The group of delegates was immediately selected. Minato, Shikaku and other Jonin like the (recently promoted) Heralds would head straight to the Hidden Mist Village, as a strong group they would be able to ensure the Mist wouldn't cause any trouble upon their arrival. Hiruzen was not asked to come considering he had told the Mist that the matter was resolved after their agreed payment, but now the Leaf were coming unannounced to Kirigakure. Katsuro agreed to quickly join them after they sent a signal of their arrival, as he had a few other matters to sort out. What Katsuro didn't tell them, however, was that he was still in the process of healing after Madara's fight. He had mostly recovered, but the extra couple of days would be worthwhile to rid him of any hidden internal injuries while allowing him to recover back to peak form.
A couple of days later…
"We're here," Shikaku pointed out, as the group drew closer to the entrance to Kirigakure. They were quickly spotted by a Mist lookout, who rushed back to report their arrival.
Within Kirgakure…
"They're here!" cried out the lookout, as he darted into the main hall with the council of Mist clan leaders and officials, that included the head of the Kaguya clan.
"Who's here?"
"The Fourth Hokage, Nara Shikaku, and… the Heralds!"
"WHAT?!"
Chaos erupted within the room, for they knew what was about to happen. The arrival of the Heralds meant one thing. If he wasn't there already, the God of Shinobi was on his way, and that meant their lives were on the line.
"Enough!" roared the Kaguya clan leader, making the room quieter, "we know why he's coming," he shook his head over to the room ahead of them, which was office to the current leads of Kirigakure, who had apparently ordered the kidnap of Rin and the elimination of Kakashi's squad, without the knowledge of the rest of the council. "And we need to sort it out." The others in the room didn't argue back, and one by one slowly nodded, looking at the room. They only had one chance to attempt to save themselves and the rest of the village.
Back at Konoha, in Katsuro's room…
"That's about it," Tsunade sighed. She and Shizune had completed the final check up of Katsuro's arm despite his insistence that he was fine. Her worry made her make sure for herself having seen the absolutely mangled state it had been in before.
Suddenly, a toad poofed in front of them, and extended its tongue, revealing a small scroll on the tip of it. Katsuro picked it up, and the toad disappeared in another poof of smoke, and read the scroll, abruptly stood up, and swiftly put on his robes.
"They've arrived," he said to the other two. Tsunade and Shizune nodded, and Katsuro disappeared in front of them, with Flying Raijin.
At entrance to the Hidden Mist Village…
"I'm here," Katsuro declared, as he appeared in front of the group, causing them to jump back in sudden shock.
"Jeez, Sensei," Souta sighed.
"We're all together, let's go," Minato said firmly, as everyone else nodded. The guards standing at the gate to Kirigakure didn't try to stop or intervene, frozen in fear and shock at the sight of the group that held the power to wipe out their entire village. The land around was misty, gloomy and an air of tension seemed to suffocate the village.
"No one's attempting to even meet us," Shikaku noted.
"Now there is," Tenaki raised his eyebrow, looking ahead. In front of them, a group of Mist officials stood, clearly tense and trembling. However, with them, they carried three sacks. In each, the bottom was dripping with blood, and it seemed to curve around the circular object.
"Those of the Hidden Leaf Village," called out the Kaguya clan leader, "in these three sacks, are the heads of the leaders of the groups that ordered and orchestrated the annihilation of a group of your young Leaf shinobi and the kidnapping of a Kunoichi."
The Mist villagers nearby gasped in shock.
Katsuro's temper flared, and Minato sensing this decided to speak up before he could.
"So, only three of your Jonin were involved in this. No one else was told of their plans?"
"No!" cried out a Mist clan leader. "We would never agree to such hideous crimes!"
"This isn't enough," Katsuro raised his voice, and silence fell around, other than the sound of his voice. "You bringing their heads doesn't resolve this issue, and I'm sure you're aware of that! This was a peace treaty I brokered myself! Breaking it spits on my name! A great disrespect even if you didn't intend it! Your negligence caused it! How will you pay!" Katsuro exerted his chakra, its sheer volume causing the surrounding ground and building to slightly crack and groan.
After a brief moment of silence and tension, someone spoke."Of course we're aware of that, Senju Katsuro," the Kaguya clan leader stepped forward, and the rest of the clan leaders and officials didn't seem to join him. "And we will take responsibility for our mistakes and are willing to offer compensation. But we have culled those who went against village orders and declared them rogue nin as a show of good faith. However, if you still demand a fight or violence to resolve this, I will gladly step forward to the challenge."
Katsuro raised his eyebrows at the odd looking pale man in front of him, who had two red dots above his eyes, a zigzag down the middle of his head separating his hair into a large bun on each side. The rest of the Leaf group glanced at Katsuro, making sure he didn't take the head of the Kaguya clan leader after hearing his words.
"You're the leader of the Kaguya clan, yes?" Katsuro asked.
"That's right, I'm honoured you know of me, God of Shinobi," the Kaguya clan leader smiled darkly.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Kaguya Moroha."
"I see. Why are you so eager to fight me Moroha? Especially if it will end with your death?"
"I live to fight, and if I have the chance to battle the man they call God of Shinobi, why wouldn't I take it? I fought on the Kumo front but was called back thanks to you. My battle was cut short, and my bloodlust hasn't been satiated yet!" Moroha laughed. From his shoulder, a white blunt object emerged grotesquely as he grabbed it and pulled, forming a bone sword in his hand.
"The Kekkai Genkai of the Kaguya clan," Minari murmured. The strange clan was famed for their Shikotsumyaku Kekkai Genkai, which allowed them to manipulate bones. It was incredibly powerful and versatile, and the Kaguya clan used it to entertain their own bloodlust and prove their clan's strength to the Shinobi world.
Katsuro's anger and disappointment in the Mist was temporarily reduced, finding a man like Moroha within. Despite being from the Kaguya clan that were spoken of as bloodthirsty monsters, he seemed to have honour. Both to admit their wrong, but the willingness to fight and protect regardless. Katsuro was pleasantly surprised, and the slightest of smiles formed at the corner of his lips.
Katsuro lifted his sword, held by the 'God's Cage', as he used his now fully functioning right arm to draw it slowly in front of him.
"Very well then, if you so wish. Come Moroha, you are worthy to stain my blade with your blood."
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