Although the others did not react as dramatically as Kurenai, all of them showed visible astonishment.
"…Yeah."
Kakashi nodded, his tone calm as always. "I learned about it today when I received an S-rank mission from Lord Hokage. Tomorrow I'll lead a team to the Land of Wind to invite the Fourth Kazekage to Konoha for two-village negotiations.
According to Hokage-sama, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Kenya joined forces to kill Sand's high-ranking jōnin, Baki. Later, Uchiha Kenya was slain by the Fourth Kazekage, and Uchiha Itachi disappeared."
He paused, then added: "That being said, we must give Sunagakure an explanation. Otherwise, it will threaten the alliance between our two nations. Guy, Genma—you'll both come with me to the Land of Wind as Konoha's representatives."
"Understood."
Might Guy and Shiranui Genma nodded firmly.
"…What about me?"
By now, Kurenai had barely steadied her emotions. She frowned at Kakashi, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.
Kakashi squinted at her. "You're not on the envoy list chosen by Lord Hokage. Kurenai, you'll remain in Konoha with Ebisu and the others."
Her brows arched sharply.
In terms of ability, she was not inferior to Genma—so why him, but not her?
Suddenly, Kenya's words from over a month ago echoed in her mind:
'From now on, you'll be on the blacklist of Konoha's higher-ups. If it involves missions tied to the village's core, you won't be chosen.'
It had been more than a month since Asuma's death. Thinking back carefully, she realized she truly hadn't been assigned any significant missions in that time.
Not S-rank, not even many A-rank missions.
And this during a supposedly "peaceful" era, when the Uchiha's downfall had thrown the world into chaos and mission demands were surging.
…Could it be true? Had she really been blacklisted?
Her grip tightened on her glass. The taste of her favorite soju felt dull on her tongue.
"…Sorry. I'm leaving."
Kurenai rose abruptly and left the izakaya alone.
"What's wrong with her?"
Might Guy asked nervously.
Kakashi's lone eye narrowed slightly. He could guess. But since Obito, Rin, and Minato's deaths, he had grown detached. He no longer wanted to think too deeply about such matters.
"She's probably not feeling well," he said flatly. "Let's focus on tomorrow's mission. Remember—no matter how poor their attitude may be, we must remain calm. Right now, Sunagakure holds the political advantage."
That night, Kurenai walked the darkened streets of Konoha alone.
Since losing her father during the Nine-Tails' attack, she had lived without family. Back then, she had been just fifteen.
When her father died, the Third Hokage had offered her encouragement and support. That moment had cemented Sarutobi Hiruzen as a noble, unshakable figure in her heart—just as he was for many in Konoha.
And perhaps it was precisely because of that, that when his image faltered, the gap and disillusionment cut so deeply.
"…Are you really dead?"
Back home, sitting curled up at the edge of her bed, Kurenai whispered into the empty room.
The image of that man appeared in her mind again—cynical, sly, but always wearing that faint smile that concealed the steel behind his eyes.
A few seconds later, she shook her head violently, splashing cold water on her face in the bathroom.
Bang!
She slapped her cheeks twice in the mirror.
"What am I thinking? He was a traitor. If he's dead, then good. What does that have to do with me?"
Repeating the words like a mantra, she dragged herself back to bed, pulling the covers over her head.
But that night… sleep never came.
The following morning, under Nara Shikaku's leadership, Kakashi, Might Guy, Genma, and several elite jōnin formed Konoha's envoy and departed for the Land of Wind.
The team's average strength was formidable. What would take an ordinary squad more than a week, they covered in just three days and two nights.
At last, they stood before the gates of Sunagakure.
Compared to Konoha's towering walls, Sunagakure's sloped, sand-packed fortifications looked shabby and weathered.
Yet in front of those gates, waiting patiently, stood Sand Anbu in ghost masks—and a man in a white mask known as "Aizen."
During this time, Kenya had lived leisurely under this new identity, the "shadow" of the village. Outwardly calm, inwardly consolidating his influence.
The first step had been to eliminate the three Sand Anbu jōnin who once followed Rasa in attempting to kill him.
They only knew each other by code names, and killing them without raising suspicion had been anything but easy.
It had taken effort, but Kenya left no trace. He tolerated no flaws.
Now, behind the mask of "Aizen," his performance was flawless.
Shikaku stepped forward, bowing politely. "Sunagakure shinobi, we are Konoha's envoy, dispatched by Hokage-sama to meet the Kazekage. I am the leader, Nara Shikaku."
"The famed 'Konoha's Strategist'—I've long heard of you," Aizen replied with a gentle voice. "I am called Aizen. I will be taking over in place of Senior Baki. Please, follow me. Kazekage-sama has been waiting."
"…Aizen?"
At that name, Kakashi and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
Anyone entrusted with Baki's former authority had to be a formidable shinobi. Someone like Pakura, wielder of the Scorch Release.
But this "Aizen"?
They had never once heard of him.
When did Sunagakure gain such a figure?