Chapter 11: The Outcome of the Peace Talks

The next day, at the peace conference venue—

The higher-ups of Konohagakure and the envoy from Kumogakure gathered in the meeting hall.

Before Konoha could even speak, the moment the Kumo delegation noticed one of their members was missing, they immediately launched accusations.

The hardliner, Dodai, slammed the table.

"One of our shinobi went missing last night and has yet to be found. I suspect that Konoha has murdered him!"

Several other pro-war Kumogakure shinobi grew agitated, completely disregarding the order of the meeting. Even Mabui, who represented the Raikage's stance in favor of peace, wore a displeased expression but did not stop their outburst.

The Konoha officials, on the other hand, were quick to fire back angrily.

"Heh... If I had truly made a move against you, do you think you would have lived to stand here today?" Danzo retorted.

"Did you hear that, Lord Hokage? Is this the attitude of Konoha?!" Dodai pointed at Danzo, directing his accusation toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, Hiruzen simply took a slow puff from his pipe, remaining completely composed. Seeing his old friend this relaxed, Danzo also calmed down—he knew that Hiruzen had something up his sleeve.

"Heh... There's no need to rush. Take a look at this first."

Hiruzen tapped the table lightly with his pipe, signaling to Hyuga Gakuya and the others waiting outside to enter.

Yamato and Kakashi rolled in a projection screen while Akumu carried a projector borrowed from a movie theater. The team swiftly set up in the meeting hall.

Dodai scoffed. "What now? Is the Hokage planning to show us a movie? I suggest we discuss our missing shinobi first."

"Oh, but this is a movie—its title is A Kumogakure Shinobi Infiltrates the Hyuga Clan, Gets Caught, and Attempts Suicide to Cover Up His Crime."

Dodai's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible!"

"There's nothing impossible about it. Why don't we watch it first?"

Akumu pressed the play button, and the projector flickered to life, displaying footage on the white screen.

The recording showed a Kumo shinobi sneaking past several Konoha patrols, scaling the walls of the Hyuga clan compound. Just as he was about to take his next step, Hyuga Gakuya, Kakashi, and their team appeared, blocking his path. The footage clearly showed the Kumo ninja panicking and attempting suicide before Gakuya knocked him unconscious.

As the "movie" concluded, Dodai clenched his teeth.

"This is fake! It must be a trick using the Transformation Jutsu!"

Even Mabui, his ally, began to doubt him. Dodai had been one of the strongest opponents of the peace talks, and she wouldn't put it past him to have orchestrated something like this.

"Is that so?" Hiruzen smirked. "Bring him in."

Hyuga Gakuya pushed open the doors and dragged in the still-unconscious Kumo shinobi, dumping him onto the floor.

"Caught red-handed. Do you have anything else to say?"

Dodai collapsed into his seat. Everything had crumbled. Konoha had anticipated this move from the start and was simply waiting for him to step into their trap.

If his plan had succeeded, the Raikage wouldn't have minded—after all, he expected Konoha to endure the humiliation and use it as leverage for negotiations. But now that it had failed… everything was over.

Mabui, shocked, turned to Dodai with an expression of frustration.

If you're going to do something this reckless, at least make sure you don't get caught! Leaving behind so much evidence—what were you thinking?!

"Guards, take Jonin Dodai into custody!" Mabui ordered.

She then bowed deeply toward Hiruzen.

"My sincerest apologies, Lord Hokage. This was not under the Raikage's orders. We are fully committed to resolving matters through diplomacy. This was a personal act by Dodai."

Hiruzen chuckled. "Of course. I understand. Konoha also values peace, so our terms for negotiation will remain unchanged."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

"Good. This peace will benefit both nations."

With Hiruzen leading the discussions, the negotiations soon reached a conclusion…

...

Outside the hall, Akumu slung an arm around Hyuga Gakuya's shoulder, curiosity written all over his face.

"So how did you figure out that Kumo would pull something like this?"

"Political instinct. Every village has its hawks and doves. When we went to deliver the peace agreement, some people tried to obstruct us. For an event this significant, there were bound to be those trying to sabotage it."

"Ohhh, I get it now—actually, never mind, I don't!" Akumu laughed. "Whatever! Hokage-sama just told us we completed an S-rank mission, and the reward is a solid two million ryo!"

Split four ways, that was a hefty sum.

"Jackpot!"

Yamato nodded. "Yeah, an S-rank mission this easy? It's a first."

Gakuya smirked. "Then shouldn't you guys be treating your team MVP to some grilled meat?"

"Of course! Kakashi's paying!"

"Oi, oi, oi—why me?!"

"Because you're the captain, obviously."

Kakashi sighed, pulling out his Icha Icha Paradise novel. "Fine, fine, my treat..."

Kakashi had just completed the necessary merits for his promotion—starting tomorrow, he would officially take over as an Anbu division captain, replacing Captain of Squad Three, who had recently retired after losing his right arm in a mission.

Captain of Squad Three, now retired, would receive a generous pension and disability compensation. His children would also be guaranteed premium education at Konoha's ninja academy.

...

December 28, Year 54 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar

Tonight was both Captain's retirement party and Kakashi's promotion celebration, held at the standard Akimichi BBQ restaurant.

The grilled meat here was high in calories—perfect for replenishing the energy of shinobi.

"You guys look so down! I'm not dying, you know—I'm retiring! Gonna go enjoy life for once."

"Stop looking like you've lost a comrade in battle. Let me introduce you all to your new Squad Three captain—Kakashi! You all know him, Konoha's genius, and my most accomplished junior. He'll be leading you from now on."

The squad members clapped enthusiastically. No one had any objections—Kakashi's talent was undeniable.

The only reason they were sad was that Captain had been a mentor to them all, guiding them through their early days in the Anbu.

"Alright, enough moping—let's eat!"

Squad Three members took turns offering toasts to Captain, who reciprocated with gifts he had prepared for each of them.

Late into the night, it was finally Hyuga Gakuya's turn.

Gakuya raised his sake cup. "Captain, a toast to you. These past two years in Anbu, I've learned a lot from you."

Captain clinked his cup against Gakuya's and downed his drink.

"You're the most talented in taijutsu among all my students."

He handed Gakuya a scroll. "This contains my years of experience in Strong Fist Taijutsu and Fire Release chakra nature transformations. I trust you won't let me down."

Gakuya hesitated. "I… I can't accept this. You should pass it down to your children."

"Take it. My wife gave birth to a daughter, and I have no intention of making her a shinobi. I want her to live a normal civilian life."

Gakuya finally accepted the scroll with both hands. "I will not disgrace your legacy."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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