Once Konoha settled on a departure date and who would be going, the pressure shifted to Sunagakure. Kazekage Reto decided almost immediately to send his second-in-command, Shamon, along with Chiyo, Sandstorm, and Ebizo to serve as Shingetsu's guides.
Shamon was exceptionally intelligent; calling him Sunagakure's Tobirama Senju would not have been an exaggeration. Giving the tailed beast to Konoha had been Chiyo's idea in the first place, and since she had already met Uchiha Shingetsu, Reto and Shamon entrusted her with the important task of diplomacy. Meanwhile, Sandstorm and Ebizo, with their Magnet Release kekkei genkai and Puppet Technique, would naturally be excellent at prospecting for gold in the desert.
Reto and his guards remained in Konoha to study its various systems firsthand. They also spent their days flattering Hashirama, hoping to become his friends while Madara Uchiha was away.
On the day of their departure, Hashirama's eyes brimmed with tears. The envy in them looked ready to spill over along with the tears.
"Boo-hoo, I want to get out of the village, too!"
"Forget it, big brother. Just stay home and mind the village."
Tobirama shot a cold glare at Hashirama, who looked as pitiful as a dejected big dog, and rejected his plea without hesitation. Another Tobirama picked up where he left off, grabbed Hashirama by the collar, and began dragging him back to the Hokage Building.
"You still have a stack of documents to handle, and several Kage to receive. Don't even think about running off."
"Madara, save me!"
At the mention of paperwork, Hashirama's face instantly turned sickly pale. He helplessly reached toward Madara, who was watching him with one eyebrow raised, only to receive the most merciless rejection.
"Just stay put."
With no intention of rescuing Hashirama, Madara waved dismissively and turned to leave with