The night breeze was faintly cool. Kumogakure's envoys had already been in Konoha for seven days, meeting with Konoha's upper ranks every day to negotiate a peace treaty.
There had previously been occasional clashes along the border, which had gradually escalated into a tense standoff. Though it had not erupted into a war as it had in the original story, both sides stood on the brink of conflict.
Under such circumstances, dialogue and communication were naturally necessary.
To be fair, Konoha's upper ranks did not want war at this time. Only a few years had passed since the Third Shinobi World War, and the Nine-Tails Attack three years ago had further weakened the village. Although Minato Namikaze had survived, Konoha had still lost considerable strength.
Kumogakure, on the other hand, had lost the Third Raikage during the Third Shinobi World War, but had also dealt Iwagakure a devastating blow. After succeeding him, the Fourth Raikage had been ambitious and eager to accomplish something. Combined with Kumogakure's naturally unruly temperament, they had quite a few designs on Konoha, which occupied the most prosperous land in the world.
The negotiations did not go smoothly at first. Konoha's upper ranks denounced Kumogakure's unreasonable demands as absurd.
The talks once fell into a deadlock. Fortunately, both sides had some sincerity, and Kumogakure ultimately made concessions. The two sides signed a peace treaty.
That night, a banquet celebrating the signing of the treaty and the arrival of peace began in Konoha. Many of Konoha's upper ranks drank themselves senseless.
Once the festivities ended, both sides dispersed.
At midnight, in the Fourth Hokage's home, Minato Namikaze suddenly opened his eyes from sleep. As Hokage, he had drunk quite a bit at the evening's banquet, and his head was still slightly dizzy.
But he quickly overcame