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A single, fabricated sentence had directly triggered a massive earthquake within the upper echelons of the Cloud Village. When, after endless investigations and rampant suspicion, they finally pried the truth from Kazuki's lips, the expressions on the faces of the Cloud Village's higher-ups would undoubtedly be priceless.
"Lord Raikage. Lord Daimyo." Upon A and the Daimyo's arrival, all the higher-ups in the conference room rose to greet them.
"Mm." The Daimyo, his face stern, nodded coolly and took his seat. Without a word, A sat at the head of the table and tossed the scroll down. "Everyone, take a look. After you've read it, I want to hear what you all think."
Ssss... There really was a Leaf spy among the village's upper echelons?! If not, how could the Leaf Village have obtained intelligence confirming that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, had become a perfect Jinchuriki?!
They had to investigate! A thorough, ruthless investigation!!! After reading the scroll, no one's expression remained calm. While cursing the Leaf Village for its utter lack of ethics, they simultaneously urged A to launch a severe inquiry. The truth had to be uncovered completely, otherwise none of them would ever rest easy.
"Investigate? Yes, we absolutely must. However, I must first ask you all to endure the inconvenience of remaining here for a few days. I will represent the village and agree to the Leaf Village's conditions. Once we have a response from the Leaf, we will handle this matter." A's initial impulse had mirrored the Daimyo's – investigate internally first and foremost. But as his fury subsided somewhat, A gradually cooled down. Since the Leaf Village had proposed terms, he would agree to them. Then, after the Leaf provided a result, they would begin their internal investigation. What if... what if it was all just a false alarm?
At this moment, A viewed everyone as a potential spy. Yet the individuals seated in this conference room couldn't be casually investigated – doing so would cause a massive disaster. Even if they were willing to cooperate, who could guarantee that after the investigation, with everyone cleared, no one would harbor lingering resentment?
After all, this kind of situation was unpleasant for anyone involved. Their cooperation in the investigation was solely for the village's sake! If things went too far, everyone would be deeply displeased internally, even if they didn't voice it outwardly. This was the last outcome A wanted. Yet to uncover the truth definitively, certain extreme measures would inevitably have to be employed. One careless misstep and someone could end up a vegetable or crippled. That was precisely why, once he'd cooled down, A decided to wait for the Leaf Village's response before handling the situation on their end.
No one objected to A's proposal. No one continued clamoring for an internal purge. Not even the Daimyo. Because everyone clearly understood what a thorough investigation would entail. One wrong move and a person could be ruined. Living comfortably as they were, who would willingly submit to such torment? Besides, having lived to such an age, everyone harbored a few minor secrets or had done some things not entirely above board. If these things were exposed during an internal investigation, the lightest consequence would be social death.
The worst-case scenario? They might be executed for treason before even being formally accused of espionage. A cascade of scandals erupting from the village's upper echelons was no laughing matter. Just look at the Leaf Village from a few years ago – not only were they rotting from within, but the village's reputation itself was dragged through the mud. Caught in a dilemma either way, it was better to wait and see what response came from the Leaf Village.
It was infuriating! Unfortunately, no matter how furious they were, they could only suppress it. There was simply no other choice. Some matters appeared simple on the surface, but executing them was exceedingly difficult. Taking out a scroll, A, his face dark as thunder, sent word to Mabui, instructing her to represent the village and agree to Kazuki's conditions. The Cloud Village's response was swift. The Intelligence Division deployed their trained ninja hawks, which were incredibly fast.
The scroll would reach the Leaf Village by noon the next day at the latest and be delivered into Mabui's hands. However, it first had to pass inspection by the Leaf Village's Intelligence Division. Only after being cleared would the scroll be handed to Mabui. Naturally, the Leaf Village wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for her. As long as the scroll was clean, they would, after notifying Kazuki, deliver it immediately.
A waited in anxious anticipation. A group of Cloud Village higher-ups and the Daimyo waited anxiously as well. Mabui was no exception – she suffered a sleepless night.
"Lord Advisor, this is a scroll from the Cloud Village, delivered by ninja hawk." Any scroll that could be brought to the Hokage's office had certainly already been inspected. The scroll remained unopened.
Kazuki remarked with surprise, "It seems the Cloud Village truly is desperate. Deliver the scroll to Mabui." Their current cooperation was going smoothly enough; there was no need to obstruct her or make things difficult. Besides, Kazuki was intensely curious. Once the Cloud Village higher-ups learned the truth he had fabricated, the expressions on their faces would be absolutely priceless. Hopefully, they wouldn't die of sheer rage.
"Ha ha ha..." Thinking about it, Kazuki suddenly burst out laughing. This was going to be thoroughly entertaining.
Mabui hadn't slept a wink all night, yet she felt no drowsiness whatsoever. She had been waiting anxiously for a reply from her village, simultaneously praying inwardly that the Leaf Village wouldn't obstruct her. Fortunately, her worries proved unnecessary.
"Miss Mabui, this is a scroll the Advisor ordered us to deliver. It was sent by your village's Intelligence Division."
"Thank you." After expressing her thanks, Mabui didn't even consider seeking privacy. She opened the scroll urgently. A single glance at its contents, and the heart suspended in her throat finally settled – yet simultaneously, her emotions became a tangled mess. The village had agreed to the Leaf Village's terms. This meant that with just a single nod from Kazuki, she, Mabui, would be transferred from a person of the Cloud Village to a person of the Leaf Village. The thought of potentially leaving the familiar village she called home filled Mabui's heart with a strange, indescribable feeling.
"Sigh..." She let out a long breath. Pulling herself together, Mabui freshened up briefly, changed her clothes, and left her lodgings for the Hokage building.
"Lord Advisor, Miss Mabui is here to see you." Kisame knocked on the door of the Hokage's office and reported.
"Let her in."
"Miss Mabui." Kisame said, opening the door with a gesture of invitation before resuming his post by the doorway and pulling the door shut. Stepping into the Hokage's office, Mabui felt her heartbeat quicken. Kazuki closed the document on his desk, straightened his posture, and looked up at her.
"Haaah..." Exhaling heavily, Mabui gritted her teeth and said, "The village has agreed to your conditions. So... the village will be able to obtain the desired intelligence, correct?"
"Of course." Kazuki nodded with a smile and raised his hand, gesturing briefly before Mabui's eyes.
"???" What did that mean? Before Mabui could react, Kazuki's arm was enveloped in the Nine-Tails' chakra. In the next instant, Kazuki had fully entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
"Y-you... you..." Seeing Kazuki enter Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Mabui was so shocked she couldn't string together a coherent sentence. She was practically stupefied! Was this... the state of a perfect Jinchuriki?!