Action Plan

Ao was usually so composed that Mei was a little surprised to see him lose his cool like this. Still, her expression remained perfectly calm, betraying nothing.

She had been the one to ask Ao to use his Byakugan to observe Uesugi Shinji and the others. Once she had announced the Kirigakure leadership's plans, she would ask Ao later what he had seen.

Uesugi Shinji and Kisame had just come to a stop beside Rin when she gave an unhappy little snort and said to Uesugi Shinji, "Was that woman really so pretty? You even exchanged flirtatious glances with her as you walked past!"

Uesugi Shinji raised an eyebrow slightly. He hadn't expected Rin to be so observant. She had even caught the brief, unintentional glance he and Mei had shared.

Still, describing it as "exchanging flirtatious glances" sounded a little off!

Before Uesugi Shinji could answer, Kisame said with an amused air, "She really is quite pretty!"

Then he turned and looked Rin up and down, rubbing his chin, before clicking his tongue and delivering his verdict. "How should I put it? I guess she is a little prettier than you."

Rin glared at Kisame, her gaze sharp, and snapped, "Shut up!"

Rin was beautiful in her own right, with delicate features that were every bit as lovely as Mei's. But Mei had a natural air of leadership, and her fiery crimson hair and vivid red lips made her striking and alluring. Naturally, she drew more attention.

Kisame shrugged, giving up on the question of whether Mei was beautiful. Then he turned to Uesugi Shinji, who had been silent beside them, and asked quietly, "By the way, what's the key to completing that Sealing Jutsu you tested today? I've been thinking about it the whole way back. I'm really curious."

Rin still wore an air of indifference, but her ears had perked up. Clearly, she was curious about the answer too.

Uesugi Shinji asked in return, "Can you keep a secret?"

Kisame's eyes lit up. Leaning closer, he whispered, "Of course!"

Uesugi Shinji nodded and slowly replied to the expectant Kisame, "So can I."

Then Uesugi Shinji turned away and ignored Kisame, quietly waiting for Mei to announce the village's plans.

The eager look on Kisame's face froze in an instant. He silently cursed, "Damn it!" Rin, who had been eavesdropping with her ears pricked up, also let her face fall. She cursed Uesugi Shinji for being such a tease.

They waited a little longer until all the Kirigakure shinobi operating in the area had returned to the camp. Then Mei began to explain the village's plans and the tasks assigned to everyone present.

In Mei's account, there was no mention of Kumogakure's imminent long-distance raid on Sunagakure. They had to keep the information from leaking early and giving Sunagakure time to prepare.

She only said that the village had made preparations for wartime. She had been appointed commander of the troops stationed here, and all the shinobi, including Suikazan Fuguki, would take orders directly from her.

Over the next five days, they would leave the Land of Hot Water, secretly cross the Land of Fire, and reach a valley called Forest Fortress, between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, where they would await orders.

After Mei finished explaining the arrangements, the shinobi present reacted in different ways. Some even whispered among themselves.

Forest Fortress occupied a crucial position. It was an unavoidable pass along the shortest route from Konoha to Sunagakure. If Konoha sent reinforcements to Sunagakure, there was a very high chance they would send a unit through here.

The Shinobi World had been at war for years, and most of the shinobi present understood, to some extent, the strategic importance of Forest Fortress.

Although Mei hadn't explained why they were to wait at Forest Fortress, they could all tell that something major was about to happen—and that it must involve the great nations of Fire and Wind.

"Commander, may I ask who our enemy is?"

The speaker was Suikazan Fuguki. His face was dark with displeasure at the Kirigakure leadership's decision to appoint Mei as commander here.

In his view, he had far more experience than Mei and was the obvious choice to command this operation. Yet not only had he failed to become commander, he didn't even know the village's true plan and had to ask Mei about it.

At Suikazan Fuguki's question, the whispering shinobi fell silent and turned to look at Mei.

Mei's lips curved slightly. Smiling, she said, "In five days, everything will be revealed!"