"Kenji."
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Yao's voice rang out again.
"See them out."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Uchiha Kenji answered respectfully, then turned and made a "please" gesture toward Maki, who stood where he was.
"Envoy Maki, this way."
"Hokage-sama has made himself very clear. From here on, Konoha's army will continue advancing."
"Whether you live or die, there isn't much time left for your Kazekage-sama to decide."
Maki's body trembled violently.
He had thought this would be a difficult negotiation, a battle of words and wits.
But he never imagined that the other side would refuse to play by the rules at all!
Uchiha Yao, this absurdly young Fifth Hokage, had simply flipped the table!
He could not even be bothered with the barest political pretense!
Maki staggered out of the command post, his head spinning.
A despairing thought arose in Maki's heart.
It's over...
Kazekage-sama's plan... had failed from the very beginning...
Buying time? It's impossible!
"Lord Maki! We have to go!"
His subordinate's urging pulled Maki back from his daze.
The five of them did not dare linger another moment. They did not even bother conserving Chakra, using every ounce of strength they had to charge madly into the endless Sea of Sand, fleeing for their lives toward Sunagakure.
They had to deliver this desperate news—news that could condemn all of Sunagakure to eternal ruin—to Kazekage-sama as quickly as possible!
About an hour after Maki and the others left.
"Gather the entire army!"
Uchiha Yao's voice rang across the Wood Release Fortress.
Boom!
The two thousand Konoha ninja, who had just finished resting, gathered in the open space before the fortress at astonishing speed under the command of their respective captains.
Everyone stood tall, their gazes fixed fervently upon their sole faith—the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yao.