At a hot spring inn in Konoha.
Uzumaki Kuming relaxed in the hot spring, leaning his back against the rocks and narrowing his eyes. His constitution made him impervious to the cold, but strolling around in thin clothes in the chilly wind wasn't exactly pleasant.
Not far from him, Jiraiya sipped his sake with a happy look on his face.
"I can't believe you actually succeeded, you rascal."
"It hadn't even been a few weeks since the seal was finished when Kushina started begging us to open it. She thought you must have died since you hadn't broken through the seal after all that time."
"If it hadn't been for Orochimaru talking her out of it..."
"Have you seen Kushina and Lord Hiruzen since you came back?"
Uzumaki Kuming and Shisui Uchiha had come to this hot spring inn and found Jiraiya gathering material there. The brothers-in-arms hadn't seen each other in years, so they decided to soak in the baths and catch up.
"Not yet. But earlier, at the village gate, Shisui confirmed my identity in front of his subordinates. By now, the news should have reached Minato and the others."
Kuming replied nonchalantly.
"How cold of you~"
Jiraiya teased him, then happily took another sip of sake. Kuming didn't really like this low-proof sake, nor did he like drinking while soaking in a hot spring. But according to Jiraiya, a hot spring bath wasn't complete without a drink.
Hokage Building.
After wrapping up their talks with the Cloud Ninja, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the others hurried back to the office. As soon as they entered, Mitokado Homura dropped the restraint he'd maintained during the meeting and fumed:
"How dare those bastards push their luck!"
"They didn't come to our village to negotiate at all! Peace talks? What