"Why not try Iwagakure or Kumogakure?"
She did not even need to mention Iwagakure; they were mortal enemies, and it would be a miracle if they did not beat each other's brains out upon meeting.
Kumogakure certainly had the strength, but the distance was too great, and the Land of Fire lay right in between. To save someone, they would have to cross half the Shinobi World, and the Raikage was no fool; how could he possibly do such thankless and unrewarding work?
Calculate however she might, only Kirigakure, which could be reached directly by sea route, remained the sole straw to clutch at.
Only, Temari never imagined that the person controlling Kirigakure would actually turn out to Gekkō Raito.
"You... you really became the Mizukage?"
Although she saw it with her own eyes, Temari still felt like she was dreaming.
Gekkō Raito shrugged. "It doesn't count as an official confirmation, just holding the title of acting head-basically just the fate of doing all the work."
Acting?
Even if it was only acting, being able to sit in this position meant that confirmation was only a matter of time!
"Regardless of whether you are acting or not, you are currently the king of this land. Lord Mizukage, are you willing to extend a helping hand to save Sunagakure?"
Temari's tone was sincere, and even carried a trace of entreaty.
Gekkō Raito did not reply right away. Instead, he lowered his eyelids and gently rubbed his chin with his fingers, appearing to weigh the pros and cons.
Help Sunagakure?
The disadvantages were obvious: it would thoroughly offend Konoha and could even spark conflict.
As for the advantages... that wretched place of the Land of Wind was full of sand, having nothing to do with the Land of Water, and nothing of