After almost fifteen minutes of waiting, both Inoiki and Naruto finally spotted a young man approaching—a tall figure with blue hair and glasses, carrying a massive sword wrapped tightly in white bandages across his back. His calm gaze met theirs before he spoke.
"Are you both the envoys of Konoha?" he asked, voice steady but polite.
Inoiki stepped forward, his tone firm yet composed. "Yes, we are from Konoha, and we have important matters to discuss with the Mizukage."
The young man nodded and introduced himself. "My name is Chojuro, and Lady Mizukage has agreed to meet you. Please, follow me."
Inoiki gave a small nod in return, and the two Konoha shinobi fell into step behind him. The soft sound of sandals brushing against the mist-shrouded stone echoed faintly as they moved through the village.
Within minutes, they arrived before one of the most magnificent structures in all of Kirigakure—the Mizukage Building. Its elegant, curved architecture rose proudly through the mist, the symbol of the village gleaming faintly under the diffuse light.
As Inoiki stood before it, he could feel the subtle weight of countless presences hidden within the surroundings. The faint rustle of movement, the almost imperceptible stir of chakra signatures—it was clear that skilled ninjas were stationed all around. They must be the Anbu of Kirigakure, responsible for the Mizukage's protection, he thought. It wasn't surprising; every great village safeguarded its Kage with similar vigilance.
The mist swirled gently around them as they approached the entrance, the quiet tension of the hidden guards a silent reminder of the power that ruled this place.
…
Walking through a series of winding corridors lit by the soft glow of lanterns, the three finally reached the upper floor where the Mizukage's office was located. The polished wooden doors loomed before them, adorned with the insignia of Kirigakure. When Chojuro opened them, a faint trace of mist drifted in from the hallway.
Inside, seated behind a grand desk, was a striking woman with flowing red hair and eyes that carried both warmth and authority. She was already facing the entrance, as though she had been expecting them.
Inoiki stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "Lady Mizukage, I am Yamanaka Inoiki from Konoha, and I am here with my friend Naruto, a Genin of Konoha, to invite you to the Five Kage Summit based on our Hokage's intentions."
Mei Terumi regarded them for a moment, a small smile touching her lips before she nodded. "I have a general idea of the reason for the Five Kage Summit from the letter you provided," she said, her tone calm yet resolute. "This is a very serious matter and definitely requires such a meeting. So you don't have to worry—I will attend."
Her assurance carried a quiet strength, and Inoiki could sense the confidence of a true leader behind her composed demeanour. He gave a courteous nod in response. "Now that our work here is done, we would like to take our leave, Lady Mizukage. After all, we have other villages to visit to deliver their invitations as well."
Just as Inoiki finished speaking, the door behind them slid open with a soft creak. A tall man with an eye patch stepped into the room, his presence immediately shifting the air.
"I heard that people from Konoha have come," he said, his deep voice echoing lightly through the office. "I wanted to see, so I arrived here."
The sudden entrance drew everyone's attention, the quiet hum of chakra in the room sharpening as all eyes turned toward the newcomer.
Mizukage Mei, still seated with calm composure, glanced toward the newcomer and said, "He is Ao, one of our best ninjas in Kirigakure."
At her words, Inoiki turned to face Ao, giving a polite nod of acknowledgment. But instead of returning the gesture, Ao merely crossed his arms and let out a dismissive hmph. His voice carried a faint sneer as he said, "I heard that you in Konoha can't even deal with a simple organization like the Akatsuki. It seems Konoha has weakened quite a lot."
The insult hung in the air like a sharp blade. Naruto stiffened beside Inoiki, but before he could react, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Inoiki's expression darkened. His eyes grew cold—unblinking, unyielding—and when his gaze locked on Ao, an invisible pressure began to swell. A deep, crushing force suddenly enveloped the room.
Ao's body trembled under the unseen weight, his knees buckling as he was forced down to the floor. The wooden panels beneath him creaked faintly. Sweat trickled down his temple as he struggled to breathe under the suffocating pressure.
Inoiki's voice broke the silence, low and cutting. "Do you dare to mock us?" he said, every word laced with menace. "Don't think that just because we are here as envoys of Konoha, you can insult us like any normal messenger." He took a slow step forward, his aura growing heavier with each heartbeat. "Believe me… with the weak strength of your Kirigakure, I could go on a killing spree here, and no one would be able to stop me."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "You must already know my reputation."
The air around them thrummed with restrained power, and even the mist outside the office windows seemed to still—as though the village itself was holding its breath.
"As for you mocking us—saying Konoha couldn't even handle a single organisation like Akatsuki," Inoiki continued, his voice low but thunderous, "let me ask you one question." He took a slow step forward, his shadow stretching across the floor. "Why was it that only one core member of the Akatsuki was able to control your entire Kirigakure for years? Turning it into the so-called Bloody Mist, ordering the slaughter of your own Kekkei Genkai users until none remained, wiping out proud clans like the Kaguya and the Yuki as if they were nothing?"
He paused, eyes glinting with cold amusement. "And yet, you pathetic fools have the audacity to mock us? You certainly have thick skin—I'll give you that."
Ao's teeth clenched as the crushing pressure intensified, his body trembling against the invisible weight. The veins at his temples stood out, his breath ragged and shallow.
----
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