Genji asked, "Borrow what?"
Chiya raised his head and looked toward the Mizukage Building beyond the window.
"The Three-Tails."
The room erupted the moment he said it.
"What?!"
Mei Terumi shot to her feet.
Her lower back was still injured. The sudden movement tugged at the wound, making her face pale for a moment, but she paid it no mind and stared fixedly at Chiya.
"You're actually coveting a Tailed Beast?"
Ao stepped forward as well, raising his voice.
"The Three-Tails is inside Lord Mizukage! How could it possibly be lent to you?!"
Chiya remained seated without responding.
Genji raised a hand and tapped the table.
Only then did Mei Terumi and Ao reluctantly stop.
Genji looked at Chiya, with little emotion visible on his face.
"Tailed Beasts are among a nation's most important powers. They cannot be loaned out. Besides, the Three-Tails is still inside the Mizukage and cannot be extracted."
Chiya shook his head lightly and spoke in an even tone.
"For the Hidden Mist Village as it is now, the Tailed Beast is no longer a source of strength."
At that, he looked at Genji.
"It is a calamity."
Mei Terumi's brow furrowed.
Ao stared at Chiya too, as though ready to draw his blade at any moment.
Chiya continued, "Kirigakure is plagued by troubles within and without. You may not know this yet, but the Mizukage has been controlled for a long time."
The room fell silent at those words.
Mei Terumi's hand was still pressed against the table's edge, while Ao stood by the window, his expression turning grim as well.
They had just heard Ao mention that the Mizukage had fallen under a genjutsu.
But suspecting it was one thing. Having someone say it outright was another.
Genji said nothing.
Nor did Chiya stop.