Inside the Mizukage's Office in Kirigakure.
"How is the personnel recall going?"
"Lord Mizukage, some abandoned their missions as soon as they received the order and returned to the village. Some are still on missions and cannot get away for the time being. Others cannot understand the true purpose of this order and suspect... suspect that you intend to abandon the suffering villagers and care only about protecting yourself."
"So far, only about one-fifth have actually returned. Another two-fifths will arrive over the next three days."
Mei Terumi listened expressionlessly, giving no response.
"Mm. And the remaining two-fifths?"
"They might... take a little longer."
"Or simply never come back. This country looks beyond saving anyway, so they might as well defect somewhere else, is that it?"
The Anbu ninja reporting on one knee broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "They would never dare! They simply haven't grasped your well-intentioned efforts yet, Lord Mizukage."
Mei Terumi tiredly rubbed her temples but did not pursue the matter.
Or rather, when she had taken over from Genji to exercise the Mizukage's authority and urgently issued this order, she had already prepared herself for every possibility.
Perhaps it was just as well that some people refused to return. If Kirigakure truly could not hold out, there might at least be a few seeds left outside.
Mei Terumi suddenly froze, not understanding why she was being so pessimistic.
Was that bastard rubbing off on me?
If that bastard had not kept emphasizing his lack of confidence in Kirigakure, she would not have been under so much pressure.
He talked a good game, but this was all it amounted to.
So many days had passed, yet that bastard had never shown up in Kirigakure. No one knew where he had gone. Clearly, he