Land of Wind, Sunagakure
The Kazekage reviewed the confidential letter in his hand, sealed with lightning-patterned markings, his fingertips brushing over the rough parchment weathered by sandstorms.
Beyond the window lay the eternal sound of wind erosion and endless yellow sands.
His face was hidden in the shadow of his windproof hat, with only his sharp gaze moving across the lines.
"Jointly pressure the Land of Whirlpools, share the Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu... to address the tailed beast threat and counter Konoha's potential technological advantage..."
He quietly repeated the key passage, his voice dry as grinding sand.
Sunagakure needed strength too badly.
Barren land, scarce resources, and the restless, uncontrollable One-Tail Shukaku.
Every attempt to seal or control it came with enormous risks and sacrifices.
If they could truly obtain top-tier Sealing Jutsu through this opportunity, even only part of it... the temptation was too great.
He pondered for a long time.
Cooperating with Kumogakure was no different from seeking the skin of a tiger, and the Raikage's ambitions were obvious to all.
Yet the "construction" underway under Konoha's new Hokage, along with its faintly visible momentum toward technological innovation, made him even more uneasy.
Sunagakure could not fall behind, much less be marginalized in the future balance of power.
"Reply to the Raikage."
He finally spoke to the Kazekage's aide standing nearby.
"Sunagakure agrees to attend the meeting. We agree to the Land of Iron as the location. The time will be decided by him.
But make it clear that anything gained must be fairly divided and must not harm Sunagakure's fundamental interests."
Land of Earth, Iwagakure
Ōnoki of Both Scales floated in midair within his office, his small frame radiating the solemn authority of stone.
After reading the confidential letter, he snorted and casually tossed it onto the stone