"They moved fast. It seems both of them know Sunagakure's vote is relatively easy to secure."
"Kurotsuchi hasn't made a move?"
Shikaku added, "No, Kurotsuchi sent someone over too. She just didn't go herself. She sent an elder from Iwagakure."
This was more or less what they had discussed earlier. Kurotsuchi was relatively less pressed for time.
Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin.
"Three people approaching Gaara at once... Lord Kazekage is going to have his hands full."
Shikaku nodded slightly.
"Now we'll see who manages to win Gaara over."
"After all, Sunagakure really is short on money right now."
"If any village offers terms that can address Sunagakure's immediate crisis, Gaara will probably find it hard to refuse."
"I wonder what kind of price those three will offer."
"We'll know when they come to us."
Sunagakure's temporary quarters, Konoha.
It was an elegant residence, not particularly large, but pleasantly quiet.
Gaara was staying here.
Now, however, that quiet had been broken.
Temari stood at the courtyard entrance with a rather odd expression.
She glanced back into the courtyard, then at the three groups standing before her, feeling utterly overwhelmed.
On the left stood Burūi of Kumogakure, with two guards behind him.
On the right stood Mei Terumi of Kirigakure. She had brought only one attendant, but her presence was no less imposing.
In the middle, a little farther back, stood an elder from Iwagakure. His hair and beard were graying, but his back was ramrod straight.
The three had arrived almost simultaneously.
Temari took a deep breath and smiled at them. "Please wait a moment."
"Gaara."
Temari lowered her voice. "Outside..."
"I know." Gaara rose to his feet.
He had expected this.
The moment the meeting ended, he had known someone would come looking for him.