Chapter 40: Conditions
Though they were likewise an envoy delegation, compared to the warm reception afforded to Uzumaki Chizawa and his party, the treatment received by the Cloud Village envoys was markedly colder.
Led by Senju Morin, Konoha's senior leadership had already taken their seats at the celebration venue. Judging by the Hokage's demeanor, there was clearly no intention of personally going to the village gates to welcome the Cloud delegation.
In the end, Senju Genma brought only two ANBU operatives with him—half escort, half surveillance—as they guided the Cloud envoys along the same road toward the plaza before the Hokage Tower.
Along the way, more and more Konoha villagers and shinobi noticed these new "guests."
When they caught sight of the Cloud forehead protectors, unconcealed disgust and wariness surfaced in many eyes—
After all, during the Shinobi World War, Cloud Village had been the first to launch an invasion against Konoha.
And strictly speaking, because of the incident that occurred during the attempted treaty signing, the war between Konoha and Cloud had never been formally concluded.
The Cloud delegation consisted of four people—a standard shinobi squad.
Their leader was named Yotsuki Rando, an exceptionally tall and powerfully built man from the prestigious Yotsuki clan of Cloud Village.
It was worth noting that the Yotsuki clan was not the so-called "Raikage clan."
According to the Book of Formations, the Yotsuki clan had lived for generations in Cloud–Lightning Gorge. Out of recognition for the First Raikage's ideals, they ceded their land to him—an act that ultimately enabled the founding of Cloud Village.
Even if they were not the Raikage's bloodline, the Yotsuki clan remained one of Cloud Village's most influential great clans.
Yotsuki Rando himself was an elite jōnin within the clan. A bold tattoo of the character "battle" was inked along the outer side of his right arm. His muscles bulged with strength, radiating an undisguised sense of aggression.
As for Konoha's cold reception, Rando could not have cared less.
All along the way, he swaggered behind Senju Genma, occasionally raising his thick arm and flashing a wide grin as he waved at the villagers lining the road—his expression openly arrogant, even provocatively smug.
Before long, Rando and his three companions arrived at the edge of the plaza.
Genma left the group standing where they were, then flashed back to Senju Morin's side and reported in a low voice:
"Lord Hokage, the Cloud Village envoys—four in total—have arrived. They are waiting outside the venue."
Morin gave a slight nod. Only then did Genma straighten and announce loudly:
"Escort the Cloud envoys inside—!"
Under the guidance of the remaining two ANBU, Yotsuki Rando and his companions entered the plaza.
Taking in the grand scale of the celebration—the assembled Konoha leadership seated atop the platform, and even several shinobi from Uzushiogakure present—Rando could not help but feel a flicker of surprise.
He had not expected Konoha to be holding such an event.
The Hokage choosing to summon them here—was this a show of strength? Or did Konoha have other intentions?
Though his thoughts churned, Rando showed no hesitation on the surface. He strode confidently to the front of the platform, his booming voice ringing through the square:
"Special Envoy of Cloud Village, Yotsuki Rando, acting under the orders of the Third Raikage! On behalf of Lord Raikage, I extend congratulations to the Hokage on his ascension!"
"The Third?"
A faint smile curved Morin's lips. "So after all this time, that fellow Yama finally got what he wanted and took the Raikage's seat."
"Yama" was the Third Raikage's given name. Though every Raikage eventually adopted the title 'A', each had once borne a personal name of their own.
Morin had encountered him several times during the First Shinobi World War. The Third Raikage was a few years older than Sarutobi Hiruzen—now around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
Seeing that Morin did not intend to continue the exchange, Rando took the initiative, his voice growing even louder:
"Lord Hokage! I have come on official orders to resolve the unresolved matters of the war and to discuss issues vital to the future of our two villages!"
"According to Cloud intelligence, Lord Hokage personally entered the Land of Lightning, recovered the remains of Konoha's Second Hokage, and without authorization took possession of the bodies of our village's traitors—Gold and Silver brothers—as well as the four of the Six Paths Treasures they stole from Cloud Village!"
"Regarding this matter, should the Hokage not give Cloud Village an explanation?"
"An explanation?"
Morin repeated the word softly. His smile remained—but the warmth in his eyes vanished entirely. A clear, cold chuckle escaped his throat.
"Heh… Cloud Village. What kind of explanation do you want?"
Sensing the chill in those words, Rando's pupils shrank. He took a deep breath, lowering his voice into a heavier, more forceful tone:
"The Raikage has instructed me to thank the Hokage—for eliminating Cloud's traitors and safeguarding our village's treasured artifacts."
"And now, we respectfully request that the Hokage return all Six Paths Treasures, as well as the remains of Gold and Silver."
"Safeguarding? Returning?"
Morin looked as though he had just heard an absurd joke. His lips curled upward as his gaze swept across the assembled crowd before finally settling back on Rando.
"And if Konoha refuses?"
The instant those words fell, the four advisors on the platform locked their eyes onto Rando.
Four immense surges of chakra erupted simultaneously—sharp, oppressive, murderous—crashing down upon the plaza like invisible mountains.
Rando's forehead veins bulged as he endured the pressure head-on, his voice dropping further:
"I would ask… that the Hokage consider carefully. Cloud Village yearns for peace—but if our demands are not met, we will not hesitate to consider continuing the war."
"War?"
Morin let out a cold snort, his gaze piercing like a hawk's.
"Does Cloud Village truly believe that Konoha fears war?"
He rose calmly from his seat and walked to the edge of the platform. Towering above him loomed the stone visages of the First and Second Hokage.
From Rando's perspective, it was as though three Hokage were gazing down upon him at once.
The pressure multiplied.
"Heh… 'eliminating traitors,' 'safeguarding treasures'…"
Morin's smile vanished completely.
"Utter nonsense!"
His voice rang out, sharp and uncompromising:
"The Six Paths Treasures were the weapons used by Cloud's traitors—Gold and Silver—to assassinate Konoha's Hokage!"
"They are spoils of war, seized by Konoha after I personally avenged the Second Hokage!"
"They are sealed within this scroll!"
"But whether four pieces—or even one—Konoha will not hand them over. Not a single one. And certainly not to the despicable and shameless Cloud Village!"
"What right does the Raikage have to send you here demanding them?!"
"Cloud Village failed to guard its treasures! Failed to control its shinobi! Allowed Gold and Silver to defect, seize the Six Paths weapons, and murder our Hokage—causing Konoha immeasurable loss!"
"As for when this war ends—Cloud does not get to decide that!"
"Cloud Village must publicly apologize to Konoha before the entire shinobi world—and pay appropriate reparations!"
"Otherwise—"
Morin's voice cut like a blade:
"Konoha will declare war on Cloud Village."