Everyone's expression changed at the sight.
But no one dared make an issue of it, whether to mock, question, or provoke.
It was as though an invisible hand hung over the hall, crushing every objection before anyone could voice it.
Mifune sat at the head of the table, hands on his knees and back straight.
He coughed before speaking slowly, his tone calm and courteous. "Lady Hokage, you requested the Five Kage Summit. What would you like to discuss?"
Tsunade said gravely, "Most importantly, God Pain. He has the power to destroy the Five Great Shinobi Villages single-handedly!"
Pakura nodded in agreement. "That Rinnegan shinobi is a serious threat. We should—"
Yongye cut them off without a shred of courtesy.
"You're actually going to talk? Aren't you afraid of wasting your breath? Oh, you two have plenty to spare, but I can't be bothered to listen to your nonsense."
The hall fell silent.
Tsunade turned to glance at Yongye but said nothing. Pakura rolled her eyes and fell silent too.
Mifune sat at the head of the table, his back stiffening despite himself. I've been so careful to show him respect, and I still can't avoid this?
Frustrated and anxious, he dared not show a trace of displeasure. He merely turned slightly toward Yongye, keeping his tone impeccably polite.
"Lord Yongye, what do you suggest?"
Yongye leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, and jerked his chin toward the banner of the Hidden Mist, his face full of disdain.
"The Mizukage isn't even here. He sent three useless fools instead. What's there to discuss?"
"However productive your talks are, you'll have to start over when the Mizukage arrives. Save your breath and spare me the noise."
The atmosphere around the Hidden Mist's banner changed at once.
Mei Terumi's fingers