Eight o'clock in the morning.
Led by Kakashi, the three-man team arrived outside the Kirigakure camp. As for why Kamizuki Hikari wasn't leading the team—well, that was simple: he still wasn't well-known enough.
Compared to the famous "Copy Ninja" Hatake Kakashi, Hikari was little more than an unknown shinobi in the eyes of others.
"Konoha's envoy, Hatake Kakashi, requests an audience with the Mizukage. Here is my formal request!"
Kakashi handed over the letter according to protocol, then stood quietly at the gate, waiting for a response.
However, his sharp senses quickly caught on to something—their gazes toward him felt... off.
Almost as if they had been expecting him and his companions.
"Hikari, Gai, stay alert. Something's not right."
He murmured the warning softly, standing still and appearing relaxed—but that was only on the surface.
In truth, Kakashi was already prepared to fight at a moment's notice.
Soon, Ao came in person to escort them inside. As they walked through, Hikari could feel the subtle, watching eyes all around them, and his expression hardened slightly.
It seemed their visit to Kirigakure wasn't going to be as smooth as he'd hoped.
Originally, Hikari had planned to speak with Terumi Mei, maybe test if his charm could win her over before discussing anything serious. But given the current situation, that plan was already falling apart. They would have to adapt.
"Hatake Kakashi, Kamizuki Hikari, Maito Gai—three distinguished guests from Konoha, traveling all this way. Forgive us for the lack of a proper welcome." Mei said with a playful smile as she looked them over.
Part of her had still hoped that the Akatsuki's warning had been a lie.
But the arrival of Hikari's group shattered that last bit of hope.
In that moment, she once again became the decisive and ruthless Fifth Mizukage.
"It was our decision to come, Mizukage-sama. I apologize for the disturbance." Kakashi said politely. At this point, if he still couldn't tell that something was off, he'd have to be an idiot.
"How could I blame you?"
"You're from Konoha, after all. The Hokage has already forced the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage to bow their heads... What's a mere Mizukage like me compared to her? I suppose serving tea would be the best I could manage, isn't that right?"
Her words dripped with sarcasm, and paired with Ao's cold demeanor beside her, the tension was palpable.
Hikari's eyes flickered; he reached out to stop Kakashi from replying.
"Mizukage-sama, you're being too modest. We came here today hoping for a discussion—one that could benefit both sides."
"Mutual benefit?" Mei's gaze lingered on Hikari, a fleeting complexity in her eyes before she continued, "If by 'mutual benefit' you mean having Kirigakure surrender the Three-Tails, then should Konoha offer up the Nine-Tails in exchange?"
Hikari replied calmly, "It seems someone has already spoken to you, Mizukage-sama. No matter what we say now, you probably wouldn't believe us, would you?"
Mei let out a bitter laugh. "And why should I? Are you telling me you came here for our sake—to help Kirigakure gain the Three-Tails? Or did you come to stop us?"
Hikari nodded. "You're right. My purpose is to neutralize the Three-Tails. For that, Konoha is willing to offer compensation."
"Compensation? What could possibly compensate for the loss of a Tailed Beast—"
Before Ao could finish, Hikari shot him a glare so sharp it froze him in place. Even as a seasoned veteran, Ao felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"The Three-Tails is indeed important—to Kirigakure, and to the entire shinobi world."
Mei paused for a moment, then said, "I'll give you one chance. Tell me your reason. If you can convince me, then I—"
"Mizukage-sama!"
*Thud!*
Ao shouted again, only to be sent flying by a sudden strike.
"I'm talking to your Mizukage. Did I say you could speak? Or do I have to dig out that eye of yours to make you behave?"
Already in a foul mood, Hikari had no patience left for interruptions like his.
His eye!
Ao instinctively clutched his right eye. A large part of his current strength came from it—the Byakugan had elevated him from elite jōnin to near-Kage level. Without it, he might not even remain an elite jōnin.
*Bang!*
Mei's palm slammed into Hikari's chest, sending him flying several meters back.
"How impressive! But if Konoha's shinobi think they can throw their weight around in our camp, you're sorely mistaken!"
She glanced at Ao, saw that he was only slightly injured, and finally relaxed a little.
That slap—she had to deliver it.
As the Mizukage, she couldn't just stand by while one of her own was attacked before her eyes. That would make her lose the respect of her village.
"We traveled thousands of miles to get here," Hikari said, brushing off the dust as he got up. "If all we wanted was to flaunt power, we'd have to be idiots. But the reason we're here involves matters too great to discuss. I can't say more."
"You can't say more?" Mei sneered. "Of course. It's Konoha's secret plan, isn't it? Why would you tell me—your supposed enemy?"
"Mizukage-sama, please calm down," Kakashi stepped forward. "Even I don't know the full reason. To be honest, not even our Fifth Hokage knows why Hikari insists on destroying the Three-Tails."
Mei's eyes narrowed, her expression softening slightly as she studied Hikari.
"So this is his personal decision? Then tell me—what is he in Konoha? Does he outrank your advisors? The Hokage herself?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Konoha's affairs are always decided by the Hokage. The Fifth Hokage trusts Hikari—and so do I. The matter of the Three-Tails is... crucial."
"The Three-Tails is our village's Tailed Beast. Of course it's crucial. But if you insist on doing this, then you stand against Kirigakure. Enough talk. I've prepared lodging for you. Ao will attend to your needs, but you're not to leave the premises. If you do, it will be considered a declaration of hostility—and then we'll truly be at war."
"Ao, take them away."
Ao nodded, gesturing politely for them to follow.
Hikari opened his mouth to speak again, but Kakashi held him back.
In the end, he silently followed Ao out.
Watching their backs fade from view, Mei sighed softly.
She believed about seventy percent of what Kakashi said.
But that didn't matter.
As the Mizukage, she had to protect Kirigakure's interests—personal feelings had no place in her decisions.
Even if she did have some fondness for Kamizuki Hikari, she couldn't let it sway her.
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