Lu Renyi followed Hatake Sakumo's lead in silence, quietly weighing his options.
Behind him, a figure watched Hatake Sakumo's firm stance, lowering his head to hide a satisfied smile.
Under Hatake Sakumo's guidance, the Land of Wind delegation toured most of Konoha, avoiding sensitive areas that needed to remain secret and places frequented by children, before being led into Konoha's administrative building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi received them as the newly appointed Hokage, while Shimura Danzō sat in the Hokage Assistant's seat.
Lu Renyi, the leader of the Land of Wind delegation, wore an insincere smile as he chatted amiably with the members of the Konoha High Command.
Not long afterward, the Land of Earth delegation also arrived in Konoha and went through the same formalities as the Land of Wind delegation.
After they checked into the Guesthouse, the Konoha High Command invited the Envoys of the Lands of Wind and Earth to the bustling Commercial Street that night for a private reception banquet.
And while they ate and drank their fill at the banquet...
Shimura Danzō's Shadow Clone led a squad of ANBU skilled in laying traps and gathering intelligence to the route the Land of Wind would have to take to attack Konoha, swiftly beginning their preparations.
The Shadow Clones of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura led another group of subordinates to lie in ambush along the route the Land of Earth would have to take to attack Konoha.
While the guests exchanged drinks and toasts, all the preparations were completed.
Once the banquet ended, the guests took their leave, and Hiruzen Sarutobi saw them off with a smile.
They had been put in their place during the day, then offered a sweetener that night to soothe their resentment. He had secured both prestige and practical gains; his political