Sure enough, the moment Teizawa finished speaking, Darui was the first to respond.
He leaned back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest, a fresh toothpick between his lips as he lazily swung one leg. His half-lidded eyes made him look utterly unconcerned, but his words were as sharp as knives.
"Kazekage-sama, why should we believe you?"
"If we launch a reckless attack on another village, who'll take responsibility for the consequences?"
"You? Or Sunagakure?"
He paused and spat out the toothpick.
"Raikage-sama made his position clear. Without solid evidence, Kumogakure won't mobilize a single shinobi."
Akatsuchi spoke next, coldly pointing out the holes in Teizawa's claims.
"We need indisputable proof that Hanzo of the Salamander is dead."
"Otherwise, we will not attack Amegakure. The Land of Rain may be a small nation, but Hanzo of the Salamander didn't earn his reputation through empty boasting."
"A hasty attack would only alert the enemy and might even trigger an unnecessary international dispute."
Mei let out a string of bell-like giggles.
The sound was crisp and pleasant, yet it left everyone present vaguely uncomfortable.
She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. Reflected in the campfire, her emerald eyes gleamed with an amber light.
"I'll follow everyone else's decision."
The smile on her lips slowly deepened, making her resemble a lazy cat lounging in the sun while watching a pack of mice fight.
"Kirigakure has come from far away as a guest, so we'll follow our host's lead. However you decide to fight, that's how we'll fight."
Teizawa glanced at her.
This woman certainly knew how to make herself sound agreeable.
Who knew what she was really plotting?
She had kicked the decision back to everyone else while remaining safely on the sidelines to enjoy the show. Whatever happened, she could advance or retreat without suffering any losses.
Kakashi considered the matter for a moment.
His exposed right eye narrowed slightly as his gaze shifted from Darui to Akatsuchi, then from Akatsuchi to Mei, before finally settling on Teizawa.
"We should investigate this thoroughly first."
His voice was measured and restrained, carrying the detached tone of someone handling official business.
"Hanzo of the Salamander, the man hailed as a demigod, simply died? I find that difficult to believe."
Teizawa sighed.
This was exactly what he had expected.
He had never imagined he could fool these people with a few words.
They were all seasoned foxes with their own schemes and interests to consider.
He rose and brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes.
"Just as I thought…" His voice drifted away on the night wind. "I knew none of you would agree that easily."
Kakashi shook his head.
"It isn't that we refuse to agree. You simply haven't provided enough evidence to convince us, Kazekage-sama."
His tone remained neither servile nor overbearing.
He was like a solid wall. No matter how hard one struck it, not even a crack appeared.
Teizawa fell silent for a moment, lightly tapping his fingers against the table.
The irregular rhythm made it sound as though he were calculating something.
Then he raised his head and swept his gaze across everyone's faces.
"In that case, how about we begin with an infiltration mission and investigate?"
He spread his hands, sounding as sincere as though he were asking them for a favor.
"You've all come this far. Surely you should at least uncover the truth before leaving?"
"If what I said turns out to be true and you let this opportunity slip away, how will you explain it to your respective Kage when you return?"
Darui and Akatsuchi exchanged glances, but neither spoke.
Kakashi lowered his eye, seemingly lost in thought.
Mei tilted her head as she watched Teizawa.
"My suggestion is…"
Teizawa picked up the intelligence scroll from the table and weighed it in his hand.
The scroll was as heavy as a brick.
"Everyone should carefully memorize the intelligence I've provided. The abilities of the Six Paths of Pain, the Rinnegan's weaknesses, and the fighting styles of Akatsuki's members—I've written everything down in detail."
He paused, and his tone became solemn.
"Don't wait until something goes wrong and then regret not reading it."
"You should worry about your own safety first," Yugito, who had remained silent until now, suddenly said.
Her voice was as cold as ice and carried a hint of mockery.
Teizawa turned to look at her.
She sat behind Darui with her arms crossed and her back perfectly straight, resembling an unsheathed blade.
Moonlight made her aloof, beautiful face appear especially pale, while the dancing flames of the campfire were reflected in her golden eyes.
"This beautiful lady…"
The corners of Teizawa's lips rose as his gaze swept over her.
"Akatsuki's targets are the tailed beasts. Aren't you afraid they'll capture you, a jinchūriki, when you've come all the way to the outskirts of Amegakure?"
"That is none of your concern."
Yugito did not even glance at him. Her voice remained completely indifferent.
Teizawa shrugged before lazily adding, "It isn't concern. I'm worried about you. It would be a shame if someone as beautiful as you got captured."
Yugito's face reddened slightly.
Whether from anger or some other reason, no one could tell.
She turned her head away and ignored him.
Darui coughed, seemingly reminding the Kazekage to conduct himself with a little dignity.
Taking the hint, Teizawa withdrew his gaze and stopped teasing her.
It was obvious that no one wanted Teizawa leading them around by the nose.
The more initiative he showed, the more wary they became.
After a lengthy round of bargaining, they finally settled on an infiltration plan for Amegakure.
The forces would enter from four separate directions: north, south, east, and west.
Their objectives were to gather intelligence, confirm whether Hanzo of the Salamander was still alive, verify the existence of the Rinnegan, and uncover Akatsuki's true strength.
Each village would operate independently and bear responsibility for any problems its forces encountered.
Teizawa had tried to secure the position of overall commander, but Darui and Akatsuchi joined forces to reject the proposal.
Even Kakashi refused to support him.
"Then it's settled."
Teizawa stood and brushed off his clothes.
"Everyone, return to your camps and prepare. We'll begin simultaneously after nightfall tomorrow."
The others departed one after another.
Darui returned to Kumogakure's camp with Yugito.
Akatsuchi went back to Iwagakure's camp.
Kakashi led the Konoha shinobi back to their tents.
Mei alone remained seated where she was, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.
No one knew what she was thinking.
Teizawa walked over to her.
"Why aren't you resting?"
"I can't sleep." Mei raised her head, his reflection appearing in her emerald eyes. "What about you, Kazekage-sama? Can't sleep either?"
"Yeah. I'm thinking about something."
"What?"
"I was wondering…" Teizawa sat beside her. "Why you came here personally."
Mei smiled.
Illuminated by the campfire, her smile looked especially alluring.
"Didn't I already tell you? When you're a guest, you follow the host's arrangements and adapt to whatever happens."
"So you only came to watch the excitement?"
Teizawa tilted his head as he looked at her.
"What else?" Mei set down her teacup and rose, looking down at him. "Surely you didn't think I came because of you, Kazekage-sama?"
Teizawa froze for a moment, then laughed.
"I wouldn't dare."
He stood as well, bringing them face-to-face.
"But I'm glad you came."
A faint blush appeared on Mei's face.
She turned and began walking toward Kirigakure's camp.
"Get some rest. We still have important business tomorrow."
After taking several steps, she stopped without looking back.
"Be careful, Kazekage-sama. Don't die."
Teizawa watched her retreating figure, the smile on his lips gradually deepening.
"You too."
Beneath the moonlight, her graceful figure receded into the distance before finally disappearing among the shadows of the tents.
Teizawa remained beside the campfire, watching the flames flicker beneath the night wind.
Countless thoughts churned through his mind.
Mei had brought the fewest people.
That was why she had chosen to operate alongside Sunagakure. It was more convenient that way.
Was it really only because her group was small?
Or was there some other reason?
Teizawa couldn't be certain.
Still, traveling with her wouldn't be bad.
That woman was shrewd, but easy enough to handle.
In the distance, light still shone from Kakashi's tent.
Teizawa's gaze settled in that direction, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
He wondered when he would finally get his hands on the other Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan.
There was no need to rush.
He would deal with Akatsuki first, then take his time with that matter.
Kakashi wasn't going anywhere, after all.
The following night, after darkness fell, the four forces departed simultaneously.
Teizawa led Sunagakure's elite shinobi toward the eastern side of Amegakure.
Mei and the Kirigakure shinobi followed close behind.
The two walked side by side, neither saying a word.
The night wind was cold as it blew in from the distant lake, carrying damp moisture and a faint fishy odor.
"Kazekage-sama…"
Mei suddenly spoke, her voice soft.
"Hmm?"
"Do you really think Hanzo of the Salamander is dead?"
She paused.
"Could a man hailed as a demigod truly die?"
Teizawa remained silent for a moment.
"Everyone dies. A demigod is still human."
He stared at the village in the distance, shrouded beneath a curtain of rain, his gaze deep and unreadable.
"Besides, he had already grown old."
Mei said nothing more.
Amegakure's silhouette flickered in and out of view behind the rain.
It resembled a sleeping behemoth that might awaken at any moment and devour everything in its path.
Teizawa tightened his grip on the ninja-tool pouch at his waist and quickened his pace.
This was destined to be a turbulent night.
(End of Chapter)
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