The black dress she changed into

"Remember."

"You are not going on an arrest mission."

"Nor are you facing an ordinary rogue ninja."

Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across the seven faces in turn.

"Prioritize negotiation."

"Do not provoke him."

"Do not test him without authorization."

"And above all, do not endanger everyone in a moment of recklessness."

Asuma kept his head lowered and said nothing.

All he could see was the moment Kurenai Yuhi had been taken away.

If he had stayed in Konoha that day, perhaps everything would have been different.

But he also knew that blaming himself was pointless.

Even Kakashi, Shisui, and Might Guy had lost while fighting together.

His presence would not have changed the outcome.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Asuma for a few moments, then offered only a single sentence.

"Stay safe."

Fugaku accepted the mission and led the other six out of the Hokage Building.

Before leaving the village, he turned down a secluded alley alone.

A ninja cat was already perched atop the wall.

"Deliver this to Lie Yang."

Fugaku handed over the note he had prepared in advance.

The ninja cat took the note in its mouth and glanced at him with green eyes.

"Should I tell him the exact route?"

"Yes."

Fugaku adjusted his ninja tool pouch, his expression composed.

"Arriving unannounced is the last thing you want in formal negotiations."

"If he knows our movements in advance, he'll be less likely to misjudge our intentions."

The ninja cat flicked its tail and leaped into the woods beyond the wall.

Before long, it vanished from Fugaku's sensory range.

A three-day journey was not particularly long for jōnin.

But the seven did not travel at full speed.

They needed to conserve their chakra and guard against any unexpected trouble along the way.

Meanwhile, at the Hillside Estate.

Lie