Peace Talk Results

The next day, at the Peace Talk Venue.

Konoha's higher-ups and the Kumogakure Delegation gathered together.

Before Konoha could speak, Kumogakure immediately made trouble upon noticing that one ninja was missing.

Dodai of the War Hawk Faction slammed his palm on the table and rose to his feet. "One of our ninja went missing last night and still hasn't been found. I suspect Konoha murdered him."

Several Kumogakure ninja from the War Hawk Faction ignored the order of the venue, and the atmosphere instantly became heated.

Even Mabui, the Peace Faction representative of the Raikage's will, looked displeased and made no move to stop their rude behavior.

Many Konoha higher-ups angrily refuted them as well.

"Hehehe, if I wanted to lay hands on you, do you think you would have made it here alive?" Danzo retorted.

"Did you hear that, Lord Hokage? This is Konoha's attitude." Dodai pointed at Danzo's nose as he pressed Sarutobi Hiruzen for an answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen merely took a calm puff from his pipe. Seeing his old companion like this, Shimura Danzō suddenly calmed down as well, knowing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had something up his sleeve.

"Hehehe, don't be so hasty. Take a look at this first."

Holding his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen lightly tapped the table, signaling that Hyuga Kei and the others waiting outside could come in.

Tenzo and Kakashi pushed in the Projection Board, while Ameyuri carried a projector borrowed from a movie theater. The group swiftly entered the venue.

"Is Lord Hokage inviting us to watch a movie? I think we should discuss our missing ninja first," Dodai mocked.

"Yes, I am inviting you to watch a movie. Its title is 'Kumogakure Ninja Sneaks into a Konoha Noble Clan at Night, Attempts Suicide to Avoid Punishment After Being Discovered.'"

Dodai's eyes widened at those words. "Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible. Watch it first, then speak."

Ameyuri pressed the projector's play button, and an image instantly appeared on the white screen.

In the footage, a Kumogakure ninja furtively avoided numerous patrol ninja and arrived at the Hyuga compound. He climbed over the wall and was just about to make his next move.

Hyuga Kei, Kakashi, and two others then appeared in the footage, blocking the man's path. Next, the Kumogakure ninja attempted Suicide to Avoid Punishment, only to be knocked down by a single palm strike from Hyuga Kei.

After watching the entire "movie," Dodai gritted his teeth. "Impossible. This must be an excuse fabricated by Konoha. It's a Transformation Jutsu!"

Seeing Dodai like this, even Mabui, his companion, began to suspect him. He had always fiercely opposed peace talks as part of the War Hawk Faction. She would not have found it strange if he had sent someone to do such a thing.

"Is that so?"

"Bring him in." Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to display the air of someone in complete control.

Hyuga Kei pushed open the door, dragged in the still-limp Kumogakure ninja, and threw him onto the floor.

"Caught red-handed. What else do you have to say?"

Dodai slumped into his chair. Every plan had failed. Konoha had anticipated this step long ago and had been waiting for him here.

Had he succeeded, it would have been fine. Even if Raikage-sama found out, he would not have said anything. Dodai had been certain that Konoha, so determined to make peace, would swallow its anger, allowing Kumogakure to secure excellent terms in the negotiations.

But he had failed... Everything was over.

Mabui was equally shocked. She looked at Dodai. You idiot, if you're going to do something, don't get caught. With so much evidence left behind, how are we supposed to deal with this?

"Guards, take Dodai Jonin away!" Mabui ordered the ninja beside her to take Dodai away.

Mabui gave a deep bow in apology. "My apologies, Lord Hokage. This was not Raikage-sama's intention. We advocate resolving matters peacefully."

"This was merely Dodai Jonin's personal act."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "Of course, I understand. Konoha also advocates peace talks, so we will not change the terms."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

"Good that you understand. Peace talks benefit both countries."

Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's leadership, the negotiations soon concluded.

Outside, Ameyuri came over and hooked an arm around Hyuga Kei's neck, asking curiously, "How did you know Kumogakure would do this?"

"Political instinct. Every village has a Hawk Faction and a Dove Faction. When we delivered the peace talk letter, someone tried to stop us. Naturally, there would also be people who wanted to sabotage something as important as peace talks."

"Oh~ I see. Forget it, I still don't really understand." Ameyuri laughed. "But Lord Hokage said that this counts as an S-rank mission for us, with a reward of a full two million Ryo."

Split evenly among the four of them, two million Ryo was still a generous reward.

"This is amazing!"

Tenzo chimed in, "Right. This is my first time doing such an easy S-rank mission."

Hyuga Kei said, "Then shouldn't you treat your great benefactors to barbecue?"

"Of course. Kakashi's paying!"

"Hey, hey, hey, why not you?"

"Because you're the captain, of course."

Kakashi had accumulated enough merits from the mission just now and would officially become an Anbu division captain tomorrow.

He would take over Captain Ushiro's position as captain of the Third Division. Captain Ushiro had lost his right arm during a mission some time ago and had retired early from the Anbu to go home and raise his child.

He could receive a substantial monthly pension and disability allowance, while his descendants would receive careful training at the Leaf Village Ninja Academy.

"Fine, I'll pay." Kakashi took out Make-Out Paradise, as though only it could ease his gloom.

It was not that Hyuga Kei was greedy for food. Ever since he began researching the Chimera Technique, his money had never stayed in Hyuga Kei's wallet for even a day. During missions, he even had to steal a few corpses.

No wonder Orochimaru had defected. Konoha truly did not offer the best conditions for research.

The research had reached its most critical stage. Hyuga Kei felt that he was only one final step away from developing a perfect Bloodline Limit-stealing ninjutsu.

Konoha Year 54, December 28.

Today was Captain Ushiro's retirement farewell party and Kakashi's welcome party upon taking office. It was held, as usual, at the standard Akimichi clan's Barbecue Restaurant.

The barbecue there was extremely high in calories, making it perfect for replenishing a ninja's expenditure.

"Don't look so downhearted. It's not like I'm dead. I'm just retiring—going home to enjoy myself."

"There's no need to look like you've lost a comrade. Let me introduce Team Three's new captain, Kakashi. Everyone knows this Konoha genius, my most prized junior. He'll take over my position and continue leading everyone."

All the members of Team Three applauded enthusiastically. There was nothing to object to. They were all Team Three family, and Kakashi's talent was plain for all to see.

They were only saddened that such a good superior was leaving. Captain Ushiro had been half a teacher to everyone present, teaching them ninjutsu and taijutsu and guiding them through their most confused days after joining the Anbu.

"Alright, alright. Let's eat."

The Anbu of Team Three took turns toasting Captain Ushiro in order of when they had joined.

Captain Ushiro responded to each of them and had even prepared a gift for every person.

It was very late by the time it was Hyuga Kei's turn. Hyuga Kei had joined only within the past two years, though newcomers still stood behind him. After all, Anbu personnel changed rapidly during wartime.

Hyuga Kei carried his cup over to Captain Ushiro.

"Captain Ushiro, let me toast you. Over these two years in the Anbu, you've taught me many ninjutsu and taijutsu." Hyuga Kei drained the sake in his cup in one gulp.

Captain Ushiro drank his sake as well. "You are the young man with the greatest taijutsu talent I have taught in all these years."

"These are my many years of experience with Hard Fist Taijutsu and Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation. I trust that in your hands, they will not diminish my reputation."

Hyuga Kei repeatedly refused. This was treatment reserved for a master's disciple—how could he accept it? "No, no, no. Captain, you should save it for your child."

"Take it. Just don't look down on it. My wife gave birth to a daughter, and I don't plan to let her become a ninja. Let her live as an ordinary civilian her whole life."

With matters put that way, Hyuga Kei accepted the scroll with both hands. "I will certainly not dishonor your name."