Well, damn.
Chiyo was one of Sunagakure's higher-ups and an advisor to the Kazekage, while Hatake Sakumo had once killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
He had slaughtered countless Sunagakure shinobi as well.
This was clearly a trap meant to make Hatake Sakumo draw their hatred.
It would be a miracle if negotiations could succeed.
Clearly, the higher-ups not only had no intention of sincerely negotiating with Sunagakure, but also wanted to use this opportunity to keep screwing over Hatake Sakumo.
But they had forgotten one thing...
Hatake Sakumo was no longer the Hatake Sakumo of the past.
After this period of reflection, Hatake Sakumo had realized that becoming the Fourth Hokage was the only path left to him.
It was not merely to protect himself and his son, Kakashi.
If he wanted to change Konoha from the ground up... becoming Hokage was an indispensable step.
Even a rabbit would bite when driven into a corner.
Much less someone as strong as Hatake Sakumo.
Utatane Koharu and the others had no idea that they were cutting off their own escape route, step by step pushing Hatake Sakumo entirely onto the opposing side.
After the diplomatic meeting ended.
Pakura was assigned lodging for the time being.
Akira Sarutobi, Hatake Sakumo, Minato Namikaze, and the others were assigned to travel to Sunagakure.
If Hatake Sakumo's assignment was the higher-ups deliberately digging a pit for him.
Then Minato Namikaze's inclusion carried another meaning.
If they wanted to push Minato Namikaze into the position of the next Hokage, they could not do without giving him extensive experience.
This diplomatic mission to Sunagakure might well have been intended to cast Hatake Sakumo as the villain and Minato Namikaze as the good guy.
But regardless.
Konoha High Command could never have imagined it.
This mission to