"He is complaining about why he can't leave, and also complaining that you're not being nice enough."
"Isn't that good? It saves him from causing trouble everywhere. That's not bad either."
"That's true, but for you to do it like this..."
Hiruzen pursed his lips. He knew how mischievous Deidara was, especially since he had visited Konoha before.
Since Takemi had tricked him, Konoha certainly wouldn't throw him into the Anbu prison.
But they could make him stay quietly in the Foreign Guest House.
Hiruzen was willing to see such a thing happen, but he felt that Takemi had acted too quickly, which made Konoha seem less dignified.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this topic."
Hiruzen shook his head, quickly skipping the topic, and spoke with extreme seriousness.
"After the Forest of Death exam ends, I will arrange a month-long break to host the Kage from various villages, as well as the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
"But you must make good use of this month. Work hard if you need to, understand?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded. He had already decided to teach Sasuke how to use the Sharingan.
Jiraiya, who had been silent, also nodded, but he looked a bit troubled.
"One month, it's probably very difficult to activate the Chakra within Naruto."
"Then try it while teaching him something else."
Hiruzen also sighed. It was indeed not easy to awaken the Chakra within Naruto, but they had to try no matter what.
"Alright, I understand."
Jiraiya nodded, then rubbed his temples again.
"But we probably don't need to handle the reception anymore, right? It seems that besides the Kazekage, our relations with the others aren't very good."
"You also know that relations aren't very good?"
It was fine not to mention it, but once it was brought up, Hiruzen himself felt depressed.
Although relations with Ōnoki were still good, Deidara was tricked by Takemi, and Ōnoki might not be too happy about that.
Besides, Konoha's quiet venture into the Land of Earth back then was also a thorn, and although everyone didn't mention it, they all remembered.
As for Kumogakure...
Looking at Takemi, Hiruzen felt it was better not to mention it.
"But Sunagakure doesn't seem to be very honest either."
Takemi said at this moment, "I found a guy in their team who looks very similar to Naruto during the exam."
"I know, that kid's name is Gaara. They had informed us in advance, and he is the Kazekage's child." Hiruzen rubbed his temples helplessly.
"Although this matter is very excessive, considering he is the Kazekage's son and they are our allies, we cannot refuse. We can only keep a close eye on him."
"I see, I understand."
Takemi nodded. He finally understood why Gaara, in his memories, could openly appear in Konoha.
It turned out that factors of 'face' and alliance relations were involved.
Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed difficult to refuse such a thing.
But no matter what, this was good news for Takemi, after all, this was One Tail's Chakra.
Although Shukaku seemed to be the weakest among the Tailed Beast, its actual strength was not bad at all.
"Once absorbed, it will be beneficial for me, for my eyes, and for the god tree source."
Besides that, he also learned another interesting thing.
"The Akatsuki is currently hidden in Root, and Danzo is really dead?"
Upon learning this news, Takemi felt somewhat incredulous.
Especially after knowing how Danzo died, he couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"It's all Deidara's fault. He actually caused Konoha to lose such a powerful existence..."
Of course, whether Danzo died or not had little to do with him. The important thing was that he roughly knew the Akatsuki's movements.
"Although their combined action isn't a good thing, this is indeed the best time for me to use the identity of 'Ōtsutsuki Takeshiki'."
Originally, he thought that at most, the Fourth Raikage would cause some trouble, but he didn't expect the current situation to be even wilder than he imagined.
But it perfectly aligned with his thoughts. The more people there were, the greater the benefits he could gain.
Especially now that his spatial abilities had been further enhanced, he could ensure that Konoha would not encounter any problems and would strike hard.
Just as he was contemplating, his system suddenly popped up.
[Acquired new Konoha exclusive side mission]
[I Am the Hope of the Entire Village]
[Defend Konoha, resolve all troubles]
"Is it finally time?"
Time passed, and Konoha began to become bustling.
Outside Konoha, Ōnoki gazed at the distant Konoha, and shook his head.
"Konoha, still the same as before."
"Huh? Grandpa, have you been here before?"
Kurotsuchi asked curiously, but Ōnoki didn't want to answer upon hearing this.
The events of the past were like a nightmare to him.
To this day, he still couldn't forget that arrogant figure and those crimson Sharingan eyes.
"Forget it, the Uchiha are already gone, why think about these things?"
Ōnoki shook his head, then he whispered a command.
"This time, all of you must be careful. I have a feeling something big is going to happen, understood?"
"Oh."
Kurotsuchi nodded, not understanding, but what she was most looking forward to now was finding Deidara quickly.
That guy had left without a word, which really angered her.
To the east, the Elder sat in a carriage, gazing at Konoha in the distance.
"That's Konoha over there."
"Seriously, Elder, why did you have to come in person?"
Mei murmured, while the Elder shook his head and smiled.
"The Fourth Mizukage feels uncomfortable coming, and this time it's such a grand occasion, it wouldn't be good if I didn't come."
The Fourth Mizukage was not dead. At least, with this cooperation with Konoha, he had survived safely until now.
However, recalling the past events, if he were to truly come to Konoha, he would lose face, so this matter could only be handled by the Elder.
Besides...
After the incident of that year, even if it hadn't been leaked, the Fourth Mizukage's power had long been usurped.
Now, Kirigakure had already entered a new era, just waiting for a new Mizukage to take office and complete the handover.
"Alright, let's speed up, and this time, everyone be careful."
The Elder smiled indifferently, then reminded them.
"With the Five Great Ninja Villages gathered this time, there will likely be no shortage of trouble."
To the north, the Fourth Raikage had also arrived.
"Has it finally arrived?"
He clenched his fist, and finally, with a cold snort, he walked forward.
"Don't give me any opportunity. So many Kage are here, it would be interesting if things got chaotic."
"I haven't forgotten the grudge from back then..."
And in the Akatsuki's base, Nagato took a deep breath.
"Do you all know what to do?"
Looking at the figures dressed in black cloaks with red clouds below him, he spoke in a low voice.
"Then prepare to act!"