Seeing that everyone had arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly:
"Set off."
In the next instant, everyone vanished into streaks of afterimages, sprinting out of Konoha at high speed.
Ride in carriages?
Forget it.
Everyone was busy—the sooner the peace talks concluded, the better.
As long as the treaty wasn't signed, war could break out on the front lines at any moment.
The distance from Konoha to Daimyō's capital was not short.
Even at full speed, it would take two full days.
That night, the ANBU set up tents and distributed rations, resting on the spot.
The night was pitch-black.
Bonfires swayed in the wind, illuminating faces filled with exhaustion—and vigilance.
They took turns keeping watch through the night.
Aside from Kakashi, the rest were divided into three squads.
Each squad consisted of three ANBU, one Hyūga, and one Uchiha, rotating guard duty.
Fortunately, the journey remained uneventful.
By the evening of the second day, they finally arrived at Daimyō's capital.
Towering city walls rose before them, lights stretching endlessly through the night.
Security was tight, but once it was confirmed they were Konoha's delegation, they were swiftly allowed through.
Passing through the gates, lanterns lined the streets like a fallen river of stars.
Merchants were still calling out, the city lively and bustling.
This place was essentially the ancient equivalent of an imperial capital.
In the distance stood the towering structure of the Daimyō's Palace.
The group followed the stone-paved road until they reached the envoy hostel, where a reception official was already waiting.
"Hokage-sir, welcome to the capital of the Land of Fire."
Hiruzen nodded lightly.
"Have the Earth Daimyō and the Tsuchikage arrived?"
"Not yet. According to the escorts' report, they should arrive around noon tomorrow.
Rooms have already been prepared for you—please forgive any shortcomings."
As they were led inside, Wen Lan leaned toward Minato and whispered:
"Master Minato, shouldn't we be paying our respects to the Daimyō first?"
Based on Wen Lan's memories of ancient diplomacy, envoys usually met the emperor upon arrival.
Minato's expression turned… strange.
"Our Daimyō…"
He hesitated, then sighed.
"You'll understand when you see him tomorrow."
Wen Lan was confused, but noticed the helplessness and complexity in Minato's eyes.
As for Daimyōs—Wen Lan felt nothing but disdain.
The relationship between a Daimyō and a ninja village was like that of a president and the military.
Nominally, the Daimyō ruled the land—but in reality, the ninja villages operated independently.
Daimyō's authority was symbolic at best.
The true power shaping the era belonged to those who commanded tailed beasts and ninjutsu—the Kage.
And yet, these Kage still bowed their heads, maintaining surface-level obedience and ritual.
Why?
Because the Daimyōs controlled the funding.
If it were Wen Lan, he'd simply send ninja to seize the palace.
Instead of being shackled by budgets, why not cut the chains entirely?
Kill you—and the money becomes mine anyway.
Hadn't he heard that saying?
"Raise armies—YES. Reduce feudal lords—NO.
Uphold Heaven and purge treason—GO GO GO!
Father is COME, brother is GO—Double Kill!"
With power like that, how could anyone still control him?
But Wen Lan wasn't the supreme leader, so he didn't bother worrying about such things.
After settling in, he fell asleep almost instantly.
By noon the next day, the long-awaited guests finally arrived.
Hiruzen and the others were already seated in the council chamber.
A long rectangular table stood at the center.
On one side sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.
Opposite them were empty seats reserved for the Earth Daimyō and the Tsuchikage.
Wen Lan and the rest stood in a line against the wall—serving as guards.
Soon, Ōnoki and the Earth Daimyō entered, accompanied by twenty ANBU-like escorts.
It was… oddly amusing.
Ōnoki, short and elderly, with sparse white hair, radiated authority.
His small body floated in midair—but he made sure not to rise higher than the Earth Daimyō's head, which somehow made it even funnier.
Seeing Hiruzen, Ōnoki snorted coldly.
Truth be told, he refused to accept the outcome of this war—but he had no choice.
Iwagakure had nearly been bled dry.
If the war continued, even children in diapers would have been forced onto the battlefield.
Not to mention the appearance of someone who could slice apart a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Ōnoki had no choice but to attend.
"Old bastard, how are you still alive?"
His opening remark was vicious.
Wen Lan froze for a moment, then mentally gave Ōnoki a thumbs-up.
Nice insult.
This old man had a sharp tongue—and didn't hold back.
Hiruzen removed his pipe, smiling faintly.
"If you're still alive, how could I possibly be dead?"
A perfect counter.
"Hmph."
Ōnoki snorted and said no more.
The Earth Daimyō, clad in luxurious robes, entered with an air of arrogance.
His gaze swept across the room, filled with a sense of innate superiority.
Though he wielded no real power, he still saw himself as ruler of the Land of Earth—barely even acknowledging the Kage.
To him, ninja were nothing more than retainers.
When Wen Lan saw the Earth Daimyō, his expression was full of contempt.
Arms crossed, he didn't stand straight like the other guards.
Ōnoki and the Daimyō noticed immediately.
The Earth Daimyō frowned in displeasure.
Ōnoki, however, spoke first:
"This must be that so-called five-year-old Kage-level ninja—
Uchiha Wen Lan, known as Golden Thunder Flame, correct?"
Wen Lan smiled lightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"That would be me."
Ōnoki sneered.
"Kirigakure has truly fallen.
To be beaten into hiding by a brat like you—how fitting for a village whose Tailed Beast is nothing but a turtle."
Minato's expression changed slightly.
He knew Wen Lan far too well.
Vindictive.
Never let things slide.
Ōnoki's words were clearly meant to belittle Wen Lan's reputation.
Minato wanted to stop it—
but it was already too late.
"I didn't expect the mighty Tsuchikage to be such a tiny little old man," Wen Lan replied casually.
"That big, sturdy fellow behind you—that's your son, Kitsuchi, right?
"Did you ever wonder how someone as short as you could give birth to a son that tall?
"Or was it your neighbor who helped you out?"
The entire room twitched violently.
This wasn't just slapping Ōnoki's face— it was pulling down his pants and taking a dump on his head.
Ōnoki shook with rage.
His face went from red to green, beard and hair bristling.
Seventy years old—being humiliated by a child like this—anyone would explode.
"You little bastard—courting death!"
Ōnoki's massive chakra erupted instantly!
"Oh? You want to fight, old man?" Wen Lan sneered.
Eight Gates—Sixth Gate, Gate of View—OPEN!
Two overwhelming waves of chakra collided head-on.
The Earth Daimyō turned deathly pale, staggering backward several steps.
No one had expected the conflict to escalate this fast.
Wen Lan stared coldly at Ōnoki.
"There's a saying, old man—an old thief who refuses to die is still a thief.
"Back when you stood before Uchiha Madara, you were shaking in fear.
"And now you're trying to reclaim your dignity by bullying the younger generation?"
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