Hinata and Sunagakure's Open and Hidden Struggle

"Kakashi Hatake, Hinata Hyuga... we meet again!"

The next morning, Hinata, Kakashi, Wind God, Thunder God had just finished breakfast when they saw Baki, Kankuro, and Temari at the entrance of the inn.

Baki's face showed no emotion whatsoever; even if he harbored hostility towards Konoha, he wouldn't show it in this situation.

However, his eyes revealed quite a bit.

"I am Baki, Jonin of Sand Village, and I welcome you on behalf of the village... an envoy from Konoha."

Kakashi stepped forward and said, "I am Kakashi Hatake Jonin Konoha."

Hinata stood solemnly beside Kakashi, no longer treating this mission as a mere trip. Since her conversation with Kakashi last night, Hinata had become completely wary.

Although this mission to Sunagakure was classified, it was not entirely unnoticed by the major Shinobi Village. The Akatsuki even had White Zetsu gathering intelligence for them.

Hinata didn't know the exact amount of the war compensation, but since it was a transaction between ninja villages, it was definitely not a small sum.

There must be many people eyeing this money.

Kakashi was already the renowned 'Copy Ninja' in the Shinobi World, and Hinata had already leaked this information after several battles.

This means that once the enemy launches their operation, their deployment will definitely be aimed at Hinata and Kakashi.

Baki nodded and said calmly, "The village leaders are already waiting for you. Come with me!"

Kakashi and Hinata exchanged a glance, then followed Baki and the other two, running towards Sunagakure.

At least during their time in Sunagakure, Hinata and the others' safety was guaranteed.

Neither Kakashi Kazuma had any desire to talk. Although Hinata and Kakashi had recently escorted them back to the Land of Wind, it Hinata, who was also by Kakashi's side, who had captured them and used them to Sunagakure.

Sunagakure is protected by high rock walls, making it impossible for outsiders to see anything inside the village.

The only way out of the village is through a canyon that the Sand Ninja call "Skyline Gorge Sky".

Sand Ninja stood guard on the rock walls, monitoring everything around the village. Unless there was a traitor from within, no one could infiltrate Sunagakure silently.

After Baki and the guards verified their identities, they led Hinata and the others into Sunagakure.

The desert-style buildings and the dry, tidy alleys make this place quite picturesque, if it weren't a ninja village.

The people of Sunagakure, both men and women, like to wear headscarves, veils, and long, fitted robes made of coarse cloth, giving them a rather mysterious air.

Hinata and Kakashi entered Sunagakure, the village's ninjas and civilians turned their attention to them.

Unlike the attire of Sunagakure, their demeanor was completely different from the people here, and coupled with the symbol on their Forehead Protector, their identity Konoha Ninja was almost impossible to guess.

Hinata can probably understand how Naruto felt when he was ostracized by the villagers when he was a child.

Because Hinata was facing a gaze filled with hostility, hatred, and disgust.

The people of Sunagakure didn't even bother to hide their emotions; all their hostility towards Konoha was clearly displayed on their faces.

Baki's expression was uncertain. Temari walked over to Hinata and whispered, "I'm sorry!"

Hinata nodded slightly and followed Kakashi silently toward the Kakashi Kazekage's Office Building.

Even though Hinata had received aristocratic etiquette training from a young age and constantly reminded herself to remain calm before entering Sunagakure, Hinata still couldn't help but feel angry once she actually entered the Sunagakure.

This kind of anger is probably the kind of impulse that makes you want to argue with someone or resort to violence.

After all, in Hinata's view, all the current predicaments of Sunagakure are their own fault.

Kakashi slowed his pace slightly, turned his head to look at Hinata, and said in a low voice, "Another purpose of the Fifth Hokage sending you to Sunagakure was to hope that you could restrain yourself and remain calm in an environment where you are surrounded by wolves. This is also a kind of training."

Hinata nodded and said softly, "You're right. Actually, all we need to do is adjust our mindset."

"Weakness is the original sin, and the victors do not accept blame."

"The attitude of Sunagakure is less about hostility towards us and more about them showing us their incompetence... If they were strong enough, they wouldn't be suffering like this!"

Hinata's voice was very soft, and the people around her might not be able to hear it, but Baki, Kankuro, Temari heard it clearly.

Baki's face darkened, and Temari gave Hinata a reproachful look.

Hinata chuckled lightly, "What, am I wrong?"

"Look at the expressions on these people's faces, it's not us who are embarrassed..."

"At least during your time in Konoha, our people never looked at you like that."

"It seems that the discipline in your Sunagakure is much worse than that in our Konoha!"

Baki quickened his pace and hurried toward Kazekage's Office.

Hinata is right about something: the main reason why Sunagakure is so hostile to Konoha is because they are weak and they lost the war.

If they had succeeded in the Konoha Crush Plan, then their attitude towards the Konoha Ninja right now would probably have been to sing and dance and laugh as they watched the Konoha Ninja make a fool of themselves!

Kakashi shook his head slightly.

Hinata could have just kept those words to herself; there was no need for her to say them aloud.

However, sometimes a proper counterattack can make the opponent back down a bit.

Hinata and the others walked all the way from the village entrance. Apart from Temari quietly saying "sorry," Baki never showed any attitude, seemingly ignoring the hostility of Sunagakure.

Although this hostility is an inevitable result, if Sunagakure truly wants to reconcile with Konoha, it should at least order its villagers to exercise some restraint.

Kazekage's Office.

Baki led Hinata, Kakashi, and the others to the door of a conference room and said, "The village's higher-ups are already waiting for you inside."

Kakashi nodded slightly and said "Mm".

Hinata looked at the Wind God and the Thunder God with some difficulty, and said to Temari, "Please make arrangements for them, and it would be best to prepare some food for them as well."

Temari nodded and said, "Okay! Leave it to me!"

Baki pushed open the conference room door and said calmly, "Gentlemen of Konoha, please come in!"

Hinata and Kakashi entered the conference room, Sand Village officials inside also turned their attention to the doorway.

The conference room was spacious, with a huge round table in the center and statues of historical Kazekage as decorations in the corners.

Although the colors are monotonous, they have a solemn atmosphere.

An old man turned his gaze to Hinata and said calmly, "This is a high-level meeting between our Sand Village and Konoha. This young girl... is probably not suitable to participate!"

Kakashi tilted his head slightly and said calmly, "She is Hinata Hyuga, the Lord Hokage's secretary. All the matters I discuss with you all from now on need to be recorded by her and reported to the Fifth Hokage upon our return."

Hinata stepped forward and teased, "Speaking of which, it seems like you have quite a few high-ranking members in Sunagakure!"