- Mizukage-sama, a report from Sunagakure! - Kirigakure's trusted aide to the leader burst into the office.
He looked rather unusual for a normally unflappable shinobi of jonin rank - pale more than usual, sweat dripping down his forehead, and his eyes slightly dilated, indicating an extreme degree of excitement.
Mizukage, already living in constant tension in the last few days since the ambush had disappeared, had nearly killed his comrade-in-arms, barely able to restrain his reflexes.
- What happened, Mitake? - the Blood Mist leader asked, a tremendous effort of will to make his voice sound confident and firm.
- Pakura no Shakuto has returned home, accompanied by Mizu no Seirei from Konoha, and they are carrying the swords of Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shuu! - Exclaimed the jonin, unable to contain his emotions. - The ambush failed and completely destroyed, and the great swords are in the hands of the enemy!
How did this happen? - The village leader asked surreptitiously, clenching his fists to the point of blood.
The grit of his teeth was clearly audible in the silence of the office, and inside Kage was a veritable storm of rage that burst forth with Killing Intent. There was a fair amount of fear mixed in with that feeling.
This was the third major failure of his operations, and quite possibly the last of his career - the loss of five of Kirigakure's great swords would be unforgivable, even if the losses he'd suffered in recent years were forgotten, and the clans had long been looking for an opportunity to put their own man in the chair. It was quite clear to him that it would not be possible to simply step down.
Not after such a failure and loss of Mist's face. Even the support of clanless ninjas wouldn't help.
- According to the rumors, Pakura had fallen into a trap, but thanks to the help of Ryo Nara, who was nearby, they managed to kill Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shuu and his entourage, capturing their swords," the shinobi reported, "and as a result of Pakura's safe and triumphant return, the Kazekage was accused of betrayal and forced to flee.
- Do the clans know about this yet? - The Mizukage didn't care about the Sand's problems, but he feared for his own skin.
- Almost certainly the news has already spread among the Anbu," the shinobi nodded nervously, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping the sweat from his face, "it's only a matter of time before the entire Mist knows, including the clansmen, Mizukage-sama.
Unable to hold back, the Mizukage cracked his fist on the table, causing the solid oak furniture to crunch and crack pitifully from the point of impact. The aide and the village leader's invisible guards flinched in unison.
- Shit! - A couple of gestures and only two people remain in the office. - Mitake, what are the clan watchers saying?
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