Ruri's demeanor was cold.
Shikaku smiled awkwardly and said nothing.
Subsequently, Ruri and Ichihime followed Shikaku back to the Hokage Building.
There, a dozen or so carriages were already parked in front of the Hokage Building. By the time Ruri and Ichihime arrived, the carriages were filled with various sealed boxes.
Inside these sealed boxes were all kinds of valuable collections from the Uchiha Clan.
The majority were books on clan ninja techniques and Sharingan applications. There were also some important documents collected by the Uchiha Clan in the past, all about various ancient era secrets that only a long-established noble clan like the Uchiha would have preserved.
These ancient secrets might come in handy one day and are also an important part of the clan's heritage, something that must be taken away.
"Lady Ruri, everything has been loaded. We can depart at any time."
The Jonin from the Land of Demons, responsible for directing the transport, reported to Ruri after ensuring the last batch of sealed boxes was loaded onto the carriages.
Ruri nodded and instructed him, "If everything is ready, let's set off. We need to reach the port before sunset."
"Understood."
The Jonin from the Land of Demons proceeded to take action, driving the carriages which raised a bit of dust on the road as they gradually moved away.
Watching the ninja of the Land of Demons drive the carriages laden with goods into the distance, Shikaku stepped forward, scratching his head, and said, "Well, everything has been handed over to you. About Jiraiya-sama, shouldn't we..."
"Rest assured, we have no intention of going back on our word."
Considering how straightforward and sincere Konoha was, Ruri didn't make things too difficult for Shikaku.
She quickly sealed, pressing her palm to the ground.
Boom!
A massive orange cat, as large as a small mountain, appeared, with its belly covered in fluffy white fur.
"Ubi, you've gained quite a bit of weight. Have you forgotten to exercise lately?"
Ichihime approached the enormous cat, far larger than a house, and patted its fluffy white belly, feeling the warm breath transfer to her palm.
"H-How insulting, Lady Ichihime, I've been exercising diligently every day. Just look at my fit muscles, it's proof of my intense workouts recently."
Ubi mumbled, seemingly dissatisfied with Ichihime's statement about his neglect of exercise.
"..."
Ichihime looked at Ubi's round body, short limbs, and belly almost touching the ground even while sitting, finding it hard to imagine him walking on all fours, rendering her somewhat speechless.
That didn't look like the diligent appearance of someone who exercises diligently.
"Ubi, release the people."
Ruri intervened in the conversation between Ichihime and Ubi at this moment.
"Yes, Lady Ruri."
With that, Ubi opened his mouth and spat towards the ground.
Five people were spit out, lying sprawled on the ground with vague consciousness, their bodies covered in fishy-smelling mucus.
"..."
Shikaku pondered how these people survived inside the cat's belly without being dissolved.
Among the five, besides Jiraiya, there was Hyuga Takeshi from the Hyuga Clan's branch family, along with three other competent Jonin, appearing lean but without any signs of physical abuse or torture.
Overall, it seemed like a relatively satisfactory transaction.
"The people have been returned to you, the transaction concludes here, and it's time for us to leave."
Though it was a diplomatic visit, the relationship between the two parties had long since hit rock bottom, evident from the absence of the Hokage and senior advisors in greeting the returnees.
This time, the Land of Demons delivered a significant blow to Konoha's face.
After returning the hostages to Konoha, Ruri quickly left with Ichihime, catching up with the convoy that had left earlier.
As Ruri and Ichihime's figures grew farther away, Shikaku didn't attempt to stop them, instructing the accompanying Anbu to use Water Style Ninjutsu to clean Jiraiya and the others, as such appearances were unsuitable for public viewing.
◎
Kakuzas stood around the dilapidated temple, letting out harsh cawing sounds.
It was already twilight, with part of the distant sky being swallowed by darkness, signaling the impending nightfall.
Itachi looked up, noticing a figure slowly ascending the stone steps. The person wore the same black cloak with red clouds as he did, with snake-like vertical pupils, purple eyeshadow beside the eyes, and a sinister smile at the corner of the mouth, exuding a creepy and sinister aura.
It was Orochimaru, a comrade from the same organization.
"You've arrived earlier than I expected, Itachi-kun."
Standing about five meters in front of Itachi, Orochimaru extended his long tongue around his lips, his smile growing even more mischievous, creating an unnerving feeling.
Itachi tried to suppress this discomfort, taking out a scroll from his pocket and tossing it to Orochimaru, and said, "Here's the corpse of the Five-tailed Jinchuriki you wanted."
Orochimaru wrapped the scroll tightly with his tongue and then, as if it was nothing extraordinary, swallowed it into his abdomen.
Like a snake-like creature consuming its prey.
After swallowing the scroll, Orochimaru smiled contentedly and said, "Itachi-kun, you're very understanding. By the way, I have an unfinished experiment and need Itachi-kun's Sharingan to assist. I wonder if Itachi-kun could do me this favor?"
Itachi gazed steadily at Orochimaru, responding expressionlessly, "I'm sorry, Orochimaru-senpai, I can't help with your experiment. I need to return to the Hidden Rain and regroup with Kisame. It seems the Leader has a new mission for me."