In the Land of Hot Water, Samui, who had arrived a step earlier, met with Mabui.
At this meeting, both women wore exceptionally complicated expressions. Mabui spoke first. "Since he sent you here, that means you've already agreed to his terms."
Samui asked in return, "Did you know what he wanted to do all along?"
"Yes." A flicker of recollection crossed Mabui's eyes. "That was back in the Land of Crafts. He once told me he would build a world better than the one we have now. I had no choice at the time but to join him. Thinking about it now, we're already very close to that world he spoke of."
A trace of indignation crossed Samui's cool face. "What makes you think he'll build a perfect world? Just the power he holds?"
"Much as I hate to admit it, that's the truth. Since I've known him, there hasn't been anything he couldn't do." Mabui sighed. "Since you've chosen to cooperate, don't entertain any other ideas. Neither you nor I actually have the power to resist him."
"Then have you ever considered what happens if the future world turns out worse than this one?"
"It won't." Mabui shook her head with a faint smile. "Even if only for his children's sake, this world won't become worse. His original intention was simply to give the people around him better lives. That's why he decided to change this world. He has no desire for power. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to choose you at all. There are far too many people he could choose in Kumogakure."
Samui was suddenly stunned. "Don't tell me..."
Though she left the words unfinished, the moment she saw the certainty in Mabui's eyes, Samui understood everything. His claws had long since reached into Kumogakure. This Five