After the war with Iwagakure ended, neither Konoha nor Iwagakure showed any intention of initiating a peace treaty.
Iwagakure was busy dealing with the restless Kumo.
Konoha also needed to free up time to resolve the trouble of Kirigakure, which kept harassing them from the east.
Negotiating peace could only be left to the Damiyos of both countries.
The two nations exchanged letters and discussed terms, then sent representatives to sign the agreement within the borders of the Land of Grass, with witnesses from both Konoha and Iwagakure present.
Afterward, the Land of Fire, to thank the Land of Wind for its aid, specially sent generous gifts as a token of gratitude.
Although this war had left Konoha village severely weakened, it didn't affect the Land of Fire's vast resources and wealth.
The Damiyo also provided support to Konoha in various aspects, funding well-known ninja forces within the country to help deal with Kirigakure.
In this world where military power was dominated by ninjas, the strength of hidden villages was an important component of national power, and the Damiyo hoped Konoha would recover its vitality soon.
Besides the Kirigakure problem, what gave Sarutobi a headache was Konoha's internal affairs.
Since returning to the village, accumulated administrative matters all needed his attention, piling up on his desk high enough to bury him completely.
Suddenly, a ninja knocked and entered.
"Lord Hokage."
"Hmm." Sarutobi responded without lifting his head.
"There's progress regarding Hyuga Hitomi's death."
Sarutobi, who had been busy reviewing documents, was surprised. He had long since put this matter out of his mind.
He put down his pen and looked up from the pile of documents at the ninja. It was the person he had originally sent to investigate the matter at the Hyuga household, who had later accompanied him to the frontlines.
"What progress?"
The ninja stepped forward and handed over a booklet.
Sarutobi took it, opened it, and carefully reviewed it, his face revealing contemplation.
"You've done well. You may go now."
"Yes, sir."
After the ninja left, Sarutobi didn't continue reviewing official business but sat there deep in thought.
Not long after, someone else pushed open the door and walked in.
It was Danzo.
Sarutobi casually closed the booklet and set it aside, saying, "Why are you here?"
"I came to ask about who will lead against Kirigakure."
Sarutobi's face remained impassive: "Who do you think is suitable?"
Danzo answered without hesitation: "Orochimaru."
"You think so highly of your former subordinate?"
"It's not that I think highly of him. Orochimaru is now the people's choice, and you understand that, Sarutobi."
"I will make my own decision on this matter. You need not concern yourself with it," Sarutobi said calmly.
Danzo was somewhat dissatisfied with Sarutobi's attitude but didn't react. Instead, he asked, "How's the matter of the traitor going?"
At these words, the office suddenly fell silent.
Sarutobi sat there, his eyes fixed intently on Danzo for a long while before saying, "Still haven't found them."
Danzo then said, "Do you need my help?"
Sarutobi replied, "If you have any leads, you can provide them to me."
As Danzo turned to leave, he suddenly heard Sarutobi's cold voice.
"Rest assured, I will not let the traitor live in this world."
After Danzo left the Hokage Tower, a Root ninja who had been waiting outside approached him.
"Where is Orochimaru?" Danzo asked.
"Lord Orochimaru is with Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade," the Root ninja answered.
Hearing this, Danzo frowned: "This bastard isn't worried at all."
Doesn't he fear being exposed...
"Go find him again. When he comes out, tell him to come see me."
"Yes, sir."
…
Hyuga compound.
Hiashi was also at his desk in his study handling clan affairs.
Since the sharp decrease in clan members, many clan enterprises had no one to manage them and were in a state of stagnation.
These enterprises were both inside and outside the village.
The lavish expenses of such a large clan could not be supported entirely by the salaries of the clan's ninjas.
Some places could be managed by the clan's elders, while others required hiring professional help.
The Hyuga now needed to go through a long recovery phase.
At this moment, Ayano entered quietly with tea and placed it gently on his desk.
"Hiashi, you've been working for a long time. Please take a rest."
Hiashi ignored her and continued looking at the documents in his hand.
"Hiashi..." Ayano said softly.
Hiashi finally frowned and said, "I understand. You may leave."
The words Ayano wanted to say were choked back, and she stood there hesitating.
"Hiashi, I..."
"Why are you still here?"
Hearing Hiashi's cold dismissal, Ayano's face showed disappointment.
She could only pick up the tray and walk out silently.
Ayano had tried to explain to Hiashi that it was Lord Takaguya's order at the time, and she had no choice.
But Hiashi seemed to have made up his mind about certain things and had become cold toward her.
She walked out of the living room and met Hizashi entering the courtyard.
"Lady Ayano," Hizashi bowed respectfully.
Ayano's face once again showed a gentle smile. "Oh, Hizashi. Are you looking for Hiashi?"
Hizashi bowed his head and replied, "Yes, I have some matters to report to Lord Hiashi."
Ayano nodded, "He's in his study."
Hizashi bowed again and prepared to enter the living room when suddenly he heard Ayano call to him.
"Hizashi, I hear you're going to marry Ayari."
"Yes, I am."
"Although Ayari is an adult, in many ways she's still like a child who hasn't grown up. You'll need to be patient with her."
"I understand."
Hizashi walked into the living room.
Ayano stood there watching his back, her eyes showing complex emotions.
The four of them had grown up together, and originally their relationships were very close. When they were young, Hizashi always preferred to play with her.
But ever since Hiashi was established as the main family heir and her marriage to Hiashi was arranged, everything changed.
Hizashi and his sister had ugly curse marks branded on their foreheads, and her parents told her many things.
She would become Hiashi's wife, the lady of the Hyuga clan, with status far above others, and she needed to keep her distance from Hizashi and be closer to Hiashi.
For over ten years, she had indeed done so, until recently when Lord Takaguya told her about the list of five people.
She panicked instantly. If she had truly left the village with Hizashi, how would she have faced herself?
Moreover, Lord Takaguya's intention was to offer both her and her sister to Hizashi, which humiliated her.
But at that time, it seemed there was only one way out. If they didn't leave, they could only stay in the village waiting for death, to join Hiashi on the path to the underworld.
She didn't want to die.
What was even more unexpected was that the village actually won the war, and Hiashi and the others returned.
Such great news of joy and sorrow came too quickly, catching her unprepared.
Meanwhile, in Hiashi's study, Hiashi was processing the information Hizashi had just shared.
"You're saying Hitomi's death might be related to the spy?"
"Exactly. Those stolen Byakugan were very likely the work of the spy!"