The sun was beginning to set as the gates of Konoha loomed ahead, casting long shadows over the road. A figure clad in dark robes stood before them, her eyes hidden beneath a hood. She whispered softly to herself, her voice barely audible in the evening breeze.
"I found you..."
With that, she vanished into the twilight, reappearing moments later with her team from Hoshigakure. The group moved silently through the streets of Konoha, their presence drawing curious glances from the villagers. A jounin, assigned by the Hokage to escort them, led the way toward the Hokage office.
As they walked, the streets of Konoha buzzed with activity, the anticipation for the upcoming Chuunin Exams palpable. Hoshigakure's team was here not only to participate but also to seek an alliance with Konoha, a strategic move to bolster their own village's standing and address internal issues. The leader of the team, Kaguya Mitsuki, kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, her thoughts focused on the mission ahead.
Meanwhile, just outside the Hokage building, Ryuga and Naruto emerged, their conversation lively as usual. Naruto, always full of energy, was talking animatedly about their recent training session with Minato.
"Ryuga, did you see the look on Dad's face when I finally got the Rasengan right?" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride.
Ryuga smiled, nodding. "Yeah, he was definitely impressed. But we still have a lot to learn, especially for the Chuunin Exams."
As they continued walking, Ryuga suddenly stopped, feeling an inexplicable sensation wash over him. He turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the Hoshigakure team passing by. His eyes locked briefly with those of Kaguya Mitsuki, though her face remained mostly concealed by her hood. For a moment, it felt as though some invisible thread of fate connected them, pulling at the edges of his consciousness.
Naruto noticed his brother's sudden halt and asked, "Ryuga, why'd you stop talking?"
Ryuga blinked, shaking off the feeling. "It's nothing, Naruto. Just... felt something weird for a second." He shrugged, trying to dismiss the strange sensation. "Anyway, Dad said he won't make it for dinner tonight. He's too busy with the preparations for the Chuunin Exams."
Naruto pouted slightly but nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I figured. He's been working really hard lately. Guess it's just us and Mom tonight."
As the two brothers continued on their way, Kaguya Mitsuki and her team were led through the bustling streets of Konoha. The jounin escort brought them to the Hokage office, where they would meet with Minato to discuss their participation in the exams and the potential alliance between Hoshigakure and Konoha.
Inside the Hokage office, Minato was deep in thought, his mind occupied with the myriad tasks and decisions that needed to be made. The arrival of the Hoshigakure team was another layer of complexity added to the already demanding preparations for the exams. However, he welcomed the opportunity to strengthen ties with another village.
As the Hoshigakure team entered the office, Minato stood to greet them, his expression warm and welcoming despite the fatigue etched on his face.
"Welcome to Konoha," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "I'm Hokage, Minato Namikaze. I trust your journey was uneventful?"
Kaguya Mitsuki stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Hokage. We are honoured to be here."
Minato nodded, gesturing for them to sit. "I look forward to seeing your team's performance in the Chunin Exams. Let's discuss how we can strengthen our alliance and benefit both our villages."
As the discussions began, Kaguya Mitsuki's thoughts briefly wandered back to the boy she had seen outside. She smiled then pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the task at hand. There would be time to unravel the mysteries of fate later