Akaritori stood in her office overlooking the entirety of the village, sword by her side and letter in her hand. As she skimmed down the contents of the letter, she could not help but be reminded of the atrocities of war, and especially when one country refused to accept an invitation for the greater good. If Konoha were to become to the Republic what Nykt became to Alaria… She would execute the Hokage personally and bring his insolent regime to heel. War had an odd way of exposing one’s priorities, and she hoped that the looming threat of action would expose the Hokage’s fully - if he was a noble, humble ruler he would see the light and join the Republic, but if he was not… 

Her hand clenched around her sword instinctively at the thought, and a fierce light emanated both from it and from her back. It was clearly a matter that she felt very strongly about, given her past, and the same fervent conviction that had motivated her to become the Tsuchikage in such a short period of time would arise again in the land’s time of need.

“Bring Touzoku to me. We have things to discuss before we report to the summit.”

“Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!”

Touzoku’s style of fighting was very dissimilar to Akaritori’s, for one’s relied on the metaphorical hidden blade to sow confusion through the ranks and assassinate priority targets, the other’s was power overwhelming - and once she had a target, she would kill them and all enemies that stood in the way. The combined tactics were enough to fell any army, Akaritori knew that much from experience, and it was for this reason that Touzoku had been called. No matter what, Akaritori could tell that war loomed on the horizon. She felt it in the chill of the air, and in the handwriting of the letter. Trepidation was prevalent, and Konohagakure had not bowed to their demands so far, so the chance of their reconsidering was low. Fortunately, Akaritori was no stranger to fighting. She much preferred the chance to kill her opponents with her own blade.