As Uchiha Mai and Kakashi spoke, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance. After conveying their thoughts through their eyes, they approached with broad smiles.
The wrinkles squeezed out by their smiles made their faces look like blooming chrysanthemums.
Mitokado Homura narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Mai, how have things been in Kirigakure lately?"
Uchiha Mai casually toyed with a shuriken in his left hand, his fingers dancing as he answered without even raising his head. "Not bad.
Kirigakure has more or less gotten on track. Every industry and every aspect of life has begun adapting to my rule."
My rule, not Konoha's rule. Whether in attitude or words, Uchiha Mai had not left the two Hokage advisors even a shred of dignity.
The two Hokage aides, who had previously loudly promoted the Uchiha threat theory and sworn never to coexist with Uchiha Mai, now acted as though they had not heard the meaning behind his words and repeatedly nodded.
"That's good, that's good.
You are a Konoha ninja, after all. In Kirigakure, you are an outsider. If you find some of Kirigakure's people difficult to use, you can tell us.
Konoha will always be your solid backing. We are your real family. Whenever you need it, Konoha can dispatch some people to help you govern Kirigakure."
What a performance.
You wanted to help me govern Kirigakure? You clearly wanted to steal the fruits of my labor and stick your hands into Kirigakure.
How shameless.
Uchiha Mai raised his head and glanced at the two old bastards expressionlessly. "Is 'Konoha is my backing,' or 'I am Konoha's backing'?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stiffened, anger rising in their hearts as they found themselves unable to save face.
In a world with extraordinary beings, individual strength could solve many problems.