Although doubts lingered in their hearts, this was ultimately a matter concerning another village, so Kakashi and the others didn't speak too much.
Nara Shikaku said calmly, "Then please, Mr. Aizen, lead the way."
"Please."
Aizen's demeanor was extraordinarily refined. It didn't feel like he was receiving shinobi from another village at all—it was as if he were welcoming old friends.
Even Kakashi, who had dealt with many people outside Konoha, found it hard to feel any distaste for this man.
The sense of polish and warmth that Aizen carried reminded Kakashi of someone—
His late mentor, Namikaze Minato.
"Mr. Aizen."
"Lord Aizen, you've worked hard."
"Mr. Aizen, please visit my shop more often when you have the time."
As Aizen guided the Sand Shinobi team alongside Konoha's envoys through Sunagakure, villagers along the way greeted him enthusiastically.
"I'll be sure to stop by," Aizen replied with a gentle smile.
"This guy… he seems nice," Might Guy whispered behind Kakashi.
"Don't lower your guard," Kakashi cautioned. "He's still a shinobi from another village."
"Yes," Shiranui Genma added quietly. "To be honest, I've always worried about this alliance between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. After all, they're the strongest nation and the weakest one…"
The greatest risk of such unequal alliances was always the conflict of interests born from imbalance.
When the Land of Wind looked upon the wealth of the Land of Fire… wouldn't temptation arise?
No one could say for certain.
The only thing holding them back was the overwhelming gap in military power.
This was why, after the Uchiha clan's extermination, Konoha had entered a heightened state of vigilance—afraid of being betrayed by the other great nations.
"Everyone, please, this way."
At last they reached the Kazekage Building. Aizen led them into the office of "Rasa."
Behind a thin layer of translucent gauze, the Fourth Kazekage could be seen, robed in white and blue, seated cross-legged in silence.
"Lord Kazekage, the Konoha envoys have arrived," Aizen announced before stepping to the side with the other Sand Shinobi.
Nara Shikaku advanced a few steps, bowed with the others, and said, "Lord Kazekage, I am Nara Shikaku. At the order of the Hokage, I've come to formally invite you to Konoha for a meeting between the two shadows."
"[Konoha's strategist]… so you are the patriarch of the Nara clan?"
The voice behind the gauze curtain was cool, tinged with displeasure.
"The rebellion within your village has caused us no small amount of trouble, Konoha shinobi…"
Prepared for this response, Shikaku bowed again.
"For that, we offer Konoha's sincerest apologies. It is precisely because of this that Hokage-sama entrusted me to come, in hopes of making amends within the bonds of our alliance."
"Rasa" replied flatly, "Uchiha Kenya… Though I loathe to admit it, his illusions were formidable. They must have rivaled even Uchiha Shisui, once known as your clan's strongest illusionist, no?"
Kakashi, Genma, Guy, and the others—who had all faced Kenya in battle—visibly stiffened at the words.
"I expended great effort to defeat him," "Rasa" continued. "The wounds may well leave me with hidden afflictions for life."
Quickly, Shikaku answered, "We are truly sorry, Lord Kazekage. Konoha will surely make restitution."
Whether the Kazekage's claim was true or not, none of the Konoha shinobi possessed sensory abilities on the level of Senju Hashirama or Tobirama, who could read a man's physical condition at a glance.
Perhaps Kakashi, if he uncovered his Sharingan, might discern something—but since the shadow of a village himself had spoken, the claim carried considerable weight.
"There's no need for repeated apologies," "Rasa" said curtly. "Words alone are meaningless. To avoid needless travel, I will not attend the meeting in person. Instead, Aizen will represent me."
He added, "Do not doubt him. To see Aizen is as to see me. Whatever matters arise, speak to him directly. He possesses secret techniques that allow him to contact me at any time, anywhere."
A startled look passed between the Konoha shinobi.
Was this some secret technique akin to the Yamanaka clan's telepathy?
They had not expected Aizen's standing in Sunagakure to be so high—that the Fourth Kazekage himself would declare: "To see Aizen is as to see me."
"Since Lord Kazekage has decreed it, Konoha has no objections," Shikaku replied at once.
"Good."
"Rasa" nodded behind the veil. "Aizen."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
Aizen stepped forward, standing at Shikaku's side.
"You will serve as captain. Lead Pakura, three jōnin from the Nara clan, and accompany Konoha's envoys to negotiate directly with Hokage. Understood?"
"Yes."
Aizen bowed his head respectfully.