Today, a grim, murderous atmosphere hung over the entrance to Konoha.
Several corpses hung high above the Konoha Gate like torn sacks.
The bodies had dark skin, and the Kumogakure forehead protectors on their brows stood out.
They were none other than the Kumogakure Ninja delegation that had attempted to steal the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan!
Every Konoha ninja passing through the gate looked at the corpses without the slightest fear. Instead, their eyes were filled with anger.
"Pah! A bunch of bastards with a death wish!"
"They actually dared to steal our kekkei genkai while we were dealing with the Nine-Tails' Rampage. This is what they get!"
"The Fifth Hokage did right by killing them! We should cut off all those Kumogakure Ninja's heads and hang them here to feed the crows!"
"Exactly! Did they really think Konoha was easy to bully?..."
"When the Third was around, he gave way at every turn. Now that the Fifth Hokage is in charge, let's see who still dares to run wild in Konoha!"
The Konoha ninja chimed in one after another, their voices full of hatred for the Kumogakure Ninja and fanatical admiration for the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Gengetsu.
Just then, a group of a dozen or so people approached Konoha from a short distance away.
They wore Sunagakure forehead protectors and the distinctive clothing of Sand ninja.
They were Sunagakure's delegation.
Their reason for coming to Konoha was very simple: they intended to take advantage of its weakness in the immediate aftermath of the Nine-Tails' Rampage to extort supplies.
"Captain, Konoha is just ahead."
"I heard the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha not long ago, and even the Fourth Hokage died. They must be badly weakened and in complete chaos now!"
A young Sand ninja leaned closer and spoke excitedly in a low voice.
The Sand captain sneered at that, then said, "Hmph, Konoha is weak right now. Lord Kazekage sent us here precisely to take advantage of their troubles!"
"Once we enter the village, I want all of you to act tough! We're going to extort a hefty load of supplies from Konoha. If they dare refuse, we'll threaten to tear up the alliance treaty!"
"Konoha would never dare offend Sunagakure at a time like this!"
Hearing their captain's words, the Sand ninja around him broke into greedy smiles.
"Brilliant, Captain! Those spineless cowards in Konoha will hand over their supplies willingly if we give them even a little scare!"
"Hahaha, this mission really is a cushy assignment!"
The Sand ninja rubbed their hands eagerly, as though they could already see Konoha handing over huge quantities of supplies.
But when they reached Konoha's entrance and looked up to see what hung above the gate, every smile froze.
"Th-that..."
"Kumogakure Ninja corpses?!"
"What's going on?! Why are there Kumogakure Ninja corpses here?!"
"Why is Konoha hanging up Kumogakure Ninja corpses?!"
The Sand ninja stared at the Kumogakure Ninja bodies in confusion and began discussing them.
Clearly, everyone in the Sand delegation was deeply puzzled by the Kumogakure Ninja corpses hanging at Konoha's entrance.
"They were the Kumogakure Ninja delegation. They tried to steal our village's kekkei genkai, and the Fifth Hokage discovered them."
"So the Fifth Hokage killed them."
As those words fell, Shikaku Nara, the Hokage's aide, walked over.
"What?! These people were Kumogakure's delegation?!"
At Shikaku Nara's words, the Sand ninja cried out in shock.
"That's right! The Fifth Hokage has already declared it!"
"Anyone who dares harm Konoha will be killed by Konoha!"
Shikaku Nara looked at the Sand ninja, his tone carrying a warning.
"But...!"
The Sand ninja exchanged glances, clearly all shocked by the news.
After all, under the Third Hokage's leadership, Konoha had been known for its friendliness-or even its weakness and willingness to compromise.
When faced with provocations from other great nations, Konoha usually chose to keep the peace.
But since when had Konoha become so tough?!
The Kumogakure Ninja delegation represented Kumogakure's Raikage, yet this newly appointed Fifth Hokage had slaughtered them all and even hung them at the entrance for public display?!
This was nothing short of an outright slap in Kumogakure's face!
At that moment, fine beads of cold sweat began forming on the Sand captain's forehead.
After all, they had come to Konoha with secret orders from the Kazekage to take advantage of its weakness and extort a hefty quantity of supplies!
They had thought Konoha was still the same weak, easily bullied village.
But now, seeing the fate of the Kumogakure Ninja hanging high above the gate, every Sand ninja began having doubts.
If they really dared to demand supplies from Konoha now... would their heads be cut off too, just like those Kumogakure Ninja, and hung neatly beside them?!
Shikaku Nara took in every member of the Sand delegation's reaction and could not help feeling a sense of agreement.
The Fifth Hokage's methods really did work.
Had they followed the Third Hokage's approach of compromise, Konoha would probably have suffered another heavy loss dealing with these ill-intentioned Sand ninja today.
Now, however, just a few Kumogakure Ninja corpses had intimidated these Sand ninja who wanted to exploit their troubles.
"Envoys of Sunagakure, thank you for making the long journey."
"I am the Hokage's aide! Please follow me. I'll take you to your lodgings first!"
Shikaku Nara then addressed the members of the Sand delegation.
"Sorry for the trouble!"
The Sand captain hastily offered a polite reply, then led the delegation into Konoha after Shikaku Nara.
Along the way, the Sand captain also observed Konoha.
He found no signs of devastation anywhere in the village, and his expression grew serious.
He knew very well that the task the Kazekage had given him might not be so easy to complete.
After settling the Sand delegation in, Shikaku Nara could not help asking:
"Might I ask what brings you all to Konoha this time?"
At Shikaku's question, the Sand captain immediately grew serious.
He instinctively touched the scroll in his pocket, filled with extortionate demands, but did not take it out. Instead, he said,
"Well... we've come to discuss trade in goods with Konoha!"
"Yes! Trade in goods! To promote economic exchange between our two ninja villages!"
The Sand captain spoke with a perfectly straight face.
Watching him, Shikaku Nara sneered inwardly, but nodded without letting anything show on his face.
"I see. Understood!"
"Since you've come to discuss trade, please stay at your lodgings in Konoha for a few days. We'll send someone specifically to discuss the details with you."
With that, Shikaku Nara turned and left.
Once Shikaku Nara had vanished completely from sight, the other Sand ninja in the room immediately began asking in confusion.
"Captain! What's going on?!"
"Wasn't our mission to extort supplies from Konoha?!"
"That's right, Captain. Did you say the wrong thing?!"
Faced with his subordinates' bewildered questions, the Sand captain slapped the table in anger.
"You idiots!"
"Are you blind?! Didn't you see what happened to those Kumogakure Ninja at the gate?!"
"If we'd gone ahead and extorted Konoha as planned, do you believe we'd be the ones hanging above the Konoha Gate right now?!"
At their captain's words, the Sand ninja recalled the corpses swaying in the wind at the entrance and felt a wave of fear.
Seeing his subordinates' frightened expressions, the Sand captain drew a deep breath. A glint flashed through his eyes, and he began analyzing the situation with a sneer.
"Use your brains and think!"
"The Kumogakure Ninja delegation was wiped out in Konoha, and even their corpses were hung up in humiliation! With the Fourth Raikage's explosive temper, Kumogakure will never let Konoha get away with this!"
"When that happens, Konoha and Kumogakure are bound to be drawn into a brutal war!"
"Once they've both suffered heavy losses, that will be the best time for Sunagakure to make demands!"
"Then, to keep us Sand ninja from joining the battle too, Konoha will have to agree to whatever we ask-not just supplies, but even the harshest conditions!"
Hearing that, every Sand ninja in the room suddenly understood.
"So that's it! Just what we'd expect from our captain!"
"You're brilliant, Captain! Letting them fight while we reap the rewards is a wonderful move!"
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