"Yes, in the end, it wasn't such a big deal. As a small shinobi village, being able to receive so much aid from Konoha, along with a formal and guaranteed written alliance treaty, means there's no need to think too much about it. Besides, what Konoha did this time gave Kusagakure plenty of face."
Looking at Hada Ichiba ahead of him, then at Hada Kazune on the other side, whose face also held a subtle expression, he smiled faintly and seemed to speak in agreement with Hada Ichiba.
However, though he wore a smile, his tone was filled with self-mockery.
It did not sound as though he truly meant that it was not such a big deal.
"Yu Ze..."
Hearing this, Hada Kazune raised her head and emerged from her thoughts, speaking with a touch of concern.
"At least they gave us plenty of face, didn't they? In the end, they gave us plenty of face, didn't they?"
Hada Ichiba spoke as well.
However, his gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if his thoughts had drifted elsewhere, or as if he had remembered something.
Judging from his expression, though, he carried the same helplessness and sorrow as Haneda Yu Ze's self-mockery.
"Then the matter has been settled. Let's discuss the strategic arrangements for what comes next."
In response, facing Hada Kazune's concern and Hada Ichiba's rare display of helplessness and sorrow, Haneda Yu Ze took a deep breath, as though forcing down some emotion buried deep within him, and spoke.
This time, however, his tone had calmed.
Yu Ze...
He must still be...
Hearing this and recalling Haneda Yu Ze's expression just now, Hada Kazune's face darkened somewhat.
She understood very clearly that although Konoha had handled this matter quite discreetly and tactfully, and the Third Hokage's move was indeed admirable—something