Time flew, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Peace talks between Konoha and the Stone Ninja continued. The terms were being finalized one by one. With a new target in mind, the Stone Ninja had already begun focusing on attacking the Cloud Ninja, so negotiations with Konoha were proceeding smoothly.
But things were different elsewhere in the Shinobi World. Through the Stone Ninja's deliberate efforts, all kinds of rumors flooded the land. The news that the Tsuchikage had personally led a team to assassinate Uzumaki Kuming of Konoha, only to fail, drew everyone's attention.
After the Third Raikage learned of this, he sent some people to investigate. Sure enough, they found traces of a major battle inside the Land of Fire. He believed the report without question, and the Cloud Ninja consequently let down their guard against the Stone Ninja.
Reports on the progress of the peace talks reached Konoha. The Third Hokage was deeply invested in the matter, but he had already entrusted its handling entirely to Uzumaki Kuming. So he mostly just shared his opinions and views in his replies, without making any demands, giving Kuming considerable freedom.
It was November, with crisp autumn skies.
Konoha and the Stone Ninja finally settled all the terms of their peace agreement and held a signing ceremony in secret, within the Land of Rain.
Early one morning, three mysterious guests arrived outside Dishui City. Houtu and Kitsuchi of the Land of Earth, along with the Tsuchikage Ōnoki, were secretly escorted into Konoha's base by Root Ninja.
Uzumaki Kuming, Shimura Danzō, Orochimaru, and Shikaichi Nara had been waiting in the conference room for some time. These peace talks were top secret. Only the senior officials of Konoha and the Stone Ninja, as well as Shikaichi Nara, who had