Kisame frowned deeply. "As long as you want to fight back, we can refuse."
"Taking them head-on won't work." Sarada shook her head gently, her gaze perfectly clear.
"Everything the Land of Rain has now, from food and clothing for its people to its workshops and trade, depends on Konoha's resources and channels."
"Konoha doesn't have to do anything. They don't have to go to war."
"All they have to do is cut off trade in supplies and withdraw all their aid."
"It wouldn't take long for the Land of Rain to return to the war-torn ruins it once was."
"The people would go hungry and lose their homes again. All our years of hard work would be wasted."
"I can't accept that outcome. I can't let the people of the Land of Rain fall back into misery."
Kisame fell silent, finally understanding everything at stake.
After weighing their options, he said gravely, "In that case, let me lead the assassination mission. You don't have to step forward and bear the disgrace. I'll take the blame."
But Sarada shook her head gently, refusing his offer.
She suppressed her anger, her brows drawn tight as she went over the entire letter again and again in her mind.
"Let's not rush to carry it out."
"There's something I can't figure out."
"Why would he go to all this trouble, take such a roundabout approach, and reach across national borders to order me-to order the Akatsuki-to carry out an assassination?"
"What exactly is he trying to do?!"
The atmosphere in the spacious office was heavy and oppressive.
Sarada sat at the head of the room, her fingertips tapping lightly against the desk as she gazed darkly out the window.
Kisame leaned against a nearby pillar, his expression serious as he slowly began to