Action Arrangement

Terumi Mei was somewhat surprised that Ao, who was always composed, would lose his composure like this, but her face remained calm, showing no signs of anything unusual.

It was at her instruction that Ao had used his Byakugan to observe Uesugi Shinji and the others; she would wait until she had announced the arrangements of the Kirigakure high command before asking him later what exactly he had seen.

As soon as Uesugi Shinji and Kisame walked over to Rin and stood still, Rin let out a dissatisfied huff and said to Uesugi Shinji, "Is that woman that pretty? You were actually flirting with her when we walked past!"

Uesugi Shinji raised an eyebrow at these words; he hadn't expected Rin's observation skills to be so sharp, as even the accidental exchange of glances between him and Terumi Mei had been caught by her.

However, using the term "flirting" to describe it really felt like the wrong choice of words!

Before Uesugi Shinji could answer, Kisame said with great interest, "That woman is indeed quite beautiful!"

After saying this, he turned his head, pinched his chin, and looked Rin up and down, then clicked his tongue and concluded, "How should I put it? She does seem to be a bit prettier than you."

Rin glared at Kisame with sharp eyes and said viciously, "Shut up!"

In fact, Rin's appearance was also outstanding, with delicate features that did not lose to Terumi Mei. It was just that Terumi Mei possessed a natural aura of leadership, and her deep crimson hair and lips as red as vermilion made her look dazzling, naturally attracting more attention.

Kisame shrugged, abandoning the topic of whether Terumi Mei was beautiful or not, then looked at the silent Uesugi Shinji beside him and whispered, "By the way, what is the key to completing that sealing jutsu you were testing today? I've been thinking about this question on the way back, and I'm really quite curious."

Although Rin still maintained an indifferent expression on her face, her ears were pricked up, clearly quite concerned about this question as well.

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

Kisame's eyes lit up at these words, and he leaned in to whisper, "Of course!"

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

After saying this, Uesugi Shinji turned his head and ignored Kisame, quietly waiting for Terumi Mei to begin announcing the village's subsequent plans.

The expectant expression on Kisame's face froze instantly, and he roared "Damn it!" in his heart. Rin, who had been eavesdropping with her ears pricked up, also had her face fall, likewise cursing under her breath that this bastard Uesugi Shinji was truly good at leaving people hanging.

After everyone waited for a while longer and all the Kirigakure ninjas active in the area had returned to the base, Terumi Mei began to slowly reveal the village's plan and the subsequent missions for everyone present.

In Terumi Mei's narrative, there was no intelligence regarding Kumogakure's impending long-distance raid on Sunagakure, so as to prevent the news from leaking out prematurely and allowing Sunagakure to prepare.

She only explained that the village had made wartime preparations and appointed her as the commander of the troops here, with all ninjas, including Suikazan Fuguki, under her direct command.

Over the next five days, they would leave the Land of Hot Water, quietly cross the territory of the Land of Fire, and arrive at a valley between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind called "Forest Fortress" to await orders.

After Terumi Mei finished the arrangements, the ninjas present had varied expressions, and some small squads even began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

The geographical location of Forest Fortress was critical, as it was a necessary pass on the shortest route from Konoha to Sunagakure. If Konoha were to support Sunagakure, there was a very high probability that they would arrange for a unit to pass through here.

The ninja world was in a state of constant war, and most of the ninjas present had some understanding of the strategic significance of Forest Fortress.

Although Terumi Mei did not state the purpose of waiting at Forest Fortress, they could all see that something major was about to happen, and it must have something to do with the two great nations, the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

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

The person speaking was Suikazan Fuguki. His face was gloomy, and he was very dissatisfied with the Kirigakure high command's arrangement to make Terumi Mei the commander here.

In his view, his seniority was far above Terumi Mei's, and it would have been most appropriate for him to be the commander of this operation. However, not only was he not the commander, but he didn't even know the village's true plan and had to ask Terumi Mei.

Hearing Suikazan Fuguki's question, the whispering ninjas present fell silent, their gazes turning toward Terumi Mei in unison.

The corners of Terumi Mei's mouth curled up slightly, and she smiled as she said, "In five days, everything will be revealed!"