Meanwhile, at the Wind Shadow's residence.
"What is it, Senior Monobe?"
The joy on Rasa's face vanished the instant he saw the returning Monobe. He abruptly rose to his feet and walked toward the senior, whose face carried a trace of bitterness and worry.
"Lord Wind Shadow..."
Seeing his Wind Shadow hurrying toward him, Monobe raised his head, but only revealed a bitter smile.
"What is it? Did something happen?"
Seeing that bitter smile, Rasa's expression changed slightly as he hurriedly asked.
To be honest, this was the first time he had seen such an expression on this steady and composed senior, and he could not help but worry.
"No, nothing happened."
Sensing the unease in the Wind Shadow's words, Monobe quickly replied, though the bitterness on his face did not fade.
"Nothing happened? Then...?"
Hearing that, Rasa froze, confused.
"We were played. We were played by that Taki Chiba."
Monobe's expression grew even more bitter.
"Played?"
Rasa froze again.
"Yes. The movements of those Konoha ninja near our residence were not because Iwa had some emergency that required them to gather their forces. They were meant to lure us into sending people over there!"
Seeing his Wind Shadow's stunned expression, Monobe continued.
"To draw our people—or rather, our eyes and ears—over there? Were they trying to provoke a conflict between us and Iwa?"
Hearing this, Rasa immediately thought of something and asked.
This...
That was impossible! If that were the case, then what was the Hokage's visit here for?
He could not make sense of it.
"No, not at all. They wanted us to become witnesses, so they could force Iwa to sign the peace treaty."
The bitterness on Monobe's face could not have grown any deeper.
After saying that, he did not wait for Rasa to ask. He