Far away in the Capital of the Land of Fire, Princess Aoi had worked out what she thought was a wonderful scheme. In practice, however, her supposedly ingenious plan was doomed to die before it could even get properly underway.
What these arrogant nobles never expected was that Konoha did not welcome them at all.
Inside the Hokage Building, the Daimyō's envoy, dressed in a tall ceremonial hat and splendid robes, stood nervously before the expressionless Tobirama Senju and respectfully handed him a letter of greeting written by the Daimyō himself.
In contrast to the envoy's impeccable aristocratic etiquette, Tobirama casually tore open the envelope. After skimming the contents, he handed the letter straight back.
"Because certain people interfered, the village suffered an attack by intruders. Unfortunately, we are now at a critical stage of strengthening our defenses. Forgive us, but we cannot receive these distinguished guests. Please return."
Apart from all the meaningless formalities and polite greetings exchanged between nobles, the letter contained only one point of any substance: the new Daimyō wished to send his most beloved princess and his heir apparent to Konoha to serve as a bridge between the nobility and the shinobi.
Tobirama Senju did not even need a moment to consider this seemingly sincere request. He rejected it without the slightest hesitation.
What a joke! To undermine Konoha, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire had colluded with outside forces and even stooped to targeting the children at the Orphanage!
Even the usually tolerant Hashirama Senju could not stomach such vile conduct. Not only had he tacitly approved of Madara Uchiha storming the Capital to take revenge on the Daimyō, but he had personally gone to the other four great nations and settled accounts with every Daimyō and noble on the list.
If Tobirama