Three days later, Kirigakure's delegation arrived as scheduled.
Walking at the front was Ao, a jōnin of Kirigakure. Behind him followed several people in long robes. They wore no forehead protectors, and their steps and posture did not resemble ninja.
Farther behind them were three young Kirigakure genin, none of them very old.
Konoha's receiving jōnin stepped forward. "Delegation of Kirigakure, welcome to Konoha."
"Thank you for receiving us," Ao said, bowing in return. "Lord Mizukage sends his greetings to the Third Hokage."
After a brief exchange of courtesies, the delegation was led to the lodgings arranged for them.
As they passed through Konoha's central street, the young Kirigakure ninja couldn't help turning their heads to look at both sides.
Konoha's streets were much wider than Kirigakure's. The shops along both sides were bright and lively, and even the air was dry and warm.
"Officials from the Land of Water's Commerce Bureau." An ANBU stood on a rooftop, the gaze beneath his mask slowly following the robed officials. "This time, it isn't just ninja. Officials have come too."
At the same time, the Hokage's office received the latest intelligence.
An ANBU knelt on one knee before the desk. "Traces of Kirigakure ninja have been discovered near the Land of Waves. They are moving covertly and have not made contact with the local garrison."
"Continue." The Third Hokage lightly tapped a finger on the desk.
"Our advance team has already arrived in the Land of Waves," the ANBU replied. "Patrol teams near the coastal waters of the Land of Waves have already discovered at least two fast transport ships from Kirigakure. The ships are carrying ninja tools and supply materials."
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled. "Have the advance team in the Land of Waves maintain their current position. Continue observing Kirigakure's movements. Do not provoke them first."
"Yes."
The ANBU vanished.
The official welcoming ceremony was held in the conference hall of the Hokage Tower.
The Third Hokage stood in the center of the hall, with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura behind him.
Ao stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Lord Hokage, Kirigakure's delegation has come under orders. We hope this visit will open a new chapter of friendship between our nations."
He straightened and made a gesture behind him.
An attendant carried forward a box. When it was opened, inside lay a pair of pearls, a specialty of Kirigakure.
"This is a small token from Lord Mizukage."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly and offered a few polite words of welcome.
"Lord Hokage," Ao said when the welcoming ceremony was nearly over, "Lord Mizukage specifically instructed us that he hopes we may exchange a few pointers with Konoha, so that our young ninja can witness Konoha's splendor."
"Sparring among young people is a good thing. Konoha is happy to arrange it."
...
Inside Namikaze Minato's apartment...
Shin-chan lay sprawled across the table, holding a pen in his hand. Namikaze Minato sat across from him, one finger pointing at the edge of a jutsu formula diagram as he explained.
A soft sound came from the direction of the window.
A hawk landed on the windowsill, a message tube tied to its leg.
Namikaze Minato stood up, took the scroll from the tube, unfolded it, and read it for a few seconds.
"We'll stop today's lesson for now."
"What happened?" Shin-chan lifted his head.
"Lord Hokage wants us to go to the training ground."
Shin-chan scratched his head. "What are we going to the training ground for?"
"Kirigakure's delegation has arrived." Namikaze Minato gathered the scrolls on the table. "There will be a sparring match between young ninja."
"Young ninja?" Shin-chan jumped down from his chair. "Do you mean you?"
"Not me." Namikaze Minato crouched down and placed a hand on Shin-chan's shoulder. "The young ninja Lord Hokage means is you."
Shin-chan's mouth opened. "Me?"
"Yes."
"But I haven't learned the Flying Thunder God Technique yet."
"That's alright."
The training ground was on the east side of the village. When Shin-chan followed Namikaze Minato there, quite a few people were already standing around the field.
Kakashi and Uchiha Che had already arrived, and they greeted Shin-chan when they saw him.
"Lord Hokage." Ao's gaze swept over. "Are these the genin Konoha has arranged?"
The Third Hokage nodded.
Ao's gaze landed on Shin-chan, sizing him up from head to toe.
"Forgive my bluntness," Ao said, looking back at the Third Hokage. "These children all appear very young."
"They are indeed a little young, but they are all geniuses of Konoha."
"Geniuses?" A Kirigakure genin behind Ao let out a disdainful snort, but was immediately silenced by one look from Ao.
"The genin we brought are quite experienced," Ao said, carefully choosing his words. "Although this sparring match will stop before serious injury, ninjutsu has no eyes. If Konoha's children are hurt, I will find it difficult to explain to Lord Mizukage."
"You needn't worry about that." The Third Hokage smiled. "They can handle it."
Ao was silent for a moment.
Was this old fox doing it on purpose?
Sending children out meant that if they won, Konoha gained greatly. If they lost, Konoha could also say, "We only sent children." No matter what, Konoha wouldn't lose face.
Of course, in Ao's view, the possibility of Kirigakure losing was extremely slim.
"Since Lord Hokage is so confident," Ao gave a slight bow, "we will follow Konoha's arrangements."
The Third Hokage nodded. "Then let us begin."
Shin-chan was the first to enter the field. The genin sent out by Kirigakure was more than a full head taller than him.
"Kirigakure, Seiji." The boy reported his name out of courtesy.
"Nohara Shinnosuke, five years old." Shin-chan put both hands on his hips. "My favorite food is—"
Standing at the edge of the field, Ao's gaze moved back and forth between the two genin.
He couldn't understand what medicine the Third was selling in his gourd. Sending out a five-year-old child—even if he was a genius, how much chakra could a five-year-old have?
How many seconds could he last in real combat?
Ao had already prepared what to say once the sparring match ended. He would preserve Konoha's face while also making Lord Hokage understand that Kirigakure's younger generation was no longer at a level that could be handled by casually sending out a child.
"Begin."
As the referee's voice rang out, Seiji kicked off the ground, leaving a shallow pit in the sand, and charged straight toward Shin-chan.
It was a standard Kirigakure taijutsu opening. His right hand was clenched into a fist and pulled back at his waist, while his left hand spread its fingers and reached toward Shin-chan's shoulder.
Shin-chan's body tilted slightly to the left. The movement wasn't large, just enough for Seiji's fingers to slide past above his shoulder.
Seiji froze for a moment, then changed his left hand from a grab into a sweep.
Shin-chan ducked his head.
The movement was exactly the same as when he usually dodged Misae's chopsticks at the dinner table.
At the edge of the field, several murmurs came from the direction of the Kirigakure delegation, their tones full of surprise.
"A Konoha child this young actually has taijutsu reactions of this level."
"He's only five. He really is worthy of the name genius."
On the field, Seiji retreated two steps.
Since every attack missed, continuing to entangle him in taijutsu would only waste stamina.
"Taijutsu isn't the only thing I know." Seiji began forming hand seals.
Ox, Monkey, Hare, Rat...
Shin-chan stood where he was, tilting his head as he watched. None of the ninjutsu he had learned seemed to use this many seals. Could this be some S-rank ninjutsu?
Tiger, Snake, Ox, Ram...
Seiji's hand seals continued. Chakra surged around his body, and the corners of his clothes were lifted by an invisible current.