"Forming ties with the Sand isn't the same as forming an alliance with Konoha."
To be honest, this treaty left Terumi Mei rather surprised.
She was already aware of the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure, and had prepared herself for the possibility of a Three-Nation Alliance. But she hadn't expected that the clause standing out in the treaty from the Sand would be written this way.
In other words… did Sunagakure harbor special intentions toward Konoha?
Terumi Mei's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as a thought stirred in her heart.
If the Sand really meant this, then as their ally, the Mist might also be dragged into matters concerning Konoha.
The enthusiasm she had felt for finalizing this alliance wavered, replaced by hesitation.
"Don't worry. This matter has nothing to do with the Mist."
Aizen's quiet voice brushed against her ear.
Terumi Mei's gaze shifted toward him, her focus caught.
After a moment's pause, she finally signed her name at the bottom of both agreement scrolls.
Aizen left one copy in her hands and delivered the other to Rasa.
Rasa received the scroll with a look of satisfaction. "In this way, our two villages stand as allies. Please rest assured, Lady Mizukage. I will personally submit the formal application. Once Konoha approves, I will send my army to support Kirigakure."
The most direct path from the Wind Country to the Water Country ran through the Fire Country.
When it had only been Aizen and Terumi Mei traveling together, they hadn't considered this problem too carefully. Without an official pass issued by either the Hokage or the Fire Daimyō, they had crossed the Land of Fire unnoticed and arrived in Sunagakure.
But moving an army was different.
Such a deployment—thousands of shinobi—would never escape Konoha's notice.
Right there in front of Terumi Mei, Rasa penned a letter himself, handed it to Aizen, and added:
"As it happens, this year is when Konoha is due to deliver their tribute of grain to us. Aizen, when you bring this letter to Konoha, collect the grain as well."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage," Aizen replied respectfully.
Rasa turned his sharp gaze back to Terumi Mei. "Once Lady Mizukage retakes her village, Konoha will surely send someone to request an alliance. At that time… I trust Lady Mizukage knows what response to give?"
"There's no need for Lord Kazekage to worry so much," Terumi Mei answered coolly. "I, too, am the shadow of a village."
She had never liked the Fourth Kazekage's sly nature, and her tone carried a hint of frost.
…
Outside the Kazekage Building, Terumi Mei hesitated before asking softly: "Aizen-kun… are you planning to move against Konoha?"
Aizen paused, then replied calmly, "Did you notice the last clause in the treaty?"
Terumi Mei gave a small nod.
Aizen sighed, his voice heavy. "You've seen the harshness of the Wind Country yourself. No one truly desires war. But… there are always those unwilling to settle for less than a better life."
Terumi Mei pressed her lips together and said no more. After all, matters of another village were not her concern.
She brushed a lock of hair from her brow, revealing for a moment the eye hidden behind her bangs. Smiling faintly, she said, "Then I will return to the Mist first. I'll be waiting for your reinforcements~"
"They're not mine. They belong to the Sand."
Aizen shook his head.
"My, so stiff. Girls won't fall for that kind of attitude, you know. But…"
Leaning slightly closer, her collar dipping to reveal a hint of smooth skin, Terumi Mei's lips curved in mischief. "I like it~"
"Lady Mizukage, this is a public setting. Please refrain."
Though outwardly calm, inwardly Aizen's patience frayed. This woman… once I take Konoha, she'll be the first one I deal with.
"So heartless," she teased, waving her hand. "Very well then, I'll be waiting."
With that, Terumi Mei departed Sunagakure, hurrying back toward the Mist to share the good news with Ao and the others.
Aizen wasted no time and immediately set out for Konoha.
…
Three days later, at the gates of Konoha.
After completing his entry registration, Aizen prepared to step into the village when the sound of commotion reached him.
A small boy, no more than ten, bounded into sight with a pot of paint sloshing in his hand. Blonde hair, whisker-like markings on his cheeks, dirt smeared across his clothes—yet he wore a mischievous grin. He pulled faces at the furious shinobi chasing behind him.
"Damn it! Naruto! Get back here!"
"How dare you deface the Hokage Rock! You won't get away with this!"
The two Konoha shinobi roared, stumbling as they chased.
"Bleh! A bunch of idiots—you'll never catch me!"
Naruto stuck out his tongue, shaking his backside as he ran.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
Aizen murmured inwardly.
He knew this boy—scorned and ignored by all, yet destined to rise as the hero who would save Konoha.
Aizen's gaze lingered for a moment before he turned away.
Not yet. Not now.
There was neither need nor interest in meddling at this stage.
Still, as Ashura's reincarnation, Naruto was someone Aizen knew he would inevitably meet. Whether as an ally or as an enemy, only time would tell.
…
Inside the Hokage's Office.
Aizen stood silently as Sarutobi Hiruzen read the letter. The Third Hokage's expression darkened.
Sand and Mist seeking an alliance, with Sunagakure pledging to send troops through Fire Country's borders to reinforce the Mist…
On the surface, it seemed reasonable.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen, a calculating statesman who had led Konoha for over forty years, immediately sensed the deeper currents hidden beneath this move.