The Alliance Signing Celebration, the Absent Hyuga, and a Birthday

Year 51 of Konoha, December 27.

This was the day Konoha and Kumogakure signed their alliance treaty.

The long-awaited peace had finally arrived. With the old year about to give way to the new, this was undoubtedly uplifting news—and a good omen for the year ahead.

Many villagers had come of their own accord to line the streets early that morning, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the envoys.

10 a.m.

The moment the Kumogakure envoys stepped into Konoha, thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd. They cheered for the envoys, for Konoha, and for peace.

The head of Konoha's Jonin Commander corps, Shikaku Nara, stepped forward to welcome them and extended his hand.

"I'm Shikaku Nara. Welcome to Konoha." As he spoke, he looked around at the nearby crowd. "As you can see, we in Konoha have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

The lead Kumogakure envoy took Shikaku's hand and nodded. "This is what we in Kumogakure have hoped for as well. After today, I hope we can stand by and support one another."

Their words and handshake drew another round of cheers from the crowd!

Quite a few "villagers" also "spontaneously" brought the envoys flowers, giving them a fine taste of Konoha's hospitality.

"Lord Hokage, several advisors, and officials from the Land of Fire are waiting at the treaty-signing venue to welcome you. Please, follow me."

"Very well!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Shikaku led the Kumogakure envoys toward the signing venue. The villagers lining the street followed of their own accord, hoping to witness the treaty signing.

The contents of the alliance treaty had already been agreed upon by the two nations' leaders. Naturally, the formal signing would not be hastily concluded with a brief meeting and a few signatures in an office.

For the occasion, Konoha had specially prepared an imposing, grand venue.

Numerous Konoha clans, shinobi, and officials from the Land of Fire were in attendance. Even the people of Konoha could witness this historic moment and cheer the signing of the treaty, adding to the festive spirit of the coming New Year.

"I can't believe it's been four years since the Third Shinobi World War ended, and yet it's only now that we're finally seeing peace everywhere."

Inside the Soul Space, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but sigh.

The Third Shinobi World War had ended in victory for Konoha, thanks in part to his efforts, but Kumogakure and the Mist Ninja had never been willing to accept it.

To put it plainly, they refused to acknowledge that they had lost and refused to pay reparations for the war.

But they couldn't afford to start another large-scale war, so they could only flex their muscles in smaller skirmishes, trying to gain leverage in negotiations and gradually push Konoha's limits.

Especially after the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha, there had been a strong chance of war flaring up again along the border.

Three years had passed since then. It was obvious that they had achieved their original goal.

The signing of the alliance treaty also meant that they would not be regarded as the defeated party.

But why is Sasuke showing me this?

Putting his thoughts aside, Minato watched the scene before him, sensing that something was amiss.

By now, it was practically a reflex.

Whenever Sasuke prepared some entertainment for him, it usually meant that something bad was about to happen.

"Sasuke, you're not planning to sabotage the signing of the treaty, are you?"

Do I look like that kind of person?... Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Why would I drag my Konoha back into the quagmire of war?"

My Konoha...

Was he not even trying to hide his ambitions anymore?

Though he thought this, Minato was still able to breathe a little easier.

Why only a little?

For the same reason as before: reflex...

The treaty-signing ceremony was being held in a venue like a sports stadium, the same kind used for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

The Third Hokage and the three advisors were already seated in the center of the venue, with a banner bearing Konoha's insignia behind them.

The seats beside them had been left empty for the Kumogakure envoys, and another banner bearing Kumogakure's insignia stood behind those seats.

The front row to the left of the dais was filled with officials from the Land of Fire. On the right sat the heads of Konoha's various departments and the leaders of its shinobi clans, with members of the respective departments and clans seated behind them.

But one section was empty, standing out sharply in the venue.

Since this was a public event, Danzo controlled his displeasure and looked away. Keeping his expression calm, he asked quietly, "Which clan do those empty seats belong to?"

The other two advisors glanced over discreetly, while the Third Hokage maintained his smile and said gently, "It just so happens that today is the day the Hyuga determine their Main House. Hiashi informed me in advance."

So it was the Hyuga...

Homura and Utatane Koharu understood, while Danzo sneered inwardly.

If they'd informed him in advance, why had seats been set aside for them?

And such conspicuous seats, too...

Inside the Soul Space.

Sasuke smiled. "Wasn't that a nice touch?"

They'd informed him in advance, yet he'd deliberately left seats for them... Was the goal to isolate the Hyuga?

After considering it briefly, Minato said, "The Hyuga have brought this on themselves."

In this situation, if he were Hokage, he would order the Hyuga to attend, to show Konoha's magnanimity.

As things stood, all this did was make the Third Hokage look a little petty.

To him, it didn't seem like anything particularly significant.

After all, he'd seen plenty of the Third Hokage's underhanded moves. This one hardly seemed worth mentioning.

"Fair enough." Sasuke shrugged and gestured toward the scene, inviting him to keep watching. Then he said, "I'll leave you to it."

With that, he vanished.

Minato's eyes flickered. Was the Third Hokage's punishment of the Hyuga later going to be so unexpected that it triggered a series of consequences?

Meanwhile.

The Hyuga clan.

Today was the third birthday of a descendant of the Hyuga Main House, which also meant that her status as a member of the Main House would be confirmed.

On their way to the Ancestral Hall, Hiashi and Hizashi met.

"Lord Hiashi."

"Mm, Hizashi."

After greeting him, Hizashi looked at the two little girls clinging timidly to their father's hand. He sighed inwardly.

My brother must be hurting, too.

Putting his thoughts aside, he lowered his head and said to Hinata, "You're three now, Hinata. Congratulations."

Hinata didn't understand what he meant and timidly hid behind Hiashi. Then, when she heard no congratulations for Hanabi, she froze.

Why had he only congratulated her?

She instinctively turned to look at Hanabi.

Though she was puzzled, her personality kept her from voicing the question.

Hanabi didn't understand what it meant either, and she was a little unhappy.

It was her third birthday today, too!

Why had he only congratulated her older sister?

That was what she thought, but she was relatively mature and cared deeply about her sister. Worried that she might embarrass her, she didn't voice her displeasure. She could only sulk, puffing out her cheeks.

Hinata, who had been keeping an eye on Hanabi, naturally noticed. She couldn't help worrying and parted her lips as if to speak, but in front of so many people, she simply couldn't work up the courage.

Neji, across from them, thought the two young ladies were exceptionally cute, whether it was the timid Hinata or the pouty Hanabi.

Then he realized something and tugged at his father's hand. "Dad, I remember you saying that Lord Hiashi's two young ladies are twins, just like you and him. Why didn't you congratulate the other young lady on her birthday?"

He had only meant to kindly remind his father after noticing Hanabi's displeasure and Hinata's concern. But as soon as the words left his mouth, silence fell over the entire gathering, and his father's hand tightened abruptly around his...

He vaguely realized that he might have said something wrong...