Although Shinji mentioned the Mizukage when he said this, he was actually looking at Baki.
Baki's face immediately fell. He was utterly speechless!
This little bastard was trying to shake me down?
And intelligence he'd just received...
I've been standing here all this time, and you haven't moved a damn muscle. Did you receive it telepathically?
Besides, if it's classified intelligence, is it really okay to announce it so openly right in front of me, as if you're afraid I might miss it?
Yet right then, Mei Terumi nodded heavily as though it were all perfectly true, her face full of sorrow. "This is all my fault as Mizukage. If I hadn't taken people away with me, perhaps this wouldn't have happened. Akagi, we're going back right now. Let's go..."
"We can't, Lady Mizukage! If we leave now, what will everyone else think? They'll definitely suspect something is wrong with these joint Chunin Ninja Exams. Then Konoha will hold a grudge against us in Kirigakure!"
Baki: "..."
"Then what do you suggest? Am I supposed to just stand by and do nothing?"
In grief and anger, Mei Terumi shattered the table with a slap, making Baki's eyelids twitch.
Then someone stared straight at Baki and sighed. "If only someone could lend us a hand right now and gather some supplies to send back. That way, we wouldn't have to hurry back, and we could 'cooperate' by staying until the Chunin Ninja Exams are over."
"Easy enough to say, but who would help us?"
Mei Terumi looked at Baki too.
Fuck!
Baki nearly swore aloud on the spot!
Wasn't this shameless pair going a little too far?
They were actually playing this dirty?
If you're going to fight, then fight. Why start spitting and throwing sand?
He didn't dare agree to