After the Kage had all left, the Fourth Raikage slowly stepped forward.
He looked at Mingyou and shook his head helplessly. "Brother Mingyou, offending that stingy old man Ōnoki isn't a good decision."
"What you said just now is something all of us understood perfectly well."
"The only reason we agreed to Ōnoki's proposal was to find a suitable pretext for launching a war against Konoha."
"Oh? So that was how it was." Mingyou was secretly startled. So these Kage had all been thinking along those lines.
On second thought, it was not surprising. Those who could become the Kage of a nation naturally possessed intellect and methods far beyond ordinary people. How could they possibly fail to consider such an issue?
It seemed Mingyou had meddled unnecessarily. He should not have shattered their pretext of superficial cooperation.
Now the Fourth Raikage would have to rack his brains again and quickly come up with another solution.
"Sigh..." The Fourth Raikage let out a breath. "Brother Mingyou, this isn't your fault either. Go back and rest first. I'll come find you if anything comes up."
As he spoke, the Fourth Raikage turned to Samui. "Samui, you're the most familiar with Brother Mingyou, so take him down to rest. You can also accompany him as he takes a good look around the Land of Hot Springs these next few days."
A trace of confusion flashed through Samui's beautiful eyes, but she did not ask further. "Yes, Lord Raikage."
Perhaps to avoid suspicion, Samui did not speak to Mingyou and instead headed outside first.
Mingyou leisurely followed behind her, observing the surroundings.
The entire spacious courtyard had been decorated in a rather classical architectural style.
Beyond the inner courtyards and corridors lay an enormous fishpond.
Large schools of red carp floated on the pond's surface, smacking their mouths as though waiting to be fed.
At the center of the fishpond stood artificial hills and rocks, making for a rather pleasant sight.
According to what Samui had said earlier, this had originally been the residence of the Lord of Hot Springs.
It seemed the Land of Hot Springs being weak was not without reason.
For a daimyo's residence to be built on such a scale, it was clear just how much wealth the daimyo had siphoned from the national treasury.
Since the daimyo himself was like this, there was no need to mention the other high-ranking officials and ministers beneath him. They naturally shared the same conduct.
How could a country without money possibly afford to train troops?
No wonder it had been so easily and quietly taken over by the Land of Lightning.
"Why did you do that just now? Was it to show off in front of the Fifth Mizukage? Don't you know that offending people like that can easily bring disaster upon yourself?"
Inside the side room, Samui frowned deeply, glaring at Mingyou with anger on her face.
"I didn't. I just couldn't stand Ōnoki's arrogant attitude, so I did it."
Mingyou stood blankly at the doorway, explaining somewhat awkwardly.
From Samui's words, Mingyou heard concern and also sensed a hint of jealousy.
What was going on? Was this big-breasted girl jealous of Mei Terumi?
They both had 36G busts, so what did she have to be jealous about?
Samui stared blankly into Mingyou's eyes. After hesitating in place for a long while, she suddenly stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and dragged him outside.
"Mingyou, leave this place immediately. Take the Uchiha Clan members and hide."
"Those Kage aren't easy to deal with. And don't be fooled by how polite Lord Raikage is toward you. He's actually after the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan."
Mingyou did not speak. From Samui's anxious tone and expression, he felt her sincere concern.
Such devotion could not be faked.
"I'm not leaving. If I leave, I'll take you with me."
Mingyou suddenly pulled hard, dragging Samui back and drawing her into his embrace.
"No, Mingyou. This time, you have to listen to me. I shouldn't have brought you back. Mmph."
Before Samui could finish speaking, Mingyou suddenly cupped her face in both hands, lowered his head, and kissed her delicate red lips.
Samui whimpered and tried to struggle free, but under Mingyou's forceful assault.
In the end, her face flushed red, her breath grew faint, and she let Mingyou's large hands roam over her body, unable to muster even a trace of strength.
The fire of desire in Mingyou's heart had already been ignited. He scooped her up and carried her toward the bed.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Samui, are you in there?"
A knock sounded, followed by a thoroughly unwelcome male voice from outside the door.
"Put me down, quickly." Samui shyly glared at Mingyou and lightly punched his chest.
"No. Today, I'm definitely going to have you."
With a wicked grin, Mingyou leaned in and sealed Samui's little mouth once more.
"Samui, Lord Raikage wants to speak with you about something."
At the same time, the man outside knocked on the door again.
Samui suddenly shoved hard, breaking free from Mingyou's embrace and jumping down.
"Alright, I'm coming."
Samui answered loudly as she hurriedly straightened the clothes Mingyou had left disheveled, then softly scolded him, "Remember what I said. Leave this place as soon as possible."
After saying that, she dashed out the door without waiting for Mingyou's reply.
As the door opened with a creak, Mingyou saw the man outside: white-haired and dark-skinned. It was Darui.
"What were you dawdling for? You took so long just to escort a guest."
Darui complained impatiently, then turned and walked down the corridor. "Come on. Lord Raikage is still waiting."
"I had something to deal with just now. Let's go." Samui looked embarrassed but did not explain further.
After the two left, Mingyou sat at the table, poured himself a cup of water, and slowly drank.
"Why was the Fourth Raikage summoning Samui? Why didn't he mention it earlier, then send Darui to call her only after she had escorted me back?"
After thinking for a while, Mingyou still found no answer. In the end, he activated Kamui and decided to investigate personally.
As the space before him twisted and rippled, Mingyou's body was sucked into the Kamui Dimension.
A long while later, spatial distortions appeared above the hall where the Kage had discussed matters earlier. Mingyou emerged from the void and lightly stepped onto the highest beam.
Mingyou crouched in an extremely concealed spot, peering down at everything below.
At this moment, aside from the Fourth Raikage, all the other guard ninja had already withdrawn from the hall.
As faint footsteps sounded, Darui and Samui appeared at the entrance of the hall.
Darui closed the doors, then led Samui slowly before the Fourth Raikage.
"Lord Raikage, you summoned me. What are your orders?" Samui asked after bowing respectfully.
Before you continue