Mei Terumi looked at Ao and said, her gaze calm:
"Ao, which do you think matters more: the lives of a few washed-up ninja, or the future of all Kirigakure?"
"Lin Ze is even stronger now. If he decides to settle old scores someday, what can Kirigakure do to resist? Rather than wait for him to remember, we should take the initiative and show our sincerity."
"Besides, their mission back then was to wipe out a village. Their sins were already grave. Trading their lives for a complete reconciliation between Kirigakure and Dragon Release Village is worth it."
Ao fell silent.
After a long while, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"I understand. Of the people on the list, after more than ten years, only two... are still alive."
"One was the squad's deputy captain back then. He's retired now and runs a ninja tool shop in the village. The other was an ordinary member and now holds a clerical post in the intelligence department."
Mei Terumi nodded and said coldly:
"Take them both into custody and send them to Dragon Release Village in secret. Publicly, say they defected."
"Also, prepare a lavish gift and send it along with those two. Don't mention Lin Ze. Just say... this is Kirigakure's way of making amends for past mistakes, and we hope Dragon Release Village will accept our apology."
Ao acknowledged the order, turned, and left.
Mei Terumi picked up her teacup again, looked out the window at Kirigakure's mist-shrouded scenery, and sighed softly.
Politics could sometimes be so cruel.
For the village's future, some sacrifices had to be made.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Inside the Raikage's Office, the one-armed Fourth Raikage A stared at the intelligence in his hand and remained silent for a full