The Kumogakure envoys sought an audience with Shiraishi Yoshijo, only to be turned away at the door.
What was more, the maid repeated Shiraishi Yoshijo's words to them verbatim.
"Is it that I lack clout, or does Kumogakure think any stray cat or dog can demand to see me?"
The naked mockery nearly made Omoi and Karui, who had come with her, explode with rage. Fortunately, Samui was "understanding." Without saying a word, she turned and left.
Over the following days, Samui sometimes brought her companions and sometimes went alone to request an audience with Shiraishi Yoshijo, but every single time, she was turned away.
Samui had come on this mission bearing a heavy responsibility, only to be ignored outright. The frustration in her heart was easy to imagine.
But there was nothing she could do. Even if they were unwelcome, they could not leave.
Then, someone secretly approached her.
In a dark secret chamber, Samui could vaguely make out a figure sitting cross-legged. She could not help asking, "Who are you, sir? Why did you have someone bring me here?"
"Samui of Kumogakure. Did you come to Peach Country this time to ask His Majesty the Emperor to send troops to the Land of Lightning and help Kumogakure put down the rebellion?"
Samui's expression shifted slightly. "I have nothing to say to someone who hides their identity."
The figure fell silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head.
In the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes gave off an eerie glow.
"The Sharingan—no, I never expected to see the Ketsuryūgan, said to be on par with the Sharingan. Sir..."
A name suddenly surfaced in Samui's mind, and she wisely shut her mouth at once.
Since the other party was unwilling to reveal his true face, he surely had