Worried about a third party intervening and unable to gain anything from the war, Kumogakure had reached an impasse.
Having lost over a hundred elite ninja, Kumogakure no longer had any desire to keep fighting.
The war should have ended months ago, but Kumogakure had refused to swallow the humiliation of its envoy's death. If it continued, even more Cloud Ninja would lose their lives.
Nor could the village return from its wartime footing to normal life.
During their latest encounter, Yugito had tossed over the Peace Treaty with a disdainful look, while Zou Hyuga had regarded the feline Jinchūriki with pity.
In the future, the Akatsuki would covet Matatabi, the Two-Tails sealed inside her.
And when a Jinchūriki had their tailed beast extracted, the massive loss of life force would kill them.
After the Peace Treaty reached the village, the ninja assigned to the negotiations turned out to be someone Zou Hyuga had not expected: Jiraiya.
Apparently, after learning that traces of Orochimaru had been found here, Jiraiya had volunteered to handle the peace talks.
Once Jiraiya took over, the ANBU squad received orders to return.
Upon receiving the recall order, Oto Uchiha could not help giving Jiraiya a long, searching look before her expression quickly returned to normal.
The moment the ANBU squad returned to the village, the Third summoned them to the Hokage Office.
Inside the Hokage Office.
The Third sat at the head of the room, his pipe between his lips, lost in silence. He used to mind his image in front of his subordinates, but recent events had left him overwhelmed.
Beside the Third sat the two Elder Advisors who assisted him, along with a grim-faced Danzo.
It was fairly rare to see the Second's disciples gathered together, especially Danzo, who had actually deigned to