Three days later would be Konoha's grand festival.
In reality, it was simply the second anniversary of Minato becoming Hokage.
During these three days, the Cloud delegation remained unusually quiet. Aside from negotiating the peace agreement, they rarely left their quarters.
A peace treaty wasn't just a simple document.
It also involved negotiations over trade, resources, and missions.
After all, another name for a peace treaty was "cooperative development."
Both villages would trade their specialties and exchange scarce resources.
More importantly—
There was the issue of missions.
Shinobi earned money by accepting missions.
But mission distribution was heavily influenced by relations between nations.
If two countries were enemies or in a cold war, mission opportunities dropped drastically.
Because shinobi could only accept missions within their own country.
Cross-border missions would be considered provocation or espionage.
But once a peace treaty was signed, shinobi from both sides could freely take missions in the other country.
Mission volume increased.
Income rose.
Merchants traveling between countries would prefer hiring shinobi from friendly villages, rather than dealing with hostile borders.
So the signing of a peace treaty didn't just affect politics—
It directly impacted every ninja's livelihood.
Negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure were nearing completion.
But details still required careful discussion—
Especially border mission zones and reward distribution.
And beneath the calm surface—
Hidden currents still flowed.
Festival Day
Because of the festival, the Cloud delegation returned to their lodging early.
Meanwhile, Konoha's streets were lively.
Lanterns hung everywhere.
Colorful banners fluttered.
Children ran around holding windmills and candy.
Market vendors shouted loudly.
The scent of roasted corn and sweet dumplings filled the air.
Even the wind seemed to carry sweetness.
The Orphanage
Wen Lan and Hana were busy as well.
Early that morning, they went to the orphanage.
Wen Lan personally paid for new clothes for all the children.
He also gave each child some pocket money.
The children ran happily through the yard, their faces glowing with excitement.
Hana had brought a large amount of food from the Inuzuka clan.
Steamed buns.
Grilled skewers.
Sticky rice dumplings.
They piled high on the long table, drawing the children into excited crowds.
Wen Lan sat beneath the old tree in the courtyard.
Watching Hana direct several kids arranging the plates—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Suddenly, he felt someone staring at him.
He turned his head.
Behind Yakushi Nono, a small boy peeked out.
It was Kabuto Yakushi.
He now wore the same round glasses as Nono.
Wen Lan waved gently.
Signaling him to come over.
Kabuto hesitated and looked up at Nono.
She smiled softly and rubbed his head.
"Go ahead."
Kabuto ran over nervously.
"Wen… Wen Lan-sama."
Wen Lan patted the stone stool beside him.
"Sit."
Kabuto sat stiffly, looking a little nervous.
Wen Lan asked gently:
"Do you like Konoha?"
Kabuto's eyes lit up.
"Yes!"
"The director is kind, and you are kind too!"
"We can eat every day, and when we get sick we can get treatment!"
"That's good," Wen Lan said softly.
But his gaze toward Kabuto was complicated.
If used properly—
Kabuto could withstand an entire army.
In the original story, after Orochimaru was sealed, Kabuto lost his identity.
He imitated Orochimaru in an attempt to find himself.
During that time he learned Sage Mode from Ryūchi Cave.
With Edo Tensei, he once held back the entire Shinobi Alliance.
Even before that, his medical ninjutsu was among the best in the world—second only to Tsunade.
If guided correctly—
He could become a pillar of medical ninjutsu in Konoha.
Wen Lan spoke slowly.
"Your path shouldn't remain in this small orphanage."
He placed a sealed envelope on the table and pushed it toward Kabuto.
"Your life should be controlled by you."
"If you want to become a ninja, take this letter and find Orochimaru."
"I've already written a recommendation."
"But whether he accepts you as a student… depends on you."
"If you choose to stay here and inherit the orphanage from Nono…"
"I won't force you either."
"You have two paths."
"You choose."
After saying that, Wen Lan stood and walked toward the dining tables.
Kabuto's Choice
Kabuto stared at the envelope.
His fingers trembled.
The wax seal glowed faintly in the sunlight.
Becoming a ninja—
That had always been his secret dream.
But staying in the orphanage meant safety and familiarity.
He looked at his shaking hands.
Then remembered something Nono once told him:
"A true healer shouldn't only treat wounds…"
"They should also face the pain of the world."
A breeze passed through the trees.
Children's laughter echoed through the yard.
That laughter tugged at his heart.
"You must choose your own path."
A gentle voice sounded behind him.
Kabuto turned.
Nono stood there smiling softly.
"Aunt… Director…"
His voice trembled.
"Go choose," she said warmly.
"The most important thing in life… is not regretting your choices."
Kabuto fell silent.
Then he clenched his teeth—
And grabbed the envelope.
Looking toward Wen Lan laughing with the children, he thought firmly:
Lord Wen Lan… I won't disappoint you.
I will become the sharpest blade in your hand.
From across the yard—
Wen Lan glanced sideways.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Late Night
The festival continued late into the night.
Inside the Hokage building, the clan leaders drank and chatted happily.
Even the usually stern Hiashi and Fugaku ended up drinking a few extra cups.
Minato had only stayed briefly.
After two drinks, he returned home to accompany Kushina.
Being Hokage meant endless work.
He rarely had time for family.
And Kushina had nearly exploded in anger recently.
Tonight, he had to go calm her down.
Eventually, the gathering ended around 2 a.m.
The clan leaders returned home one by one.
The Infiltration
At that moment—
A Kumogakure ninja named Sanmura had already infiltrated the Hyūga compound.
His target was the central district.
Because that was where the main family lived.
Only if the main family was threatened would the Hyūga clan react strongly enough.
By coincidence—
He sneaked into Hiashi's residence.
He listened carefully.
Inside the room—
He heard two breathing sounds.
Quietly, he took out a thin bamboo tube.
He inserted it through a small gap in the sliding screen.
Then—
He blew a stream of sleeping poison into the room.
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