The two sides had reached a preliminary consensus on the new Armistice Agreement. After discussing it with the other Sunagakure ninja, Bunpuku felt its terms were acceptable for now, though he still had to discuss them with the Kazekage upon returning and see whether he would agree. Although the agreement required the Kazekage siblings to step down, Ebizo was still the leader of Sunagakure Ninja Village. Unless he was replaced, he would have to be the one to sign the Armistice Agreement.
Although the Sunagakure ninja were deeply dissatisfied with their leadership, the conflict had not yet escalated to the point where they would overthrow Ebizo by force. Besides, Ebizo had hinted that he would certainly abdicate once the fighting stopped, so they could accept him remaining Kazekage for the time being—provided he secured an agreement that satisfied everyone in Sunagakure Ninja Village.
Once the negotiations ended, Bunpuku and the others planned to return immediately. Every day they brought the ceasefire forward was another day both sides could stop their losses. Because of her special circumstances, Karura had been allowed to meet Bunpuku, and now that he was about to leave, she felt reluctant to part with him.
"Don't worry, child. You'll be able to return home soon," Bunpuku reassured Karura. Once the Armistice Agreement was signed, the captive Sunagakure ninja would gradually be ransomed back, and Karura would certainly be among the first group. Bunpuku had a little personal interest in that, too.
"I'm counting on you, Teacher," Karura said to Bunpuku.
Bunpuku and the others soon set off toward the Sunagakure camp. Although they traveled quite quickly, the wait still left Ebizo sick with anxiety.
At the Sunagakure camp, Ebizo spent almost every moment enduring the agonizing wait. He had no idea what sort of agreement the envoys