When the group returned to Konoha, they found that despite having been away for only a few days, the village was decked out in festive decorations and bustling with activity.
The various buildings near the village entrance had all been spruced up, making the sight rather unfamiliar at first glance.
"What's going on-" Minato frowned in confusion.
He told Xue Ge and the other two, "Let's split up here. I'll go report on the mission. Can we meet at Ichiraku Ramen tonight?"
Apart from Xue Ge, neither of the other two had any objections. After finishing a mission away from the village, Xue Ge would run off to train, while Minato treated Kakashi and Shisui to a meal. It had already become routine.
"Then I'll see you tonight."
They each headed home to their own families.
On the way home, Xue Ge could distinctly sense that the village was much livelier, but he clearly remembered that there shouldn't have been any holidays worth celebrating around this time.
When he arrived home, Danzo was unexpectedly sunning himself in the courtyard.
"You're back?" Danzo lay in a rocking chair in the courtyard. Hearing the noise, he opened his eyes from his doze, saw that it was Xue Ge, and closed them again.
"Lord Danzo, what's going on in the village?"
"Envoys from Kumogakure are visiting Konoha. Hiruzen has been discussing cooperation with them these past few days."
Rocking his chair, Danzo said, "Apparently, they want some sort of technical exchange, and to strengthen the treaty of friendship and alliance, or something along those lines-"
Kumogakure?
Xue Ge recalled what he knew of the village, which he had only encountered in books before.
It was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Thanks to the alliance formed during the First Shinobi World War,