If Kakashi had not done everything he could to dissuade him and mediate, the Third probably would have already been planning how to capture Mei Terumi and send her back to the Mizukage.
But after getting a general understanding of Mei Terumi's intentions, the Third gradually realized that the Kirigakure Ninja before him had truly run out of options.
If she stayed in her village, she would remain a thorn in the Mizukage's side and inevitably be eliminated. Yet if she fled elsewhere, she could not bear to abandon her friends and family back home.
How much resolve lay behind her seemingly joking words about "seizing power"?
And so...
The worldly Third remained hard-hearted.
He had Kakashi take her to the Interrogation Department, where its specialists would use professional methods to verify Mei Terumi's true intentions and motives.
"All right. I accept!"
Mei Terumi, who had already prepared herself for this, agreed outright.
In fact, she had even braced herself for Konoha to place some kind of seal on her.
After all, putting herself in their shoes, she understood just how unreasonable her request was.
But out of consideration for Kakashi, the Third ultimately decided against that.
This also gave Kakashi his answer—
"Konoha has no intention of doing anything to her, but keep a close eye on her. Don't let her do anything that actually affects Konoha."
"As for her plans to oppose the Mizukage, find a way to make her give them up. During the upcoming three-nation joint chunin ninja exams, I'll try talking to the Mizukage and see whether there's room to negotiate."
As for the arrangements for Karin, a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan, and Kusagakure's ambush on Konoha Ninja, the Third began dealing with those matters as soon as he learned of them.
Karin was