Author's notes:
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"Character speech"
"Thoughts"
Jutsu
FLASHBACK
Normal text
Naruto, having just completed an intense training session with his mentor, Fugaku, couldn't help but notice the heightened activity of the ANBU patrols. With a curious glint in his eyes, he turned to Fugaku and inquired, "Fugaku-sensei, is there a reason why the ANBU patrols have been so active lately?"
Fugaku, recognizing the inquisitive nature of his protégé, realized he couldn't conceal the truth from Naruto's keen mind. "I see you've noticed," he sighed, a hint of pride in his voice. "No wonder, since that fateful mission, you've become increasingly observant."
After a brief silence, during which they both gazed up at the sky, Fugaku chose to disclose part of the truth. "A delegation from Kumogakure will arrive in the village in a few days. Their purpose is to sign a peace treaty."
Naruto quickly pieced the information together. "Could this coincide with the Hyuga clan reception scheduled for next week?" he asked, a hint of concern evident in his voice. "History has taught us not to trust individuals from Kumogakure, particularly their shinobi."
After a moment of contemplation, he added something that surprised Fugaku even more, as he had been considering the same idea. "Could there be more to this than meets the eye? I don't believe that Kumo has chosen to send us a peace delegation at this very moment. They could have done so much earlier."
Fugaku smiled faintly, proud of his student's keen insight. "You're right, Naruto. It's unusual that Kumo is sending us a delegation at this time, especially with the peace talks scheduled for the day after the Hyuga clan reception."
"So why did my father agree to peace talks in the village instead of on neutral ground?" Naruto inquired, a hint of curiosity evident in his voice.
Fugaku looked down at the ground, contemplating his response. "I assume he wants to put an end to the conflict between the Shinobi of Konohagakure, Hoshigakure, and Kumogakure, Naruto," he finally said, attempting to conceal his true concerns.
Naruto wasn't entirely convinced by this response. "But why now?" he asked, noticing the shadow of uncertainty in his mentor's eyes. "Isn't it too risky to invite Shinobi from Kumogakure into our village?"
Fugaku sighed heavily. "You're right, Naruto. It's a risky decision, but your father believes it's the only chance for peace."
Naruto wanted to ask something else, but he suddenly felt Fugaku's piercing gaze upon him. "Apparently I can't discuss this topic any further, huh?" he thought with dismay, realizing that his mentor was unwilling to reveal any additional details.
Despite this, Naruto did not give up. His mind was still buzzing with questions and doubts. "Something's not right here," he thought, instinctively sensing that there might be more to Kumogakure's apparent desire for peace.
After a few minutes of intense contemplation, Naruto ultimately conceded that it would be best to leave the matter in his father's hands. He recognized that this was neither the time nor the place for such discussions, particularly in light of the upcoming peace talks.
"I won't get anywhere if I'm just a chūnin," he thought, frustration creeping into his voice. "I can only fulfill my duties and hope that my father knows what he's doing and is making the right decisions."
With that thought in mind, Naruto decided to go home and take a cold shower to cool his burning emotions and calm his racing thoughts. The water was meant to wash away not only dirt and sweat but also the flood of uncertainty and worry.
"Shisui is still out of the village on a mission, so I don't have to spar with him today either," Naruto suddenly recalled, as if he were just now recognizing the void in his schedule. He missed their training sessions together, where they could refine their skills, share their concerns, and support one another.
Feeling sad, Naruto headed home. After a brief greeting from his mother and sister, Misumi, he went to take a shower.
After a refreshing shower that helped him relax, Naruto went to his room to contemplate his next steps. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the village's future and the impending peace talks, Naruto chose to focus on what he could control.
"I hope Shisui returns safely from his mission," Naruto whispered, gazing out the window at the breathtaking panorama of Konohagakure illuminated by the night sky.
Suddenly, out of thin air, like a ghost, a cloud of smoke materialized before Naruto's eyes. As it dissipated, it revealed his loyal partner, Tsukinami. Naruto sensed the tension and subtle irritation in the wolf's demeanor.
"She's probably not happy that it's been a while since I last summoned her," Naruto thought with mild curiosity, pondering what had prompted Tsukinami to appear in his room uninvited.
"Do you need something, Tsukinami?" he asked calmly, trying to soothe the wolf.
"Nothing; I was just bored in the Crimson Forest, and you promised to summon me every day!" Tsukinami replied, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. Suddenly, like a lightning bolt, she leaped towards him and knocked him down.
"Yes, yes, I apologize for that," Naruto attempted to explain, but his words had no effect on the agitated wolf.
Tsukinami grabbed Naruto's hand in her mouth and bit him with enough force to cause pain, but not enough to draw blood.
"Ouch!" Naruto exclaimed, attempting to free his hand from her grip. "Okay, okay, I know I made a mistake."
Tsukinami released Naruto's hand and retreated with a satisfied purr. It seemed that her anger had subsided, but Naruto knew he needed to keep her engaged.
"How about we go for a walk around the village?" he suggested, hoping to appease the wolf. "I'm sure you'd be interested in seeing Konoha at night."
Tsukinami, intrigued by the offer, nodded in agreement. Naruto, relieved that he had managed to calm the wolf, led her out of the house and into the quiet streets of Konoha.
As Naruto strolled through the peaceful streets with Tsukinami, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of Konoha at night, a storm was brewing on the horizon. Unbeknownst to them, the Kumogakure delegation, led by the Head Shinobi, was approaching the village gates, their outward purpose a facade for a sinister plot.
The Kumogakure delegation, led by the Head Shinobi, arrived at the gates of Konohagakure. Their stated purpose was to sign a peace treaty between the two villages. However, they harbored ulterior motives.
The atmosphere on the streets of Konohagakure was tense. The villagers observed the arriving Kumogakure shinobi with unease, recalling the past conflicts and disputes between the villages. Even the Konohagakure shinobi patrolling the streets on high alert did not conceal their fears.
At the forefront of the delegation walked the Head Shinobi, a majestic and awe-inspiring warrior. The remaining members, clad in black robes adorned with the symbol of a cloud, followed him in silence, exuding an aura of strength and determination.
Hokage Namikaze Minato, accompanied by other members of the Konohagakure Council, stepped forward to greet the delegation and extend an official welcome. His expression reflected a blend of seriousness and caution, as he understood that this visit had the potential to usher in both peace and conflict.
"Welcome to Konohagakure, Kumogakure Shinobi," Minato said, concealing his inner thoughts. "We hope your visit will be fruitful and pave the way for lasting peace between our villages."
The Kumo Head Shinobi nodded with a stoic expression. "We also seek peace," he stated in a deep, resonant voice.
"The ANBU will escort you to your assigned rooms, where you will remain until the peace talks are concluded," Minato stated, addressing the Kumo Head Shinobi and his delegation. He then gestured to summon a squad of ANBU.
"Very well," the leader of the Kumo delegation replied, attempting to conceal his displeasure at being confined to their rooms until the talks concluded.
The ANBU appeared before the Kumo delegation and signaled them to follow.
"We can only wait for a positive outcome in this situation," Minato mused, watching the delegation walk away. Despite his efforts to maintain a stoic expression, a mix of emotions churned within him: hope for peace, fear of failure, and the heavy burden of responsibility for the village's fate.
After the delegation vanished from view, Minato made his way to his residence, where the Council awaited him. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and the expressions of those assembled were marked by a blend of uncertainty and resolve.
"Hokage-sama, what are your thoughts on this visit?" asked Shikaku Nara, head of the Nara clan and an advisor to Minato.
Minato sighed heavily. "I have a bad feeling about this, Shikaku. The Kumo delegation doesn't seem inclined toward genuine negotiations. I fear they have come here with ulterior motives."
"We must be prepared for anything," Hiashi Hyuga, the leader of the Hyuga clan, replied. "We can't afford to be caught off guard."
"Kumogakure has used their tricks before. Everyone here knows the story of my wife, Kushina; I won't allow it to happen again!" Minato declared with steely conviction.
"We must remain calm and proceed cautiously," Koharu Utatane, one of the oldest and most experienced members of the Council, said. "It is possible that the Raikage genuinely desires peace."
"I agree," Homura Akimichi added. "Our shinobi are patrolling the streets, and the ANBU are standing guard. We are prepared to defend Konohagure."
Minato nodded in approval. "However, we can't dismiss the possibility of treachery. We must remain vigilant."
After escorting the delegation to the hotel, the ANBU melted into the shadows, encircling the building like an invisible net. Their vigilance was unparalleled, and no movement near the hotel went unnoticed. No one was permitted to enter or exit the building without their knowledge.
Inside the hotel, the delegation convened in a spacious room to discuss their next steps. Tension hung in the air like a thick fog, and each Kumo shinobi was acutely aware of the gravity of the mission they were about to undertake.
One of them approached the window and gazed at a shadow where a Konohagakure ANBU was concealed. A blend of curiosity and mild irritation was evident in his eyes.
"They won't leave us unsupervised, will they?" he asked in a hushed tone, addressing the rest of the delegation.
"Can you blame them?" another member of the delegation replied with a smirk. "If I were in their position, I would be keeping a close eye on us as well. Besides," he paused, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "even if they lack concrete evidence, they likely have suspicions about our ulterior motives..."
At these words, the entire Kumo delegation chuckled quietly.
"You're right," one of them murmured.
"Hmph," the delegation leader grunted to capture their attention. "Our plans remain unchanged. Tonight, we execute our mission at all costs."
There was a hint of determination and self-assurance in his voice. He understood that the task ahead was both challenging and perilous, but he had faith in his team's capabilities and was confident that they would prevail.
Under the cloak of night, the Kumo Shinobi darted across the rooftops of Konohagakure like shadows. Their movements were fluid, and their speed was remarkable. They had not come to negotiate peace but to carry out a heinous act: to kidnap the daughter of the Hyuga clan head on her birthday.
After executing their mission with surgical precision, each of the four delegation members headed in different directions, attempting to evade any pursuers. The group leader carried a sack on his back, in which Hinata Hyuga was confined.
Time passed, and they moved further away from Konohagure. Feeling relieved by the absence of pursuit, the Kumo Shinobi began to joke and make plans for the future, envisioning the mountains of gold they would receive for delivering their "goods."
"We'll be out of the village soon!" one of them announced over the radio, his voice brimming with joy and impatience.
"We'll be returning home wealthy!" the second replied, already tallying their profits.
"Those fools in Konohagakure never learn, heh!" the third laughed.
"Leader, what do you say?" the first asked, anticipating a response from the leader.
Silence.
He repeated the question: "Leader?"
The lack of response from the other side worried the group. A dark chill of fear crept up their spines. Something was amiss. The mission, which was supposed to be a straightforward opportunity for easy money, had spiraled out of control. Could the leader have been captured? Or had something worse happened?
"You know the rules, boys. The leader is as good as dead. We're heading back home to inform the Kumogakure Council of our failure," the second shinobi reminded them, alluding to their village's ruthless customs.
Unbeknownst to them, Hiashi Hyuga had intercepted their communication and was already in pursuit. He had been alerted to the kidnapping by his ANBU guards and was enraged. No one threatened his family and got away with it.
Hiashi, fueled by a burning desire for vengeance, moved with incredible speed and precision. He was determined to rescue his daughter and punish those responsible for this outrage.
The Kumo Shinobi desperately searched for a way out of this dire situation. Finally, Hiashi managed to overtake the leader, Ginkaku, and stand in his path, effectively blocking his escape route.
Another voice crackled through the radio: "You know the rules, boys. The leader is as good as dead. We're heading back home to inform the Kumogakure Council of our failure."
"Damn it!" Ginkaku thought to himself upon hearing those words. Not only had his comrades abandoned him to his fate, driven by the ruthless principles of Kumogakure, but they had also deprived him of the opportunity to explain the situation and take responsibility for the mission's failure. He understood that his death was inevitable.
Hiashi stared at his opponent with icy composure. He felt no pity for the man who had kidnapped his daughter and threatened the safety of the village. A fire of vengeance and determination burned in his eyes.
"It's not what you think!" Ginkaku exclaimed desperately, his voice trembling with fear and regret.
But Hiashi was not going to entertain his feeble excuses. The man who had abducted his beloved daughter deserved to die. He activated his Byakugan, and his eyes glowed ominously. A thirst for vengeance surged within him.
Like a vengeful spirit, Hiashi closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation, he delivered a lightning-fast palm strike directly to Ginkaku's chest. The force of the blow, amplified by the Hyuga clan's Jūken technique, was devastating.
Ginkaku didn't have a chance to react. With a pained groan, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless. The sack containing Hinata slipped from his grasp.
Hiashi rushed toward it without hesitation. A mixture of relief and anger stirred within his heart: relief that he had saved his daughter and anger toward those who had sought to harm her.
He caught the sack in mid-air and gently placed it on the ground. His heart ached as he heard Hinata's cries from within. He then unzipped the sack, freeing the girl, who trembled with cold and fear.
"Hinata, it's all right," Hiashi whispered, attempting to soothe his trembling daughter.
Hinata did not initially recognize her father after such a traumatic experience. It was only after a moment, when she heard his gentle voice and felt the warmth of his touch, that she snuggled into his arms, sobbing with a mix of relief and fear. In his presence, she felt safe and protected.
Hiashi, initially disoriented and helpless, quickly regained his composure. He crouched down and returned his daughter's embrace. His paternal instinct urged him to gently stroke her hair while humming the lullaby his wife always sang to soothe her when she was frightened.
Slowly, Hinata's tears subsided, and her breathing became steady. She fell asleep peacefully in her father's arms, reassured that nothing harmful would happen to her again.
Hiashi watched his sleeping daughter and felt anger swell in his heart. He was grateful that he had managed to save Hinata, but he knew that this incident would have far-reaching consequences.
Not long after Hinata had fallen asleep in her father's protective embrace, Minato arrived at the scene of the tragedy with a squad of ANBU. With a swift glance, he surveyed the grim tableau—the lifeless body of Ginkaku sprawled on the ground, while the distraught Hiashi clutched his trembling daughter.
"This is what I wanted to avoid," Minato sighed, gazing at Ginkaku's hopelessly pale face. "The father's anger proved too overwhelming," he added, a hint of sadness in his voice. "It wasn't meant to be this way."
However, he quickly dispelled his grim thoughts and focused on managing the situation.
"Have one of you take the body of this Kumo shinobi," he commanded, his voice authoritative, reminiscent of a leader issuing orders on the battlefield. "The remaining three must immediately inform the Konohagakure Council of an emergency meeting to be held in 30 minutes. Hiashi, take Hinata home, and then join us for the meeting."
Hiashi, still concealing the pain and anger in his eyes, nodded in understanding. In an instant, he vanished from the scene, using the Shunshin no Jutsu to ensure his beloved daughter's safety as swiftly as possible.
"Yes, sir!" the ANBU members responded in unison, promptly executing their Hokage's orders. One of them carefully lifted the body of Ginkaku, making sure not to leave any traces at the crime scene. The three remaining ninjas proceeded towards the village to summon the Konohagakure Council for an urgent meeting.
Minato lingered for a moment, gazing at the village of Konohagakure and feeling the heavy burden of responsibility for its safety. He understood that the consequences of this situation would be far-reaching and would demand wise and decisive action on his part.
"This isn't how it was supposed to end," Minato thought again, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. In an instant, he vanished from the scene using his renowned Hiraishin no Jutsu technique, reappearing in his comfortable chair in the Hokage's office.
"It seems the other villages still believe we haven't recovered from the Nine-Tailed Fox's attack," Minato mused, resting his hands on his chin. "Hmph... I refuse to let my village and my shinobi be seen as so weak that they can't protect their own people, much less the daughter of one of Konohagakure's most respected clans."
He rose from his chair and walked over to the massive window, which provided a panoramic view of the entire village of Konohagakure. The moon cast its silvery light on the rooftops and bustling streets below. However, there was no peace in Minato's heart.
"If Raikage believes that kidnapping Hinata will go unpunished, he's gravely mistaken," he thought, determination shining in his eyes. "Kumogakure will pay for this affront. I won't allow them to escape without consequences. Konohagakure will demonstrate its strength and pride."
Despite understanding that vengeance was not the solution, Minato, as Hokage, had made a commitment to protect all the villagers. He was determined to uphold that promise, regardless of the circumstances.
While he had hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Kumogakure, this situation made him realize that their shinobi still felt overly confident about signing a peace treaty. Furthermore, they had the audacity to attempt to kidnap the daughter of the head of the Hyuga clan on his own territory, in the very heart of Konohagakure.
"They will pay for this insult and for breaking the ceasefire agreement until the peace negotiations are concluded," the Hokage thought, determination evident in his eyes. He needed to send a clear message that Konohagakure would not be intimidated and would not hesitate to defend its people.
A flame of anger ignited in his eyes, directed at Kumogakure and especially at the Raikage for this despicable attack. However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by an ANBU agent who, appearing like a ghost from the shadows, used the Shunshin technique to materialize before the Hokage in an instant and kneel down.
"Hokage-sama!" he exclaimed loudly, attempting to capture his leader's attention. When he felt Minato's icy gaze, filled with anger, the ANBU agent trembled. For a moment, fear gripped him, as if the specter of death stood right beside him. However, the Hokage quickly regained his composure and remembered that this was merely his loyal subordinate trying to fulfill his duty. Even so, that chilling look from Minato was enough to elicit a cold sweat on the agent's neck and instill a vision of impending doom.
The ANBU stood frozen, paralyzed with fear like a rabbit confronted by a snake. Observing the condition of his subordinate, Minato resolved to free him from the grip of this debilitating terror.
"ANBU, what happened?" he asked in a gentle voice, although his face still bore the marks of anger.
The agent breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the Hokage's gentle tone. "For a moment, I thought I was going to die right here and now," he thought, filled with fear.
"Speak," Minato commanded, gathering his thoughts.
"The Konohagakure Council..." the agent replied in a trembling voice, struggling to catch his breath. Fear constricted his throat, making it difficult for him to speak. "They've been assembled, Hokage-sama."
Minato nodded in understanding. He then turned back to the window, observing the nighttime panorama of the village with a grim expression. He knew this was only the beginning; Kumogakure would have to answer for its actions.
"Good," he said, turning to the agent. "Wait for me here."
The ANBU nodded in acknowledgment and remained in the office as Minato vanished in a yellow flash using the Hiraishin no Jutsu technique.
The Hokage appeared in the Council's meeting room in the blink of an eye, having teleported there using the Hiraishin no Jutsu technique. All the council members were already gathered around the table, their expressions serious and focused. The weight of responsibility for the village's fate rested on their shoulders, and each member was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.
Fugaku Uchiha, although he had anticipated this turn of events, did not conceal his shock. The Raikage had audaciously taken a step that could lead to disastrous consequences.
"Hmph..." he muttered to himself, a hint of disapproval in his voice. "Our fears have come true," he reflected, recalling the contents of the last council meeting.
Similar thoughts were circulating among the other council members.
"What a mess!" Shikaku Nara sighed as he observed the expressions of his colleagues. His gaze lingered for a moment on Hiashi Hyuga, who was struggling to contain his anger. "Understandable," Nara thought. He then shifted his attention to Danzo Shimura, whose face displayed a peculiar excitement. "The old prick has probably been dreaming of this for a long time," he muttered to himself. Finally, his gaze settled on Minato, whose anger was palpable. "I haven't seen Minato this furious in a long time," he thought, a hint of concern creeping in.
Finally, Minato decided to break the silence that enveloped the meeting room.
"I won't beat around the bush," he said in a steely voice, commanding the respect of everyone present. He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning each individual before continuing. "You probably know why the Konohagakure Council has been convened at such a late hour."
At these words, each member of the council nodded, their faces etched with stony seriousness. The only exception was Shikaku Nara, who seemed on the verge of falling asleep due to exhaustion.
"The Raikage and the village of Kumogakure attempted to kidnap Hiashi's daughter," Minato stated, locking eyes with Hiashi with piercing intensity. "Understandably, Hiashi, in his anger, killed the kidnapper. Unfortunately, it was later revealed that this shinobi held the position of Head Shinobi in Kumogakure."
The Hokage's words detonated like bombs in the room, instantly thickening the air with tension. Some Council members' faces turned pale, and fear flickered in their eyes. The abduction of the daughter of one of Konohagakure's most influential clans was a provocation that could not be ignored. Killing Kumogakure's Head Shinobi in retaliation would be tantamount to declaring war.
Danzo, upon hearing these words and quickly analyzing the situation in his mind, couldn't help but smile slightly. His thoughts were already brimming with plans on how to leverage this situation for Konohagakure's advantage.
"What will you do now, Minato?" Danzo thought, a clear sense of satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
"Kumogakure must pay for this!" Koharu Utatane exclaimed. Her words elicited mixed reactions from the other council members. Some supported her call for revenge, while others advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The meeting room was divided into two factions: those seeking revenge against Kumogakure and those advocating peaceful negotiations.
Minato raised his hand, commanding silence.
"First and foremost, I will seek an explanation and reparation for this situation from the Raikage and Kumogakure," he stated firmly, restoring order to the meeting room. "However, I anticipate that they will deny all our accusations and demand reparations themselves for the death of one of their village's high-ranking shinobi."
Minato understood that the situation was highly delicate. The conflict with Kumogakure had the potential to escalate into a devastating war, which must be avoided at all costs. However, Kumogakure had committed an act of aggression that could not go unpunished.
"We'll return the body of the slain Kumogakure shinobi tonight and await their response to our accusations," Minato stated firmly. "I would like to hear your opinions on this matter, but I will make the final decision on our next steps after receiving a response from the Raikage. While I desire peace," he added, his voice filled with power and anger, "I won't allow anyone to trample Konohagakure under my protection."
The Hokage's words resonated like thunder in the meeting room. All the council members understood that Minato was not joking. He was resolute in his commitment to protect Konohagakure's honor and hold Kumogakure accountable for violating the temporary peace treaty during the negotiations.
The discussion reignited. Some Council members advocated for sending an embassy to Kumogakure in an effort to resolve the conflict peacefully, while others called for immediate retaliation and punishment against Kumogakure for their actions.
Minato listened attentively to all the arguments. He needed to thoroughly evaluate all the options to select the best course of action for Konohagakure.
"We must act wisely and cautiously," he said finally, raising his hand to restore order. "We can't allow our emotions to cloud our judgment. An all-out war should be considered only as a last resort."
"I propose sending a message to Kumogakure demanding an explanation and accountability for those responsible for the kidnapping," Minato outlined his plan, his voice firm and resolute. "I suggest reinforcing Konohagakure's defenses along the borders with Kumogakure and its allied nations, in the event that Kumogakure refuses to cooperate or chooses to launch an attack."
A silence enveloped the Council's meeting room. The Council members observed the Hokage intently, scrutinizing his words and proposed course of action. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and each member understood the gravity of the situation.
After a moment of silence, Shikaku Nara, the head of the Nara clan and one of Konohagakure's most esteemed strategists, broke the silence.
"Hokage-sama," Shikaku said, his voice calm and measured, "I agree with your plan. It's a reasonable solution that provides us with an opportunity to resolve the conflict peacefully. At the same time, it ensures that we are prepared for any scenario, including war, which we should strive to avoid at all costs."
The other council members began to express their opinions one by one. Some voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the message, fearing that Kumogakure would disregard their demands. Others emphasized the necessity of strengthening defenses to demonstrate to Kumogakure that Konohagakure was prepared for conflict.
Minato listened attentively to all the speeches, carefully analyzing the arguments and concerns presented by the Council members.
"Thank you for your opinions," Minato said when the discussion concluded. "I stand by my plan. The message will be sent to Kumogakure at dawn tomorrow. I'll personally oversee its preparation and convey the facts along with our demands to Kumogakure."
The council members nodded in agreement. They understood the gravity of the situation and placed their trust in Minato's leadership.
"We must act swiftly and decisively," Minato added, his voice filled with determination. "We can't allow Kumogakure to believe that they can act with impunity."
The council members nodded again, their faces grim but resolute. They were prepared to defend Konohagakure and its honor, no matter the cost.
As the meeting concluded, Minato dismissed the council members and returned to his office. He sat down at his desk and began drafting the message to Kumogakure. His words were carefully chosen, conveying both Konohagakure's outrage and its desire for a peaceful resolution.
When the message was complete, Minato summoned an ANBU agent and instructed him to deliver it to Kumogakure immediately.
"Make sure the Raikage receives this message personally," Minato ordered. "And inform him that we expect a response within three days."
The ANBU agent bowed and vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Minato leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He knew that the coming days would be fraught with tension and uncertainty. However, he was confident that Konohagakure would weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, Zetsu observed the events unfolding in Konohagakure with a sinister glee. They had anticipated this conflict and were eager to exploit it for their own nefarious purposes.
"The seeds of discord have been sown," Zetsu whispered to himself, a malevolent smile spreading across his face. "Soon..."
Zets vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of unease and foreboding.