At the border of the Land of Water.
"Who goes there!"
After disembarking, Naruto and the others had barely traveled any distance on foot when they noticed eyes watching them from the woods, almost the instant they crossed into the Land of Water.
Then the Kirigakure Ninja guarding the border appeared before them.
"It's me."
"You're... Lady Mei Terumi!"
The Ninja leading them froze, but he did not immediately lower his guard. Instead, he kept a safe distance as he spoke to them.
"They're Ninja from our ally, Konoha. They've come to the Land of Water on a mission..."
Mei Terumi briefly introduced their party.
Yet the Kirigakure Ninja, whom she had expected to step aside, remained rooted in place.
They did not even put away their weapons.
"...What's going on?"
Mei Terumi frowned.
"Isn't Mei really famous in Kirigakure? Aren't these her comrades? Something feels off."
Naruto quietly moved up beside Kakashi at the front of the group and spoke in a low voice.
"There does seem to be something going on, but I haven't sensed any hostility..."
"There's definitely no hostility."
Naruto answered with equal certainty.
"Then let Sasuke and Hinata know we should wait for Mei Terumi to handle it. We'll watch and see."
"But stay on your guard."
They did not have to wait long. Soon, the leader of the Kirigakure Ninja came over.
"Ao? Why are you here? You..."
Mei Terumi's expression changed when she saw him.
"Lady Mei Terumi, it's a long story." Ao looked grave. He glanced at Kakashi and the others before turning back to Mei Terumi. "Please come with me so we can speak privately."
"I'll be right back."
Mei Terumi nodded to Kakashi, then followed Ao somewhere out of the others' earshot.
"What's going on? Aren't you supposed to be