The Kirigakure delegation was arranged in a standalone building not far from the Hokage Tower. It was an old structure with considerable age behind it. According to Minato, this was an embassy constructed during the Second Hokage's era, specifically meant to host envoys from the daimyō or emissaries from other shinobi villages.
Of course, the place was rarely used.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages hardly visited one another. Exchanges were typically limited to the periods right before or after a war, and even that was infrequent. Normally, shinobi from one major village would never casually step into another great nation's territory. They only traveled within their own country or among the many small nations.
As for envoys from the daimyō, the Fire Daimyō's messengers were usually nobles or high officials. Whenever they came to Konoha, they disliked how old-fashioned the embassy looked. They would rather spend their own money to stay at an inn than lodge in this place. So over the years, very few guests had ever been entertained here.
Fortunately, while it had not been used much, Konoha had received early notice that the Kiri negotiation delegation would be arriving. Naturally, the building had been renovated well in advance. What needed repairing was repaired; what needed replacing was replaced. The exterior still looked old, but the interior was practically brand new.
That said, the Kiri-nin did not care much about living conditions.
As long as they had a place to stay, that was enough.
Anjō Oniyuzu walked a full circle inside and outside, then pulled Kyoichi aside in the courtyard and asked quietly, "Well? Anything wrong?"
"Nothing."
Kyoichi nodded. "Everything inside the embassy is normal."
He paused, then added, "However, there are a number of strong chakra signatures nearby. Konoha really is keeping a close eye on us."
He had already used Earth Listening Technique moments earlier. More than ten chakra signatures surrounded the embassy from all sides, enclosing it tightly. And their chakra strength was high; all of them were likely jonin-level.
"As long as the inside is clear!"
Anjō relaxed a little, his voice rising. "As long as the interior is clean, let those Konoha shinobi stare as they please. Honestly, if no one was keeping watch on us, then that would be the real cause for concern."
"True."
Kyoichi agreed. "If this were our Kirigakure and a group of powerful foreign shinobi entered, we would definitely have people tracking every move too."
"Exactly."
Anjō smiled.
His gaze drifted around the courtyard before he abruptly asked, "Right, Kyoichi, meeting the Hokage... did you gain anything?"
"Kinda... the Hokage is very strong."
Kyoichi thought for a moment. "Though he looks aged, his chakra is incredibly active. Both its quality and quantity remain at a very high level."
Anjō's eyes narrowed. "So the intel about the Hokage preparing to retire is false?"
"Not necessarily."
Kyoichi shook his head. "His condition seems good for now, but his age cannot be ignored. Time will eventually wear down his abilities. He cannot maintain that peak forever."
"In fact, his physical functions are already declining."
He added that after a slight pause.
"Then why say his chakra is strong..."
"They don't conflict. Chakra is the combination of physical and spiritual energy. The Hokage's spiritual energy is extremely robust, but his physical energy is clearly weaker compared to it."
Anjō squinted again.
If Konoha truly planned to change Hokage soon... what impact would that have on upcoming negotiations?
He once again mulled over the issue.
At the same time, in another part of the embassy, Mizushiro stood in the corner of the backyard beneath a large tree, looking up through the branches as if examining for abnormalities.
He was not the only one. Jūzō Biwa, Hōzuki Mangetsu, Ringo Ameyuri, and Momochi Zabuza were all inspecting different sections of the embassy.
Although Kyoichi had already scanned the place as a sensory shinobi, such techniques could only confirm that no one was hidden inside. They could not detect traps or other subtle tricks. So they still needed to conduct a detailed sweep, just in case Konoha had left behind some hidden methods or schemes.
——
While Anjō and Kyoichi were discussing the Hokage, Minato had already returned to the Hokage Tower to report.
"All settled?"
The Third Hokage asked with his pipe in hand.
"All settled," Minato confirmed.
"No trouble?"
"None."
Minato shook his head lightly. "The Kiri-nin are still shinobi. They are not like envoys from the daimyō, who tend to be fussy. And although the embassy looks old from the outside, the inside is renovated. Living there is not much worse than an inn."
"Careful saying that aloud. They are envoys of the daimyō after all."
The Third Hokage reminded him, though he himself could not help smiling a little.
"No worries. Once I step outside, I will never admit I said it."
Minato smiled back.
"Good."
The Hokage said no more. He understood well how bright Minato was. Otherwise he would never have hesitated between passing the title to Minato or to Orochimaru. Among his three disciples—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—the one he favored most had always been Orochimaru.
The fact that Minato was being weighed against Orochimaru was already proof of his exceptional talent.
Of course, part of that was because Orochimaru had begun showing some unsettling changes in recent years. Although still obedient, there was now an indescribable sense of distance compared to the past.
"Right, Minato. These Kiri-nin... what is your impression?"
"You mean?"
"Do you think Kirigakure has truly been hurt this time?"
"They seem to have suffered," Minato answered carefully, each word deliberate. "Along the way, that Elder Anjō asked me many questions, all indirectly related to the negotiations. My personal impression is that they genuinely want to put an end to the previous war."
"Genuinely?"
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes.
Minato held his breath and did not add anything, simply standing quietly.
"Minato, you've worked hard. Go and rest."
After a long silence, the Hokage finally spoke.
Minato acknowledged the order and left obediently.
Soon, the office was empty.
The Third Hokage sat alone, exhaling smoke in slow curls. When he finished his pipe, he suddenly spoke toward a seemingly empty patch of air:
"Orochimaru... what have you been doing lately?"
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