Shukari Forest

"You ever fight a kage?" Kotaro started. "Cause this was a bluffer. It was too see how we would react."

"I guess they learned a lot about me. Hot-headed and quick to scream and fight."

"Like I said, too well planned. Which means you must have a mole in the leaf." He said.

"Hmm... Not again. The leaf seems to be filled with moles since before the last Shinobi war, and before that. I hate how everything is like this. Alright, so we both have moles in our villages. Since I'm too pissed off to think of anything good very fast, what have you got?"

"A plan." Kotaro said with a smirk. "The chuninn exams will be the bait."

Coren got angrier as he said "Are you insane? I mean really, we're gonna use the Exams!?! The entries are just kids!"

"Do you recall 200 and 20 years ago when kids stopped the sand from invading the leaf?" Kotaro said.

"...Damnit." Coren sighed and said "Yes. Yes I do. However, that was the Kyubi, and an Uchiha."

"As well as multiple students fighting in the exams." He summoned up in a grin.

"... They fought kids as well."

"AND adult shinobi. The point is, like it or not, they are ninja, even if only genin."

"Fine. But if those Genin are killed, I will pay you back for this. Understand?"

"Its going to happen in my nation." Kotaro said turning toward him. "I'll take full responsibility."

"Good. I don't want them hurt." Coren then turned away and asked "Anything else?"

"I'll be the referee. Out in the open while you and the Mizukage stand in the kage box."

"All right. I hope the Mizukage will agree to everything." Coren started pacing wondering if the Raikage had any other things about the Exams or if their meeting was finished.

“He will.” Kotaro said. “With the Raikage out in the open, it will be too good a chance to miss. The wind will attack.” He smiled. “And will set up a barrier jutsu to trap me as they invade. Just as Orochimaru did years ago. But I will be prepared.”

"Hmm... I don't like this plan. I will go along with it though. Just make sure that you're ready. When are the Chuunin Exams to take place?"

“2 weeks.” He said holding up two fingers. “Enough time for the villages to send their ninja. My village will have been repaired by then.” He looked at the Hokage. “I trust you will allow some of your ninja to hide in my village at the time and ambush the wind.”

"Of course. The more Shinobi we have there, the better chance we have to defeat them. I should get to the paperwork involved if there's nothing else."

“Of course. Just one more thing.” Kotaro said with a grin. “To see what we are up against, we will disguise ourseles as genin and enter the exam.”

"..." Coren sighed and said "Fine. I get the really odd feeling that you're not gonna listen if I try to convince you otherwise." Coren then turned around with a small grin on his face "Just remember to hold back."

Kotaro's grin widened as he turned to Coren. “You need to open up your mind more. Think outside the box.” He bowed. “Till then.....lord Hokage.”

Coren bowed as well and said "Until then."

Kotaro gave a smile then turned and walked away. As he neared the camp, an Anbu jumped next to him. “Sir, the Mizukage will be tough to persuade.”

Kotaro shook his head. “He's stubborn, but smart. He will realize what must be done.”

The Anbu removed its mask, revealing the face of a woman with a small scar over her eye. “Lord Raikage, I ask you not as a servent, but as your friend, why are you so interested in the Kage's of the leaf and Rain?”

Kotaro stopped walking and sighed. “Raze, we have been friends since we were children. The reason I am so intrigued is because they are each part of a clan that we fought during the war. Bad blood still runs between us, yet they wish to end it.”

Raze moved her short brown hair from her face. “Raikage-”

“You can stop the formalities Raze.”

“Kotaro,” She corrected. “I am worried about your trust with them. We don't know what agenda's they harbor.”

Kotaro gave a chuckle. “Still trying to look out for me, eh Raze.” He turned to her. “There is no need to worry about me Raze.” He raised an eyebrow. “If you wish,I can have you assigned as my guard during the exams.”

Raze gasped but then gave a slight smile. “Thank you. I won't let you down.”

“You never have.” Kotaro said smiling. “Now, you should be getting to bed. We can talk further in the morning.”

Raze smiled and nodded. “Thank you.” She put on her mask and jumped away as Kotaro walked to his tent.