I can rest easy."
A faint glint flashed in Lady Chiyo's eyes. She rose from her seat, walked to a window, and gazed silently down over all of Sunagakure.
"Really, at my age, and still causing such a fuss."
Ebizō looked at Lady Chiyo with a wry smile, speaking as if to complain.
Although Ebizō wanted to stop her, he knew that once Lady Chiyo had made up her mind, no one could persuade her otherwise.
"Some things just have to be done," Lady Chiyo said calmly.
For a moment, the Kazekage's office fell silent once more.
Ebizō's lips parted, as if to say something more, but he couldn't find the words, and closed his mouth again.
The First Mizukage, Yuto!
Unlike Hashirama Senju, this man was not an easy person to talk to, much like Uchiha Madara.
With Kirigakure's current strength, and with Sunagakure appearing weak, was a real alliance even possible?
Ebizō thought with a headache.
Kirigakure.
Although all sorts of things had been happening throughout the shinobi world recently, it hadn't had much of an effect on the common people.
If there was any impact at all, it was that Kirigakure had become even more prosperous than before.
And in everyone's eyes, the reason for this transformation was all thanks to the efforts of Lord Yuto and the Mizukage, Mei Terumī.
Sitting in the Mizukage's office, after finishing her official duties, Mei Terumī couldn't help but stretch.
Although a hint of fatigue showed on her face, her eyes gleamed with a faint joy.
Kirigakure was growing ever more prosperous; as the Mizukage, she was finally living up to Lord Yuto's expectations.
I wonder what Lord Yuto is doing right now?
Taking a brief moment for herself, Mei Terumī propped her chin on her hand and drifted into a daze.
He's probably still with Utakata, researching something.
At the thought, a trace of unease flickered in Mei Terumī's eyes.
Lord Yuto's power was already more than sufficient, yet he still seemed to be thinking about how to become stronger.
Although Yuto hadn't said anything, Mei Terumī could still sense a faint urgency deep within him.
Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Madara!
These two were currently the greatest threats to Kirigakure.
For Lord Yuto to face them both alone... in the end, it felt like he had the will, but not the strength.
Mei Terumī clenched her fists and took a soft breath. Although she had mastered a new power, it was still far too weak compared to Lord Yuto's. There was no way she could participate in a battle of that level.
"Neji Hyūga, is it?"
Mei Terumī folded her hands, a thoughtful expression on her face.
A while ago, for the sake of this branch member of the Hyūga clan, Lord Yuto had personally dispatched two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Even now, a hint of curiosity remained in Mei Terumī's heart.
This boy named Neji Hyūga might have talent, but that certainly wasn't the reason for Lord Yuto's great emphasis on him. After all, the shinobi world had never lacked talented shinobi.
Just as Mei Terumī was lost in thought, a hurried footstep suddenly came from outside the Mizukage's office.
The next moment, a knock sounded.
"Enter."
Mei Terumī schooled her expression, replacing it with a solemn one, and said flatly.
At her words, Ao walked in quickly, his face grim.
"Something major has happened, Mizukage-dono!" Ao said, looking at Mei Terumī.
Seeing the gravity and a hint of panic on Ao's usually steady face, a flicker of surprise passed through Mei Terumī's eyes.
For someone as composed as Ao to show such an expression was enough to pique her curiosity.
Just as Ao was about to speak, a sound like rolling thunder suddenly echoed across the sky above Kirigakure.
An instant later, a terrifying aura shot up into the sky.
Within this aura was a killing intent so cold and fierce that it made everyone feel a chill seep into their bones.
Mei Terumī shot up from her seat, her face filled with solemnity.
An enemy attack!?
The thought had barely crossed her mind before she dismissed it.
To dare to attack Kirigakure so openly, did they think the Mist ninja were soft targets?
Mei Terumī flashed to the window, looking in the direction the aura was coming from, her pupils constricting.
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