Feeling Left Behind by the Times

"Is this how Konoha treats its guests?"

A spoke with undisguised fury.

The force of his presence was enough to frighten even the Jonin.

"Lord Raikage, Konoha has sent a car to pick you up. Please wait a little longer!" the Jonin said.

"As you can see, we've already waited quite a while. If Konoha can't give us a proper explanation, we'll have serious doubts about its sincerity!" Darui said.

"Rest assured, Konoha's sincerity will be plain to see!"

A strange object with four wheels drove toward them.

"What is that?"

The two guards immediately moved to protect the Raikage.

"Don't worry. This is what Konoha sent to collect our honored guests!"

The door opened. The Jonin motioned for the three of them to get in, then opened the front passenger door and took his seat.

"Lord Raikage, could it be a trap?"

"I'd like to see this thing try to hurt me!"

The Raikage climbed in without hesitation. He had to admit, it was quite comfortable.

The two guards exchanged a glance, each seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.

Still, the Raikage's confidence came from his strength. That strength was why they followed him.

The three settled into the car, then caught sight of the driver and felt a jolt of surprise.

"Someone from the Hyuga Clan!"

Is Konoha really not afraid we'll just abduct him? the Raikage thought.

The uproar over their attempt to abduct Hinata had been enormous, yet Konoha had now delivered another Hyuga right to them.

But the thought quickly faded. They and the other three great nations had come for the Engagement Ceremony. What would it look like if they suddenly abducted someone?

Wouldn't they become a laughingstock before the other nations?

At the wheel, Neji saw that the three made no move and sighed inwardly.

His father had died on the Raikage's orders. Even after reading the will Hizashi had left behind, how could the hatred in his heart disappear so easily?

But he knew what mattered most right now. Besides, he had no way to kill them himself.

Having Neji pick them up had been Uchiha Yoru's idea. If the Raikage's party made a move, Neji Hyuga would undoubtedly die, but Uchiha Yoru had promised to avenge him.

He would take the Raikage down with him.

If they made no move, however, Neji had to set aside his hatred for now and do nothing rash.

Clearly, the Raikage had put aside his greed for the Byakugan for the time being.

"We've arrived at Konoha, delegates of Kumogakure!"

Neji spoke from the driver's seat.

"We're here already?" The Raikage got out and stretched.

"We could use one of these in Kumogakure. It'd make things much easier!"

"Your village is all mountains. Where would you drive it?" came an elderly voice. Tsuchikage Ōnoki had arrived too.

"Your terrain's no better!" Raikage A snapped back.

"The Sunagakure delegation has arrived!"

A gray car stopped in front of them. Its streamlined body and gleaming emblem radiated luxury.

Compared with the cars provided to the Kumogakure and Iwagakure delegations, it was the difference between an ordinary taxi and a Rolls-Royce.

Gaara stepped out with Temari and Kankuro.

"Does Konoha look down on Kumogakure?" Raikage A demanded angrily.

He had thought Konoha had given them its finest treatment. Compared with Gaara's party, what had they received?

"That's Sunagakure's own car. They formed an alliance with Konoha two years ago, so they're entitled to buy our technology. As for you..." Karin Uzumaki, who was receiving them, let the barb hang in the air.

A's face turned red, then purple. When Konoha's envoys had visited before, Kumogakure had dismissed them outright and driven them away.

Now they were paying for it, reduced to coveting someone else's car.

"Kirigakure never heard anything about a partnership with Konoha!"

"We sent an envoy, but they were turned away too. Perhaps the current Mizukage had nothing to do with it," Karin Uzumaki said.

In the past, Kirigakure's "Marshal" had been its leader, and everything in the village required his approval. That was probably why Mei Terumi had never received word.

"Cars aren't permitted inside the village. I'll lead you in from here," Karin Uzumaki said evenly.

Karin Uzumaki walked ahead, and the delegations followed.

"This is Konoha?"

"You've got to be kidding!"

Everyone except the Sunagakure delegation stood stunned.

High-rises filled Konoha now. Crowds surged through the streets like a tide, unfamiliar buildings stood everywhere, and the faint aroma of delicious food drifted through the air.

A smile flickered in Karin Uzumaki's eyes.

Konoha is nothing like it used to be!

Whatever its Ninja strength, no other Ninja village could match its prosperity.

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

"Old man, look at this! It's so good!"

The Kage maintained their dignity. Though shaken inside, they kept their faces composed, as though none of this were remarkable.

Kurotsuchi was different. She couldn't have cared less about appearances. The moment she spotted something tasty, she dug in.

Ōnoki's face darkened. Was she trying to make him a laughingstock in front of the others?

"Kurotsuchi, come back!"

"No! There's so much good... food!" Kurotsuchi mumbled through a mouthful, paying Ōnoki no attention at all.

"I'll take you all to your lodgings first. Miss Kurotsuchi, please come along. There are still several days before the Engagement Ceremony, so you'll have plenty of time to look around!"

"Okay!"

Kurotsuchi followed the group with an armful of food.

"Akatsuchi, try some!"

With the food held right up to his mouth, Akatsuchi couldn't resist taking a bite.

"It's delicious! So much better than anything in Iwagakure!" Akatsuchi exclaimed.

He failed to notice Ōnoki's expression growing darker. At last, Ōnoki let out a long sigh.

Akatsuchi was a Taijutsu-focused Ninja, huge and simplehearted. That simplicity had also let him make rapid progress in Ninjutsu, so Ōnoki could hardly scold him for it.

"Kurotsuchi, give me some!"

"Old man, didn't you say you weren't eating? Say something nice and I'll give you some!"

Despite her words, Kurotsuchi handed him a skewer.

"Ōnoki, look at you. You've never seen anything like it!" A mocked.

"There's plenty a person never sees in a lifetime. At least I'm willing to try new things, unlike someone who only knows how to put on an act!" Ōnoki shot back, abandoning all pretense.

He told Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi to buy more food, so long as they stayed with the group.

"We're here!"

The hotel rose dozens of stories, looking lavish even from the outside. Inside, its glittering lights and elegant surroundings nearly dazzled everyone.

"Welcome, everyone!"

The receptionists in short skirts bowed as they spoke.

Uchiha Yoru, dressed in a suit, stepped forward. "I'm the owner of this hotel. Allow me to welcome our honored guests!"

"These are the rooms for the Kumogakure delegation!"

"What?"

The three from Kumogakure were stunned. The rooms weren't particularly good; they were downright ordinary. Compared with the rest of the hotel, the gap was enormous.

"I'll show the Iwagakure delegation to their rooms. These are the rooms for the Tsuchikage and Akatsuchi!"

"What about me?" Kurotsuchi pointed at herself.