December 27th, Year 54 of Konoha.
Land of Fire, Konoha Hidden Village.
Today, Konoha appeared festive on the surface, with banners symbolizing peace hanging along both sides of the streets.
Kumogakure's delegation, led by a confidant of the Raikage, passed through Konoha's gates.
The set of dark-blue [Multifunctional Exoskeleton Armor] on their bodies gleamed with metallic luster. Under the winter sun, it was especially glaring—and stabbed at the nerves of every Konoha ninja.
It was precisely these new weapons manufactured by Rōran and purchased in bulk by Kumogakure that had caused Konoha's defenses endless suffering during the localized wars of the past two years.
Hokage Building, top-floor conference room.
The negotiations, which had lasted several days, had finally reached the final signing stage.
"We have seen Lord Raikage's sincerity, and we are willing to sign this Konoha-Kumogakure Peace Alliance Treaty."
"Of course, to demonstrate Konoha's sincerity toward peace, we will promptly fulfill the treaty's terms: Konoha will withdraw from the Land of Hot Water and certain border outposts in the northern Land of Fire, establish a buffer zone, and unconditionally return all Kumogakure ninja captured during the Third Shinobi War and recent clashes."
And just like that, the agreement was signed.
For Konoha, it was because they urgently needed to end the war, restore production, and recuperate.
As for Kumogakure, they had received a death order from the Raikage and had no choice but to grit their teeth and participate in these negotiations.
Meanwhile, atop a tall tower across from the Hokage Building.
Tobirama Senju and Yue Uchiha stood against the winter wind, silently looking down at everything taking place in the Hokage's office.
"Monkey and Danzo have gotten things backward." Tobirama frowned as he watched the scene below, where the treaty was being handed over. "Peace should be the