Since Haseo was so wary of Kumo, it naturally fell to him to take on a major mission: receiving the Kumo envoy team that would arrive in three days.
It was obviously a good assignment… at least from Haseo's perspective. This way, he could directly interact with and observe them.
As for how the Kumo people felt about it, Haseo didn't care one bit.
He'd already paid what could more accurately be described as an attack visit to a Kumo ninja squad and "joyfully" seen off Kumo envoys once before—now he was assigned to welcome yet another Kumo delegation. It couldn't be helped—this must have been fate.
To atone for past misdeeds—or at least appearances thereof—and demonstrate the spirit of "Kumo and Konoha as one family," Haseo sincerely hoped they would feel genuinely welcomed this time.
It would be even better if among the envoys were some he had personally 'escorted' before—quite forcibly.
In life, we cross paths with traveler after traveler, but only those who've parted ways and later found each other again in the vast ocean of humanity can truly grasp the joy of such a fateful reunion...
Unbeknownst to Kumo, someone in Konoha had already seen through their intentions. While waiting for their arrival, Konoha had completed several preparations.
Security had already been raised to the highest level. The Uzumaki clan had all been notified, protective measures put into place, and even those who needed to alter their appearance—including hair color—had already done so.
When the appointed time came, Haseo waited at Konoha's main gate with two shinobi sent by the Third Hokage, ready to receive these "guests."
For a fleeting moment, Haseo considered secretly ambushing and silently eliminating the Kumo envoy team on their way into Konoha. That way, at least he wouldn't have to worry about them pulling any stunts once inside Konoha. However, he quickly dismissed that thought.
Executing without warning or instruction was unacceptable. After all, Konoha and Kumo were technically allies. What if this time they really did come bearing friendly intentions? If he went ahead and killed them immediately without explanation, that would seem just a bit too extreme.
After all, an envoy is still an envoy. There was no way the Third Hokage would approve of Haseo's "creative plans." Hmm, but if they did reveal hostile intentions… well, there'd still be opportunities to act within Konoha itself. In any case, unlike Kumo, the Konoha shinobi were ultimately all "kind-hearted" people.
Before long, Haseo's reception targets arrived.
Leading the way was a squad of Konoha Anbu ninja, followed behind by a total of sixteen Kumo shinobi. The Anbu had escorted the Kumo group back from the border mainly to prevent them from running wild within the Land of Fire or executing any schemes harmful to Konoha.
Once they reached the village entrance, the Anbu's official duty ended, and from here onward, it became Haseo's job as the official welcoming party.
Sixteen Kumo shinobi... Haseo's gaze swept over the Kumo group. A force of this size entering Konoha was already enough to cause serious damage. Normally, the number shouldn't have reached such proportions for an envoy mission between allied villages.
The consequences caused by six Konoha ninja entering the village of Kirigakure were still fresh in everyone's memory.
However, Konoha couldn't really make an issue of the number since it was possible that Kumo had placed special importance on this meeting and thus carefully assembled a full escort team.
Konoha had thousands of ninja after all—why would they be afraid of just over a dozen guests? There was simply no reason to refuse entry to allied envoys.
Haseo approached with a warm and amiable smile. Although he still carried two blades on his back, his entire demeanor was relaxed and non-threatening—he didn't seem like the type who'd lash out at any moment... yet he was precisely that kind of man.
"Welcome to Konoha, honored envoys from Kumo. I am Haseo, a Jonin of Konoha assigned to greet you."
His introduction caused the Kumo team to briefly freeze, as if something had gotten stuck in their minds. But immediately afterward, they resumed walking forward as if nothing had happened, feigning indifference.
At least their leader played it well.
"Haseo Jonin, greetings. I am Kurin, Jonin of Kumo and the full representative of Lord Third Raikage."
By sending Haseo to greet them, Konoha made its intentions clear—a quiet but firm warning not to stir up any trouble. Otherwise, Konoha wouldn't hesitate to send Haseo in—and lock the gates behind him.
Kurin had a strong build and a stern, square face with thick eyebrows and large eyes. Judging from his appearance alone, he looked like a fairly upright character… Haseo hoped he was indeed a capable, intelligent, and high-status Kumo ninja.
Still, considering he claimed to be the full envoy of the Third Raikage, he probably wasn't some ordinary ninja anyway.
Kurin's eyes discreetly swept over Haseo, who didn't appear particularly impressive at first glance, before shifting slightly toward the swords hanging behind him.
According to intelligence reports, those weapons originally belonged to Kumo, so this confirmed that the man calling himself Haseo was indeed who he claimed to be—the real Haseo.
"The battle between you and the Mist shinobi (from Kirigakure) was truly impressive," Kurin remarked. "Victory achieved at such minimal cost is indeed admirable… I must say, I only recently learned you've returned to Konoha."
Haseo blinked, inwardly noting that Kumo seemed to have learned the knack for diplomatic flattery too.
"That's too kind," he replied, gesturing for the Kumo delegation to proceed past the village gates. "Please come in—once again, welcome to Konoha."
With Haseo leading the way accompanied by two Konoha ninja, the Kumo team slowly passed through the entrance and finally entered Konoha.
"Since Konoha chose to send a ninja like Haseo-san to personally welcome us, it's evident that Hokage-sama holds this negotiation in high regard… which is certainly a good thing," the envoy remarked while surveying the village scenery around them.
"Regardless of who came to greet you, the Third Hokage places great importance on dialogue between allies. The only pity is that it's not quite convenient to arrange for villagers to welcome you this time..."
The news of Kumo's envoy arriving in Konoha was neither concealed nor publicized, so when people noticed them along the way, they felt somewhat puzzled.
There was no panic though, since Konoha ninjas were escorting them.
"No, no, that's unnecessary ceremony. We've already felt Konoha's sincerity."
Kurin didn't expect Haseo to turn out to be such a reasonable person—he meant he hadn't expected Haseo to be so humble. Previously, he thought this man was sharp-edged and individualistic.
"Now let me first lead you all to settle down. The meeting with the Hokage will be arranged after you've fully rested tomorrow... Kurin-dono, if convenient, could you reveal Kumo's purpose this time? We'd like to prepare in advance," Haseo asked like this.
Normally speaking, indeed, this was a question he should ask.
If both sides truly intended to negotiate certain topics, then at least the visiting party from Kumo should bring up these topics.
"It's like this: considering our relationship with Iwagakure, we intend to go to war against them next, so we want to discuss some coordination matters with Konoha, who is currently fighting against Iwa... We are allies, and we share the same enemy."
The explanation sounded reasonable and credible.
Then Haseo smiled and said, "Is that so? I thought it might be because Kumo is struggling with controlling the Eight-Tails and therefore seeking Konoha's help. You know, Konoha specializes in this area, and we're always happy to help friends."
This comment came out suddenly, without preamble, yet hit the nail on the head.
At this moment, Jonin Kurin felt a chill, as though...
[Remaining in the cold wind of winter],
[Dreams trampled underfoot by hurried steps].
Had their purpose been exposed? No, absolutely impossible.
Under Haseo's piercing gaze, Kurin almost couldn't maintain his composure. "Impossible. We can handle our own affairs in Kumo. If we truly reached a point where Konoha's assistance became necessary, we naturally wouldn't hesitate to ask for help."
It must just be a bluff.
Take back what I said earlier—this guy is definitely the sharp-tongued, headstrong type who deserves constant vigilance.
But regardless of whether it was a bluff or not, the Kumo envoy team had become mentally tense because of this seemingly casual remark by Haseo... Well, people with secrets are like that—no matter how good their acting skills are, they still can't behave openly and confidently.
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