Only after the people from Iwagakure went inside did Mifune put away his smile.
Such were the privileges of the Five Great Nations. As long as they were strong enough, any blood debt could be wiped clean. Who would dare hold them accountable?
Before long, the windblown sand dispersed, and the young Kazekage, Gaara, arrived with Kankuro and Sasori of the Red Sands, who had likewise changed his appearance.
Sasori was now fully disguised as a puppeteer. Outsiders could not recognize him at all.
"Lord Kazekage, I've long heard of you. I am Mifune, responsible for security at this summit."
Facing this excessively young Kazekage, Mifune showed no contempt whatsoever and observed every courtesy.
Gaara nodded expressionlessly and walked straight inside.
But the moment he entered, he stopped in his tracks.
He stared at the seating arrangement before him, his brow creasing slightly.
What should have been a roundtable meeting among equals had instead become an arrangement with the Raikage seated in the center and the Tsuchikage beside him, with two empty seats left to either side, forming a semicircle.
Directly opposite that circle of seats stood a lone chair.
This was plainly set up as a four-way tribunal!
That isolated seat was clearly meant for the one who had yet to arrive.
Were they trying to put him in his place?
Without a word, Gaara walked straight to the seat at the far right, sat down, took off his hat and set it down on the table, then closed his eyes to rest.
The Raikage and Ōnoki exchanged a glance, both quietly sizing up this young Kazekage.
Sunagakure really has no one left. Letting a brat run things-it looks like they aren't far from being kicked out of the Five Great Nations, the Raikage sneered inwardly, but aloud he