At this moment, elsewhere, on a plain somewhere within the Land of Fire, one day's journey from Konoha.
"Let's rest here for a while."
Looking at the morning mist drifting out from the small patch of woods ahead, then at the rising sun just beginning to shine, Iwama, the ambassador of the Land of Earth delegation wearing an Iwa forehead protector, raised his right hand and signaled for them to stop.
"Yes!"
At once, the five Iwa ninja behind him, who had stopped along with him, answered and sat down where they were.
The day and night of travel had truly exhausted them.
Still, they would reach Konoha by tonight. The day and night of travel had been worth it.
After hearing his subordinates' response, Iwama gave no further instructions. Instead, he stared at the small woods and the morning mist wafting out from within, frowning.
That Konoha ninja called Sanada said he had gone ahead to scout the road, but he was probably receiving intelligence in those woods—and watching us from afar while he was at it.
To see whether we had done anything suspicious.
Konoha had openly sent someone to welcome and guide us, but that was merely a cover. Konoha's true purpose was likely to monitor us.
Perhaps Konoha had already obtained some intelligence about us.
As he frowned, this chain of deductions flashed through Iwama's mind.
It was even quite possible that they already knew our purpose was not merely to negotiate peace and form an alliance. Then, according to the Third Tsuchikage's instructions, if Konoha was already prepared, we should...
Then, he began considering the plan his Earth Shadow had told him about the day before departure, the plan for the possibility that Konoha had already made preparations.
"Captain..."
Just then, a grave voice suddenly