Chapter 172: So Stupid—Being Used as a Pawn and Not Even Knowing It!
Seeing Kakashi introduce himself so politely, Maki glanced at him before also introducing himself to Terumī Mei and Oborotsuki.
After that, he got straight to the point and stated his purpose.
Terumī Mei nodded calmly: "I already understand why you're here."
"But there seems to be some misunderstanding in all this."
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki is the second-in-command of our Kirigakure, born into the Hōzuki clan. As far as I know, the Sharingan is the exclusive kekkei genkai of Konoha's Uchiha clan."
"So how could someone from the Hōzuki clan possibly use a bloodline ability that only the Uchiha clan of your Konoha can master?"
As she spoke, Terumī Mei's gaze shifted toward Kakashi.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had been watching Oborotsuki the entire time: "Lady Terumī Mei, these are things our Konoha ninja witnessed with their own eyes."
"Lord Oborotsuki, why don't you say a few words?"
Kakashi asked while looking at Oborotsuki.
Maki, on the other hand, remained silent beside him. Compared to Kakashi, he had no substantial evidence on his side.
The fact that Oborotsuki possessed the Sharingan had been told to them by Konoha.
Of course, Sunagakure joining forces with Konoha to pressure Kirigakure also had its own motives.
Terumī Mei followed Kakashi's gaze and looked toward Oborotsuki.
The latter simply spread his hands casually: "No matter what I explain, you won't believe it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come all the way here. Kakashi—am I right?"
"Since that's the case, what's the point of talking? It's completely unnecessary."
"Just say what you want to do."
Oborotsuki's oil-and-salt-repelling response instantly darkened Maki's face, while Kakashi also felt a massive headache.
Threatening with force wasn't the best outcome, but now it seemed like the only option left.
After all, the other side clearly had no intention of cooperating.
"Without concrete evidence, we wouldn't have come here. Since Lord Oborotsuki puts it that way, I'll have to speak plainly."
"Our demands are simple."
"The Third Hokage's meaning is clear: your Kirigakure must take full responsibility for this incident. In addition to compensating Konoha and Sunagakure for all losses suffered during this event, you must return our village's tailed beast."
"Additionally, as the mastermind behind it all, Lord Oborotsuki must face judgment and punishment."
Kakashi gritted his teeth and stated Konoha's conditions.
This was one of his missions on this trip.
After all, right now he represented all of Konoha—and even the entire Land of Fire.
Even knowing how terrifying this man's strength truly was, Kakashi had no choice but to say these words.
"Our conditions are the same as Konoha's!"
Maki immediately followed up: "Kirigakure must compensate Sunagakure for all losses and return the One-Tail!"
"Furthermore, you must hand over the culprit to us for disposal!"
"If you refuse these conditions, don't blame us for being impolite!"
Maki's expression was extremely serious.
Compared to Kakashi's relatively mild tone, his was much more forceful.
Hearing the two of them speak, Terumī Mei immediately furrowed her brows.
But Oborotsuki simply chuckled: "You're dreaming."
He stood up. That small movement immediately caused the already tense Kakashi and Maki to react—they both jumped to their feet.
"Lord Oborotsuki, we represent our respective ninja villages today—and even the nations behind them."
"I hope you consider carefully before answering…"
Cold sweat appeared on Kakashi's cheek, but he still forced himself to remind Oborotsuki not to act recklessly.
Right after he finished speaking, Mizura suddenly hurried in from outside and whispered something to Terumī Mei.
Then she repeated it quietly to Oborotsuki as well.
In an instant, Terumī Mei's elegant brows furrowed tightly, her expression growing three parts more serious.
Oborotsuki, however, remained expressionless and calm.
Seeing the reactions of the two, both Kakashi and Maki felt something stir in their hearts.
At this moment, Terumī Mei looked toward Oborotsuki.
The intelligence they had just received came from Kirigakure's intelligence division.
The content was simple.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure had already mobilized large forces and were now advancing toward Kirigakure.
From the gathered intelligence, their reasons were eerily consistent.
Iwagakure wanted to demand the return of their kidnapped Four-Tails and Five-Tails jinchūriki from Kirigakure, while Kumogakure wanted to hold them accountable—demanding not only the return of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails but also economic compensation from Kirigakure.
Suddenly, Kirigakure had become the target of everyone.
Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha—the four most powerful villages—were all coming to condemn them.
Now even Terumī Mei felt uncertain.
These four villages clearly had ill intentions and were coming with overwhelming momentum.
Even with her limited experience as Mizukage, Terumī Mei knew today's matter absolutely could not be resolved easily.
This was no longer something that could be solved through negotiation.
"Heh heh…"
Oborotsuki started laughing.
"Lord Oborotsuki, what are you laughing at?"
Maki asked coldly with a grim face.
Kakashi's gaze sank slightly, saying nothing.
"I'm laughing at how stupid you are…"
"Being used as someone else's pawn and not even realizing it."
Oborotsuki responded playfully.
Kumogakure had already been fooled and left earlier.
For them to suddenly turn back and attack Kirigakure now, there was only one explanation—they had received information from someone.
The same went for Iwagakure.
As for who had provided them with this intelligence, and who currently most wanted to see Kirigakure surrounded and attacked on all sides—
Who else could it be?
Besides Akatsuki, Oborotsuki really couldn't think of anyone else so eager to plunge Kirigakure into crisis.
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