United!

Otherwise, with such a vast distance, by the time Kirigakure received news from the other villages, forget cold leftovers—even cheese would have hardened into something as inedible as stone!!!

"The Jinchuriki, the Jinchuriki, have disappeared..."

The man who had come to report the news was sweating profusely. What he feared most was being implicated. Though he had not been responsible for keeping watch on the Jinchuriki, he was the one reporting the bad news.

Most of the time, those in the Intelligence Department were in a thankless position. Not only was it difficult for them to earn major merits, but if intelligence mistakes piled up, they would die horribly. Even when reporting information, they constantly faced the possibility of being scolded or punished.

"If they disappeared, then they disappeared. Why are you so—"

The Third Mizukage, whose thoughts were still on Konoha, replied instinctively. But before he could finish, he realized what had happened. He shot to his feet, startling the Intelligence Department officer. "What did you say?! The Jinchuriki disappeared?! How could that be? Weren't people assigned to watch them?"

His shock raised the Third Mizukage's voice several notches. He looked like a refined gentleman who had suddenly turned into a loudmouthed hothead.

"Y-Yes, it was because of Lord Jūzō Biwa!!!"

The Intelligence Department officer, drenched in sweat, hurriedly cried, "Lord Jūzō Biwa told them to go rest first, and then, then..."

The Intelligence Department officer did not continue. Even an idiot could guess what had happened next.

Jūzō Biwa had clearly betrayed the village. He had even brought people into the village, sent away those watching the Jinchuriki, and easily taken the two Jinchuriki. It was no different from slapping the Third Mizukage across the face twice, so hard that his face was nearly swollen.

Anyone could see