Though both were visiting delegations, the Kumogakure envoys were treated far less warmly than Uzumaki Chisawa and his companions.
The Konoha leadership, led by Senju Mori, had already entered the festival grounds — and judging by the Hokage's demeanor, he had no intention of going to the village gates to personally welcome the Kumo delegation.
In the end, Senju Genma went with only two ANBU — half escort, half surveillance — guiding the Kumo envoys down the same main road toward the plaza in front of the Hokage Tower.
Along the way, more and more villagers and shinobi noticed this new set of "guests."
When they caught sight of the Kumo forehead protector, many shinobi immediately showed open disgust and hostility.
After all, in the previous Great Ninja War, Kumogakure had been the first to invade Konoha.
And, strictly speaking, due to the "incident" that had occurred during the previous treaty signing, Konoha and Kumogakure were still technically in a state of unresolved war.
The Kumogakure delegation consisted of four people — the size of a standard shinobi squad.
Their leader was Yotsuki Rantō, a tall, heavily built man from the prestigious Yotsuki clan of the Cloud.
It's worth noting that the Yotsuki clan is not the same as the "Raikage's family."
In fact, across the entire village of Kumogakure, there is only one confirmed member of the Yotsuki clan mentioned elsewhere — the Yotsuki Kiyoi who was later hypnotized by Sasuke during his attack on Killer B.
From Kiyoi's appearance, he bore some resemblance to the Second Raikage, but the First, Third, and Fourth Raikage all had features completely different from the Yotsuki line.
According to the Book of Formation (Jin no Sho), the Yotsuki clan had long lived in the Cloud–Lightning Gorge, and, agreeing with the First Raikage's ideals, ceded their land to him — paving the way for the founding of Kumogakure Village.
Though not the Raikage's bloodline, the Yotsuki were still one of Kumo's great ninja clans.
Yotsuki Rantō, an elite jōnin of his clan, bore a large tattoo of the character "斗" (Fight) on his right arm. His entire body rippled with muscle, radiating an unmistakable aura of aggression.
As for Konoha's cold treatment — Rantō didn't care in the slightest.
Strutting behind Genma, he waved his thick arms at the villagers lining the streets, flashing a wide grin full of arrogance and self-satisfaction.
Before long, Yotsuki Rantō's group reached the edge of the plaza.
Senju Genma halted them there, then flickered back to Mori's side, kneeling slightly to report:
"Lord Hokage, the Kumo delegation of four has arrived and awaits outside the venue."
Mori gave a faint nod, prompting Genma to rise and announce loudly:
"By order of the Hokage — summon the envoys of Kumogakure to enter!"
Led by the two ANBU, Rantō and his men stepped into the plaza.
Even he — hardened Kumo warrior that he was — couldn't help but feel a jolt of surprise at the sight before him.
The grand ceremony, the assembled Konoha council, the presence of Uzumaki shinobi from the allied village — all of it was unexpected.
Was this deliberate?
Had the Hokage arranged this spectacle to show off his power, or perhaps to send a message?
Though his thoughts raced, Yotsuki Rantō showed no trace of hesitation.
He strode to the front of the platform, voice booming across the plaza:
"Envoy of Kumogakure — Yotsuki Rantō — under the command of the Third Raikage, here to offer congratulations to the Hokage on his ascension."
"The Third, is it?"
Senju Mori chuckled lightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"So after all this time, that stubborn old ox has finally gotten his wish — and taken the seat of Raikage."
"'Yama' is the real name of the Third Raikage. Although each Raikage ultimately takes on the title 'A' as a code name, before that, each has their own personal name.
On the battlefields of the First Great Ninja War, Senju Mori had encountered him several times. The Third Raikage was a few years older than Hiruzen Sarutobi, and by now was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.
Seeing that Mori had no intention of starting the conversation, Yotsuki Rantō had no choice but to speak first, his voice booming even louder:
"Lord Hokage! I come under orders to resolve the aftermath of the war and to discuss important matters concerning the future of both our villages!"
"According to the intelligence gathered by our village, Lord Hokage personally entered the Land of Lightning's borders — not only retrieving the remains of your village's Second Hokage, but also taking without permission the bodies of our village's rogue ninja, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, along with the four Six Paths Treasures they had stolen from Kumogakure."
"In regard to this matter — should not Lord Hokage give Kumogakure an explanation?"
"An explanation?"
Senju Mori repeated the word, the smile still lingering on his lips — but the warmth in his eyes had dropped to absolute zero. A cold, mirthless chuckle escaped his throat.
"Heh… And what kind of explanation does Kumogakure want?"
Feeling the chill in those words, Yotsuki Rantō's pupils shrank slightly. He drew in a deep breath and spoke again, his previously loud voice now lower, heavier, and more forceful:
"Lord Raikage has asked me to convey his gratitude — for the Hokage's aid in eliminating the rogue ninja who betrayed Kumogakure, and for safely holding our village's sacred treasures in custody."
"Now, we humbly request that Lord Hokage return all Six Paths Treasures — along with the bodies of our rogue ninja, Kinkaku and Ginkaku."
"Holding them for safekeeping? Returning them?"
Senju Mori's lips curved upward, as though he had just heard a ridiculous joke. His gaze swept over the gathered crowd before settling back on Rantō.
"And what if Konoha refuses?"
At those words, the four senior advisors on the platform turned their gazes upon Yotsuki Rantō — and in the next instant, four vast waves of chakra burst forth simultaneously, laced with killing intent so sharp and heavy it pressed down like invisible mountains.
Under that crushing pressure, veins bulged on Rantō's forehead as he forced himself to stand firm, his voice low but unwavering:
"I urge… Lord Hokage to consider carefully. Kumogakure seeks peace — but if our requests cannot be fulfilled, we will not hesitate to consider whether this war should continue…"
"War?"
Senju Mori let out a cold snort, his eyes like a hawk's as they locked onto Rantō.
"Does Kumogakure truly think that Konoha fears war?"
His tone was calm, measured. As he spoke, he slowly rose to his feet and walked to the edge of the platform.
Above his head loomed the great stone faces of the First and Second Hokage, their stern visages gazing down like silent guardians.
From Rantō's perspective, it was as if three Hokage were staring at him at once — and his heart clenched under the weight of that pressure.
"Heh… 'Eliminating rogue ninjas on your behalf,' 'holding the Six Paths Treasures for safekeeping'…"
"Utter nonsense!"
Mori's smile vanished completely, his voice cracking like thunder:
"The Six Paths Treasures were the very weapons those traitors, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, used to assassinate the Hokage of our village! After avenging the Second Hokage with my own hands, they were seized as spoils of war by Konohagakure!"
"They are sealed right here — inside this scroll!"
"And not just one or two — not a single piece will be handed over! Certainly not to the despicable, shameless Kumogakure!"
"What right does the Raikage have to send you here to demand these relics?"
"It was Kumogakure's incompetence that let the treasures fall into traitors' hands, and its failure to control its own shinobi that led to Kinkaku and Ginkaku's betrayal — resulting in the death of our Hokage and immense loss to Konoha!"
"As for when this war ends — that's not for Kumogakure to decide!"
"Kumogakure must publicly apologize to Konoha before the entire shinobi world — and pay reparations for the damage it caused!"
"Otherwise—"
Mori's eyes flashed with fierce light as his chakra surged.
"Konoha will declare war on Kumogakure!"