"Didn't you hear me, Mireku? Everyone, leave."
The Daimyō of the Demon Country waved his hand, wanting to hear what Mireku had to say.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato and Mizunotsuki Yūki had no choice but to guide Kiyoshi and the others out along with the guards.
As they left, they could still hear the ninja from Sunagakure negotiating with the Daimyō.
"Would Your Excellency consider cooperating with us, Sunagakure ninjas? The situation has become increasingly unstable."
Spoke Kiku, the lead ninja of Sunagakure, cautiously.
Most of the Wind Country is desert, heavily reliant on imported resources. With the growing instability, they could no longer place all hope in their ally, Konoha, and needed backup plans.
Cooperation with smaller nations was ideal: the small nations provide resources, while Sunagakure could offer protection when the turmoil escalates.
"You, go as well. We'll discuss this later."
The Daimyō of the Demon Country did not want to hear any more from Kiku.
"We will return tomorrow to see you again."
Kiku glanced at the sky outside; dusk was approaching, and he hurried out with his team.
Once everyone had dispersed, the Daimyō finally turned to Mireku:
"Mireku, is there something you wish to tell me?"
"Have… you had contact with the Mōryō?"
Mireku bit her lip, realizing that the seal would continue to be broken, because human greed never ends, and there is always an insider.
The Daimyō's expression stiffened slightly.
"Mireku, you must trust me."
She heard him but did not reply immediately.
All Mikos possess the ability called the "Prophecy of Death," which allows them to glimpse the fates of those around them in rare instances.
And Mireku saw some of the guards being slain by the Ghost Army, and also… the figure of the Daimyō himself.
She wanted to try again.
Traditionally, the union between the Daimyō and the Miko was customary, so she still felt some warmth toward him, hoping to persuade him to return to the right path.
...
The positions for Konoha and Sunagakure's ninjas were arranged separately. Kiyoshi and his team were placed in a building to the southeast.
For Yūshiha and Nonohara Rin, visiting another country for the first time was exciting; they admired the architecture, completely different from their village.
Especially Kiku, who had been chattering nonstop all the way.
Asuma Sarutobi had no patience for him and ordered him to be quieter, while calm Kakashi continued to observe everything with his usual indifferent eyes.
Namikaze Minato and Mizunotsuki Yūki exchanged glances, reflecting on the events in the grand hall earlier, feeling a slight unease.
Would Sunagakure's ninjas also come here?
This was a delicate matter. Normally, the hiring party only contracts ninjas from a single village to avoid conflict.
Relationships between villages are not always friendly; some are allied, some are hostile.
This time, it was only peaceful because of their existing treaty with Sunagakure.