But the problem was...
Why did he, the Third Hokage, know absolutely nothing about this alliance?
Hiruzen Sarutobi pinched the bridge of his nose, barely managed to compose himself, and instructed the Anbu ninja.
"Go invite the Fifth Mizukage to the Hokage Building at once..."
The Anbu ninja accepted his orders and withdrew.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tidied up the Hokage's Office.
He was planning to give the Fifth Mizukage a proper welcome and demonstrate the hospitality of the Land of Fire's host.
But after he had waited ages...
The Anbu ninja returned and reported.
"Lord Third, after entering the village, the Fifth Mizukage went to the Konoha Military Police Force Building."
Went to...
The Konoha Military Police Force Building...
A brief, deathly silence fell over the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood rooted to the spot, his expression even uglier than on the day Shimura Danzō had died.
He had just been thinking that Kirigakure's highest leader had come to visit Konoha in person.
As the Third Hokage, he ought to give her a proper reception and demonstrate Konoha's generosity.
And yet...
The Fifth Mizukage couldn't care less about him.
After arriving in Konoha, the Fifth Mizukage's first stop wasn't the Hokage Building, but the Konoha Military Police Force Building!
What did that mean?
The person the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, truly wanted to visit wasn't the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was the Light of Konoha, Uchiha Minamoto!
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt as though he had been slapped in his old face.
At the same time...
Downstairs from the Hokage Building.
Smack-
Baki suddenly raised his right hand and slapped himself hard across the face.
A crisp slap. It hurt a little.
The Sunagakure ninja beside him all froze.
"Captain, you-"
"Nothing! I just... regret something!"
Baki turned to look at