The Third Mizukage was determined to go to war, and there was nothing they could do to stop him. Despite Yagura's authority, the Mist Village was ultimately under the rule of the Mizukage.
Gengetsu could only hope that Konoha would send a delegation for negotiations, to avoid the outbreak of war. A war would benefit neither Konoha nor the Mist Village. It had only been two or three years since the Second Great Ninja War ended, and Konoha was still focused on rebuilding.
The Mist Village was in no better condition. Though they hadn't participated in the previous war, the brutal Blood Mist policies had caused significant losses among their shinobi.
Starting a war now? Forget teaching Konoha a lesson-it would be a miracle if they weren't the ones getting chased down by Konoha. The war might even end with the Mist Village having to pay heavy reparations.
Even though Konoha had just been through the Second Great Ninja War, Gengetsu was under no illusion that the Mist could actually win a conflict against them.
Back in Konoha, Sakumo Hatake had finally returned safely. His heart was full of mixed emotions-never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that his infiltration would lead to a direct encounter with the Third Mizukage, especially in a restroom.
The atmosphere at that moment had been indescribable.
"Hokage-sama," Sakumo said as he entered the Hokage's office, even though it was the middle of the night.
"You've done well," Third Hokage greeted him. The moment Sakumo returned, the ANBU had informed the Hokage, who then summoned Tsunade, Koharu Utatane, and the others to the office.
The Mist had pushed for a response multiple times; it was time for this matter to be settled.
"Rest for a bit first. We'll start once everyone's here," Third Hokage said. It was evident that Sakumo was exhausted, and the Hokage allowed him some time to rest.
Despite her irritation, Tsunade put on her clothes and came to the office. The others had arrived before her, making her the last to join.
"Now that everyone's here, Sakumo, please tell us what happened in the Mist Village," the Third Hokage instructed.
The members of the Council of Elders weren't many-besides Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, there had been Torifu Akimichi and the late Kagami Uchiha.
With Kagami gone, Torifu had no interest in getting involved and preferred a quiet life, which left Koharu and Homura as the de facto representatives of the council. They had the authority to make decisions on behalf of the council.