Iwagakure, the Supreme Elder's office.
Bright light streamed in through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
Yoru sat with one leg crossed over the other in a soft executive chair, speaking with a projected virtual avatar.
"Yoru, you've really handed me a huge problem this time."
On the screen, Mei Terumi's seductive face wore a helpless, bitter smile.
She wore a crisp Mizukage ceremonial robe that made her graceful figure stand out all the more.
"The old fossils in the village keep nagging me every day, saying that alliance treaty I signed was an act of treason."
Mei Terumi rubbed her throbbing temples, a trace of exhaustion in her voice.
"If you hadn't left Kisame, that living disaster, behind to hold the fort for me, I'm afraid I'd have been dragged off the Mizukage's seat before it even got warm."
"Enough. Stop playing the victim with me."
Yoru dug at his ear, sounding impatient.
"You took so much of my money and still can't handle something this simple. Aren't you embarrassed?"
"I took the money, but I still can't shake this uneasy feeling."
Mei Terumi threw a flirtatious look at the screen, her voice syrupy sweet.
"Yoru, when do you have time to come to Kirigakure and personally inspect the work?"
"I've saved the best ocean-view suite for you."
Yoru's mouth twitched as he looked at the woman on the screen, shamelessly striking seductive poses.
Even after becoming Mizukage, she still couldn't shake that habit of flirting with men.
Just as Yoru was about to tell her to stop acting so wanton—
"Boom—!!!"
A violent explosion suddenly sounded from the other end of the communicator!
The entire virtual projection shook violently, flickering as static filled the image!
"What happened?!" Yoru frowned.
"Alert! Alert!"
In the image, a Hidden Mist Village Anbu stumbled