"So, Ambassador, you have come to take your leave?"
Minato Namikaze naturally granted the Iwa ambassador's request for an audience. No matter how detrimental Iwa had been to the Peace Alliance, and even though Chiba's maneuvering had made Iwa's theft of Konoha's Forbidden Jutsu scroll widely known throughout the village—likely already spread far and wide through spies from other villages and the like—the Land of Earth behind Iwa was still one of the Five Great Nations. As the Land of Fire was likewise one of the Five Great Nations, it still had to afford the other nation the respect due between states.
Besides, Iwa had now placed all blame on the deceased Rando. On the surface, this was merely an incident arising from differing views between Iwagakure's war faction and peace faction. Konoha could not even openly condemn Iwa yet, and Minato Namikaze had no reason to refuse the meeting.
After being granted the audience, the Iwa ambassador informed him that he intended to leave that evening, effectively bidding farewell.
And so Minato Namikaze asked this question.
"Yes!"
At this moment, Iwama lowered his posture as much as possible. After Minato Namikaze asked the question without either pleasure or anger, nor any hint of mockery, he bowed slightly to first show his respect for Konoha before replying.
"Is that so... Won't you stay a little longer?"
Minato Namikaze did not immediately nod in acknowledgment. Instead, his expression softened somewhat as he made a token attempt to keep him.
"No. The village needs me to return and report as soon as possible. I cannot remain any longer."
Iwama knew that this was giving Iwa—no, rather, the Land of Earth—some face. The Hokage was merely exchanging pleasantries. After something like this had happened, regardless of whether it was true or false, the