At the border of the Land of Waterfalls.
Three ninjas wearing green flak jackets and Konoha forehead protectors waited quietly in the woods.
Footsteps drew closer as several Takigakure ninjas escorted a girl with short blue hair toward them.
"Oh! Are you the ninjas from Konoha?"
Kaede spotted the Konoha forehead protectors on their heads and greeted them warmly.
"Hello! I'm Kaede, a ninja from Takigakure, and I'm also the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. It's nice to meet you all. Would you be my friends?"
The three exchanged glances, and the one with the fairer complexion stepped forward to greet her.
"Hello. I'm Genma Shiranui, a Konoha jonin. Lord Hokage sent us to welcome everyone from Takigakure."
"Thanks for coming. I thought you'd wait for us at the border. I didn't expect you to come all the way here to meet us."
"Genma Shiranui" smiled.
"Lord Hokage gave us specific instructions. Takigakure is our ally, and we should treat you accordingly."
"That's a major nation's ninja village for you. You really are different."
Kaede gave "Genma Shiranui" a thumbs-up.
"Then let's get going. I'm already looking forward to our trip to Konoha."
"Wait!"
One of the Takigakure ninjas stopped Kaede and shielded her behind him.
"Where's Jiraiya? Our leader told us that Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, would also be coming to meet us.
"Why are there only three of you here? Where did Jiraiya go?"
His words instantly made the atmosphere tense.
Kaede caught on, too. That did sound right.
Before setting out, she had heard something about one of the Konoha Sannin.
"Genma Shiranui" rubbed the bridge of his nose and said with a smile,
"Don't be nervous, everyone. Lord Jiraiya came as well, of course, but just before you arrived, he sensed something.
"To ensure everyone's safety, Lord