Chapter 221

When the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails in Konoha had just turned two, after nearly two years of efforts following the Third Ninja World War that weakened their own village, Kumogakure finally shyly negotiated and decided to sign a peace treaty with Konoha.

Having ridden on others for two years, only to end up with their legs wide open, this move by Kumogakure made them infamous across the entire ninja world.

Some even analyzed that Kumogakure believed their strength was too overwhelming, making it impossible to maintain the hard-earned balance with other ninja villages. Therefore, for the sake of peace in the ninja world, the Fourth Raikage, A, took this drastic measure!

Using the pretext of causing trouble, they actively weakened their own village's strength, allowing the Five Great Nations to once again form a balance, thereby maintaining long-term peace in the ninja world!

In any case, during this period, the Fourth Raikage A became famous throughout the ninja world, and the main person being discussed didn't know how many sets of office desks he had smashed.

From wooden to stone, and finally to pure steel, in this ninja world, no one smashed office desks more than the Fourth Raikage A.

After all... he was "happy" (frustrated).

Originally, the goal was to establish dominance after the Third Ninja World War and become the boss. Instead, it turned into this mess, and he was even forced to accept Konoha's peace treaty!

Damn it!

Onoki, who was at a critical stage in studying the statue of the Giant of Light – specifically, how to successfully transform – announced to the ninja world upon hearing this news.

The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Onoki, sincerely wished that Kumogakure, who initiated this with Konoha, could successfully sign the peace treaty for common development and progress!

The Fourth Kazekage, who was buried in gold dust day and night, exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this news, realizing how sarcastic Onoki was! Every word seemed to mock Kumogakure's surrender.

Impossible! He had to keep up. As for fear of retaliation, that was out of the question. Not to mention that there was a great nation between him and Kumogakure, Kumogakure's supply lines would be difficult to manage if they came to cause trouble.

He had nothing to lose, so why fear anyone?

His country was full of yellow sand, always accompanied by rare and extreme weather conditions like sandstorms, welcoming Kumogakure to come in groups for a "visit?"

Would they dare to come?

Thus, not even two days after Onoki's announcement to the ninja world, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, also voiced his opinion on this platform full of concern and love.

Suna eagerly congratulated Kumogakure and Konoha on their peace treaty for mutual development! He highly praised the Fourth Raikage A's heart for peace!

As a result, the next day after receiving this news, the Fourth Raikage A, who appeared in his office early in the morning, was pointing at the scattered documents on the ground, jumping with rage.

"Where's my desk?! Am I supposed to work on the ground without a desk?!"

"Raikage-sama, this is already the twentieth desk this month. Please bear with it a little longer, the craftsman hasn't finished making a new one yet."

The little secretary quickly explained. This Raikage-sama broke desks too quickly for the craftsman to keep up with!

"No desk, how am I supposed to work (vent)!"

…

Under the watchful eyes of the entire ninja world, Kumogakure's peace envoys held little hands as they entered Konoha Village amidst the welcoming cheers of all Konoha residents.

Cheers and applause were fervent!

Just like Neji described in the original work, for three consecutive days, Konoha was filled with fireworks and the sound of gongs and drums. The streets were filled with a longing for peace and eager anticipation!

Then, taking advantage of this moment, Kumogakure, with their bandit-like behavior deeply ingrained, secretly reached out to the Hyuga, the second largest clan in Konoha...

…

"This is true peace."

On the street, watching the bustling crowd singing and dancing, Itachi genuinely sighed.

Peace was so hard-earned!

People's longing for peace was so earnest!

After two years of pressure, though there was no large-scale war, Konoha lost many excellent ninjas.

Even the Uchiha clan suffered losses, having lost many members who were frequently seen due to the two-year conflict with Kumogakure.

Interestingly, after these sacrifices, the Uchiha clan seemed to become more stable internally, and their relationship with the village gradually warmed.

Recently, it was common to hear street vendors in Konoha praise the humane management of the Uchiha Police Force, and occasionally, vendors would offer small treats when they saw someone wearing the Uchiha clan emblem.

Of course, as Uchiha, their inherent pride did not allow them to accept such gifts for free. They always insisted on paying, and paying extra, without asking for change! If you give change, they would get angry!

"You sure have a thing for dango, huh?"

Seeing Itachi holding a large bag of three-color dango, Kabuto, the tallest of the three, couldn't help but tease.

"I might have bought too much…" Itachi smiled awkwardly, then took out two skewers and handed the bag to Kabuto, "If we can't finish it, it will go to waste. Take it back to the orphanage for everyone."

"You…"

Knowing Itachi's good intentions and that he might have bought extra on purpose, Kabuto accepted it. Some things are better left unsaid but remembered.

"You've been awfully quiet lately, Kuro."

Itachi, with his keen sense, looked at Chloe. His friend had indeed been quiet lately, always seemingly deep in thought but not sharing with Itachi.

"Nothing, just thinking about how to gain recognition from the village's ninjas (prestige)."

Hearing this, Itachi realized something.

In Itachi's view, only a ninja recognized by everyone could become Hokage. His friend believed the same, hence thinking about such matters!

"I think Kuro should continue being himself, slowly gaining everyone's acceptance. You definitely can do it!"

Chloe nodded thoughtfully but was still troubled by the lack of opportunities to show his face and gain recognition among the ninjas.

Understanding how to gain prestige to enhance his power, he started seeking various opportunities but found it too slow.

So far, the most prestige he gained was from the Hokage inauguration ceremony and the ninja school opening, but aside from these, there weren't many points accumulated.

As Chloe was contemplating, the three children, unused to the crowded street, turned into a quiet residential alley.

"This is the Hyuga clan's territory…"

Seeing the high walls, Itachi introduced to his two friends.

Itachi was familiar with the Hyuga clan. Not only was the Hyuga head his father's colleague, but every time he passed by, he could hear the constant sounds of training from this large, imposing estate.

Suddenly, a masked figure in black jumped over the high wall from the Hyuga compound, causing the kids to halt.

In the hazy moonlight, Itachi keenly saw that the figure was holding a child around his younger brother's age, fast asleep!

Someone dared to kidnap a child from the Hyuga clan of Konoha?!

Without thinking, Itachi was about to charge, but he paused, recognizing the figure's build from three days ago when he saw a Kumogakure envoy at the village gate...

While Itachi was briefly pondering, Chloe had already taken off, even before the system could issue a task!

"Stop! You bastard!"

Chloe's eyes flashed with an eager determination. He had a premonition that solving this incident would bring a significant amount of prestige!

"Kabuto! Go to the Hokage building and notify the Hokage, my father, and the Hyuga head! I'm going to help Kuro!"

Itachi immediately stopped Kabuto, who was ready to assist Chloe without hesitation, then quickly chased after Chloe.

Kabuto, despite his initial reluctance, turned and ran towards the Hokage building after a brief consideration.

Wait for me, Kuro!

Please… don't let anything happen to you!

…

In the forest outside Konoha, Itachi finally found Chloe, who was unscathed despite a few rips in his clothes, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kuro, you mustn't kill that…"

Before he could finish, Itachi saw the corpse of the Kumogakure envoy.

Chloe stood before the body, holding a kunai, with the Hyuga child in his arms.

At least he could gain a lot of prestige from the Hyuga clan for saving this child, Chloe thought.

"This is bad…"

After confirming that the envoy was dead, Itachi sighed in frustration.

On the way here, Itachi had guessed Kumogakure's intention and the possible repercussions of this incident.

The best solution was to retrieve the Hyuga child without killing the envoy. If the envoy was killed, Kumogakure might backtrack and nullify the hard-earned peace treaty!

…

Normally stern and silent, Hyuga Hiashi was enraged, evidenced by the several trees he had struck down with a single blow.

Having vented his anger on a few trees, Hyuga Hiashi turned to Chloe, who had just handed the rescued Hinata back to his clan.

"What is your name?"

"Gekkou Chloe," Chloe answered earnestly, enunciating clearly so everyone present could remember.

"Thank you, child."

"Itachi, what exactly happened?"

Fugaku, who had also arrived, asked his eldest son with a furrowed brow.