After several hours of training, Ryōsuke had basically grasped the casting methods of all three genjutsu. With his current foundation, none of them were difficult. Diligent practice would bring full mastery.
His grandfather was surprised but more pleased than anything to see Ryōsuke pick them up so quickly. Even the most difficult, the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique, had been learned. His grandson clearly had talent for genjutsu. Perhaps that fainting spell had awakened latent potential and opened the brain's limiter. As a grandfather, he wanted Ryōsuke to grow quickly.
Though retired from clan affairs, he could not ignore the situation. The Uchiha's position was poor. Konoha's leadership was pressing in step by step, and the clansmen were increasingly dissatisfied. Reconciliation seemed unlikely. Shimura Danzō, who deeply disliked the Uchiha, had been the one pushing hardest to relocate the clan compound. That was suppression, plain and simple. If the Nine-Tails' Rampage had been the Uchiha's doing, what difference would center or outskirts have made? With that man in place, a peaceful resolution between the Uchiha and Konoha's upper echelon seemed remote.
Before leaving, Ryōsuke asked, "Grandfather, shouldn't the clan have even stronger genjutsu?"
He had not found reality-altering techniques like Izanagi among the stacks, nor Izanami. Those two sat at the ceiling of Sharingan genjutsu. If his grandfather didn't have them, only the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, might.
His grandfather blinked, surprised Ryōsuke even knew of stronger clan genjutsu. "They exist," he said helplessly, "but they were lost. A former clan head, Uchiha Madara, took them out of the village."
"I see. A shame," Ryōsuke said, though he did not truly feel it. Those supreme Sharingan arts rendered the eyes blind when used. There were ways to address that, such as transplanting another's Sharingan—the route taken by Uchiha Obito and Shimura Danzō in the original tale—but Ryōsuke found the idea of grafting another person's eyes onto himself disgusting. If he became strong enough, he could do without them.
"I'll return to my room," he said, planning to train toward opening the Fifth Gate.
His grandfather nodded. Ryōsuke had undoubtedly acquired the three genjutsu. The rest would depend on his own effort.
Seven days passed in a flash. The Cloud Village peace delegation reached the outskirts of Konoha. The team was led by Dodai and the blonde Samui, with only four other ninja accompanying them.
Their true goal was not peace talks but the abduction of the Hyuga heiress, Hinata Hyuga, to take her back for breeding and create a Hyuga line belonging to Cloud Village. Once they seized Hinata, they would withdraw. Fewer people meant an easier retreat.
Approaching Konoha, they were surprised to see, from a distance, an elderly man in a Hokage robe waiting with a group of green-vested Konoha ninja. A banner hung outside the village gate: a welcome to the Cloud Village envoys.
Dodai smiled. "Just as the Fourth Raikage said. The Third Hokage is soft and incompetent. No presence at all. Someone might think Cloud and Leaf are old friends. If not for the plan to seize Hinata for breeding, we would have held the talks in Cloud to put these Leaf ninja in their place."
Samui agreed. Cloud had lost many ninja in the war. They were negotiating because they could not push further. With the Fourth Raikage's temper, there would be no friendly posture. Konoha's display suggested they were basking in the joy of peace. That increased the odds their plan would succeed.
At the gate, the Third Hokage recognized them at a glance as Cloud ninja here for negotiations. He smiled. "Welcome. The signing ceremony for the peace agreement will be held the day after tomorrow. Until then, please enjoy Konoha."
In his view, Konoha was far more prosperous than Cloud. Cloud lay on northern highlands. Konoha stood on fertile plains. Let them see Konoha's strength, so the signing would proceed without trouble.
Dodai set aside his earlier disdain and bowed with respect. "As you say, Lord Hokage. We will await the day after tomorrow. And we will make the most of this chance to see your village."
The Third Hokage was satisfied with their attitude. He turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, take them to the luxury inn we prepared."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied.
"Thank you for the arrangements," Dodai added.
The Third Hokage found them increasingly amicable. It seemed the war had frightened them. Kakashi escorted the Cloud envoys to their reserved lodgings, then returned to the Hokage Building to report.
As soon as Kakashi left, Dodai's expression shifted. A curl of mockery touched his lips. The Leaf had grown weak, nothing like the hard edge of the Second Hokage's era.