Three days later, Konoha received Kirigakure's official reply.
Its contents took everyone by surprise. Not only had Kirigakure accepted Jin Uchiha's request for a joint investigation, it also announced that it would send a special envoy to Konoha for "in-depth discussions" regarding Yagura's death.
When the news reached the Konoha Military Police Force, Jin Uchiha was reviewing recent intelligence briefings on internal affairs in Konoha. He set down the documents and pondered for a moment.
Kirigakure had agreed far too readily.
Normally, a village that had lost its Kage and descended into internal chaos would shut its doors and sort out its own mess first. Yet Kirigakure had chosen this moment to send an envoy to Konoha. Someone had to be pushing for this behind the scenes.
Was someone within Kirigakure hoping to use Konoha's power to counterbalance the internal fighting? Or did someone want to muddy the waters further?
"Who's the envoy?" Jin Uchiha asked.
"According to the intelligence, she's an Elite Jonin in Kirigakure's ANBU. Her name is Mei Terumi."
Jin Uchiha's fingers paused on the desk.
Mei Terumi.
Of course he knew that name. The future Fifth Mizukage, a gifted ninja who possessed two kekkei genkai: Lava Release and Boil Release. But Mei Terumi should still have been young at this point, nowhere near the standing she would later enjoy in Kirigakure.
There were two possible reasons for sending her. Either Kirigakure's leadership wanted a relatively neutral young ninja to test Konoha's attitude, or Mei Terumi had volunteered herself, hoping to use this opportunity to make a name for herself in the village.
Either way, she would not be easy to deal with.
"When will she arrive?"
"The reply says she'll set out in three days. Including travel time, she should reach Konoha in about five days."