Three days had passed since the Cloud Hidden envoy arrived in Konoha, yet they had been delaying negotiations for the treaty under the guise of sightseeing Konoha's scenery.
This couldn't help but make Shikaku Nara feel puzzled. Why were they so obvious in their intentions? Wasn't this tantamount to telling them that Cloud Hidden's objective this time was not to sign the treaty?
"Continue to observe, and pay close attention to their movements. This is Konoha, they won't be able to cause much trouble!"
"Yes!"
Shikaku Nara looked up at Minato Namikaze and asked, "Lord Hokage, who do you suspect their target might be?"
Minato Namikaze frowned, pondered for a long time, and then shook his head, "I don't have any leads for now. No matter who they choose as their target, it will lead to conflict with us, Konoha."
"Doesn't the Fourth Raikage understand this?"
"This..." Shikaku Nara found it difficult to speak. Was he supposed to say that the Fourth Raikage was actually a simple-minded, muscle-bound brute?
"Perhaps if they complete their mission, the benefits they gain will outweigh the consequences of antagonizing Konoha, making it a worthwhile endeavor for them!"
In reality, the Fourth Raikage was much smarter than his father, but from the Nara clan's perspective, he was indeed simple-minded!
Minato Namikaze nodded, "Considering it from this angle, many other possibilities can be ruled out."
However, there were still many choices left. After all, Konoha and Cloud Hidden had a poor relationship to begin with, so antagonizing them further wouldn't make much of a difference.
Minato Namikaze rubbed his forehead and said, "Shikaku, I'll have to trouble you with this. Assign more personnel to monitor them."
"Yes!"
After Shikaku Nara left, Minato Namikaze leaned back in his chair, his head spinning from the mountain of documents in front of him.
"What on earth is Cloud Hidden up to at this time? It's truly a headache!"
Minato Namikaze looked out the window, his thoughts drifting. If it were Senior Lin Yu, he would have simply slaughtered them, regardless of diplomatic relations! You dare to scheme against me on my territory, and I should tolerate you?
But Minato Namikaze couldn't. By occupying the position of Hokage, he no longer represented himself alone; he represented Konoha. Once relations with Cloud Hidden soured, any Konoha shinobi who perished would be on his conscience.
Minato Namikaze now finally understood why the Third Hokage was so eager to step back behind the scenes. Age was one factor, but perhaps another was that he could no longer suppress his own wavering resolve.
A person could be strong for a time, but not forever. As people age and gain more experience, they consider many factors and become hesitant in their actions, which is where they fall short of the decisiveness of the young.
Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to abdicate because he feared making mistakes.
With this thought, Minato Namikaze's gaze regained its firmness. Let them come with their conspiracies and schemes, as long as Cloud Hidden dared to attack, he would dare to fight back!
...
"Is this Konoha's characteristic scenic spot?"
"That's right! This is the most youthfully vibrant place in Konoha!"
Might Guy gave a thumbs-up, his pearly white teeth flashing. He had been entrusted by Shikaku Nara to entertain the Cloud Hidden envoy. What a display of trust!
Ian glanced around. Swings, a sandbox, a slide... wasn't this just an ordinary park?
Where was the youthful vibrancy?
Might Guy smiled mysteriously, revealing what he had hidden behind him: four rusty dumbbells!
Ian followed Might Guy's gaze to the four dumbbells. Even with his upbringing, he almost cursed aloud. He called this the most vibrant Konoha scenery?
"What do you think? Isn't it surprising and moving!"
Might Guy was so moved that tears almost streamed down his face. This was where he had trained with his father since he was young. He vaguely remembered that year, when he was young, he and his father, Might Duy, under the scorching sun...
Ian's cheek twitched slightly. "It is certainly surprising to me!"
But there was no hint of emotion! Are the people of Konoha insane?
Ian calmed himself down and smiled at Might Guy, "Mr. Guy, can we go to the next place?"
"Hmm? Mr. Guy?"
Might Guy was immersed in childhood memories and hadn't heard what Ian was saying.
The two ninjas who had been following Ian wanted to step forward and wake him up, but Ian stopped them.
"It seems Mr. Guy is quite emotional. Then, let's end today here. We'll return to the inn first."
As Ian turned around, he glanced at the small grove in the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips, and left with his two escorts.
After a long while, two ninjas wearing ANBU masks landed beside Guy. One of them, with white hair, said, "Guy, stop acting. They've already left."
Unexpectedly, Might Duy showed no reaction, his eyes unfocused as he gazed at the sky, occasionally shedding a tear. Those were painful memories of his youth!
"..."
Kakashi sighed helplessly and punched Might Guy twice. They had agreed to act, and he was actually going through with it?
"Who! Who hit me!"
Might Guy was jolted out of his reverie by the punch and was a little displeased. But upon seeing Kakashi beside him, he smiled again. "Kakashi, are you here to challenge me?"
"Idiot! Have you forgotten your mission!"
Might Guy thought for a moment and then scratched his head, "Sorry, I was reminded of my father and couldn't control my emotions for a moment."
Kakashi also knew that Might Guy had been punched by Might Duy since he was a child, and he felt both sympathy and schadenfreude about it.
"Let's not talk about that now. Did you find anything?" another ANBU ninja said.
Might Guy's expression turned serious. "I discovered something very serious. They have absolutely no spirit of youth! This is unacceptable!"
*Bang bang!*
The two who had fallen to the ground got up again, dusting themselves off. It seemed Might Guy was useless.
Kakashi touched his mask and pondered, "The other party is very cautious. It's normal for Guy not to have discovered anything."
"But I think the two ninjas behind that Cloud Ninja named Ian are very strong."
"Very strong?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Around jonin level. Although they hid it well, when those two stepped forward just now, a trace of killing intent leaked out, very potent. They must be ninjas who have been on the battlefield or have killed many people!"
"Cloud Hidden ANBU?!" Might Guy and the other ANBU ninja said in unison.
"That's a possibility. Cloud Cat, go report to Lord Hokage."
The ANBU codenamed Cloud Cat did not delay. He leaped onto a tree branch and disappeared from their sight with agile movements.
Might Guy saw that only he and Kakashi remained in the park and couldn't help but rub his hands together. "Kakashi, are you free today? Shall we..."
"Hold on! I'm busy today. Someone has asked me out. Another time!"
Kakashi quickly jumped back to distance himself from Might Guy. If he didn't stop Might Guy in time, he would be pestered all day. He had an appointment to keep!
"An appointment?"
Might Guy frowned. "Kakashi, do you have other friends besides me?"
Kakashi's dead fish eyes appeared, and he said irritably, "What do you mean by that?!"
"Nothing, I just want to get acquainted! Kakashi's friends are my friends!"
"No! This friend is a bit special today, I can't introduce you!"
"Why! Kakashi, you're keeping secrets from me!"
"..."
Kakashi was speechless. With your big mouth, of course, I have to keep secrets from you!