After a long journey through the new commercial district, primarily constructed under Gojo Kaigetsu's supervision, the Kirigakure delegation finally arrived in the relatively older part of Konoha.

The weight on their shoulders finally lifted. There were still familiar sights; the hope of catching up to Konoha wasn't entirely lost.

At the end of the road stood the ancient and imposing Hokage Tower.

As the symbol of Konoha's highest administrative authority loomed before him, Gonbee felt the pressure mounting. He was here to secure the best possible outcome for Kirigakure.

Even in an alliance, a Kirigakure ninja mustn't lose their pride.

However, the atmosphere… felt somewhat off.

Gonbee keenly sensed an inexplicable air of hostility surrounding the Hokage Tower. The security ninjas stationed outside glared with animosity.

Especially the middle-aged ninja with the Uchiha fan symbol on his clothing… What was with those eyes? Meeting his gaze felt like his very soul was screaming under immense pressure.

'Such a scary presence.'

Gonbee shivered involuntarily, instinctively averting his gaze. He couldn't help but admire the Mizukage's wisdom. Allying with such a Konoha was undoubtedly the right choice.

He wondered who in his village could possibly rival the imposing aura of that Uchiha ninja.

A short while later, the Kirigakure delegation finally reached the entrance of Konoha's reception hall for foreign dignitaries.

Knock knock

"Enter!"

The man's voice was somewhat flippant, not sounding like someone of high standing.

Mei Terumi was the second to enter.

She saw a blond man in ceremonial robes seated at the head of the table. This… must be Konoha's Fourth Hokage.

To his left sat a white-haired man with a black blindfold covering his eyes. A playful smirk graced his lips as he greeted her with a smile.

'This man… so young.'

'His chakra fluctuations aren't strong, probably around Chunin level, like me. At his age, to be present at such an important occasion…'

'His identity is clear. It's Gojo Kaigetsu, the one mentioned in *Iki II*!'

As for the two individuals on the Hokage's right… they resembled Kirigakure's council of elders, looking like scheming bureaucrats. Mei chose to ignore them.

If she had to gain something from this trip to Konoha, Mei believed the most likely source would be Gojo Kaigetsu.

While she lacked concrete evidence, everything she had seen in the new commercial district, and Konoha's current development, seemed likely orchestrated by Gojo Kaigetsu.

This guy… his position within the village was similar to hers; a reformist!

Setting aside village affiliations and differing stances, Gojo Kaigetsu was her "senior" on the path of progress!

Mei's heart burned with anticipation. Before leaving Konoha, she had to learn from Gojo Kaigetsu, absorbing his experience in shaping Konoha.

Seated in two rows, both parties were now fully assembled.

"Kirigakure's emissaries… I believe you are the Mizukage's personal guard, correct?" Danzo's age, after all, afforded him extensive experience and knowledge, making him difficult to fault in that regard.

"My name is Gonbee. I am here in Konoha to negotiate on behalf of the Mizukage!"

Here it comes!

Everyone present, except for the still relaxed Gojo Kaigetsu, tensed up. This discussion would impact all future policies of Konoha.

"What does Kirigakure… wish to discuss?"

Gojo Kaigetsu made his move!

He propped his head up with one hand, leaning forward casually, while his other hand rested on the table, tapping his index finger erratically, feigning impatience.

Danzo's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

Did this fool have no understanding of diplomatic etiquette? To adopt such a disrespectful attitude at this critical juncture would undoubtedly provoke these Kirigakure lunatics!

However, contrary to Danzo's expectations, Gonbee's expression didn't shift towards anger. Instead, it became… more subdued.

"We have come to Konoha under the Mizukage's orders to establish a peace treaty! To form an alliance, joining forces against those barbarians of Kumogakure!"

"What?! A peace treaty?! An alliance!?"

Danzo's pupils constricted; he couldn't contain his shocked exclamation.

Was his hearing failing him due to old age? Or had those treacherous Uchiha used genjutsu on him without his noticing?

This was preposterous!

Kirigakure was a major village. Despite its isolationist policies, it couldn't be completely oblivious to external affairs. They must be aware of Konoha and Kumogakure establishing bases in the Land of Hot Water.

Under such circumstances… instead of seeking revenge, they were shamelessly proposing an alliance with Konoha.

How spineless!

Danzo felt a surge of impulsiveness. If not for his position as a Konoha elder, he would have voiced what Konoha had done to Kirigakure.

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His unease reached its peak.

'Could it be… that… those bloodline-limit children I painstakingly retrieved from Kirigakure…!'

The thought of his hard-won achievements potentially benefiting that scoundrel Gojo Kaigetsu made Danzo's blood boil. His face was ashen, as if he had swallowed something foul.

Should he… go back on his word?

However, the wager had been made in front of numerous clan representatives, and he had personally emphasized its terms. If he reneged… how could he continue his work as the darkness of the shinobi world, the root of Konoha?

The primary purpose of the wager was to oust Gojo Kaigetsu and steer Konoha back onto what he considered the right path. But if he lost his authority in the eyes of Konoha's clans… he would be no different from being exiled from the political center of Konoha.

A ninja's reputation was everything.

Danzo was a prominent figure in Konoha, one of the few with a known moniker in the shinobi world.

He could not afford to lose face.

Besides… he hadn't necessarily lost yet!

Danzo grew wary. When these bloodthirsty Kirigakure madmen resorted to restraint, they were undoubtedly plotting something.

Perhaps, just like during the Third Shinobi World War, they were planning to kidnap people from Konoha, seal tailed beasts within them, and turn them into living bombs to destroy Konoha.

Danzo broke out in a cold sweat at the thought. If that were true, he would have a legitimate reason to halt these pointless alliance talks.

Kirigakure's sinister ambitions!

"Indeed, an alliance!"

Gonbee's expression turned serious. "The Mizukage has already ended the Bloody Mist era. Kirigakure will gradually return to normalcy and embrace peace."

"We are aware of Konoha and Kumogakure's activities in the Land of Hot Water, and we understand the statements made by both villages."

"You are right, Konoha. The Bloody Mist policies were indeed dangerous and should have ended long ago. The Mizukage asked me to personally convey his gratitude to Konoha for providing 'Konoha's humanitarian aid' to Kirigakure."

Gonbee lied without flinching.

Heaven knew how the Mizukage had reacted when he learned of Konoha and Kumogakure exploiting Kirigakure. While he maintained the composure expected of an elder, he likely wished to raze Konoha to the ground.

But Kirigakure was no longer the same. Its decline had forced it to seek alliances with other major villages to maintain its standing in the shinobi world.

Fortunately, these Konoha higher-ups seemed oblivious to Kirigakure's current state of vulnerability.

In that case… the price they would have to pay for an alliance and a peace treaty would undoubtedly be much lower. Perhaps they could even… gain something from Konoha?

Gonbee entertained this audacious thought.

"On the other hand, Kumogakure's statement is hypocritical, shameless, and despicable! Those barbarians are a plague upon our shinobi world."

"With the end of the Bloody Mist, a new era has dawned for Kirigakure. And Konoha has always been recognized as a beacon of light in the shinobi world, the most prosperous and civilized village."

"Therefore, we, Kirigakure, wish to establish a mutually beneficial alliance with Konoha, working together to contribute to the development of the shinobi world, fulfilling our roles as major villages and assuming our rightful leadership positions."

"…"

Minato blinked, glancing at Gojo Kaigetsu involuntarily.

It seemed Kirigakure's reaction had been anticipated by Kaigetsu-kun from the very beginning? What incredible foresight!

Minato understood his close friend well. If judged by ninja rank, Kaigetsu-kun's abilities in internal affairs were at least Kage-level. But he hadn't expected his judgment regarding other villages to be so accurate as well.

Aside from his somewhat lacking ninja combat skills, he was practically an all-around, five-sided warrior!

But it didn't matter. He, Minato Namikaze, would compensate for that shortcoming!

"I can sense the Mizukage's resolve in seeking a peace treaty. In that case…"

"Wait!"

Just as Minato was about to agree to the alliance with Kirigakure, Gojo Kaigetsu and Danzo, two individuals who despised each other, exclaimed in unison.

Gojo Kaigetsu spoke first. "Do you take Konoha for a fool? Forming alliances and declaring war on a whim? Doesn't Konoha have any pride?"

"This…" Gonbee's expression turned serious.

He had almost persuaded the Fourth Hokage, and now this white-haired ninja suddenly appeared, spouting divisive nonsense. Who was he?

Gonbee turned his head, looking at Minato questioningly, only to receive a helpless shrug in response.

"…Advisor Gojo, you are unaware. The past conflicts between Kirigakure and Konoha were all due to the Bloody Mist regime."

"Let bygones be bygones."

"Let the past remain in the past, allowing the animosity between Konoha and Kirigakure to vanish along with the end of the Bloody Mist."

"Kirigakure is now under the leadership of the Mizukage, a completely reformed Kirigakure. Those past unfriendly acts will never happen again!"

Gonbee spoke resolutely. But how much truth lay in a politician's promises? Without offering tangible concessions, all promises were as flimsy as the conference table they sat around.

Once they stepped outside the meeting room, who would take such empty promises seriously?

"What do you mean by the end of the Bloody Mist regime? What do you mean by letting bygones be bygones?" Gojo Kaigetsu rapped his knuckles on the table, his voice laced with displeasure. "Don't sugarcoat it, Kirigakure."

"You manipulated the Three-Tails, causing the death of our Konoha kunoichi, and even attempted to use the Three-Tails Jinchuriki as a living bomb to destroy all of Konoha. Do you think we can simply forget about that?"

"Perhaps we should let our Nine-Tails Jinchuriki take a stroll through Kirigakure, then we can talk about letting bygones be bygones."

Gojo Kaigetsu was rarely this angry.

A bunch of Danzo's cronies, speaking so eloquently. Everyone knew the Mizukage was partly responsible for the current situation. Rin's death, Obito's descent into darkness-they planted a ticking time bomb in Konoha and thought they could just get away with it?

Danzo, listening from the side, gaped, nodding subconsciously.

On this issue, he agreed with Gojo Kaigetsu's judgment. Kirigakure harbored sinister intentions; an alliance should not be formed lightly. However, did this guy… forget about their wager? To so harshly criticize Kirigakure, if they had any pride left, they would storm out…

Gonbee's face darkened further. Even a worm would turn. Was Gojo Kaigetsu so unrestrained towards Kirigakure? Wasn't he afraid they would turn around and ally with Kumogakure?

"And, most importantly, if my intel is correct-"

"Your Fourth Mizukage is currently incapacitated, severely injured and comatose, isn't he~"

Naaniii?!

The words stunned everyone present.

Gonbee practically held his breath. How the hell did Gojo Kaigetsu know?!

This was Kirigakure's last shred of dignity, their nonexistent trump card in the negotiations. Not only were the Konoha ninjas unaware, even within his own delegation, he was the only one who knew.

The Fourth Mizukage Yagura's severe injury and coma were a closely guarded secret within Kirigakure. The incident had been classified as top-secret intel from the very day it occurred.

To prevent leaks, the Mizukage had already arranged for someone to impersonate Yagura using the Transformation Jutsu to maintain stability.

So, how in the world did Gojo Kaigetsu know?!

"Haha, Advisor Gojo, you're quite the joker." At this critical moment, Gonbee managed to control his emotions, wiping the cold sweat from his brow without changing his expression.

"Is this Konoha's hospitality? Fabricating stories about our Mizukage?"

"The Mizukage is not someone you can slander at will!"

"No one can harm the Fourth Mizukage!"

At these words, the Kirigakure delegation became agitated.

"Kaigetsu-kun… what is this about?" Minato, listening from the side, was also confused. How did Kaigetsu-kun arrive at such a bold assumption?

A Kage was the face of a village, a symbol to the outside world. To be severely injured and comatose by someone within the village… such a matter was no laughing matter.

From this perspective, the Kirigakure delegation's reaction was understandable.

Similarly, if someone from another village fabricated stories about him being severely injured by an enemy or defeated by the Nine-Tails, Kaigetsu-kun would also be furious… wouldn't he?

You're right, but I have system intel.

Gojo Kaigetsu simply smiled enigmatically. "The more you object, the more it confirms the accuracy of my intel~"