The Moon Gate's coordinates could last only as long as a stick of incense burned.
Yet applications from all Five Nations arrived within ten breaths.
The Land of Earth offered the most comprehensive sealing team.
The Land of Lightning argued that high-speed reconnaissance was better suited to a short-lived passage.
The Land of Water demanded entry directly from the Old Temple at sea, to prevent the landlocked nations from controlling the entrance and exit.
The Land of Wind proposed sending puppets first, sparing living people the unknown risks.
The Land of Fire, citing Konoha's possession of the Uchiha Stone Tablet and records of tampering on the lunar surface, demanded at least one observation slot.
Every side had a reasonable point.
Every side also treated its own capabilities as grounds for going first.
The Gatekeeper Mark did not understand the borders of the Five Nations.
It only checked whether those entering carried black corruption and whether they would cause the Twelve Rings to keep reversing.
Whoever reached the Moon Gate first was more likely to see its internal structure first.
That fact made every verbal assurance seem inadequate.
Someone proposed sending one person from each of the Five Nations.
The question immediately shifted from who would enter first to who would represent them.
Sealing masters could make repairs.
Sensor ninjas could scout.
Combat ninjas could handle the Kaguya Projection.
Medical ninjas could assess the lunar environment.
Five people could not cover every need at once.
Increasing their numbers would also increase the chakra the Moon Gate had to bear.
Black Zetsu was waiting for the world outside to willingly send in more power.
The Five Nations then discussed entering in turns.
The first team would only scout.
The second team would handle repairs.
The third team would verify the first two