Zabuza and Kakashi withdrew their hands almost simultaneously, gazing vigilantly toward the source of the voice.
A large squad of fully armed Sand Ninja emerged from behind the bushes and sand dunes, instantly forming a encirclement and surrounding the two factions in the middle.
Zabuza furrowed his brow, gripping the Kubikiribōchō in his hand tighter: "We are envoys of Kirigakure, here to sign a treaty with you. What is this? Does Sunagakure want to welch on a debt?"
The leading Sand Ninja wore a blank look-what treaty? They had received no such notification at all.
Just then, the crowd parted, and Kankuro, carrying the puppet Crow on his back, walked out slowly.
"Regarding this matter, Lord Kazekage has a new proposal."
"The Hokage, the Mizukage, and the Kazekage, the leaders of the three sides, will sit down and talk."
Far away in Sunagakure, Gaara stood on the balcony of the Kazekage Building, gazing at the barren and withered village below, his gaze pained.
"That agreement from Kirigakure would keep us down for decades."
Gaara clenched his fists tightly, his nails sinking into his palms.
Even though that person saved his life, and even though that was a promise he had made.
Yet as the Kazekage, he could not watch his village turn into someone else's vassal, paying tribute in blood and sweat every year.
Sunagakure was still one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages after all; he could not swallow this humiliation.
"Stop fighting, all of you!"
Following Kankuro's loud shout, both Team Kakashi and Zabuza's group were stunned.
What kind of nonsense was this?
The main force of Sunagakure appearing here-could it be to bail out the people of Kirigakure?
This logic made no sense at all.
Even if Gekkō Raito saved Gaara, Sunagakure would not be magnanimous