Dodai quickly smiled and replied,
"Lord Raikage places great importance on this peace agreement, so naturally we must ensure the mission succeeds perfectly."
Minato chuckled lightly.
"You've traveled a long way to reach Konoha. Naturally, we must play the role of gracious hosts. It's already late today—why not spend a few days enjoying the sights of Konoha and resting? We can discuss the peace agreement afterward."
Seeing that the Hokage still maintained a friendly attitude toward the negotiations, Dodai felt slightly relieved.
He nodded immediately.
"The Hokage speaks wisely. We have indeed traveled far and could use some rest. Lord Raikage is always considerate toward his subordinates—he would surely approve of us settling in first."
As he spoke, his eyes subtly scanned the surrounding shinobi security arrangements, though his polite smile never faded.
To any outsider, it looked like nothing more than a friendly diplomatic visit.
Minato nodded.
"Shikaku, please arrange accommodations for the delegation."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku stepped forward with a warm smile.
"You must be tired from your journey. Please follow me—lodgings have already been prepared in the village. Food, baths, and all necessary comforts are ready. We hope you'll experience Konoha's hospitality."
"Thank you."
The Cloud ninjas followed him out.
Wen Lan's Warning
"Gentlemen."
Wen Lan suddenly spoke.
He casually placed the Kusanagi sword onto the table.
For a moment, everyone's attention wasn't on Wen Lan—
But on the sword.
The Cloud delegation immediately broke out in cold sweat and turned toward him.
Wen Lan nudged the blade slightly with his thumb.
Clang.
The crisp sound of steel echoed through the room.
His gaze locked onto Dodai.
"I'm pleased that Kumogakure has come to negotiate peace with Konoha."
"But if any of you do something… inappropriate while in our village—"
"The consequences will be your own responsibility."
"Understood?"
Dodai forced a stiff smile.
"Of course. We are guests here and will naturally behave with respect."
Wen Lan nodded faintly.
The sword slid back into its sheath.
But the cold pressure in the room remained.
"Gentlemen, please follow me," Shikaku said, guiding the delegation away.
After the Delegation Leaves
As soon as the Cloud ninjas left—
Minato's warm smile disappeared.
His expression turned serious.
"Kumogakure is just as we expected," he said quietly.
"They even brought the Two-Tails jinchūriki with them."
"Not just that," Wen Lan replied, leaning back in his chair.
"Their target is the Byakugan."
"Byakugan?!" Minato was surprised.
"Let's wait and see."
Wen Lan smiled faintly, picked up the Kusanagi sword, and left the Hokage office.
Kumogakure's Secret Discussion
While Konoha celebrated the arrival of the delegation with festivals and decorations—
The Cloud delegation remained inside their quarters.
Dodai, Samui, Yugito, Darui, and another jonin sat around a table with grim expressions.
"Advisor," Darui said quietly.
"I feel like that Wen Lan noticed something."
Though he appeared lazy, anyone chosen as the Raikage's bodyguard was exceptional.
In the ninja world, the bodyguard of a Kage was usually a candidate for the next Kage.
Dodai tapped the table slowly.
"He definitely noticed something."
"But the treaty hasn't been signed yet."
"They won't act rashly."
Samui spoke next.
"But the Byakugan capture plan has already been arranged. If Wen Lan interferes—"
"Then we pressure them," Dodai said coldly.
"This time we must obtain the Byakugan."
"As long as our man captures a Hyūga clan member and escapes the Hyūga compound—"
"And then gets killed by Hyūga pursuers—"
"Then their unique Gentle Fist will become evidence."
"We can demand a Byakugan as compensation."
"At that point, Konoha will have no choice."
"If they refuse, it means breaking the peace treaty."
"And international opinion will side with Kumogakure."
Dodai turned to the jonin beside him.
"Sanmura, we're counting on you."
The man grinned viciously.
"I understand."
"I'm already a dead man anyway."
"I'll make sure I die… 'accidentally' during the Hyūga pursuit."
"When do we act?" Yugito asked.
"Not yet," Dodai replied.
"We just arrived. Konoha's guard is at its highest."
"We'll wait a few days."
Samui frowned.
"Isn't the most dangerous moment also the safest?"
Dodai shook his head.
"That only applies sometimes."
"You saw those Uchiha today."
"Even now I feel at least five pairs of eyes watching me."
"Our curtains are closed, yet someone can still observe us."
"That means either Sharingan or Byakugan users."
"If even one of us leaves, they'll notice immediately."
"So we wait until Konoha relaxes."
"And until something else distracts them."
He slowly closed his eye.
"Fortunately, there's a festival in Konoha the day after tomorrow."
"With crowds everywhere, it's the perfect cover."
He traced a route across the table.
"Sanmura will infiltrate the Hyūga compound late that night."
"Once he captures a Hyūga child, the rest will proceed as planned."
"Yes!"
Wen Lan's Intelligence
Meanwhile, Wen Lan sat in his courtyard, gazing at the night sky.
Cherry blossoms drifted quietly across the yard.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
He bit his finger and formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu."
A puff of smoke appeared.
The Kasugai crow landed on the table with a letter.
Wen Lan opened the envelope.
It was a message from Obito.
They had already infiltrated Kumogakure.
Their goal:
The Amber Purification Pot.
One of the Six Paths Sage's treasured ninja tools, capable of sealing extremely powerful entities.
Since the Akatsuki currently lacked the Gedō Statue, they had no place to store tailed beasts.
Their earlier attacks on jinchūriki had been a diversion.
The real goal was to make the villages believe Akatsuki was hunting tailed beasts—
While secretly targeting the Amber Purification Pot in Kumogakure.
With that artifact—
All tailed beasts could be sealed inside it.
The message also contained another plan.
If time allowed, after obtaining the pot—
They would rush to intercept Yugito Nii on the road between Konoha and Kumogakure.
And seize the Two-Tails.
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