Inside the conference hall at Three Wolves Mountain in the Land of Iron.
Two of the five chairs around the massive round table were already occupied.
Fourth Raikage A sat with his arms crossed, his brows tightly furrowed, his face openly displaying impatience and anger.
His guards, C and Darui, stood silently behind the screen at his back, ready to protect the Raikage at any moment.
Ōnoki sat quietly with his hands folded on the table. However, his slightly narrowed eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as they swept over the three empty seats, his expression complicated.
Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi, serving as his guards, likewise stood on alert behind their respective screen.
"Raikage, the journey to the Land of Iron couldn't have been easy, could it?" Ōnoki smiled and opened the conversation.
According to Iwagakure's current intelligence network, the surrounding countries had all been attacked by Konoha.
It would have been better not to mention it. The moment the Raikage heard it, he was filled with rage. He clenched his fist, forcibly restraining the urge to smash the table, and snarled, "Damn Konoha! Otogakure has already taken control of the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Hot Water. Even when I enter or leave their territory, I have to watch that Orochimaru's mood!"
Ōnoki's expression shifted slightly. "Orochimaru?"
Although every nation knew that Otogakure had been established only in recent years, its leader had remained a mystery.
Thus, hearing that name left Ōnoki deeply surprised.
"That's right. He is Otogakure's leader, and together with Konoha, he occupied the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Rice Fields. If war breaks out, Kumogakure's strategic position will be at a disadvantage, because they've already seized the initiative," A said gravely.
The teasing look Ōnoki had worn moments earlier