Gaara, you must try to communicate with Shukaku within you.
"But sensei, Shukaku... he..."
"What about him?"
Kazuyama was teaching Gaara how to become a true jinchūriki. He had mentioned something similar before, but because Gaara was still young, he hadn't continued with it. Now, however, there was no more time to waste. Gaara had to learn to control Shukaku's power; only then could he stand firm in the future.
His plan had been solid—until Gaara's next words nearly made him burst a vein.
"He said you're not a good person and told me not to listen to you..."
"Said you're the most despicable person in the entire ninja world..."
"And that it's not just you—he's a bastard too."
"Sensei, who is 'he'?"
Gaara translated Shukaku's words verbatim, insulting both Kazuyama and Chōmei. Chōmei was the first to snap back.
"That bastard raccoon! How dare he insult this master!"
"Kazuyama, this is intolerable!"
"Why don't we call him out and beat the crap out of him?"
Kazuyama really wanted to, but he couldn't.
Shukaku, you damn raccoon.
"Enough. Ignore that stinking raccoon."
"Just keep communicating with him."
"Let's go."
Kazuyama grabbed Gaara and vanished from the plain.
...
Kirigakure.
Mizukage Tower.
"Kakashi, it really is you!"
"Do you know how long I've waited for you!"
As Kakashi and his group arrived in the Mist Village—well, more accurately, as soon as Terumi saw Kakashi—she became visibly excited.
Kakashi recognized her too, of course. They had trained together back then.
"Who would've thought that someone I trained with would end up becoming the Mizukage?"
"I really have no idea how our sensei managed to lure you out of hiding."
For years, Kirigakure had remained sealed off. The Fifth Mizukage had never appeared publicly. As a result, although the world knew the Mist Village had a new Mizukage, no one knew who it was.
The moment Kakashi saw Terumi, he suddenly felt he couldn't understand his own sensei anymore. Wasn't Terumi supposed to be from Takigakure? How did she suddenly become Mizukage?
"I've always been from the Mist Village."
"When the Blood Mist era hadn't ended yet, I failed a mission and was gravely injured. Sensei was the one who saved me."
"He brought me back to Takigakure, and as you know, we trained together."
Seeing Kakashi again genuinely pleased Terumi. She waved, and the elite jōnin A immediately stepped forward.
"A, Kakashi and I need to talk. Arrange accommodations for the others."
"I'll convene a meeting shortly."
A nodded and led Obito Uchiha and Shisui away. His gaze lingered intentionally on Shisui.
"Shisui of the Body Flicker. Never expected you'd be the one to come this time."
"Huh? Do we know each other?"
Hearing the man call his title, Uchiha Shisui was a bit surprised, but A didn't answer. He simply kept walking.
Shisui could only sigh helplessly.
"Haha, Shisui, maybe you crossed paths on the battlefield back in the day."
"Let's go. But look at Kakashi—seems like he knows the Mizukage pretty well. Who would've thought he was hiding something like that?"
When everyone had left, only Terumi and Kakashi remained in the Mizukage's office.
"What? Nothing to say after seeing me again?"
"I've got plenty to say. First off—how did you get so buff?"
Terumi eyed the completely transformed Kakashi with a flash of surprise. He'd become incredibly muscular—nothing like how he looked back by the sea.
Kakashi didn't explain. This was the training path he had chosen.
"I'm here to form an alliance between Konoha and the Mist."
"Terumi, you know how critical things are right now."
Kakashi's expression was serious. Seeing him like this, Terumi clicked her tongue in irritation, muttering, "Still the same old stiff blockhead."
Only after venting did she return to her Mizukage composure.
"Don't worry, I'm very aware. And I have bad news."
"Not only have they captured the Three-Tails, but even the Six-Tails jinchūriki, Hagoromo, has disappeared."
"I warned him, yet he still vanished without a trace."
Terumi had already relayed this intel to Kazuyama through the network. The Six-Tails' jinchūriki, Hagoromo, had been living deep in a Mist Village mountain, and his sudden disappearance suggested he'd met with misfortune.
Kakashi's expression grew grim.
"Understood. I'll report this to the village immediately."
"And Kirigakure's stance? Alliance? Or...?"
Terumi rose and walked to the window.
The Mist Village was no longer the same. Since her return, it had undergone extensive reforms. To strengthen the village, she had even contacted Orochimaru to obtain various potions.
But no matter how the Mist changed, one fact remained: Kirigakure had long been united with Takigakure and Amegakure.
After all, she was still a disciple of Kazuyama, and all three villages stood under his influence.
"Alliance. This isn't a time for the Mist Village to stand alone."
"The Five Kage Summit, huh? I'm actually quite curious."
"Kakashi, enough work talk. Let me take you out to eat. The food here in the Mist Village is amazing!"
Kakashi: ....
...
Several days later, Konohagakure.
"Kazuyama, the Mist has agreed to the alliance, and the Six-Tails' jinchūriki is missing."
"How's the intelligence network? Any news?"
Kazuyama had been in a foul mood for days. All because of that idiot Hagoromo. He had repeatedly emphasized that this was a critical time, yet Hagoromo still did whatever he wanted. Now look—he got caught, and their anti–Ten-Tails alliance had lost another member. Damn it.
"No news. Not even a report about the Six-Tails being taken."
"Don't forget his dōjutsu. If he's been using it to travel, forget the intel network— even if you and I went out personally, we wouldn't find a single clue."