After understanding the entire situation from the three children, Hyuga Hiashi, with a dark expression, immediately took the body of the Kumogakure envoy to demand an explanation from the Kumogakure delegation!
Unlike the nearly irrational Hiashi, Fugaku remained much calmer, considering it wasn't his child who was kidnapped.
So, after much contemplation, Fugaku stopped Hiashi and suggested informing Tsunade, who happened to be entertaining the Daimyo in Konoha, and letting her make the decision.
For the first time, Fugaku saw that even the Byakugan could turn red!
Of course, it wasn't your child who was kidnapped!
Hiashi's usually expressionless Byakugan was filled with numerous red blood vessels as he looked coldly at Fugaku, who had stopped him.
It was evident that Hiashi was genuinely furious this time!
Forcing himself to calm down, Hiashi finally released his tightly clenched fists, which had been cracking loudly. This matter concerned not only his own family but also two villages and two great nations, so he had to stay composed!
…
After a pleasant drinking session with the Daimyo, finalizing next year's aid plan for Konoha, Tsunade was in an exceptionally good mood. The few elders (Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura) cooperated well, each saying a few words to get the Daimyo to increase Konoha's budget by 30% for the next year.
Not only this, but the signing of the peace treaty with Kumogakure also meant that Konoha would enter a period of peaceful development for the foreseeable future.
Dan...
Nawaki...
Did you see this?
With her face slightly flushed and hiccuping from the sake, Tsunade stood on a small bridge in Konoha, quietly observing the village that was gradually changing thanks to her efforts.
In the distance, the streets were brightly lit, filled with the joyous sounds of singing and dancing due to the arrival of peace, even audible from afar. This starkly contrasted with the serene river beside her.
Tsunade initially planned to visit the cemetery, but after some thought, she gave up. Such small achievements weren't enough. Konoha had just begun, and her work had only just started.
"Tsunade-sama!"
The sudden appearance of two ANBU kneeling behind her snapped Tsunade out of her reverie, instantly sobering her up.
…
In the Hokage's office, after hearing the whole story, Tsunade's brows furrowed more and more.
Kumogakure still hadn't changed their bandit-like behavior, wanting to snatch anything they found desirable. Was this a characteristic of their village?
First, they attempted to kidnap the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and now they tried to abduct the Hyuga clan's little princess. The title of the number one bandit in the ninja world truly suited them.
"Hokage-sama, whatever consequences arise from this incident, the Hyuga clan will bear them. It has nothing to do with Konoha! The Hyuga must demand an explanation from Kumogakure!"
Hearing this, Tsunade frowned. What do you mean, it has nothing to do with Konoha? All her efforts were to integrate the various ninja clans into the village, and now you're saying it's not related to Konoha?
"Calm down, Hyuga kid. The Hyuga clan's issues are Konoha's issues. Everyone, prepare yourselves and come with me."
Just as Tsunade finished speaking, a civilian ninja knocked on the door.
"Hokage-sama! The Kumogakure delegation is saying one of their envoys is missing, and they're causing a ruckus in front of the Hokage building, demanding an explanation from Konoha. We can't stop them!"
Hearing this, Tsunade chuckled in anger, Hiashi's fists clenched tighter, and even the usually silent Fugaku frowned in displeasure.
"Let them in."
…
In short, despite all the arguments, the Kumogakure delegation refused to acknowledge the truth and insisted their envoy was assassinated by Konoha, and it was definitely related to the Hyuga clan!
Konoha, you've gone too far!
We came all the way here with a heart yearning for peace, traveling for over half a month to sign a peace treaty with Konoha, and this is how you treat us!
You even got so many people to testify falsely, it's just too much!
Their acting was so excellent, transitioning from anger to serious reprimands and finally to sorrowful tears, that it stunned everyone in the Hokage's office.
For a moment, Tsunade forgot to refute, thinking that Kumogakure was full of rough warriors, not realizing their acting skills were so superb!
Hiashi felt like vomiting blood; he had seen shameless people, but never to this extent!
"You know the truth!"
"We'll return those words to you exactly!"
The Kumogakure envoy and Hiashi clashed, sharp words against sharp words. As the village debate champion, he feared nothing, even capable of arguing the dead into being alive!
"You bastards…!" Hiashi trembled with rage, almost wanting to annihilate these Kumogakure envoys on the spot.
Then the Kumogakure envoy stated they needed an explanation! Otherwise, Kumogakure would tear up the hard-won peace treaty!
We don't ask for much; just hand over the culprit, Hyuga Hiashi! What? He didn't kill our envoy? We don't believe it! It must be him!
You have one day to consider! Try us if you don't believe!
At this moment, a small figure knocked on the Hokage's office door and walked in.
"Hokage-sama, I'm the one who dealt with the Kumogakure envoy."
Seeing Itachi walk in and make this statement, Fugaku was stunned. This had nothing to do with the Uchiha, so why was he involving himself?
"Don't speak nonsense, Itachi!" Fugaku sternly reprimanded. This matter had little to do with them, so he shouldn't stir up trouble.
"Huh?"
Seeing the Uchiha emblem on Itachi's clothes, the Kumogakure envoy paused. The Uchiha clan... Sharingan... That was also valuable! Not inferior to the Byakugan!
"Boy, did you really do it?"
The Kumogakure envoy asked, his mind spinning.
"Yes, it was me alone…"
Before Itachi could finish, another small figure rushed into the Hokage's office and immediately spoke: "No, I did it! It has nothing to do with Itachi! Look, this is the weapon I used!"
Holding a bloody kunai, the green-haired boy with pudding-stained clothes caught the Kumogakure envoy's attention. After observing the kid's outfit, he lost interest.
Just a commoner kid, far inferior to the Hyuga and Uchiha. This one was not worth it. They needed either the Uchiha or Hyuga, and they had to be alive!
Barely catching up, Chloe glanced at Itachi. This Uchiha kid almost ruined his plan! He had finally found an opportunity to gain prestige!
"Blackie…"
Itachi looked at Chloe with complicated emotions, deeply moved by his friend's willingness to take responsibility and not implicate others.
Suppressing his emotions, Itachi stepped forward with a determined gaze: "No! It was me! That kunai is mine!"
"No, it was me!"
Chloe quickly stepped forward, shouting louder than Itachi, while internally cursing the Uchiha's madness for fighting over such a matter.
Seeing the two kids arguing, the Konoha crowd was deeply moved. Even children had the courage to admit responsibility, yet they had to suffer such threats and intimidation.
"It has nothing to do with the kids; it was me."
Hiashi spoke up.
"No! It was me!"
Chloe shouted again, internally cursing not just the Uchiha but also the Hyuga for their madness!
"No! It was me!" Itachi insisted.
Seeing the two kids and one adult arguing, Fugaku wondered if he should also get involved to earn some points in front of the Hokage. Taking responsibility could benefit the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku found himself in a dilemma, feeling that speaking up would help but also pose significant risks.
The Kumogakure envoy, uninterested in Chloe, stopped the argument over who was the killer.
"In any case, by this time tomorrow, you must give Kumogakure an explanation! Hand over the real culprit! Whether it's the Uchiha or the Hyuga, Hokage-sama, you investigate!"
★★★★★
Chloe cursed Kumogakure internally. Even after he admitted, they still emphasized Uchiha and Hyuga. How badly did they want the Byakugan and Sharingan?
"Enough, everyone."
Feeling a headache coming on, Tsunade stopped everyone, rubbed her forehead, and looked disdainfully at the arrogant Kumogakure envoy, then opened a drawer under her desk.
"One day is too long; Konoha doesn't need that much time."
Saying this, Tsunade slammed the recently signed Konoha-Kumogakure ceasefire agreement on the desk.
"Rip it. Tear it in front of me."
Tsunade's move stunned everyone present, including Shikaku, who had arrived later.
"Hurry up!" Tsunade scolded, then looked at Shikaku. "Nara kid, gather all the Konoha ninjas and notify all villagers that Kumogakure has torn up the ceasefire agreement!"
Knowing this Hokage was different from previous ones, Shikaku understood Kumogakure wouldn't dare to tear it and followed Tsunade's lead.
"Understood, I'll do it once Kumogakure tears the agreement."
The Kumogakure envoy, no longer confident, muttered, "Hokage-sama, do we really have to go this far? After all the effort to establish this peace treaty, do we really want to start a war over protecting a murderer?"
"You know the truth. Konoha has no murderers, only comrades and little heroes protecting the village! Tear it quickly!"
"Hokage-sama, have you really thought this through?"
"Stop wasting our time! Tear it or not, don't waste our time!"
This situation left the Kumogakure envoy at a loss, realizing the consequences of war were unbearable for anyone.
"Hokage-sama, I urge you to reconsider. If one day isn't enough, we can give you a few more days…"
"I'm calm. You have half a minute to decide whether to keep stalling or tear the agreement! Shikaku, start timing!"
Hearing this, the Kumogakure envoy was no longer confident, exclaiming, "Tsunade, don't push us too far!"
"You know who's pushing too far! Shikaku, how much time is left?"
"Twenty seconds left."
"I'll report this to Raikage-sama!"
"Report to whoever you want; this is Konoha's stance. My stance is Konoha's stance! It's also the Fire Country's stance!"
"I…"
The Kumogakure envoy clenched his fists, his face red with frustration. This Hokage's policy was different from Konoha's previous leaders, who sacrificed much for peace!
"I understand. Konoha only needs to hand over the killer. From my observation, this kid should be the killer. Hand him over, and I'll…"
Seeing the envoy pointing at him, Chloe, who was counting his prestige points, froze. What's going on with this envoy? Didn't he just dismiss me?
The Kumogakure envoy wasn't stupid. If he couldn't get the Byakugan or Sharingan, a genius from Konoha would suffice.
Although a commoner, this kid could handle his companion, proving he was a genius!
Konoha's commoner geniuses, like the Yellow Flash, had made a name in the ninja world, even praised by Raikage-sama!
This kid seemed suitable, and being a commoner, Konoha would likely agree. The next step was to take him back and brainwash him into a Kumogakure member.
"Konoha has no so-called murderer. Tear it quickly!"
Tsunade's words interrupted the envoy's fantasy again.
Not even a commoner? We gave a valuable Kumogakure ninja, and you won't even trade a commoner? Konoha, you've gone too far!
Shikaku frowned slightly. This condition was acceptable—a commoner for peace was a good deal.
"Shikaku, how much time is left?"
"Time's up."
"Make your choice. The agreement is here. Tear it, and I'll let you leave safely to report the impending war to Raikage."
"I…!" The Kumogakure envoy grew more frustrated. How did they end up as the weaker side?
In anger, the envoy instinctively picked up the ceasefire agreement, and everyone but Tsunade in the room tensed up!
Under everyone's gaze, the envoy's expression changed rapidly. He didn't expect to be cornered like this!
Tear? Not tear?
Obviously, tearing was a bad idea!
But Konoha wouldn't budge, giving no leeway! Just like their hot-headed Raikage!
Seeing the envoy gripping the agreement in silence, Konoha's side knew they had won.
Knowing what to do, Shikaku spoke up at Tsunade's signal.
"Envoy-sama, please hurry. I have urgent work assigned by the Hokage."
Damn it…
The Kumogakure envoy was speechless. Then Itachi noticed something and pointed at the agreement in the envoy's hand, whispering, "Ah, a corner is torn…"
"Where?!"
The envoy panicked, only to find a corner of the agreement indeed torn…
Bang!
Tsunade seized the moment, slamming the desk, "Shikaku, go!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
"Wait! That doesn't count!"
Knowing there'd be no war, Fugaku chimed in to raise his profile: "You think it counts or not? Kumogakure must give Konoha an explanation!"