Hokage Building.
"Lord Hokage, our Hidden Cloud Village is acting with the utmost sincerity, hoping to sign an alliance agreement with the Hidden Leaf Village, agreeing to refrain from attacking each other and to pursue peaceful development..."
The head of the delegation spoke very respectfully to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The other ninjas from Kumogakure looked around at the layout of the Hokage's office.
For some reason, they always felt there was a strange smell in the office.
It smells like it's just been painted, and it also has the smell of fresh wood.
"Ahem—what the Cloud Village envoy said is exactly what Konoha has been hoping for."
"War brings only pain and hatred. It is a good thing for our two villages to reach a peace consensus and sign an alliance agreement, whether it is for the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, or the entire ninja world."
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly; he knew perfectly well what these people were looking at.
The Hokage Building was newly built and completed rather hastily; in fact, the paint in many places wasn't even dry, so the smell was a bit strong.
"Since the Hokage thinks so too, let's finalize the terms of the agreement as soon as possible!" the delegation leader said with a smile.
Soon after, the two sides reached an agreement, drafted several terms, and after several days of negotiations, finally decided to formally sign the alliance agreement at noon tomorrow.
...
That evening, at the Cloud Hidden Delegation's lodgings.
"My lord, we have already investigated the Hyuga clan's situation."
"Although the Byakugan has amazing insight, it can only be used to investigate the surrounding situation when it is actively activated. They generally do not keep the Byakugan activated at all times within the clan."
"In addition, we have also investigated that ugly-looking brat who doesn't look like a human. I heard that the people of Konoha call him the Demon Fox. I suspect that he is very likely the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
The man who had bumped into Naruto Uzumaki earlier respectfully reported to the leader.
This person's name is Yukai. Don't let his unassuming appearance fool you; he is a Tokubetsu Jōnin who excels at stealth and intelligence gathering.
After several days of back-and-forth between the mission and Konoha, he had already thoroughly investigated Konohagakure.
"Huh? Are you sure it's the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
The head of the delegation widened his eyes and asked in disbelief.
If he really is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, then the Hyuga clan's Byakugan is no longer important.
The were Byakugan is no match for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Moreover, they are very experienced in kidnapping the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki, was once kidnapped by the Hidden Cloud Village.
They're familiar with this!
Crucially, the value of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki far exceeds that of the Byakugan.
"Ninety percent certain!" Yukai nodded and said.
"Alright, forget about Hyuga and focus on this Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"You make your move now, and we'll hold off the Third Hokage and the other high-ranking officials to create an opportunity for you."
The head of the delegation pondered for a moment, then immediately made a decision.
The Hidden Cloud Village already has the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails. If they were to add a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, who in the entire ninja world could stand against them?
At that time, how could the small Leaf Village compete with the Hidden Cloud Village?
Make your mark and achieve great things today!
Upon realizing this, the leader of the delegation hurriedly summoned everyone and headed to the Hokage Building.
Yukai, on the other hand, was secretly looking for an opportunity to kidnap Naruto Uzumaki and escape from Konoha.
As for how to get through Konohagakure's barrier, there's no need to worry about that; the predecessors have already broken through it.
Otherwise, how could they have brought Kushina Uzumaki out of the village in the first place?
...
Naruto Uzumaki's residence.
"They're here to capture Naruto Uzumaki?"
Black Zetsu already knew about the Cloud Village ninja's plans, and that day, he had bumped into them.
Black Zetsu separated a part of its body and attached it to Yukai's body.
While it may not be enough to control the other party, it's perfectly fine to eavesdrop on their information.
As for minor skills like splitting, they're far too easy for a big boss like Black Zetsu.
In his previous life, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, half of his body was cut off by the Mizukage's bodyguard, Chojuro, and the remaining half simply escaped quietly.
No one noticed it at all.
Later, he hid underground and, at a crucial moment, possessed Obito Uchiha and forcibly transferred the target of his 'Rinne Rebirth' technique to Madara Uchiha.
In other words, even for Obito, who had reached the Six Paths level, detecting the hidden Black Zetsu was by no means an easy task.
"No, I haven't shown him the Uchiha stone tablet yet, and the darkness in his heart hasn't reached its limit."
"How can I allow a mere Cloud Ninja to ruin my millennia-long plan!"
"This time, there can be no more accidents in my mother's resurrection."
With this thought in mind, Naruto Uzumaki, who was fast asleep, was once again manipulated by Black Zetsu to stand up.
Um?
Naruto's sudden action startled Tenzō, who was secretly monitoring him.
Is the Nine-Tails about to go berserk?
Thinking of this, Tenzō's eyes became more wary.
"Dream...sleepwalking?"
After watching for a while, Tenzō realized that Naruto Uzumaki hadn't gone berserk; he was just sleepwalking.
The reason Black Zetsu did this is quite simple.
The point is to attract Tenzō's attention. He can't take action right now, and when the people from the Hidden Cloud Village come to kidnap Naruto, he'll need Tenzō's help to stop them.
Even with my buffs, Naruto's current physical condition is such that he absolutely cannot withstand the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"Should I wake him up...?"
Just as Tenzō was struggling with whether or not to wake Naruto, his expression suddenly changed, and his body turned into a puff of white smoke with a 'bang,' leaving behind a piece of wood that disappeared on the spot.
"How is that possible?"
"How could his Kawarimi no Jutsu be so fast?"
Yukai, who had secretly attacked Tenzō, was shocked. He knew that someone was protecting Naruto Uzumaki in the shadows.
So, they first approached Tenzō, intending to eliminate this ANBU member before capturing Naruto Uzumaki.
Despite being so careful, the opponent still managed to dodge the fatal blow.
"People from Kumogakure?"
"What do you want? Could it be...?"
At that moment, Tenzō's voice rang out behind Yukai, and a terrible thought arose in his mind.
Could it be that this person has come for Naruto Uzumaki?
His goal is the Tailed Beasts?
If that's the case, I need to inform the Hokage as soon as possible. These Cloud Village ninjas have impure intentions, so the Hokage can be prepared in advance.
"Now that you've discovered me, a fight is inevitable."
"Raiton: Daichi Aruki no Jutsu!"
A murderous glint flashed in Yukai's eyes, and his hands moved swiftly, forming hand seals. At the same time, a bolt of lightning shot out from the ground.
If I can control this guy, even for just a second, my speed will be enough to catch the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and escape from Konoha.
"Mokuton: Daijurin no Jutsu!"
Tenzō dared not be careless, and several wooden vines flew out from his arm, intending to capture Yukai.
...
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