The next day.
The celebratory atmosphere continued.
Because today was the day Kirigakure's envoy delegation was scheduled to arrive and sign the agreement to join the Ninja World Government.
Early in the morning, both sides of Konoha's main thoroughfare were lined with people.
The entire village, even residents from all over the Land of Fire, had come to watch the spectacle, packing the streets to the brim.
Colorful streamers fluttered down from the rooftops on either side.
The Kirigakure envoy delegation entered through Konoha's main gate and proceeded along the main road towards the Hokage Building.
Leading the group was a voluptuous, beautiful woman around thirty years old. She was the recently selected Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure... Terumi Mei.
Her tight blue robe accentuated her curvaceous figure. Her reddish-brown hair fell over her shoulders, the ends slightly curled, swaying gently with her steps.
But those emerald green eyes held no smile.
Following behind her were Chojuro, who would later be chosen as the Sixth Mizukage, and Ao, who wore a black eyepatch over his right eye.
Seeing this from atop a building by the street, Kakashi couldn't help but remark:
"This reminds me of something from thirteen years ago."
Hearing this, Guy immediately knew Kakashi was referring to the time Kumogakure's envoy delegation visited Konoha to sign a ceasefire agreement, but instead infiltrated the Hyuga Clan's compound at night, attempting to kidnap Hinata.
Guy slapped Kakashi's shoulder with his large hand, flashed his signature white teeth, and laughed: "That sort of thing won't happen anymore!"
Not to mention that with the current strength of the Ninja World Government, what idiot would dare attempt such a backstabbing act?
Moreover, the current Hokage, Tsunade, was nowhere near as soft as Hiruzen.
Suddenly, members of the Hyuga Clan stepped forward.
Dozens of Byakugan wielders lined up neatly, blocking the path of Mei and her group.
Leading them was the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi.
The Kirigakure's delegation stopped.
Mei frowned slightly but still managed to maintain a diplomatic smile. "May I ask what seems to be the matter?"
A Hyuga Clan's Jonin stepped forward, pointed directly at Ao, showing absolutely no respect for the new Mizukage, "Return the Byakugan."
The atmosphere on the scene instantly froze.
Mei's smile vanished immediately.
Hiashi met her gaze without a hint of fear, even with a hint of threat.
After a few seconds, Mei glanced sideways and signaled Ao with her eyes.
Ao didn't hesitate. He reached for his eyepatch and yanked it off suddenly.
Pop!
A soft sound.
He gouged the Byakugan out of its socket.
Blood streamed down from the socket, tracing along the bridge of his nose, down his cheek, past his chin, dripping onto the ground one drop at a time.
Sweat beaded on Ao's forehead from the intense pain. He forced himself to step forward and presented the still-bleeding Byakugan to the Hyuga Clan's Jonin.
He had no choice. Under someone else's roof, you have to lower your head.
The Hyuga Clan's Jonin accepted the Byakugan, glanced down at it, then turned and handed it to Hiashi behind him.
Throughout the entire process, no one spoke.
Hundreds of thousands of people were dead silent.
Hiashi took the Byakugan, looked directly at the Kirigakure envoy delegation, and said in a cold voice, "Remember, the Hyuga are Konoha's strongest."
With that, the Hyuga Clan's Ninjas parted to the sides like a receding tide, creating a passage.
Standing on the building top, Kakashi watched the scene in silence.
Guy's expression was also somewhat ambiguous.
Anko frowned. After a long pause, she muttered quietly under her breath:
"It feels like after the Fourth Great Ninja War ended, the Hyuga Clan have become a lot more arrogant."
…
The Kirigakure's delegation, their pride wounded, passed through the main road and arrived at the Hokage Building's entrance.
Tsunade was already waiting there.
She wore the Hokage's straw hat emblazoned with the character for 'Fire', standing with her arms crossed before the main gate of the Hokage Building.
Mei stopped in front of Tsunade.
The two female Kages locked eyes.
Tsunade extended her hand first.
Mei looked down at the offered hand, then clasped it.
After shaking, Tsunade released her hand and gestured with her eyes, "Please."
Mei walked alongside her, and together they ascended the steps towards the Ninja World Government's palace.
…
In the grand hall of the Ninja World Government's palace, Makoto was conversing with Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu told Makoto that Obito had made his move and stolen Nagato's Rinnegan. Makoto was slightly surprised, not expecting Obito to act so quickly.
"It's truly unfortunate to be Jiraiya's disciple. They've all died, one after another," Makoto remarked.
"That's not entirely true."
Just then, White Zetsu emerged from the ground, then summoned a cocoon-like white chrysalis, removing the Sealing Jutsu attached to it. Suddenly, the body within was revealed, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Makoto raised an eyebrow, seeing that it was Konan.
"What's the meaning of this?" Makoto asked the black and white Zetsu.
"A gift for you," Black Zetsu said.
Although Black Zetsu's own intention was to kill Makoto, that bastard who wanted to attack his spawn point, after reviving his mother… maintaining a good relationship with him was still necessary for the time being, not to mention that five Tailed Beasts were currently in his possession.
It just so happened that Makoto had a fondness for beautiful women, a fact known throughout the Ninja World. Therefore, when Obito killed Nagato, Black Zetsu noticed that Konan was quite attractive and captured her.
Makoto, possessing a god's perspective, saw through Black Zetsu's little scheme. Slightly speechless, he still had Chika, who was guarding nearby, take Konan away.
Chika hopped over to the unconscious Konan, sized her up for a moment, and exclaimed, "Makoto-kun, she even has a lip piercing! Is she a delinquent auntie? I don't want to live with this kind of person!"
Hearing Chika's scatterbrained words, Makoto waved his hand, telling her to go play by herself.
After only Makoto and the Black and White Zetsu remained in the hall, Makoto continued, "I'll give you the Tailed Beasts, but we need a method that won't be noticed by Obito. Otherwise, it will arouse his suspicion."
"Don't worry, we've been prepared for this for a long time." White Zetsu showed a knowing smile. "That kid Obito's mindset hasn't grown at all since the day Madara saved him. It's far too easy to deceive him."
Hearing this, Makoto couldn't help but smile and say, "Obito is truly fortunate to have met you all."
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu returned the same smile. "Likewise."
Yes, although both sides harbored their own ulterior motives, they agreed unanimously on one point: "Obito is a bastard."
…
"Senpai, the people from Kirigakure are here." Yu's voice came from the entrance.
Seeing this, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu merged again. Leaving behind the final words, "Wait for our news", they sank into the ground.
Makoto responded to Yu at the door, "Let them in."
Subsequently, Tsunade led Mei and the Kirigakure's envoy delegation into the government hall.
After seeing the magnificent and majestic palace, Mei and her group were dumbstruck. Dozens of massive stone pillars stood on both sides of the main hall, each requiring several people to wrap their arms around. At the far end, the ethereal throne sat high above. The wall behind it was lined with a variety of weapons... each representing a country or force that had joined the Ninja World Government.
Makoto sat upon the ethereal throne and smiled down at the Kirigakure envoy delegation. "Welcome, everyone from Kirigakure."
Although Makoto didn't deliberately release any aura, the overwhelming pressure made Mei and her group instinctively want to kneel as they looked up at him. Mei, though not quite kneeling, quickly bowed deeply to show her respect.
"This is our first meeting, Commander-sama. In truth, we wished to visit you much earlier, but the situation in Kirigakure was simply too chaotic, and we never found the time."
Her voice was soft and respectful. Her emerald green eyes looked at the ground, not daring to meet the eyes of the man on the throne. The neckline of her low-cut dress dipped slightly with the bowing motion, revealing more of her fair skin.
Makoto smiled but said nothing. He was well aware of Kirigakure's mindset... it was essentially playing dead. After all, under Obito's control, Kirigakure had also participated in the Konoha Crush Plan.
Logically, they should pay a massive indemnity to Konoha. But given Kirigakure's current economic condition, saving whatever they could was best. Therefore, as long as Konoha didn't press the issue, Kirigakure would forcibly pretend nothing had happened.
However, because four of the Five Great Ninja Villages had now submitted to the Ninja World Government, Kirigakure knew they could no longer continue playing dead, so they chose to actively submit.
But some things were best left unsaid, even if one knew them internally. Maintaining appearances was still necessary.