Konoha placed special importance on the visit from Takigakure.
As soon as the Takigakure leader's convoy arrived at the entrance of the village, Seiryu and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi—usually the village mascot, constantly running between various ribbon-cutting ceremonies, but today forcibly dragged over by Seiryu—were already waiting at the gate.
A nearly hundred-meter-long red carpet stretched from the main entrance all the way out.
Iwata Zeki was overwhelmed as soon as he got off the car. Such a grand welcome was on par with how major Hidden Villages would be received.
While Iwata Zeki was still a bit stunned by Konoha's extraordinary hospitality, Seiryu had already stepped forward and warmly shook his hand.
"Welcome to all from Takigakure for your visit to Konoha. On behalf of Konoha, I extend my warmest welcome to all of you," Seiryu said with a smile.
"Iwata, it seems we haven't seen each other for a long time," Hiruzen Sarutobi added with a cheerful smile. "The last time was when you brought your Takigakure team to participate in our joint Chunin Exams, wasn't it?"
"Third Hokage, Fifth Hokage," Iwata Zemu bowed slightly, greeting the two in turn.
"Iwata-san, let's talk more once we're inside. Konoha has prepared a grand ceremony for our guests from afar," Seiryu said with a smile.
As the Takigakure group walked onto the red carpet, a squad of Fire Release ninja, specially transferred from the Police force by Seiryu, began launching fireworks into the sky. The village entrance was instantly filled with lively excitement.
Following Seiryu's arrangements, they went directly to the high-end restaurant opened by Gato, where the Takigakure delegation was treated to a banquet of the highest standards, and then were taken to Konoha's top hotel to stay.
…
The next day, Seiryu sent Kakashi to lead Iwata Zeki in a tour of the many new factories recently established in Konoha. The scale of the new industrial zone in the west of Konoha left Iwata Zeki in awe.
The afternoon itinerary was a visit to the Police Force, followed by dinner with them.
Under Seiryu's instructions, the Police Force performed a small-scale military parade.
When thousands of Police Force ninja saluted the podium in unison, their voices roaring with loyalty like a tidal wave, Iwata Zeki was utterly shocked.
He didn't understand how Konoha had managed to train such a disciplined ninja force.
Such a unit, if deployed on the battlefield to perform joint Jutsu, would force even elite Jonin as strong as himself to avoid direct confrontation.
At dinner, seeing plate after plate of delicious beef and seafood being served in the cafeteria, Iwata Zeki was even more stunned. Weren't those lining up at the food window all genin? Do Konoha's genin eat so well? Even he, in Takigakure, didn't have food like this every day.
Judging from the nonchalant expressions of the ninja, it was clear this was their regular fare, not a show for his sake.
"Mr. Iwata, today's original menu should have included salmon, but the harbor hasn't received any up-to-standard salmon recently, so we substituted with a lesser fish. However, to ensure proper nutrition, we've specially added lobster today. I hope Mr. Iwata doesn't mind," Kakashi said with a smile.
"Konoha's ninja… do they always eat so well?" Iwata Zeki asked with difficulty, the food standard leaving him shocked.
"Of course. You are a ninja yourself, Mr. Iwata, you know how much energy ninja burn daily in training. Our Police Force is Konoha's elite, so their training demand is even higher—thus, they need more nutrition," Kakashi explained.
"I see." Iwata Zeki nodded thoughtfully.
Now, Iwata Zeki was no longer doubting his decision. In both scale and strength, Konoha far surpassed Iwagakure. More importantly, Seiryu's attitude was so cordial, a stark contrast to the arrogance of Onoki toward small countries like theirs.
"Hokage's Assistant," Iwata Zeki called out to Kakashi after dinner.
"Yes, Mr. Iwata?" Kakashi replied cheerfully.
"I wonder when the Hokage will be available. I came this time to discuss cooperation between our two villages," Iwata Zeki said.
"These days, the Hokage is very busy—not only as Hokage of Konoha but also as the Grand Chancellor of the Land of Fire. There's much to handle daily. Why not enjoy Konoha for a few more days? Once the Hokage finishes his business, he'll summon you," Kakashi said as Seiryu had instructed.
"Is that so?" Iwata Zeki hesitated, then agreed, "Alright, I'll wait for the Hokage's summons."
After leaving the hotel hosting the Takigakure delegation, Kakashi immediately returned to the Hokage's office.
Seiryu, making tea, poured a cup for Kakashi and asked, "How did it go?"
"That guy's reaction was even stronger than you expected; he's desperate to see you," Kakashi replied, draining his tea. "This tea tastes different than usual."
"It's from the last batch Gato sent—just trying it out," Seiryu said.
"You're really relaxed," Kakashi observed. "So, when will you see him?"
"No rush. Let him wait a couple days. Someone will get even more anxious," Seiryu smiled.
"Alright, let's let him wait two more days," Kakashi nodded.
…
In the blink of an eye, two days passed. The news of Takigakure leader Iwata Zeki's visit to Konoha soon reached Onoki's ears.
"Iwata Zeki, visiting Konoha at this time?" Onoki frowned. Though he and Seiryu had recently signed a non-aggression pact after cooperating to carve up Kusagakure, Onoki had used the signed agreement as a table wedge as soon as he got back to his Tsuchikage office. He was sure Seiryu hadn't taken the agreement seriously either.
So, that so-called pact was really just a mutual agreement to keep things in check for now.
And the pieces in this big-country chess game were, of course, the surrounding small countries.
Lately, Onoki had been watching how the small countries reacted to his and Seiryu's pact. The Land of Rain didn't respond, which made sense—after all, as long as Hanzo could summon his salamander, he still had enough power to keep his country safe.
Onoki was also one of the few who knew about Akatsuki in the Land of Rain and that there were powerful rogue ninja there.
As for the Land of Grass, he and Seiryu had already split up the little value there. The local daimyo jumping around meant nothing to them—leaving him as a joke was fine.
So, the real focus was the Land of Waterfall.
Among the small countries' ninja villages, Takigakure was special—they had a tailed beast. Although just the Seven-Tails, it was still enough of a deterrent that major countries wouldn't mess with them lightly.
But with the new jinchuriki of Takigakure not yet grown, Onoki saw an opportunity.
For Onoki, the best situation was for Takigakure to maintain its current strength but lose its tailed beast. This way, the Land of Waterfall could act as a buffer between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, buying time for responses.
He thought Seiryu would see things the same way, but now it seemed Seiryu wanted the Land of Waterfall to fully side with Konoha.
A Takigakure fully aligned with Konoha was unacceptable to Onoki. As far as he knew from Han, a single Nine-Tails could defeat two of their village's tailed beasts. With a Seven-Tails on top of that? Unthinkable.
Onoki stared at the ninja world map for a long moment, then called out, "Kitsuchi."
"Father." The Tsuchikage office door opened, and a sturdy man entered.
"Keep a close eye on Takigakure. Any unusual movement is to be reported immediately," Onoki ordered.
"Yes," Kitsuchi replied.
"I hope Iwata Zeki knows what's good for him," Onoki muttered, looking at the map.
…
Back in Konoha, after keeping Iwata Zeki waiting for two days, Seiryu finally sent an invitation for a meeting just as Iwata Zeki's anxiety was reaching its peak.
Early in the morning, Iwata Zeki donned his formal attire as Takigakure's leader and entered the Hokage's office.
"Mr. Iwata, apologies for the neglect these past few days. Official business kept me busy," Seiryu said with a smile.
"You're too polite, Hokage-sama," Iwata Zeki replied. But as soon as he entered, his gaze was drawn to a map in the most prominent spot in the office—marked with [Konoha Treaty Plan].