"We should be working together not a part!" Mei proclaims to Lord Tsuchikage. As much as Mei likes the input from her fellow Kage, Lord Tsuchikage can make it quite difficult with him being the longest sitting Kage among them, often he can clash with Gaara being the youngest. Even Lord Raikage can get on her nerves while he may also disagree with the Tsuchikage, even the Raikage has his own secrets and methods that Mei, Gaara, and Kakashi all disagree with. Though Mei holds a bit more respect to Lord Raikage than Lord Tsuchikage because if he has an idea - especially one with more than one phase - Lord Raikage does not say a thing until he attempts a second round or needs to reformulate his own plan.

"Lady Mizukage," The Hidden Stone Leader addresses, "how do you propose we do that? All of our villages are on high alert, and it seems that they are picking all of us off one by one. It will be difficult for any of us to get to any of the other villages, especially for me, Lord Raikage," a faint shout of 'hey!' can be heard from the Hidden Cloud Leader. "And you, Lady Mizukage. The only two who can even get to any other village quickly are Lords Hokage and Kazekage."

"We can easily send some of the best soldiers to the other villages. I can disperse some of my best Anbu members to you, same as the rest of you can do with the rest of us." Mei explains.

"And what about that bright pupil of yours? The one who carries the blade of Hiramekarei?" Lord Raikage inquires.

Mei clenches her teeth, lips sealed. Mei personally does not want Chojuro to leave the Kirigakure as he is the only Swordsman left, no one else in the village even wanting to touch the blades. She worries what will happen if anyone from any of the other villages find out they have the only Swordsman in their village, especially those who may hold a grudge against or do not believe that Kirigakure has moved past their Blood Mist reputation.

Letting a breath out Mei knows that she cannot keep Chojuro at her side forever. The more she thinks of protecting him or keeping him close by, she knows there is a chance that any dreams Chojuro has of becoming Mizukage will start to simmer before their eyes. Mei cannot allow that to happen. Chojuro is one of few people that she is considering as her replacement, very highly as Chojuro is the most vocal about continuing any change to Kirigakure and making it better for the Shinobi and the everyday people their, the others are not as vocal about any changes they plan on bringing to Kirigakure. In addition, Chojuro has been the most insistent on going out and helping anyone no matter how far or how injured.

"Chojuro will go where he is required whether it be in the Mist Village or one of your own." Mei rationalizes.

"That is good to hear, because I do request that Chojuro come to my village." Lord Kazekage states.

"Lord Kazekage," Lord Raikage intervenes. "We need to put this to a vote."

"Lord Raikage has a point." Agrees Lord Tsuchikage.

"All right. All opposed say Fuego." States Lord Hokage.

"Fuego." Lords Raikage and Tsuchikage say.

"All right, and those in agreement say Aqua."

"Aqua." Lords Kazekage and Hokage say together with Mei. Lords Tsuchikage and Raikage may have faces of iron but their eyes could set anyone on fire.

"That settles it, aside from Gaara, does anyone here have any specific ideas of who they would like in their villages? If not then I suggest we each get to writing down all of our Chunin and Jonin then we can each disperse them to whom we see fit. We will reconvene in two days. So unless there are any last minute objections, I consider this meeting adjourned."

Mei lets out a breath, leaning back in her chair. She envies Tsunade for retiring early and Kakashi for not having to have dealt with Lords Raikage and Tsuchikage for so long. Though Mei barely interacted with the Third Hokage she was not his biggest fan either. Honestly, she is not sure why Gaara became Kazekage so young, she feels sorry for him for dealing with two people who have sandbags for brains.

At least he didn't have to deal with the Third Hokage while being Kazekage. I think three people with sandbag brains would probably drive Gaara to how I hear he was in his Chunin exams. Though, I would have personally love to see Gaara take on Lord Tsuchikage, Lord Third Hokage, and Lord Raikage. I don't think those three, even working together, would be able to defeat Gaara no matter how old the kid gets.

A knock at the door brings Mei out of her thoughts. Temari and Kankuro enter to take Gaara out, Lord Tsuchikage's granddaughter comes for him, Darui, Karui, and Cee come for Lord Raikage, Chojuro comes for her, Shizune comes for Lord Hokage.

Once Mei and Chojuro are headed towards a Bar-B-Que restaurant and get seated, Chojuro looks at her, asking a question that has been burning inside since they called the meeting. "What is going to happen? What has been decided?"

"I cannot say much now. All I can say is you, Ao, and I will be busy for the next two days before I go back for a second meeting. I will fill in a little bit more when we get back to the Inn." A comfortable silence befalls them.


Back at the Inn, Ao, Chojuro, and Mei gather around a table in the boys room, Mei having brought the book that every Kage is given that gives list of all Genin, Chunin, and Jonin. They get to writing down everyone and what they are capable of and where they will be most useful.

"The desert?" Chojuro exclaims when he sees his name under the names of those going to Suna.

"Gaara requested you personally. Do you have any objections?"

"Are you kidding? This will be great! I've always wanted to visit the Land of Wind and going to Suna will be an honor! Especially getting to work with a Kage my age - wait! All Kage are staying in their respective villages right?"

"For the time being. We've only agreed to move Chunin and Jonin around."

"Yes!" Chojuro jumps up pumping his fist in the air. Mei chuckles to herself seeing Chojuro so estatic.

Perhaps this arrangement will be one of the best things to happen to the Shinobi nations in a while. Mei thinks as they continue on into the night.