Chapter 24: The Cicada Awaits
"This is Konoha? Nothing special. Not much better than our Kumogakure. Wait, of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kumogakure is probably the most prosperous, right? Hahaha…"
The delegation from Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) entered Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village). Looking at the village's bustling streets, training grounds, and the Hokage Rock carved with the faces of past leaders, they still couldn't help but show disdain, even laughing arrogantly.
The Konoha ninja guarding the gate elite shinobi who had experienced the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' Attack couldn't help but twitch their lips at this scene. If it weren't for diplomatic protocol, they really would have preferred to respond with force.
"Have a pleasant time in Konoha."
In the end, they could only force out those polite words. The shinobi world had always followed the rule of strength those with power dictated terms. Ever since the deaths of Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and the weakening of Konoha's military forces, even foreign villages had begun to test their boundaries.
The Kumogakure delegation's smiles widened upon hearing this. They waved casually, acting more like hosts than guests as they stepped deeper into Konoha.
Hokage Building.
Inside the office, the ambassador from Kumogakure sat across from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. The atmosphere was calm on the surface, but underneath, it was a negotiation layered with tension.
"Crops?"
"That's right. You probably know that while Kumogakure is powerful, our land is mostly mountainous. Agricultural output has always been limited. Compared to Konoha's fertile plains, the difference is obvious. Frankly speaking… your land is enviable."
Hiruzen frowned slightly, his aged face calm yet sharp. He had already anticipated that food would be part of the negotiation but the scale was excessive.
"If Konoha's total annual reserves are ten parts, Kumogakure requests three."
Thirty percent.
That wasn't trade it was pressure.
Such a demand could destabilize the civilian population of Konoha, especially after years of war and internal losses, including the annihilation of the Uchiha clan.
"And in exchange?" Hiruzen asked, his tone steady.
"Our military support. At the next Five Kage Summit, Kumogakure will speak in Konoha's favor."
Hiruzen remained silent.
At its peak, Konoha home to legends like Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, and later the Sannin would never have entertained such a proposal. If another village dared to impose terms, they would be met with overwhelming force.
But now?
The village had lost Minato, Jiraiya was traveling, Tsunade had abandoned the village due to trauma and gambling addiction, and Orochimaru had defected. Even the Hyuga clan's Byakugan had become a target.
"I need time to consider," Hiruzen finally said. "Stay in Konoha for a day. We'll continue tomorrow."
"Of course," the ambassador replied with a faint smirk. "Take your time."
Food?
That was never the true objective.
Their real goal the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.
As the ambassador exited the Hokage's office, Hiruzen's expression hardened. Forming a hand seal, he transmitted his voice through a ninjutsu used for covert communication.
"These people are suspicious. Increase surveillance."
"Understood!"
Across Konoha, ANBU squad leaders acknowledged instantly.
Meanwhile, on a rooftop, hidden in shadow
Hatake Kakashi, wearing his ANBU mask shaped like a dog, narrowed his visible eye slightly.
His target was still within sight.
But his partner… was gone.
Chinatsu had disappeared.
Just minutes earlier
"Huh? Kakashi-senpai, don't you think these Cloud Village people are acting too… normal? It's almost like they actually came here for diplomacy."
Chinatsu tilted her head, her tone casual but sharp.
"We're on a mission," Kakashi replied flatly. "Don't call me by name."
But after a pause, he admitted:
"You're right. Their movements are too clean. Too visible. If they intended infiltration, this level of exposure doesn't make sense."
Kumogakure shinobi weren't fools.
If anything, they were known for bold and aggressive tactics especially under the Fourth Raikage.
"So maybe…" Chinatsu leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice, "there are others. Hidden from the start."
Kakashi didn't answer immediately.
"Let me go check," she added. "You can handle one target alone, right?"
Silence.
Normally, Kakashi would reject such a request instantly. His mission wasn't just to monitor Kumogakure it also included observing Chinatsu herself, whose unpredictable nature made her a variable.
But after a long pause
"…Go. But not for long. Return immediately when I signal."
"Got it!"
Chinatsu turned, a faint grin hidden beneath her mask.
"Wait," Kakashi called.
She froze slightly.
"One more thing."
"…What?"
"Don't call me Kakashi during missions."
"…Okay, Kakashi."
"..."
Ten minutes later, Kakashi was already regretting it.
He couldn't read her at all.
It wasn't the kind of depth seen in strategic masterminds like Nara Shikaku it was something else entirely.
Unpredictable.
Incomprehensible.
"She's not ladylike… not even close," Kakashi muttered inwardly.
Then he refocused, his gaze locking back onto the Kumogakure ambassador.
Elsewhere
Under the cover of night, near the outskirts of the Hyuga clan compound, a shadow moved silently.
Through the spinning tomoe of her Sharingan, Chinatsu observed everything clearly.
"I knew it," she whispered.
If the ANBU had truly monitored every single Kumogakure shinobi, then the incident recorded in history where Hyuga Hinata was kidnapped would never have been possible.
Which meant
Someone had slipped through.
And now, there he was.
A Kumogakure shinobi, carefully avoiding detection, inching closer to the Hyuga estate.
His target was obvious.
The Byakugan.
Chinatsu crouched silently, watching him like a hunter observing prey.
Kumo Ninja (thinking): The Byakugan… once I take it, even if I die, it will be worth it.
Chinatsu (thinking): Finally. I've been waiting forever…
Her fingers twitched slightly.
Come on… make your move.
I'm ready to play the hero.