Peace talks began amid simmering tension

Ten days later, in the Land of Rice Fields.

A party of more than ten people appeared within the Land of Rice Fields.

This was not Konoha's camp on the country's border.

It was the main city, deep in the heart of the Land of Rice Fields.

Minato led the way.

Beside him stood Hatake Sakumo, his expression stern, the empty sleeve of his missing arm hanging loose.

Half a red armband symbolizing the Hokage was sewn onto his left sleeve.

Behind them came Guy, Obito, Rin, Ebisu, Genma, and the other young shinobi.

Guy was not wearing his trademark white medical coat today.

This was a formal diplomatic occasion.

A medic's outfit would not have been appropriate.

Instead, he wore his own dark green outfit.

It was a warrior monk's combat uniform that allowed him to move freely.

Along the way, they had seen the current state of the Land of Rice Fields.

The country owed its name to its rich farmland and abundant grain harvests.

But now, everywhere they looked—

The once-fertile fields lay barren.

Weeds half a person's height covered the ridges between them.

Clearly, no one had farmed them for a long time.

Most of the trees lining the roads had been reduced to bare trunks.

Desolation stretched as far as the eye could see.

The sight left everyone in the party silent.

"Is this... what war does...?"

Rin murmured, her voice trembling, her eyes already red.

Minato Namikaze stepped forward and patted her shoulder.

"That's why we're here. This war cannot be allowed to continue."

Everyone nodded silently.

None of them wanted to see a sight like this.

Once they entered the main city, the situation was no better.

Most shops were shuttered.

Refugees and beggars lay along both sides of the streets.

With heavy