The group traversed bustling streets and finally arrived at the magnificent Full Moon Palace.
Xiao Daocao had never seen anything like it before, and his eyes were filled with admiration. "Wow! What a beautiful palace!"
Zantetsu Ichibei laughed heartily, "Little girl, this is the imperial palace, the face of the Land of the Moon, of course it has to be much more grand."
For some reason, Hongshi was a little displeased with Zantetsu Ichibei's tone. He turned to Xiao Daocao and said, "Hmm... Xiao Daocao, since you like it, I'll give this palace to you?"
Zantetsu Ichibei's expression hardened. " Konoha ninja, watch your words. You represent Konoha now. Don't say anything excessive."
Captain Yamato forced a smile, "I'm sorry, Captain Ichibei, Hongshi can't speak."
Hongshi shrugged. "Sorry, I didn't explain myself clearly just now. I won't do it again next time."
The Little Katsuyu and Little Haku in Xiao Daocao's arms were startled, as if sensing some danger. "Holy crap! Is a meteorite falling from the sky?"
Little Katsuyu: "Such terrifying malice, Hongshi-kun, calm down."
Hongshi chuckled. "What's up? I'm thinking about how to build a nuclear power plant in the Land of the Moon."
The Lord God: "Danger."
Zantetsu Ichibei didn't take it to heart, but Konohamaru broke out in a cold sweat. When Hongshi wasn't being childish, that was when he was serious, and a serious Hongshi... was terrifying.
I'm truly worried about the Land of the Moon.
The Full Moon Palace doesn't just have one gate, but nine in total, each with its own unique scenery—some with lush green trees, others with colorful gardens.
Absolutely breathtaking.
Xiao Daocao sensed something was off about Hongshi, but dared not make a sound. She simply opened her eyes wide, wanting to take a closer look.
Hanabi Hyuga looked at the silent Hongshi and smiled, " Hongshi-kun, after we're done talking, I'll treat you to dumplings."
Little Haku: "More meatballs to eat? That's great!"
Little Katsuyu: "Mmm! I love sweet dumplings the most."
Little Haku: "Could you please take that flower off your head? You've lived for over ten thousand years! Don't be so childish!"
Little Katsuyu: "I like it, what's it to you?"
Zantetsu Ichibei watched the two arguing immortals, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Talking snakes and Katsuyu, are they summoning beasts? But they look as weak as this little girl."
Little Haku: "If I White Rage Technique, the Full Moon Palace might shatter."
Little Katsuyu: "You probably want to be completely obliterated, uncle."
Even if they are just clones, the two summoned beasts are genuine immortals, and they can summon their main bodies in a moment of emergency.
Yamato didn't even dare to reply.
Hongshi said, "You two, calm down, or you'll ruin Xiao Daocao's future home."
As they talked, they arrived at the main hall of the Full Moon Palace, where Full Mangetsu Kumo, with her white hair, and her two sons were already sitting inside waiting.
Seeing Yamato approach, the three stood up. "An envoy from Konoha? Welcome, welcome. Ichibei, thank you for your hard work."
"I will obey His Majesty's command without complaint."
Zantetsu Ichibei led the group into the main hall, bowed to Mangetsu Kumo and the other two, and then took his place.
Yamato knelt on one knee. " Your Mangetsu Kumo -no-Kage, I have come today to... Hongshi! Konohamaru! Why are you still standing?!"
Hongshi: "(°ー°) Huh? You want me to kneel down? No way! I've never even knelt before my parents, who does he think he is? Glaring at me won't do any good. Xiao Daocao hasn't even knelt before me, let alone them."
Konohamaru wiped his nose. "If the... the boss won't kneel, I won't kneel either."
Hanabi Hyuga, however, knew proper etiquette, jumping off Hongshi's shoulder and kneeling beside Yamato.
Mangetsu Kumo didn't seem to care much. "Oh! It's understandable for young people to have their own personalities; these formalities are unnecessary."
Mangetsu Kaze was displeased. "You don't even know basic manners! How can you be ninjas? If it weren't for the fact that you're Konoha ninjas, I would have kicked you out long ago!"
Mangetsu Kaze is the eldest brother. He has a very arrogant personality. Although he is very politically savvy, his personal character is not likable, and he likes to get stuck on trivial matters.
Mangetsu Ame softened considerably and said with a smile, "Brother, we haven't even talked yet, don't make things awkward right away."
Mangetsu Kumo shook her head. " A-Kaze, you're too hasty in your actions. Say less."
Mangetsu Kaze snorted coldly, but his eyes, still filled with anger, remained fixed on Hongshi.
Hongshi: "He'd be a good choice for guarding the gate."
Little Haku: "I think so too."
Yamato breathed a sigh of relief. If things had really gone wrong and the negotiations had broken down, it would have been difficult to handle. " Your Mangetsu Kumo, I'll be frank. Konoha sent me here mainly to discuss the alliance."
Mangetsu Kumo didn't let Yamato continue, raising her right hand. "There's no need to mention the alliance again. Our purpose in establishing the Land of the Moon is to avoid war and maintain neutrality."
Yamato was flatly rejected and speechless. "Your Majesty, listen to me. The current situation in the Shinobi World..."
Mangetsu Kumo closed her eyes and shook her head. "You know what? The moment I close my eyes, it's as if I'm back on the battlefield of yesteryear. In war, there are no winners, only death."
Mangetsu Ame said softly, "Father has never liked fighting and is quite stubborn. You... you should leave."
Mangetsu Kaze laughed loudly, "Father, you're getting old and like to overthink things. If a large-scale war really breaks out, neutral countries will become the battlefields. You haven't forgotten about the Land of Rain, have you? I personally think we should form an alliance with Konoha."
Mangetsu Kumo seemed unwilling to speak, keeping his eyes closed, wanting to hear his son's opinion on the matter.
Mangetsu Ame, being perceptive, foresaw the consequences of forming an alliance and said, "Brother, if we ally with Konoha, what will Kumogakure think? After all, Kumogakure is very close to us. What will we do if they put pressure on us? Have you thought about all of this?"
Mangetsu Kaze said, " Mangetsu Ame, you've been mentioning Kumogakure so often lately, don't you have any ulterior motives?"
Hongshi suddenly realized and said to the Xiao Daocao on her shoulder, "Oh, I see. So the weaklings lurking in the Full Moon Palace are the Second Prince's men?"
Little Haku: "This kid is really good at hiding his true intentions. You humans just love to play dirty tricks."
The eldest prince pointed at the Hongshi: "You big guy, what are you muttering about over there!"
Hongshi wasn't about to be fooled. "Oh, Your Highness, I was just starting to like you, and you've made me lose interest so quickly. I have a question for you, Second Prince."
Mangetsu Ame raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? You say."
Hongshi pointed around. "Are all the Cloud Ninja outside this palace your people?"
When Hongshi and the two immortals arrived at the Full Moon Palace, they had already used their senses and discovered that they were surrounded by hundreds of ninjas. Judging from the flow of Chakra, most of them were ninjas from the Kumogakure, and they were not lacking in formidable combat power.
After learning about the second prince's character, she actually developed a slight liking for the outspoken and stubborn eldest prince, but that liking vanished in an instant.
Mangetsu Kaze was startled. " Mangetsu Ame, do you really want to form an alliance with the Cloud Ninja?"
Mangetsu Ame was exposed, she stopped pretending. "Big brother, don't you also want to form an alliance with Konoha? Come out."
With that, he waved his hand, and a large number of ninjas jumped out from the shadows, surrounding Yamato and the others, holding ninja tools and their eyes filled with hostility.
Yamato stood up. "Second Prince, what do you mean by this?"
Mangetsu Ame chuckled lightly, "It's nothing."
Yamato stood up. "Second Prince, what do you mean by this? I'm just showing you the Land of the Moon's stance."