Listening to Eagle's doubts, Dog and the others of the team frowned.

The signing of the peace treaty is a very important matter for a great shinobi village, even if the villages don't value the treaty itself, but the other side has to show their sincerity. ​​

For this very reason, the Nidaime Hokage of Konoha personally went to the Kumogakure for the signing of the peace treaty after the first great shinobi war, although both Nidaime Hokage and Nidaime Raikage died at the hands of Kinkaku Forces who initiated a Coup in Kumogakure, that's another matter altogether.

Even at the end of the third great shinobi war, it was Namikaze Minato responsible for the signing of the peace treaty, the purpose of sending such elites is to show their sincerity as well as deter the other side.

So even if the Yondaime Raikage didn't come forward in person, Kumo should have sent at least a few strong elite Jonin along with head ninja to lead the team, but that wasn't the case here.

It was Monkey to point out this fact in a straightforward manner, "From their approach, Kumo doesn't seem to trust us much."

Dog nodded.

Kumo's approach obviously made them understand that Kumo is probably worried that if they sent many elite ninjas along with their head ninjas, then they would most likely be trapped in Konoha, therefore Raikage doesn't seem to trust Hokage.

Thinking of this Cat said with a sigh, "Will they even be sincere in upholding the peace agreement this time?"

Even Eagle's expression was solemn.

In the original story, after the signing of the peace treaty, the leader of the Kumo peace delegation took the opportunity to sneak into the Hyuga Clan grounds on the eve of the third birthday of the future heiress and attempted to kidnap the eldest lady of the Hyuga Clan, i.e., Hyuga Hinata.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the uninvited guest was discovered by the Patriarch before he could escape and was killed. This led to many troubles for Konoha and the Hyuga Clan, as the incident later came to be known as the 'Hyuga Affair.'

The death of the Cloud Head ninja caused a series of diplomatic disputes between the two great powers as Kumo denied all the allegations of the attempted kidnapping and shamelessly accused and threatened Konoha to restart a full-scale war if the body of the convict of the crime, i.e., Hyuga Patriarch is not handed over to them as the compensation for the death of their Head Ninja as per the stipulation of the treaty.

Under the pressure from Kumo, Hyuga Hizashi chose to sacrifice himself in his brother's stead despite his brother's protest and his father's behest, not only for the sake of his own Clan and the Village but also for his brother.

Although Hyuga Hizashi's sacrifice prevented the war, it did cause the relationship between the main Hyuga family and the branch family to become sour.

But thinking of this memory, Eagle felt that there was something amiss in this situation.

It couldn't be that Kumo really didn't want peace, could it?

After all, they have also gone through a series of wars one after another, although Konoha was weakened, the Raikage has to constantly watch out against Tsuchikage too, so the situation couldn't be a one-sided war, if Kumo really went all out, Iwagakure wouldn't sit still.

'Perhaps there are internal disputes in Kumogakure? One faction may choose to continue the war while the other wants a respite period for Kumo to regain their strength.' – this was Eagle's conclusion.

After all, at the time of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, their faction did have much influence in Kumogakure, so their supporters may still be there.

Because destroying a hard-won peace between the two nations just for a pair of Byakugan isn't reasonable, what's more, the probability of the kidnapper escaping the territory of the Land of Fire after the Kidnapping of the Heiress of the Hyuga Clan is actually very low.

So, taking such a big risk for a probability of such a low return is not worth breaking the peace treaty.

Therefore, Eagle can only think that the Hyuga Affair probably only happened because of the internal conflict within Kumogakure.

Be that as it may, Eagle can't let such a situation repeat here.

Therefore, he decided to find some method to resolve it without breaking the peace between the two great nations, as for how he will do it, currently, he has no idea, but he will think of something.

With that out of the way, Team-11 silently escorted as well as guarded the envoys of Kumo throughout their journey from the shadows, and fortunately enough there were no issues they encountered along the way which greatly relieved Team-11.

Only two weeks later, the delegation arrived at Konoha smoothly without any issues.

The village has also organized a grand welcome ceremony for the welcoming of Kumo envoys. Many villagers also came to the streets to express their friendship with the Kumo delegation.

People may hate Kumo shinobi for starting a war, but nobody hates the hard-won peace.

The third great Shinobi war and the following events caused too much bloodshed, almost everyone lost someone close to them in the war.

This is why, even if everyone knows that the conflict this time was initiated by Kumogakure, the majority of the villagers were still willing to bear the pain and extend the hand of friendship, all because they don't want the war to continue.

It does sound a bit too cringe, but it is what it is…

After completing the month-long escort mission, Team-11 was given a short break to recover their spirits.

Back to his home, Kuroto changed to his everyday gear and after thinking it over a little he walked out of his house and came deeper into the Hyuga Clan grounds.

Greeting and nodding towards the familiar and unfamiliar people of the Hyuga Clan along the way, Kuroto finally reached the mansion of the head of the branch family, Hyuga Hizashi.

As the younger brother of the current patriarch and one of the top elites of Konoha Jonin Council, the mansion of Hyuga Hizashi is also much larger, elegant, and traditional looking compared to Kuroto's house.

Coming at the gate of the mansion, Kuroto knocked at the gate, but then he suddenly realized that he seemed to have forgotten to bring a gift when he came to the head's house for the first time.

While he was cursing himself, the door slightly opened and a three or four-year-old kid stuck out his head from the small crack, looking at Kuroto up and down, analyzing and thinking of the identity of the visitor, when he realized that he doesn't know the person, the kid asked tentatively, "Oni-sama, are you looking for Otou-sama?"

Before Kuroto could answer, the door was completely opened and Hyuga Hizashi who stood behind the doorframe said with a smile, "Ah, it's Kuroto-Kun, come on in."

"It's been a while Hizashi-Sama!" Kuroto greeted Hizashi, as he stepped inside the house.

"Indeed, it has been, Kuroto-Kun, if not for Yui-chan to update me from time to time about you, I wouldn't even be aware of many things, but be that as it may, you have become a splendid ninja and made the Hyuga Clan proud!"

"I don't deserve your praise Hizashi-Sama, I have much to learn in the ways of a shinobi!"

"Hahaha, as humble as always before your seniors aren't you Kuroto-Kun, alright we can continue our conversation, but first come on in, and make yourself at home!"

"In that case, I will welcome myself!"

After taking his seat on a Zabuton, Kuroto glanced at the kid sitting beside Hizashi-Sama, the little guy who sat in the same manner as his father, probably trying to act mature before him.

Seeing this Kuroto can't help but chuckle slightly and asked Hizashi-Sama, "He is Neji?"

Hizashi-Sama who sat with his arms folded over his chest smiled and nodded towards Kuroto's question.

As soon as Hizashi-Sama nodded, Neji saluted Kuroto while trying to keep his father's stern look, "Oni-San, I am Hyuga Neji, please advise!"

Aside from the knowledge from his memory, Kuroto knew about Neji thanks to Yui keeping him updated on such basic information.

Now looking at Neji carefully, Kuroto's eyes finally landed on Neji's clear forehead that didn't yet have the mark of the 'Cage Bird' cursed seal.

Hizashi also noticed Kuroto's gaze and could only sigh when thinking about it.

According to the rules of the Hyuga Clan, when the next heir of the Clan turns three years old, the other children of the same generation will be engraved with the cursed seal of the 'Cage Bird.'

And it just so happens that the next heir of the main family of the Hyuga Clan will be turning three years old in one month, in other words, Neji will soon be engraved with the cursed seal of the 'Cage Bird.'

While stroking the mark of the 'Cage Bird' that was covered with a piece of white cloth, Hyuga Hizashi asked in a low voice, "Kuroto-Kun, do you… do you hate it?"

Listening to Hizashi-Sama's question, Kuroto turned towards him but didn't give an answer and only chose to remain silent.

Kuroto knows very well that 'Cage Bird' has always been a thorn in the heart of Hizashi-Sama, once this topic is opened up, it wouldn't result in a good ending, therefore choosing silence is the best option.

Hizashi also understood this and could only sigh, it's not that he doesn't understand the implication of 'Cage Bird' but which father would be willing to let the fate of his son be restricted by a seal? That's why Hyuga Hizashi has been unable to come to terms with this.

But if Kuroto is being honest then his opinion of the 'Cage Bird' curse seal is actually neutral.

In Kuroto's opinion, the 'Cage Bird' has its own advantages as well as disadvantages for the members of the Branch family. After all, not every member of the branch family is as strong as Kuroto or Hizashi-Sama, there are even women and children who don't opt to live the life of a shinobi, but the Byakugan as a Kekkei Genkai is still in the hands of everyone born of the Hyuga blood, therefore there are countless people to covet the Hyuga Kekkei Genkai, and in such a scenario if there is no means to ensure their safety then the Hyuga as a Clan will perish, and even if not perish, the member of the Clan will always live in a panic.

So, the 'Cage Bird' Curse seal is also a protection for the weak of the Hyuga Clan, the geniuses of the Hyuga Clan may resent the 'Cage Bird' for losing control of their fate from their grasp but the mediocre people of the Hyuga Branch family are still grateful of the security that the 'Cage Bird' provide them from the fate of being gouged out of their eyes.

Unfortunately enough, Kuroto too was part of the mediocre group not until a few years ago, therefore, his feeling for the "Cage Bird' curse seal is quite different, in fact, he even used the cage bird seal mark on his forehead as a means of protection against the enemy.

So, it wouldn't be a lie to say that the Cage Bird, in fact, saved his life quite a few times during the third great shinobi war.

At this time, Hizashi looked at Neji sitting next to him and said with sadness in his tone, "Neji's talent is unquestionably the best among his peers, but it's a pity that he was born in the branch family."

Looking at his father's sad face, Neji asked hurriedly, "Otou-Sama, why are you sad?"

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hizashi just shook his head with a loving smile and ruffled Neji's hair, it seems as if he didn't seem to want to tell Neji, what the 'Cage Bird' means, at least not now!

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Read up to Chapter - 359 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations