Kumogakure Arrives

The Intelligence Division ninja knelt on Central Street, the urgent report in his hand still dusty from the road.

The Kumogakure Delegation had changed course and was approaching Konoha.

They demanded confirmation of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's condition.

They demanded fresh negotiations over compensation for the Hyuga Incident.

The moment those two demands were read aloud, the tension that had only just begun to ease snapped taut again.

Many ordinary villagers knew little about the Hyuga Incident. They only remembered that the Kumogakure Delegation had come to Konoha to sign a peace treaty a few years ago. Then a conflict had broken out, someone from the Hyuga Clan had died, and the village had handed someone over.

But the Hyuga Clan remembered.

Hyuga Hiashi most of all.

He arrived on Central Street just as the report was being read. His face turned cold.

A little girl followed beside him.

Hinata Hyuga.

Her clan members shielded her. Though her gaze was timid, she kept looking toward Naruto.

Naruto saw her too.

In the original Naruto's memories, she was one of the few people who had never looked at him with disgust.

But this was no time to catch up.

The Third Hokage took the report and read it quickly.

The Kumogakure Delegation was only half a day from Konoha. Officially, this was an early peace visit. In practice, their route looked more like a probe.

They had clearly heard about the turmoil inside Konoha.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was behaving unusually, the leadership was being held to account, the Hokage's authority had been shaken, the Uchiha had been vindicated, and Root had been disbanded.

It would have been stranger if Kumogakure had stayed away at a time like this.

Jiraiya's expression darkened.

"They got here too fast."

Kakashi said, "Their scouts at the border must have been moving for some time. They're just using last night's turmoil to make their move early."

Hyuga Hiashi stepped in front of the Third Hokage, his voice hard.

"Third Hokage, what does Kumogakure mean by raising the old compensation claim again?"

The Third Hokage's brow furrowed.

Back then, a Kumogakure envoy had tried to abduct Hinata, and Hyuga Hiashi had killed him. Kumogakure had turned around and threatened Konoha, demanding the killer's body. In the end, Hizashi Hyuga had died in his older brother's place, his status as a branch-family member used to settle the conflict.

It was an old debt many in Konoha did not want brought up again.

After Tekka explained it to him in a low voice, Naruto's eyes turned cold.

"The man who kidnapped a child died, and Konoha still handed someone over?"

Hyuga Hiashi's expression shifted slightly.

It was too blunt.

And too accurate.

The Third Hokage fell silent.

Konoha had only recently suffered the Nine-Tails' Attack. Its strength was diminished, and it had not wanted another war with Kumogakure. The leadership had presented Hizashi Hyuga's sacrifice as an act that preserved the peace.

But stripped of excuses, Konoha had bowed its head.

Hinata hid behind her father. At the words "kidnapped a child," her fingers tightened around the hem of her clothes.

She remembered that night.

She remembered someone lifting her in the dark. She remembered her father arriving. She remembered how oppressive everything at home had felt afterward.

Naruto looked at her.

Hinata trembled slightly under his gaze, but she did not look away.

Naruto turned back to the Third Hokage.

"Who are you planning to hand over this time?"

The Third Hokage's face darkened.

"That will not happen again."

Naruto gave a short laugh.

"It had better not."

The Intelligence Division ninja continued, "The Kumogakure Delegation sent word that they've heard the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has lost control. They're concerned Konoha can no longer uphold the peace treaty. If Konoha cannot prove the Jinchuriki is under control, they demand entry to the village to verify it themselves."

Jiraiya sneered.

"Verify it? What do they think Konoha is?"

Uchiha Tekka's face was cold too.

"They see us fighting among ourselves and want to kick us while we're down."

Naruto looked at the Intelligence Division ninja.

"How many did they bring?"

"Twelve in the open, the usual size for a delegation. We can't confirm how many are hiding."

Naruto nodded.

"Let them come."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"Naruto."

Naruto looked at him.

"Third Hokage, you're staying on for seven days."

"Now an outside enemy has arrived."

"If you still want to prove you can see this through, don't back down again."

The Third Hokage's eyes shook.

This was not forgiveness.

Naruto was pushing him back into the place a Hokage ought to stand.

Last night had been about settling accounts within Konoha.

Now they faced an outside enemy.

If the Third Hokage hesitated now, Konoha would lose the last of its dignity.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath and finally straightened.

"Send the order. Our border ninja are not to initiate a clash, but they are to monitor the Kumogakure Delegation at all times."

"Raise the alert level at Konoha Gate."

"Hyuga, Uchiha, and ANBU will each send a representative to the reception."

Then he looked at Naruto.

"Naruto, you must not show yourself."

Naruto's eyes turned cold.

The Third Hokage added at once, "I'm not trying to hide you. You're Kumogakure's target. If you appear too soon, they'll use it against us."

Naruto watched him.

"Don't they want to verify the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

The Third Hokage frowned.

"I'll refuse."

Naruto shook his head.

"Let them verify."

Everyone turned toward him.

Naruto's voice was level.

"They want to see the Nine-Tails out of control."

"Then let them see who the Nine-Tails listens to."

In the Sealing Space, the Nine-Tails raised his head and bared his stark white teeth.

"Now that's what I like to hear."

Hyuga Hiashi looked at Naruto, taking a serious measure of the six-year-old for the first time.

He had heard plenty about what had happened last night. Only now, seeing Naruto in person, did he realize the rumors had not been exaggerated.

This child was not a Jinchūriki who had lost control.

His mind was frighteningly clear.

Just as everyone was preparing to make their arrangements, Hinata stepped out a little from behind her father.

Her voice was tiny, but she made herself heard.

"Naruto-kun."

Naruto turned.

Hinata's face was bright red, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes.

"Thank you... for speaking up for the Hyuga just now."

Hiashi's brow shifted slightly, but he did not stop her.

Naruto glanced at her.

"I only stated the facts."

Hinata lowered her head and said softly, "Facts matter too."

Naruto looked at her for a moment longer.

Too many people around him hid the facts, burned them, or rewrote them.

Hearing a little girl say facts mattered sounded better than anything many adults had said.

In the distance, a bell rang from the direction of Konoha Gate.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The alert for foreign envoys entering the village.

The Intelligence Division ninja raised his head.

"The Kumogakure Delegation is here early!"