The next day, a group of ninja wearing Kumogakure forehead protectors slowly made their way toward Konoha.
At the front was a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man with dark skin. Several ninja dressed just like him followed behind, each wearing a polite smile.
"Welcome, friends from Kumogakure!"
"Long live peace!"
Banners and slogans stretched across the streets. Villagers lined both sides of the road, holding petals and tossing handfuls into the air.
Pink, white, and yellow petals fluttered in the breeze, drifting down over the Hidden Cloud delegation. Like snow, they covered most of the street, and gave a faint rustle underfoot.
Nukai, the delegation's leader, raised a hand and waved to the crowds on either side. His smile looked warm and sincere.
At the head of the road stood the Hokage Building. Sarutobi Hiruzen was on the steps in front of the building, accompanied by several Anbu.
"Welcome, welcome, friends who have come from afar."
Sarutobi Hiruzen reached out first. Nukai hurried forward and clasped his hand firmly.
"Lord Hokage, it is truly our honor that Kumogakure and Konoha can join hands and make peace today."
Their hands were clasped tightly, and the crowd around them erupted into cheers once more.
Hiruzen patted the other man on the shoulder, his tone sincere. "The war has brought too much suffering to both sides. I believe that ending it is not only the wish of the leaders of our two villages, but also the heartfelt desire of everyone in both our countries."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every member of the Hidden Cloud delegation.
"You've all had a long journey today, so you must be exhausted. I've already arranged accommodations. Please get a good night's rest, and tomorrow morning, we'll formally sign the peace treaty."
Nukai nodded repeatedly. "Lord Hokage, you've been so considerate. We'll gladly accept your arrangements."
Hiruzen turned to an Anbu beside him. "Take our guests to their quarters."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The jōnin gestured for the Hidden Cloud delegation to follow him. They headed toward Konoha West District, while the villagers continued tossing petals behind them.
Konoha had prepared an entire compound of private residences for the guests. Every room had been cleaned thoroughly, and each window looked out onto a small courtyard with a rock garden and a pond.
"Konoha certainly has money to burn."
A Hidden Cloud shinobi stood by the window, surveying the area, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.
"Watch what you say."
Nukai sat at the table and took a sip of tea, but he had no interest in savoring it. He set down the cup and narrowed his eyes.
"Did you write down everything you saw today?"
Several of his trusted subordinates gathered around him. "The layout of Konoha's main streets and the location of the Hokage Office match the map Lord Raikage gave us. We can be fairly certain that our current position is only two streets away from the Hyuga Clan."
Nukai nodded. "Tonight, scout the area and confirm the target's situation. We'll move tomorrow night."
The room fell briefly silent. The other Hidden Cloud ninja were taken aback and couldn't help asking, "Scout the area?"
Now that they were inside Konoha, scouting could easily expose their true intentions. The order seemed unreasonable from every angle.
Nukai didn't know why he had suddenly made this decision either, but he was certain it was the right thing to do.
"Lord Raikage's orders are clear. We must obtain the Byakugan. Even if it puts Konoha on alert, they'll still have to keep us here for three days. At worst, we'll activate Plan B tomorrow night. For Kumogakure, for the Land of Lightning, we fear no sacrifice!"
"Yes," the others replied quietly.
No shinobi would disobey their superior's orders.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, pipe in hand, gazing toward the guest quarters prepared for the Kumogakure delegation. His face showed signs of fatigue, but above all, he looked relieved.
Behind him, the three Hokage Advisors, Nara Shikaku, and several Anbu were confirming the details of the signing ceremony the next day.
"The long Third Shinobi World War is finally coming to a complete end."
Ninja operations tended to prioritize efficiency, and even wars rarely lasted too long.
Moreover, since the destructive power of most ninjutsu depended on their scale, large-scale troop battles were rare during an all-out war. Otherwise, ninjutsu could easily hit allies, forcing everyone to hold back.
For example, in one battle, Iwagakure once sent multiple ninja to attack Konoha's defensive line. By the time Namikaze Minato arrived as reinforcements, the two sides had fifty-one ninja against four. Minato then took his four "accessories" and slaughtered all fifty-one Iwagakure ninja in a single second, forcing Ōnoki to set a precedent for ninja around the world: "If you encounter the Yellow Flash, you may abandon your mission and flee immediately."
The Yellow Flash...
The war had lasted far too long, and too much had changed. More than anyone, Sarutobi Hiruzen now longed for it to end.
After confirming that everything was ready, Nara Shikaku stepped forward to report.
"Lord Hokage, tomorrow's ceremony has been arranged. The signing will take place on the roof of the Hokage Building, so the whole village can witness this historic moment."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and nodded. "Excellent. This war has gone on too long, and the village has suffered enormous losses. A peaceful resolution is the best possible outcome for Konoha."
"Lord Hokage is wise."
The others echoed their agreement, but Shimura Danzō frowned and voiced his opposition once again.
"Hiruzen, I still don't think this is right. Given the temperament of those barbarians from the Land of Lightning, would they really agree to a ceasefire so easily?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent for a moment. "I understand your concerns, but Kumogakure has suffered heavy losses too. The Third Raikage died in battle, and the Fourth Raikage has only just taken office. They need time to recover as well."
Shimura Danzō knew his old friend too well. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had become indecisive, he had once been known as the Shinobi Hero. Once he made a decision, it was difficult to change his mind.
"In any case, we need to strengthen security. Root must maintain its surveillance of the Uchiha. If you don't have enough people, tell the Anbu to do it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke. "I believe Kumogakure has come in earnest for peace. If we assign Anbu to watch them, it would be treating gentlemen with suspicion. They'd feel uneasy. Tomorrow, it will all be over."
The others in the office nodded in agreement.
Utatane Koharu went further and urged him, "Danzō, perhaps you're overthinking this."
This was Konoha. Even the Raikage would have to behave himself here. What could a few Hidden Cloud ninja possibly do?
A flicker of concern crossed Nara Shikaku's eyes. He opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing.
Only Shimura Danzō, as usual, left them with one parting remark: "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
He had said it too many times. No one paid him any mind.
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