Rarely did Kazuyama Gekkō find time to relax, but he seized the chance to put Neji through a grueling training session. By the time Hizashi found them, Neji was already sprawled on the ground.
"Heh heh heh, Kazuyama, I must say, as a sensei, the whole village probably acknowledges your work."
"Cut it out. Don't I know my own reputation? The brats at the academy still call me 'sensei,' but to those bastards in ANBU, I'm nothing but the Devil Instructor."
Hyūga Hizashi glanced at his son, currently wrapped up by the giant black snake, and burst out laughing. With training methods like that, devil was the only fitting word.
"Hizashi, be careful with these visitors from Kumogakure. Konoha's Kekkei Genkai are mainly the Uchiha and your Hyūga clan. I don't believe those Kumo bastards aren't scheming something."
"If anything happens, alert ANBU immediately. Here, use this."
Kazuyama tossed him a signal flare—a brand-new model introduced after ANBU's reforms. Its pink glow was unmistakably unique. The color choice? All Kazuyama's idea, designed to stand out.
"So you think Kumo might use the peace treaty as cover to pull some underhanded moves..."
"It's not impossible. They've been restless lately."
As Hyūga's second-in-command, Hizashi may have been from the branch family, but ever since Kazuyama had straightened out those stubborn elders, the relationship between the main and branch families had grown far smoother. Hizashi and his brother Hiashi had always been close, but clan rules had strained them. Now, with the restrictions lifted, Hizashi could fully devote himself to strengthening the Hyūga.
Hearing Kazuyama's words, he quickly analyzed the situation and reached the conclusion: Kumo was very likely targeting the Hyūga.
"I understand. I'll organize the clan for round-the-clock patrols when I return. But Kazuyama, why not tell Hiashi directly? He is the Clan Head."
Kazuyama grinned, not at all concerned about appearances.
"Because every time he sees me now, he swings at me."
"He keeps muttering about me trying to steal away his little princess. Imagine that—once we were the best of brothers, now he chases me down just to land a punch."
"If it weren't for the chance we'll become in-laws one day, I'd have already sent him flying to taste the skies."
Hizashi was left speechless. As a father himself, even if his child was a boy, he could understand. After all, Hinata Hyūga was the Hyūga Clan's princess.
...
Several days later, a four-man squad from Kumogakure arrived at Konoha.
At the village gates, another squad waited to greet them. But though both groups numbered four, the aura of Konoha's squad was overwhelming. Their leader even revealed a pair of blazing crimson Sharingan.
"Welcome to Konoha, representatives of Kumo."
"I am Uchiha Fugaku, assigned to escort you."
Uchiha Fugaku now oversaw Konoha's entire security system and was one of the Hokage's closest aides. His personal involvement showed just how seriously Konoha was treating Kumo's visit.
The leader of the Kumo squad was a man with bandages wrapped around his head and a forehead protector worn askew, giving him a shady look. His name was Tōkaku, a Kumo leader and a Jōnin.
"Heh heh heh, an Uchiha personally welcoming us? Not bad."
"Let's go then. I have documents here that need the Hokage's signature—after all, this concerns the peace treaty between our villages."
Tōkaku showed no fear before Uchiha's intimidating presence. Any shinobi trusted with leading a squad was no pushover.
A flicker of irritation crossed Fugaku's eyes. They were all veterans of the battlefield—so what was there to posture about?
Soon after, the Kumo squad settled temporarily within Konoha.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze summoned Fugaku and Kazuyama to the Hokage's office.
"Tōkaku, huh? Tch. Related to Kinkaku and Ginkaku?"
"With that attitude? Yeah, he's nothing more than 'Copper.'"
Lounging on the sofa, Kazuyama Gekkō spat his disdain for the Kumo envoy.
Years ago, Kinkaku and Ginkaku had ambushed the Second Hokage, driving relations between Konoha and Kumo to their lowest point. Add to that the injury Kazuyama had suffered under the Fourth Raikage—he still hadn't let it go.
Who was he? Kazuyama Gekkō. A man who could stroll across battlefields without a speck of dirt on him. And yet, because of that brute, he'd fractured a finger. The grudge ran deep.
"Hmph. His strength isn't bad—Jōnin level. He held up against my aura."
"But I could sense the darkness in his heart. They're hiding something."
Fugaku's Sharingan spun slowly. He didn't say it outright, but his tone made it clear he held nothing but contempt for the Kumo ninja.
"Kazuyama, ANBU's arrangements are ready, right?"
"Relax. The entire village is under ANBU's watch. The moment they move, we'll know."
Kazuyama's assurance carried weight—after all, ANBU's counter-surveillance and stealth training were his doing. The best of the best.
With that, Minato finally felt at ease. The three exchanged glances, silently agreeing: all that was left was for the Kumo ninja to make their move.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Kumo squad's quarters—
"Lord Tōkaku, do we continue with the plan?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't we? Heh heh. Coming to Konoha was all for this."
Tōkaku looked out at the scenery of Konoha, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Kumo's intelligence had reported on the Nine-Tails' rampage. He hadn't expected Konoha to recover so quickly afterward.
That might make things trickier. But not enough to stop him—this mission was the reason he came.
Just as Kazuyama and the others feared, this squad had come with a target in mind.
The next day, Tōkaku personally went to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, this is the peace treaty prepared by Lord Raikage. We hope our two villages can live in peace from now on."
With a grin, Tōkaku handed Minato the document.
Minato took it and carefully read it through, but he didn't sign right away.
"Very well. I understand. I'll convene my advisers to review it together."
"In the meantime, I ask the representatives of Kumo to remain in Konoha for now. Are the accommodations suitable?"
Tōkaku laughed heartily, clearly satisfied with the lodgings. Minato simply nodded.
But both men carried their own calculations. Tōkaku believed he had ample time to prepare his strike. Minato, meanwhile, was confident he had ample time to fortify his defenses.