Qinglan Residence.
"Woohoo! I'll give you a carrot nose and wrap this scarf around you…"
Karin trod through the thick snow, piling up fluffy white drifts until a chubby snowman stood finished.
Aoran had built one beside hers, delight shining in his eyes.
In his previous life he'd been a southerner; he'd never seen snow like this.
"Big brother, your snowman is huge!"
Karin, just putting the finishing touches on hers, saw Aoran's was twice the size.
"Hehe, come on—climb up and give him eyes."
Aoran lifted Karin onto his shoulders so she could reach the top.
She giggled brightly and pressed two round iron discs in place as eyes.
A carrot completed the nose.
Just then a knock sounded outside.
Aoran set Karin down and went to open the door.
It was Hyuga Yuehua, one of Hyuga Masahiko's students.
Before Aoran's transmigration she had treated him like a little brother, even stocking the fridge with home-cooked meals.
She'd returned from a mission several days earlier and had already met the new addition, Karin.
From the doorway she spotted Karin playing in the yard.
"Sister Tsukihana, you're here?" Karin waved her red-with-cold little hands.
"Come see the snowmen Brother Aoran and I made!"
Tsukihana cast Aoran a helpless glance; she couldn't fathom why he doted on the child so.
She walked over and gently patted Karin's fur-capped head.
"Be careful not to catch a cold."
"I won't, Sister Tsukihana."
With a smile Tsukihana turned to business.
"Aoran, tomorrow is Lord Hinata's birthday banquet; everyone must attend. Lord Hizashi insists you come."
Aoran's eyes flickered. "Understood."
He lifted his gaze to the white sky; the snow was easing.
[It's finally here.]
...Konoha outskirts.
A band of dark-skinned, muscle-bound men wearing Kumogakure forehead protectors advanced toward the village.
This was the Cloud delegation come to negotiate peace.
At their head walked a tall, lean man with a sinister, hawkish face.
He was the treaty's chief delegate—Jonin Nagasaki Hiroaki.
Behind him, dressed like a clerk, stood Tokijin, his aide.
Three burly sword-bearing shinobi followed, eyes sharp and watchful.
They were Totsui, Kai Gai and Worui—frontline veterans of the Cloud-Konoha clashes.
Another thirty uniformed envoys marched behind as an honor guard.
"Sir, we're entering Konoha's sentry range," Tokijin murmured.
Hiroaki gave a curt nod and said nothing.
Tokijin fell back in silence.
Ten minutes later rustling came from the forest ahead.
Konoha patrols dropped into view—three three-man cells led by an ANBU.
"Welcome to Konoha. I'm Ryuichi; I'll escort you."
Though his words were welcoming, Ryuichi sized the Cloud-nin up.
Recognising several wartime faces and a full escort, he relaxed slightly.
Despite the village elders pushing for peace, Cloud's record of treachery made trust impossible.
Ryuichi's task was to gauge their strength and intent.
If the delegation had been weak or unknown, their motives would be suspect.
"Much appreciated."
Tokijin stepped forward to exchange courtesies.
Ryuichi signalled; his team split to flank the column as they crossed the perimeter.
Half an hour later they reached the main gate.
Utatane Koharu and Sarui, who had handled preliminary talks, waited to greet them.
After all, this was Konoha; the Raikage himself wouldn't come.
Sending familiar battlefield veterans showed Cloud's sincerity.
An Elder Advisor receiving them was generous, yet the Cloud-nin looked far from pleased.
Totsui, Kai Gai and Worui snorted and turned their heads.
They had fought Konoha head-on and lost countless comrades; their bitterness was expected.
Koharu knew them well after years of war.
Nearly sixty and on home ground, she kept her poise.
"Welcome to Konoha. I am Utatane Koharu."
Hiroaki stepped forward with a thin smile. "An honor to be met by Elder Koharu herself. I am Nagasaki Hiroaki, delegate for this peace treaty—please, simply call me Hiroaki."
"You've travelled far. Follow us to your lodgings to rest."
Koharu nodded politely and led the way.
"How are the talks arranged?" Hiroaki asked casually, surveying the streets.
"The terms are settled. Tomorrow noon we'll hold the ceremony, then show you around the village."
"Much appreciated."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Tokijin and three Special Jonin exchanged subtle glances laden with unspoken intent… Hokage Office.
"Hokage-sama, Cloud's delegation has arrived; Elder Koharu is receiving them."
Ryuichi, who had guided them in, was reporting.
"Who came?"
"Led by Jonin Nagasaki Hiroaki, with Totsui, Kai Gai, Worui…"
Listening, the Third Hokage nodded slowly.
Their lineup suggested genuine intent for peace.
He dismissed Ryuichi with a wave.
After Ryuichi left, another ANBU entered.
"Hokage-sama, every clan except the Hyuga has confirmed attendance tomorrow."
"Hiashi Hyuga stated they'll be celebrating Hinata's birthday; no one will attend, and all Hyuga patrols are on leave."
The Third Hokage nodded impassively.
"And Hyuga Hizashi?"
"He's taken leave as well."
"Very well. Dismissed."
Alone, the Hokage lifted his pipe and took a slow draw.
Moments later a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
[Hyuga Clan… very well.]
...