Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 251: Manipulating the Kumo Envoy!

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The peace negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure proceeded as scheduled.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his advisor, Gojo Kaigetsu, received the Kumo envoy, Arnold, in the Hokage Tower's reception room.

Though the atmosphere was initially cordial, the talks predictably stalled.

Kumogakure demanded that Konoha immediately withdraw its Shinobi from the three border towns, relinquish sovereignty over Otogakure, and pay 10 Billion Ryō in war reparations.

Konoha, in turn, demanded that Kumogakure fulfill its obligations as the defeated party, ceding the three border towns to Konoha and paying 10 Billion Ryō.

Such demands were unacceptable to both sides. The negotiations reached an impasse, and it was agreed to reconvene the following day to discuss the significant disagreements, seeking common ground.

——

Late that night...

Pat—

Arnold landed softly within the Hyūga clan compound, having successfully infiltrated.

He glanced around, then, assuming the Shinobi running posture, arms back, dashed deeper into the compound, a smug thought crossing his mind:

"Hmph—the Hyūga's security is far too lax. This was effortless."

"The children's quarters—where are they? Ah, here!"

Arnold slid open a door, revealing a room where over a dozen Hyūga children, all around three years old, slept soundly.

Arnold's eyes lit up with excitement.

The intelligence was accurate.

This room housed members of the Hyūga main family. Kidnapping just one would fulfill the Raikage's mission.

Arnold tiptoed forward, his gaze falling upon the children's foreheads. If he recalled correctly—the main family members had unmarked foreheads, while the branch family members bore the Caged Bird Curse Seal.

But as he looked closer, Arnold froze.

"Am I in the wrong place? Shouldn't this be the main family's quarters? Why are there so many curse seals?"

"The intelligence must be flawed—I'll check another room."

Arnold cautiously retreated, but outside the door, he wasn't met by the gentle moonlight, but by the blinding speed of the Hyūga's Gentle Fist. Before he could react, his chakra pathways were sealed.

The Gentle Fist strikes were precise, targeting his chakra points, disabling him without causing fatal injury.

Though Arnold felt intense pain, his life wasn't in danger.

His vision cleared, and he took in the scene before him.

A dozen pairs of Byakugan stared intently at him, causing a cold sweat to break out on his brow.

At the forefront stood Hiashi Hyūga, his expression stern. He waved a hand. "Take him away! Transfer him to the Hokage Tower!"

——

Arnold, now a prisoner, hands bound, was forced to kneel before Gojo Kaigetsu, who sat at his desk.

Gojo Kaigetsu feigned surprise. "Hiashi! What is the meaning of this? How can you treat the Kumo envoy this way?"

Hiashi Hyūga placed his fist over his heart. "Advisor! This Kumo envoy, Arnold, infiltrated the Hyūga compound at three this morning, attempting to kidnap one of our children. He was apprehended on the spot!"

"This..." Gojo Kaigetsu looked at the kneeling Arnold, his expression troubled. "Mr. Arnold, is this true?"

"Hmph! What if it is?" Arnold, initially apprehensive, regained his composure upon seeing Gojo Kaigetsu's seemingly lenient attitude.

He was a foreign envoy!

Would Konoha dare harm him, especially with the Fire Games approaching?

He remembered the Raikage's words. He was protected by "diplomatic immunity." Konoha wouldn't dare harm him!

With this realization, he regained his Kumo Shinobi pride.

"I believe this is a misunderstanding," Gojo Kaigetsu said to Hiashi. "Untie the envoy at once!"

"Advisor, this..." Hiashi hesitated, clearly displeased, but under Gojo Kaigetsu's firm gaze, he relented, releasing Arnold's bonds.

"Hmph!" Arnold snorted, rubbing his wrists before defiantly plopping down into a nearby chair.

While escaping death, he knew he wouldn't escape punishment entirely.

Having committed a crime on foreign soil, Arnold wasn't foolish enough to further provoke Konoha's leadership.

After dismissing Hiashi, Gojo Kaigetsu addressed Arnold with a pleasant smile. "Mr. Arnold, I hope what happened this morning won't be repeated. You were lucky this time. What if next time—the Gentle Fist isn't so gentle? You could die in Konoha."

"Let me guess—you were ordered by the Fourth Raikage to steal the Byakugan? I understand. It's difficult to disobey a Kage's orders."

Arnold remained silent, ashamed of his capture. He hadn't expected Gojo Kaigetsu to actually—defend him.

"Don't feign kindness! I accepted this mission willingly! Kill me if you have the guts! Tomorrow, during the peace talks, Kumogakure will not yield!"

"Now, now, Mr. Arnold, don't be so quick to speak," Gojo Kaigetsu said, adopting a look of regret.

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"If the Byakugan could truly bring peace between our villages, I would gladly force the Hyūga to hand them over to you, Mr. Arnold, to return to Kumogakure as a hero."

"I admire you, Mr. Arnold. Willing to risk your life as an envoy to carry out such a dangerous mission for the sake of becoming a hero to your village. In you, I see the finest qualities of a traditional Kumo Shinobi: bravery, fearlessness, humility, honor, sacrifice, compassion, honesty—If not for our opposing loyalties, perhaps we could have been—friends."

Arnold, flattered by the praise, felt a surge of pride. 'My goodness! I am such a Shinobi!'

Even he hadn't realized—this Gojo Kaigetsu, though an enemy, had a keen eye. No wonder Konoha flourished under his guidance.

"But—it's impossible," Gojo Kaigetsu continued, pointing to his own eyes. "The Hyūga clan, both main and branch families, are now marked with the Caged Bird Seal—the curse seal on their foreheads..."

"Which means, no matter the method, the Byakugan cannot be removed from their eyes. The plan to steal the Byakugan was doomed from the start! Perhaps—this was a conspiracy targeting you, Mr. Arnold!"

"Conspiracy?!" Arnold's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I believe the Fourth Raikage sent you here to die!" Gojo Kaigetsu declared vehemently, his stance completely shifted. "Mr. Arnold, you command great respect within Kumogakure, correct?"

"Hmph, naturally!" Arnold puffed out his chest. "Go ahead, ask anyone in Kumogakure about Arnold's reputation! But—what do you mean, the Raikage wants me dead? Don't try to drive a wedge between me and Lord Raikage!"

"Then it all makes sense!" Gojo Kaigetsu slammed his hand on the table, appearing to think solely of Arnold's well-being.

"I've heard from The Land of Lightning immigrants in Konoha that times are tough in Kumogakure. Dissent is growing, dissatisfaction with the Raikage is rampant. Many whisper of replacing him, of finding a Fifth Raikage to lead Kumogakure down the right path."

"To suppress these voices, the Raikage desperately seeks to instigate war, to claim the title of 'Wartime Raikage,' to crush the opposition. Am I wrong?!"

Arnold, completely drawn into Gojo Kaigetsu's narrative, struggled to process the information with his limited intellect.

He had noticed—that many "Villagers" were indeed voicing opposition to the Fourth Raikage.

Who exactly were these villagers? In Arnold's simple mind, both the Shinobi risking their lives on the front lines and the clan members profiting from their inherited wealth were—villagers. There was no difference.

Regardless, many seemed unhappy with the Raikage.

But Kumogakure was like a mafia family; might made right. Arnold believed his loyalty to the Raikage shouldn't be so easily swayed.

He retorted, "So what if you're right?"

Gojo Kaigetsu slapped his thigh. "Then it's even more right! Mr. Arnold, haven't you found it strange? Konoha has only dispatched five hundred Shinobi to the three border towns, mostly Chunin, with only a small contingent of elite Hyūga."

"With Kumogakure's strength, why haven't you reclaimed the lost territory? Why send you to Konoha for peace talks? Think about it, Mr. Arnold! Think!!"

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