Konoha's Cloud Village Envoy Arrives

The next day, a squad of ninjas wearing Kumogakure headbands slowly approached Konoha.

Leading them was a burly, middle-aged man with dark skin, followed by several ninjas in similar attire, each wearing a polite smile on their face.

"Welcome, friends from Kumogakure!"

"Long live peace!"

Banners were strung across the streets, and villagers on both sides of the road held handfuls of petals, tossing them into the air.

Pink, white, and yellow petals danced in the air, drifting down onto the Kumogakure delegation with the breeze. The petals covered most of the street like snow, emitting a faint rustling sound underfoot.

Nukai, the leader of the Kumogakure delegation, raised his hand to wave at the crowd on both sides, the smile on his face appearing sincere and warm.

At the front of the procession stood the Hokage Building, where Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on the steps before the office, flanked by several Anbu.

"Welcome, welcome, friends who have traveled from afar."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took the initiative to extend his hand, and Nukai stepped forward quickly, gripping it firmly.

"Lord Hokage, it is truly our honor that Kumogakure can join hands with Konoha in peace today."

As the two held their grip tightly, the surrounding crowd erupted into cheers once more.

Sarutobi Hiruzen patted the other man's shoulder, his tone sincere: "The war has brought too much pain to both sides. Being able to end all of this, I believe, is not only the wish of the high-level officials of both villages but also the heartfelt desire of everyone in both nations."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every member of the Kumogakure delegation.

"You have all traveled a long way today and must be exhausted. I have already had accommodations arranged; please get some good rest tonight. We shall formally sign the peace treaty tomorrow morning."

Nukai nodded repeatedly, naturally: "Lord Hokage is truly thoughtful. We shall respectfully comply."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to an Anbu beside him and said, "Take our guests to their quarters to rest."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

The jonin gestured for the Kumogakure delegation to follow, and the group headed toward the Konoha West District, with the Konoha villagers behind them still tossing petals.

Konoha had prepared an entire complex of independent residences for the reception. Each room was kept clean and tidy, with a small courtyard outside the window where one could see rockeries and ponds.

"Konoha is certainly wealthy and imposing."

A Kumogakure ninja stood by the window observing, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Don't speak nonsense."

Nukai sat by the table, picked up a teacup, and took a sip, though he had no appetite for it. He set the cup down and narrowed his eyes.

"Have you recorded everything you saw today?"

Several confidants gathered around: "The layout of Konoha's main streets and the location of the Hokage office are almost identical to the maps provided by the Raikage. It is basically certain that our current location is only two streets away from the Hyuga Clan."

Nukai nodded: "Scout the area tonight to confirm the target's situation, and we strike tomorrow night."

A brief silence fell over the room. The other Kumogakure ninjas were taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Scout?"

Now that they were inside Konoha, such an action could very well expose their true intentions; the order seemed unreasonable no matter how they looked at it.

Nukai did not know why he had inexplicably made this decision, but he firmly believed it was the right thing to do.

"The Raikage's order is clear: we must obtain the Byakugan. Even if it alerts Konoha, they must keep us here for three days. If worst comes to worst, we will initiate Plan B tomorrow night. For Kumogakure, for the Land of Lightning, we fear no sacrifice!"

"Understood." The group replied in low voices.

No ninja would defy an order from their superior.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood before the window, pipe in hand, gazing toward the direction of the Kumogakure delegation's quarters. His face bore signs of fatigue, but more than that, a sense of relief.

Behind him, the three Hokage advisors, Nara Shikaku, and several Anbu were confirming the details for tomorrow's signing.

"The long Third Shinobi World War is finally coming to a complete end."

Ninja operations often prioritize efficiency, so even wars do not typically last long.

Furthermore, because the lethality of most ninjutsu is tied to their scale, large-scale troop maneuvers rarely occurred in total war; otherwise, ninjutsu would likely harm friendly forces, leading to restricted movement.

For example, in one battle, Iwagakure once sent multiple ninjas to attack a Konoha defensive line at once. By the time Namikaze Minato arrived to provide support, the ratio of combatants was 51 to 4. Namikaze Minato then proceeded to slaughter all 51 Iwagakure ninjas in a single second with his four subordinates in tow, forcing Ōnoki to set a precedent for ninjas worldwide: "If you encounter the Yellow Flash, you may abandon your mission and flee immediately."

The Yellow Flash, indeed...

This war had lasted too long and changed too much; now, Sarutobi Hiruzen longed for its end more than anyone.

After confirming that everything was prepared, Nara Shikaku stepped forward to report.

"Lord Hokage, the flow of tomorrow's ceremony has been arranged. The signing ceremony will be held on top of the Hokage Building so that the entire village can witness this historic moment."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and nodded: "Very good. This war has lasted too long, and the village's losses have been far too great. A peaceful resolution is the best outcome for Konoha."

"Lord Hokage is wise."

The others echoed the sentiment, but only Shimura Danzō frowned, playing the contrarian once again.

"Hiruzen, I still think this is unwise. Given the nature of those barbarians from the Land of Lightning, will they really agree to a ceasefire so easily?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent for a moment: "I understand your concerns, but the losses on the side of Cloud Village were not small either. The Third Raikage died in battle, and the Fourth Raikage has only just succeeded him; they, too, need time to recuperate."

Shimura Danzō knew his old friend too well. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had become indecisive, he was, after all, the man once known as the Shinobi Hero; once he made a decision, it was difficult to change.

"Regardless, we must strengthen our vigilance. Root must ensure the density of surveillance on the Uchiha is maintained. If you cannot spare the manpower, order the Anbu to do it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of white smoke: "I believe Cloud Village has come for the sake of peace in good faith. If we dispatch the Anbu to monitor them, it would inevitably be a case of judging a gentleman by the measure of a villain, and it would only make them uneasy. Tomorrow, everything will be over."

The others in the office nodded in agreement.

Utatane Koharu even urged: "Danzō, perhaps you are overthinking this."

This was Konoha, after all; even a Raikage had to behave himself here. What could a few Cloud ninja possibly do?

A flicker of worry crossed Nara Shikaku's eyes. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing.

Only Shimura Danzō, as he always did, left behind a single sentence: "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

He had said it too many times, and no one took it to heart.