An Invitation amidst the darkness (Kazekage)

Upon cracking the seal of the envelope, a faint smell of mature ink paraded through the air until it danced its way into Guren's nostrils. It had been quite some time since he had received a letter, and truthfully he hadn't the slightest clue on who would want to write to him. In the past he had communication with the Mizukage regarding terms of negotiation on a certain shinobi's freedom. Since then, he had issued a letter to the Raikage, looking to atone for the crimes of his past. But aside from those notes his penmanship had been retired for awhile. And the same could be said for his administration as a whole. He had reached a period of stagnation in not only his political life, but his personal growth as well. Was it a lack of motivation? Or was it the fact that his life had for once been in a state of peace and neutrality, and so there was no need for preemptive preparation. Whatever it was made the man feel as if his mind had dulled, and his skills had rusted over. Perhaps it was time to finally name a successor and let some ambitious young gun take the throne. The Third leaned back in his chair as he pondered this thought briefly. Mentally rifling through all of the candidates, his eyes shifted back to the contents of the page before him. They'd fall upon the ornate and unfamiliar style of writing of one, Chikage. Momentarily he paused, recognizing the word "Chi" as a shortened symbol of the life he had lived. He'd deduce that whatever this title represented could be related to his clan, or potentially even the clan of someone he once called friend. A singular thought crossed his mind as he studied the letter, that perhaps the author was none of than the woman he thought of. But this was quickly dismissed. There wasn't a chance that he'd hear from her again. And his once undying passion to pursue her had fizzled out with time. 

Though the subject of the letter did remind him of the woman further, as it referenced an upcoming Summit of Kages across the world. This time it would take place in the home of the Chikage, in what was formerly known as Funkagakure. He had heard of it and events happening there, but never had he visited. Truthfully the best that Guren could do would be to point it out on a map. Yet attached to the Summit would be a ball of some sorts, something the Third had never attended. And though he was one to uphold pleasantries, he hardly thought it'd be appropriate for him to attend. The thought of both him and Suika departing from the village for a prolonged period reinvigorated paranoia he hadn't felt in quite some time. If he should make the journey, this would be one he would go alone on. Although some companionship, from one of the younger and ambitious shinobi of the village, may be well received.

As he concluded his thoughts, he'd grab ahold of a pen and paper and put his response in writing. 

"Chikage,

Thank you for your invitation. Your offer is greatly appreciated and my attendance should be considered as accepted. For my curiosity, what is the agenda of this Summit? And what are your aspirations as a Kage in the world of shinobi?

Guren Chinoike,
Third Kazekage"

Upon completion of his short letter, he'd perform the seals to summon a messenger vulture. Attaching the letter to its leg, he'd send the bird off to swiftly relay the letter towards Funkagakure. In the meantime, he'd reflect on who would be a potential candidate to join him in this endeavor.