Chapter 362: Going Alone to the Banquet!

"Report!"

Just then, another Sunagakure shinobi flashed into the group. Without waiting for Elder Chiyo to ask, he immediately reported, "Elders, the Konoha shinobi have sent an envoy. He says their leader, Uchiha Ren, will host a banquet alone ten kilometers outside Sunagakure one hour from now and has invited both of you to attend!"

Chiyo's pupils contracted slightly. She instinctively turned toward Elder Ebizō, only to find the same disbelief reflected in his eyes.

Ebizō spoke first.

"Elder Sister, is Konoha trying to negotiate with us? But at a time like this, what is there left for us to discuss?"

Chiyo shook her head slightly.

"I don't know."

After a brief pause, Chiyo looked at the Sunagakure shinobi again.

"Did the Konoha envoy say anything else?"

The shinobi replied, "He only said that if the two elders are worried, you may bring as many guards as you deem necessary. Konoha will only send one person."

Chiyo narrowed her eyes and pondered for a long while before saying, "Understood. You may both leave."

After the two Sunagakure shinobi departed, Chiyo suddenly exhaled a long breath, her hunched figure seeming to sag even further.

"Elder Sister, are we really going to attend the banquet?"

Ebizō asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

"Are you afraid?"

Chiyo calmly looked at her younger brother.

"A little," Ebizō admitted. "But I'm not afraid of attending the banquet itself. It's Konoha's actions this time that concern me. They're behaving so strangely that I can't figure out what they're trying to accomplish."

"I can't figure it out either."

Chiyo nodded.

"But precisely because of that, we have to go."

"Only by going there can we find out exactly what Konoha is planning this time."

Ebizō frowned.

"How many people should we take with us? That Uchiha is no ordinary shinobi. He's known as Konoha's Crimson Sun and is mentioned alongside the Yellow Flash of the Leaf, Minato Namikaze. I'm worried..."

Ebizō did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was obvious.

He was worried that even if he and Chiyo joined forces, they might not be a match for Uchiha Ren.

If Konoha's banquet was a trap and the two of them ended up falling there as well, Sunagakure would truly be finished.

Chiyo thought for a moment before speaking.

"Since our opponent dares to attend the banquet alone, bringing too many people would only make us look timid."

"However, as elders of Sunagakure, it is perfectly reasonable for each of us to bring a single guard."

"Let's do this. We'll take Yashamaru and Shira with us. Also, inform Konoha that Uchiha Ren may bring one guard as well."

Ebizō considered it before nodding.

"Having Shira and Yashamaru there will indeed give us a little more confidence. Then it's settled."

Yashamaru was the younger brother of Karura and the brother-in-law of Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage, Rasa. He was also one of Rasa's most trusted aides. He had mastered Magnet Release and possessed the strength of a veteran elite jōnin, standing only one step away from Kage-level combat power.

Shira, meanwhile, had originally been an ordinary veteran genin of Sunagakure who devoted himself entirely to taijutsu.

Although his name was hardly known, the taijutsu kinjutsu he had created himself, the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, could dramatically increase his combat power.

He was somewhat similar to Konoha's Might Duy and could be considered a considerable asset.

Both men possessed enough strength to exchange blows with Kage-level opponents. Even if Uchiha Ren suddenly turned hostile, they could at least buy Chiyo and Ebizō some time to respond.

At the same time, several dozen kilometers away, inside Sunagakure.

Although it was still the middle of the night, the entire village was brightly illuminated.

Fortunately, the villagers of Sunagakure had evacuated into shelters beforehand, so Orochimaru's two bombardments had caused almost no casualties.

However, the attacks had inflicted tremendous damage on the village's buildings and various facilities.

Nearly one-quarter of Sunagakure's buildings had collapsed outright, while the remaining three-quarters had suffered varying degrees of damage.

Thus, even though there had been almost no casualties, many Sunagakure villagers were now left homeless and forced into a life of displacement.

However, under Uchiha Ren's arrangements, the villagers were properly taken care of.

Those who had lost their homes had also begun clearing the rubble and rebuilding their village with the assistance of Konoha shinobi.

Because of this, the villagers' perception of the Konoha shinobi had changed considerably.

They were not exactly lining the streets with wine and meat to welcome Konoha's "liberating army," but the hatred that had previously filled their eyes when they looked at Konoha shinobi had disappeared.

"Do you see it? Have you learned anything?"

Standing atop the roof of the Kazekage Tower, Uchiha Ren looked down at the harmonious scene below and asked Jiraiya.

Jiraiya still looked somewhat confused, but he nodded nevertheless.

"I understand. If you want people to truly understand one another, the most important thing is to first place them in the same situation."

"You portrayed both us Konoha shinobi and these Sunagakure civilians as victims of the war started by Sunagakure's ruling elite. That's why they're able to put aside their hatred."

Although Jiraiya still did not entirely approve of Ren's methods, he had to admit that they were extremely effective.

"Bullshit."

Ren let out a disdainful snort.

"What you're seeing is still only the surface."

"I told you from the beginning that mutual understanding isn't worth much."

"People can understand one another perfectly well, yet when it comes to it, they'll still wage war."

"The key is profit."

"People will only stand on the same side when their interests align."

"Why do you think I opened the village granaries and distributed food?"

"First, to win their hearts."

"Second, to put these Sunagakure villagers on the opposite side of the village's ruling elite, nobles, and wealthy families."

"Remember, the food and supplies they're receiving all came from those very elites, nobles, and wealthy families of Sunagakure."

"Just wait and see. This matter is far from over."

Jiraiya was left completely dumbfounded.

He genuinely had not expected Ren's actions to contain such a deeper layer of meaning.

Just then, Hyūga Hizashi flashed into existence behind Ren.

"Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure has replied. They've agreed to attend the banquet. However, Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizō will each bring one guard, and they've asked you to bring one guard as well."

Hizashi reported the latest development.

Ren chuckled upon hearing this.

"These two old foxes really are cautious. They're calculating even something like this."

Hizashi said, "Ren, I'll accompany you."

Ren thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"No. I'll have Tsunade accompany me."

"Since Elder Chiyo is taking precautions, I have to guard against her as well."