Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Building.
After an entire day of wrangling, Iwagakure and Konoha finally managed to sign the Peace Treaty.
Iwagakure withdrew to the Land of Earth's border, and Konoha's front-line forces pulled back to the Land of Fire Border as well.
As for reparations... this time, under the banner of preserving peace in the shinobi world and taking the Land of Earth's actual circumstances into account, Konoha simply declared that Iwagakure would not have to pay much.
Of course, if word of this got out, it would hardly do their reputation any favors.
So Utatane Koharu came up with an idea on the spot: Iwagakure could join forces with Konoha to repel attacks from the Land of Lightning—namely, Kumogakure.
The Iwagakure delegation discussed it briefly and ultimately agreed.
Their attack on Konoha had already failed, yet their opponent had not seized the opportunity to demand reparations. Cooperating against Kumogakure in return hardly seemed like a loss, whichever way they looked at it. Besides, Iwagakure and Kumogakure were already sworn enemies.
As the sun approached the horizon, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally escorted the Iwagakure delegation to the village gates.
Watching their figures gradually disappear into the distance, he glanced up at the sunset clouds spread across the sky, and his lips curled into a smile.
"Good. Another problem finally settled."
"Iwagakure will keep Kumogakure occupied, and Kirigakure can help hold off Sunagakure. Once this war is completely over, peace will finally be within reach for Konoha."
"When that happens, it'll be time for me to retire."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with deep emotion.
But after all these years, he knew better than anyone that his position was nowhere near what it once had been.
Ever since Sakumo Hatake's suicide, his reputation in the village had steadily declined. Many shinobi clans said