Within the Shinobi Village Alliance, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Ōnoki wore a teasing expression as he said to the newly joined Third Kazekage, "Haha, welcome to our big family, Third Kazekage!" There was a trace of schadenfreude in his tone.
However, the Third Kazekage was unaffected by Ōnoki's teasing. With a helpless expression, he replied, "Stop making fun of me. Didn't he mess with you too?"
"We're all in the same boat. There's no need to say things like that."
Ōnoki's expression instantly darkened, and his previous smugness vanished without a trace.
He clearly had not expected the Third Kazekage to retort so directly.
Still, Ōnoki was unwilling to lose the initiative just like that. He collected himself and continued, "I truly didn't expect you to come here. After all, Uchiha Yato has been to your village."
"When that guy goes mad, aren't you afraid your village won't survive?"
The Third Kazekage fell silent for a moment. Then, he slowly took a sip of wine, his gaze falling on the cup in his hand as though he had drifted off.
After a while, he finally said softly, "I still want to eliminate as many threats as possible for Sunagakure." His voice carried both helplessness and resolve.
Hearing this, Ōnoki had nothing more to say.
What the two of them were doing now was entirely based on their private relationship and had nothing to do with the Shinobi Village Alliance.
"Your help in intercepting the Third Mizukage this time was very successful."
"Our side fought rather fiercely, but in the end, we still secured quite a few resources."
Ōnoki's words did little to stir the Third Kazekage's interest.
"I said when I came here that I wouldn't make a special move."
"Helping you once counts as my pledge of allegiance.