The Five Kage's Guess

Peach Country army encampment.

Inside the largest tent at the center of the camp, a man's heavy panting and a woman's anguished screams continuously intertwined.

Shiraishi En walked up outside the tent and coughed softly twice. "Right Red, His Majesty wants to have a video call with you."

A woman's shrill scream suddenly rang out from within the tent, then fell silent.

"Come in."

En entered the tent and was met with the sight of two female ninja corpses. Their pretty faces still bore expressions of painful struggle, their hollow eyes seeming to accuse the world of its injustice.

"You can do whatever you want, but why did you have to kill them?"

Right Red, who was getting dressed, replied indifferently, "What does it matter? They were going to die anyway."

"That's not what I mean. You've changed too much over the years. When we first became colleagues, you at least had some humanity. But now—"

"Heh, En. When you first joined the Anbu, you were a fine young man brimming with righteousness. Are you still the same person you were back then?"

En fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "The Anbu environment is far too dark. The things His Majesty had us do... Forget it. Once the war is over, I'm planning to retire and make room for the younger generation."

Right Red suddenly smiled strangely. "En, humans are collections of desires. His Majesty said that. Now I'll give those words to you—think carefully about whether a retired life in seclusion is truly what you want. Our lives are very long. But enough of that. Will the video call take place at headquarters?"

"Yeah. I imagine His Majesty is going to tear you apart."

"Whatever. It's just an act for the Five Kage to see. You,