Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

"By the time you all arrive, you'll be able to collect her body!"

This is what Xuan Yue finds most frustrating about this part of the plot.

It's one thing for children to laugh at the Byakugan Princess, but you could argue that they are commoners who lack knowledge and don't understand the meaning of Hyuga.

But what about the guards?

Even if he is not favored, just for those two Byakugan that are not under any restrictions, Hiashi Hyuga would never abandon his daughter.

Unfortunately, these two guards didn't arrive at the scene until almost ten minutes after the incident occurred.

Calling them trash makes Xuan Yue seem too high-class.

The two Hyuga ninjas were also sweating profusely, realizing the seriousness of their mistake.

"I will explain the situation to the Hyuga clan leader. You'd better take care of yourselves."

After saying that, ignoring the two pale-faced guards, Shimura Gengetsu walked back to Hinata's side, holding the hand of a little girl.

"Let's go, I'll take you home."

Upon arriving at the Hyuga clan, Gengetsu Shimura entrusted Hinata to Hiashi Hyuga.

Upon learning what had happened, Hiashi's face immediately darkened, frightening Hinata so much that she lowered her head and dared not look at him.

Taking a deep breath, Hyuga Hiashi slowly bowed.

"Thank you for the reminder, Xuan Yue. I will increase the security around Hinata to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

It was strange that a father would say this to an outsider, but it also fueled Hiashi Hyuga's anger.

He never imagined that the branch family's guards would take such poor care of their own daughter, just because he usually showed dislike for Hinata?

“If Lord Xuan Yue does not mind, you may stay at my humble abode for dinner.”

"No need, there are people waiting for me at home."

Gengetsu Shimura declined Hiashi Hyuga's invitation and left the Hyuga clan with Karin, heading to the Ninja Academy.

After they left, Hiashi Hyuga's face grew even more gloomy.

"Hinata, go back to your room and rest."

"Yes, Father."

The girl with the white eyes felt like she'd been granted a pardon and ran back to her room.

Soon, the new year will arrive.

Even ninjas get a few days off during the New Year.

On New Year's Day, Shimura Gengetsu spent the day with Yokura, Karin and her daughter, two teammates, and Izumi and her mother.

A large group of people enjoyed a lively hot pot meal.

In the evening, he would return to the Shimura family home and spend the night with Danzo.

Danzo felt a sense of satisfaction as he watched Shimura Gengetsu grow up.

Even in the darkness of the ninja world, there are still beings who need protection.

On the very last day of the holiday, news of the Cloud Village delegation's visit reached Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Chapter 73 The Hokage's son is the Hokage, and the scapegoat's son is the scapegoat. Are you really willing to accept this?

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned a group of Jonin, led by Shikaku Nara.

The two elders and Danzo also arrived at the scene.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly put down his pipe, a smile on his face. "The reason Kumogakure sent this delegation is to sign a ceasefire agreement."

"After the war with Kumogakure ends, the remaining Land of Water is no longer a threat."

"Konoha... is finally about to usher in true peace."

Upon hearing this, many Jonin smiled.

Of the five great nations, only Kumogakure and Kirigakure have not signed a ceasefire agreement with Konoha. However, Kirigakure has adopted a policy of isolation and rarely engages in activities outside the country, so signing or not makes little difference.

Only the Hidden Cloud Village is not only powerful but also extremely warlike, making it a troublesome entity among the five great nations.

"but..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject, "Even now, we still cannot be careless."

Everyone was shocked.

"The Hidden Cloud Village may be using the guise of peace talks to steal our village's confidential information, or the peace talks team may be a cover for their secret activities."

"Therefore, the security forces in the village need to be significantly strengthened during this period."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Fugaku Uchiha.

"Yes, Third Hokage." Fugaku quickly agreed, "The Uchiha will not slack off."

"very good."

The Third Generation nodded. "Shikaku, you will arrange the accommodations for the delegation. Make sure there is a good surveillance view nearby."

"Yes."

The meeting concluded only after the three generations had arranged everything in an orderly manner.

a few days later.

A delegation of ten people from the Hidden Cloud Village arrived in Konoha. To show how much importance they were given, the Third Hokage and all the high-ranking officials greeted them at the foot of the Hokage Building.

The leader of the Cloud Village ninjas was also very humble, completely unlike the stereotypical image of rudeness and disrespect.

The first phase of the talks went relatively smoothly. Although the Cloud Village put forward some conditions, including control over the small countries in the buffer zone, these were all negotiable.

Conversely, if they only vaguely make a ceasefire request without any specific negotiation details, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be more suspicious.

For a moment, he relaxed a lot and began to look forward to the peace that was coming.

late at night.

A hotel under the surveillance of the secret police has become the residence of the Cloud Village Envoys; apart from them, there are no other guests.

Two figures blended into the darkness without alerting any of the underworld personnel, and quietly left the tavern. At the end of the street, they parted ways again, choosing different directions.

A man came to the Hyuga clan and kidnapped Hinata, the young lady, but was killed by Hiashi Hyuga.

The other person arrived at Shimura Gengetsu's mansion.

Just as the Cloud Village ninja was about to climb over the wall after confirming that this was the address given in the intelligence report, a cold female voice rang in his ears.

"You rats from Kumogakure, who gave you the audacity to cause trouble at the Shimura residence?"

The Cloud Village ninja was shocked. Before he could even turn around, a blazing flame pierced through his chest, turning him into a charred, dried-up corpse in endless burning agony.

The mansion's gate slowly opened, and Shimura Gengetsu walked out yawning.

"They actually sent someone to find me. It seems that Yunyin has quite an appetite this time."

"Let's go, Yecang, take some men and go find Hokage Old Deng. I want to see if he'll hand me over too."

The Third Hokage was summoned by the Anbu.

The old man was a light sleeper, and he only dozed off for a moment before Hiruzen Sarutobi woke up.

Upon opening the door, he was stunned to see Shimura Gengetsu and Hyuga Hiashi standing at the entrance, chatting happily.

thump!

A charred corpse was thrown at the doorway.

“Third Generation Elder Deng, this is the Cloud Village envoy, and the one in the Hyuga clan head’s hand is the envoy leader.”

"What?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely startled.

ten minutes later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the two corpses laid out in front of him with a headache.

“Hizu, Xuan Yue is young and vigorous, how could you... sigh, this is the head of the envoys from Yunyin.”

Hiashi clenched his fists angrily. "Lord Hokage, I didn't kill him. This person was already suffering from a terminal illness. Simply severing his meridians was not enough to withstand the internal injuries, and he died on my way here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed.

Is he terminally ill?

Isn't that just a deliberate suicide mission?

Soon, the Anbu brought the two elders and Danzo over as well.

Small things make a big meeting, big things make a small meeting.

This incident will determine Konoha's future attitude towards Kumogakure, and it is definitely a major event.

Danzo had already heard the situation from the Anbu on his way here. As soon as he entered, he said coldly, "Hiruzen, I will make Kumogakure pay the price."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Didn't he kill the person who attacked Gengetsu? I called you here to discuss how to deal with the difficulties caused by Kumogakure, not to start a war."

Danzo sneered, "Are you still clinging to unrealistic fantasies? Even a fool can see that Kumogakure isn't here for peace talks at all, but to find a reason to start a war!"