Everyone moved to the reception room, where the atmosphere was slightly more relaxed than in the office.
The two parties sat across from each other at the long table. Ao and Gonbei stood behind Gensui like shadows, their eyes sharp as eagles.
Neji sat beside Hiashi, holding the "dainichi gatsukiri." The power of the Byakugan was silently gathering, ready to perceive any subtle Chakra fluctuations at any moment.
Tenten and Rock Lee sat on either side of Might Guy, unconsciously straightening their backs upon entering such a formal diplomatic setting for the first time.
Hyuga Hiashi sat opposite Gensui, with Tokuma and Homon standing behind him like two silent, protective stone statues.
Hiashi dispensed with pleasantries, gently pushing the Third Hokage's personal letter and the detailed regulations for the Joint Chunin Exams across the smooth table, directly toward Gensui.
"Elder Gensui, this is the official invitation letter from Hokage-sama and the rules for this session of the Chunin Exams. Konoha sincerely invites the Hidden Mist Village to send excellent Genin to participate, promoting exchange and understanding among the five great Ninja Villages and solidifying this hard-won peace."
Hiashi's voice was steady and strong.
Gensui's wrinkled hand did not immediately reach for the documents.
His thin, withered fingers slowly rubbed the cold carving atop his Snake-Head Cane, and his cloudy gaze scrutinized Hiashi's face, as if weighing the true intention behind this "invitation."
Gensui's brow furrowed deeply, carving several deeper lines into his forehead.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying deliberate confusion and a hint of evasion:
"The Joint Chunin Exams? Didn't our Hidden Mist Village... already clearly state that we would not participate?"
Hyuga Hiashi showed no surprise or anger. Asking them to participate in the Chunin Exams was merely an incidental goal for this trip; it wouldn't matter if they declined.
Nevertheless, he still needed to make an effort.
Hiashi leaned forward slightly, his gaze calm yet penetrating, looking directly into Gensui's eyes, which were trying to conceal his thoughts. His voice was clear and steady, carrying undeniable force:
"Hehe, Elder, perhaps due to your advanced age and heavy workload, you've gotten things mixed up."
He chuckled softly, his tone tranquil, "Your village's formal reply was previously directed toward the Hidden Sand Village, not the Konohagakure."
Hiashi paused briefly, glanced over the documents on the table, and then refocused on Gensui.
"And our Konohagakure, acting as the host, is issuing a brand-new invitation to the Hidden Mist Village at this moment."
Gensui raised an eyebrow.
Is that supposed to be different?
What is this?
Does your Konoha think it's so important?
Do you think you, Hyuga Hiashi, are Minato Namikaze?
A name carrying deep dread and complex emotions surfaced in Gensui's mind.
The legend who single-handedly turned the tide of the Third Great Ninja War, causing all enemy Ninja to flee in terror at the mere mention of his name.
If 'Yellow Flash' Minato Namikaze were still alive... then this old man might swallow his pride today. If you asked me to participate, I would just send a few people over.
After all, that was Minato Namikaze.
But Minato Namikaze has been dead for a long time!
Konoha is only supported by Hiruzen Sarutobi at the top, and the Sannin have long since disappeared to who knows where.
Hiashi's generation only possesses the strength of Elite Jonin, and below that are... Gensui's gaze swept over the serious Might Guy standing nearby. Looking somewhat dull, he wondered if Guy had surpassed his father yet.
Then there are the students beside Might Guy, the next generation, who haven't fully matured yet and are nothing to fear.
What right does your Konoha have to negotiate with the Hidden Mist from a position of strength... He really had to consider whether, if he spoke impolitely, the Green-Skinned Watermelon Head next to him would immediately open the Eight Gates and stage a scenario where the Hidden Mist kills Konoha's envoys.
Gensui didn't know if Konoha would use that tactic, but Kumogakure certainly played that game smoothly!
Thinking of this, Gensui made a decision: he had to refuse the invitation but needed to save Konoha some face.
"The truth is, the Hidden Mist Village has recently... Sigh, experienced some minor internal disturbances. We are short-staffed and overwhelmed with complex affairs, and even the Mizukage-sama is tied up with various matters and unable to receive you all.
This old man is also unable to travel to Konoha, so we cannot send someone of sufficient standing to lead a team, unlike the Hidden Sand Village.
Regarding the Joint Chunin Exams, we appreciate Konoha's generous invitation."
His tone was sincere, carrying a touch of well-placed weariness.
"However, please understand our difficulties. How about... we participate in two years, once our internal affairs have been straightened out?"
Gensui's words were flawless, adopting a humble posture with sufficient justification, saving Konoha face while blocking any excuse for them to press the issue further.
He was certain Hiashi couldn't press the matter further. After all, Konoha couldn't force another village to participate in the exams; that would put Konoha in the wrong.
Ao's and Gonbei's tense muscles also relaxed slightly.
Hyuga Hiashi quietly listened to Gensui's theatrically delivered refusal, his face showing no disappointment or dissatisfaction at being rejected—not even a ripple of emotion.
It was as if the topic of the Chunin Exams was truly just a stepping stone for him, to be discarded once used.
When Gensui finished his "in two years" statement, Hiashi didn't even spare him an extra glance, instead tossing out the true, critical topic of this trip with extreme naturalness:
"In that case."
Hiashi's voice was as steady as a deep pool.
"Then let us discuss the matter of the Byakugan again."
Hearing "Byakugan," Gensui finally understood Hiashi's true purpose for coming: to reclaim the Byakugan eye that Ao had obtained during the Third Great Ninja War.
He hadn't cared about the invitation just now at all.
Hiashi didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
"I wonder if your village is willing to exchange Ao's Byakugan eye for the kubikiribōchō we acquired."
During the Third Great Ninja War, the grandson of the Hyuga Great Elder went to the battlefield. Unexpectedly, he only managed to destroy one eye before death, and the other Byakugan was seized.
They thought they were going to make a big splash, but instead of showing off their skill, they exposed their weakness.
The reason the Great Elder's influence is still inferior to the Third Elder and Sixth Elder is precisely because his grandson shamed the Hyuga Clan by losing a Byakugan.
"You killed Zabuza Momochi?"
Gensui was stunned.
Zabuza Momochi fled with the kubikiribōchō. Since the kubikiribōchō is now in Konoha's hands, it means Zabuza either died at Konoha's hands or joined Konoha.
The fact that Konoha could offer the kubikiribōchō as a bargaining chip genuinely tempted Gensui.
After all, even though Ao seized a Byakugan, he can only use it himself; he cannot pass it down genetically.
Although Ao used the Byakugan to see through the Genjutsu controlling Yagura, compared to the kubikiribōchō, the Byakugan is not only troublesome but also difficult to utilize.
With the kubikiribōchō, the Hidden Mist could easily dispatch a squad to hunt down Kisame Hoshigaki, reclaim the Samehada, and reestablish the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Seeing Gensui deep in thought, Hiashi spoke again, urging him.
"Will you trade?"