Ao did not sit down. He walked to the desk and fixed his one eye on Chojuro. "How has the aftermath of the Peace Tour incident been handled?"
Chojuro's gesture inviting Ao to sit froze halfway. Then understanding dawned on him.
He sighed and motioned for Ao to sit before settling back into his own chair. He adjusted his glasses. "I've formally contacted Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage, and Kumogakure about the matter."
"Besides expressing our apologies, I made a proposal: Konoha and Kumogakure could send their outstanding young ninja to Kirigakure for an Exchange Meeting."
He paused, choosing his words. "You know as well as I do, Ao, that relations between Konoha and Kumogakure are delicate because of unresolved history and recent friction."
"And since this incident happened in waters under our jurisdiction, Kirigakure can't stand aside."
"So I thought we could try to mediate. We can offer a relatively neutral place for the younger generation to meet."
Chojuro's gaze grew distant, filled with a deep appreciation for peace.
"It's only been a little over a decade since the Fourth Shinobi World War ended. People have finally grown used to life without large-scale war and begun enjoying the prosperity they fought so hard to achieve."
"If suspicion and conflict ignite another war, I can hardly imagine the consequences."
"To say countless lives would be lost would be no exaggeration."
Ao listened in silence. The bandages hid any expression on the wrinkled half of his face, but complex emotions flickered in his one eye.
He spoke slowly, his voice cold. "I've heard the full report."
"To openly attempt to assassinate the Hokage's wife... Hmph. Kumogakure has even fewer scruples than it used to."
Chojuro frowned at once and corrected him sternly. "Ao, there's no conclusive evidence that Kumogakure was behind it."