In the morning, after breakfast, Sakura took Karin and Yakumo to meet with Village Leader Shibuki.
It was time to get down to the official business of their visit. Shibuki clearly placed great importance on this aid. In the meeting hall, besides Shibuki, there were many others whom Shibuki introduced as the core upper management of the Waterfall Village.
"These are the conditions our village is offering," Sakura said nonchalantly.
The Waterfall Village officials across from her looked at each other in dismay. Although the aid offered by the Leaf was indeed generous, the proposed conditions were also "generously" harsh.
"The other conditions are not a problem," Senji, as Shibuki's most trusted advisor, spoke up. "But isn't this clause a bit excessive? This would mean our Village Hidden in the Waterfall would become completely subordinate to the Leaf."
"Oh, you mean that one," Sakura said, looking at the clause Senji was pointing to. "I think this clause is excellent. Although your village will lose the right to accept missions independently and can only be assigned them by us, you will no longer have to worry about a lack of mission requests."
"But if that's the case, wouldn't our village become nothing more than a subsidiary of the Leaf?" Senji's tone was tinged with anger.
"You're exaggerating," Sakura smiled, unconcerned. "This has a time limit. Secondly, if you face any difficulties, the Leaf will support you with all our might. In my opinion, it's a very good deal."
"But this time limit is a bit too long, isn't it?" Senji said.
"Long?" Sakura said with surprise. "Is ten years considered long?"
"In any case, we cannot agree to this clause," Senji said, closing the scroll.
"Alright, I understand. I will convey your sentiments. I do not have the authority to change the village's decisions. Since that's the case, we'll leave it at that for now," Sakura said, standing up and patting her clothes, ready to leave.
Senji was taken aback. His intention had only been to get the other party to concede, but he hadn't expected them to just walk away from the negotiations. Although the Leaf's conditions were harsh, the aid they offered was very tempting. It was clear the Leaf genuinely wanted to help them.
However, the words had already been spoken, and it was difficult to take them back now.
"Captain Sakura, please don't be in such a hurry to leave. We will discuss your conditions further. I am the one who makes the final decisions for the Waterfall Village," Shibuki spoke up at that moment.
"Oh?" Sakura paused, turning her head to the side. "Since that's the case, we'll impose on you a little longer."
Whatever the Waterfall Village's decision was, it didn't matter to Sakura. She just needed to achieve her own goals.
"Then that's all for today. My apologies. We will give you our decision this afternoon," Shibuki said apologetically. "For now, please feel free to tour the village."
"Okay," Sakura nodded. "Karin, Yakumo, let's go."
"Yes," Karin said, following Sakura out.
Yakumo followed behind the two of them at a leisurely pace.
Sakura led the two out of the meeting hall, preparing to go find Fu. Although Fu was watched closely, she wasn't completely isolated.
A few words in advance might be enough to get her to obediently leave the village with them without having to resort to other means. Once she was out of the village, everything would be simple.
"Yakumo, you go tour the other parts of the village first. I'll take Karin to see Fu. If the time is right, we can make our move," Sakura said.
"Are you two really going to be okay? You don't need me?" Yakumo asked, her speech a bit rushed.
"You just need to get a good grasp of the terrain here. Don't let the illusion you create have too many flaws and get seen through," Sakura said.
Although an illusion could be controlled at will, it still took a great deal of effort to make it seamlessly blend with reality without any loopholes.
"..." Yakumo was silent for a moment. "I understand."
Yakumo then left the two of them. Sakura frowned, watching her leave, finding it a bit strange. It seemed she had been very eager to stay with them just now.
Wait, did I miss something? Sakura lowered her head in thought. Everything seemed normal.
Hold on, that's not right. A flash of inspiration struck Sakura. There was perhaps only one explanation for Yakumo's nervous demeanor.
But if that was the case, the purpose of this trip was about to deviate from its intended course.
But now, she had to act. Sakura formed a hand seal, releasing her Yin Seal in reverse. At the same time, her Seijutsu began to circulate.
...
Yakumo sat in the meeting hall, watching the mark on Sakura's forehead begin to spread. She sighed helplessly.
So she found the flaw after all. But it's my own fault for being too impatient. In the end, I failed. I can't predict what will happen next.
But there's one last thing I can do...
"Lord Jiraiya, you're as fond of peeping as ever," Yakumo said with a helpless tone, her voice echoing in the meeting hall.
Although Yakumo had spoken, besides the scattered and unconscious Waterfall ninja, no one appeared.
Seeing that Sakura was about to wake up, Yakumo took out a kunai and shot it into a corner of the room.
A figure immediately shot out from the dark corner.
At that moment, Sakura's eyes opened, her gaze instantly locking onto Yakumo.
So I was right. She had cast a genjutsu in the meeting hall, at the moment when Sakura was most relaxed. If it weren't for "Yakumo's" performance in the illusion, Sakura might not have discovered it so soon.
Because Sakura would have found out sooner or later, as soon as she entered her Seijutsu state.
No wonder "Yakumo" had been nervous when Sakura told her not to follow and that they might act. If they didn't use genjutsu on the Jinchuriki, the only other option was for Sakura to enter her Seijutsu state, suppress the Tailed Beast with overwhelming power, and quickly seal it.
And at that point, Yakumo's illusion would no longer be able to hide.
But what Sakura hadn't expected was that besides "Yakumo," there was another person in the room whom she was exceptionally familiar with.
"Lord Jiraiya, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked, shifting her gaze from Yakumo.
"..." Jiraiya was at a loss for words, but he didn't dwell on it. "There's something wrong with this Yakumo."
"Yes, there certainly is." Sakura temporarily suppressed her questions about Jiraiya. After all, she was very familiar with him. No matter why he was here, she wouldn't be at a complete disadvantage.
This "Yakumo," however, was a complete unknown.
"No need to be so tense," the fake Yakumo said with a smile. "I mean you no harm, Captain Sakura, Lord Jiraiya."
"Hmph," Jiraiya snorted. "Who are you?"
"Me?" "Yakumo" chuckled. "I'm Yakumo Kurama."
"Stop pretending. You're not Yakumo Kurama," Sakura said coldly. "The real Yakumo has probably been killed by you."
"Unfortunately," "Yakumo" shook her head. "You guessed wrong. Yakumo is doing just fine."
"Heh, so you admit you're an imposter," Sakura retorted.
"Enough talk. Let's capture her first and then interrogate her," Jiraiya said. His concern for the fake Yakumo now far outweighed his concern for Sakura.
Jiraiya's thoughts were the same as Sakura's. No matter what Sakura was up to, at least he was very familiar with her. But an unknown enemy who could easily infiltrate a Konoha team was terrifying.
"Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
"Wh-What!" Jiraiya was greatly surprised, staring at the "Yakumo" who had encased herself in her own hair.
Sakura was naturally just as shocked. Someone else could use Jiraiya's ninjutsu.
But she didn't act rashly, instead choosing to observe how the situation developed.
"Are... are you Shuying?" Jiraiya asked, maintaining his jutsu, his voice filled with shock and uncertainty.
The "Yakumo" encased in hair was silent for a moment. "That's right. I am Shuying."
As her voice fell, "Yakumo's" face and body distorted, eventually transforming back into the girl in a kimono, wearing a fox mask.
"We meet again, Sakura Haruno," Shuying said, her voice calm as she addressed Sakura. It seemed that beneath the mask lay a mystery that no one could unravel.