On the attic balcony, a gentle breeze stirred Minato Namikaze's golden hair. He looked up at Terumi Mei, then turned to the Fourth Raikage, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
Terumi Mei had invited him up for tea and kept flirting with him. Her goal was simply to get him to side with the Land of Water and help mediate the conflict between Kirigakure and Kumogakure.
But now, she had joined forces with the Fourth Raikage to pressure him. Her purpose was still profit.
If they could obtain a method that allowed Jinchuriki to survive even after losing their Tailed Beasts, it would be immensely important to every major hidden village!
That way, they could keep replacing their Jinchuriki. First, it would ensure that outsiders could not learn a Jinchuriki's exact identity. Second, they could select candidates truly capable of controlling a Tailed Beast!
Although Kirigakure no longer possessed any Tailed Beasts, it was always better to be prepared.
Besides, the Five Kage Summit was about to convene. As long as the five sides reached an agreement, they could gather the strength of more than half the shinobi world and wipe out Akatsuki with ease. Wouldn't Kirigakure have Tailed Beasts again by then?
Minato Namikaze saw through Terumi Mei's thoughts, as well as the schemes hidden beneath the Fourth Raikage's rough exterior.
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you both."
Minato Namikaze slowly let the smile fade from his face. "Konoha will not give you any answer. If you intend to threaten us with war, then all I can say to you both is that it would be regrettable."
The current Konoha could be said to be the strongest generation since the First.
There was the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze; the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake