Considering Hakushi’s past actions in Konoha, it’s likely that the top leadership of Konoha harbors a deep hatred for anyone bearing this surname, and they might even become suspicious of Ichihime.

"Rest assured, Miss Ichihime will be going to Konoha as Mire’s adopted daughter, adopting the identity of a princess from the Land of Demons and enrolling at the Ninja School. Furthermore, her name will be provisionally set as Mahiru Ichihime, with the Mire Witch serving as a cover, there’s nothing Konoha can uncover."

For all these years, only Ayane has appeared publicly outside, and regarding information about Hakushi, Konoha still only has what was gathered during their stay, having not been updated for quite some time.

"What about the escort personnel while in Konoha?"

Obito continued asking.

He was only responsible for escorting, not staying in Konoha for an extended period.

After escorting Ichihime to Konoha, he would return to the Land of Demons.

"There will be two witches accompanying her, and the military will also dispatch several clean-profile ninjas to go along."

Additionally, Konoha’s upper echelon won’t remain indifferent, as it pertains to a princess from another country, forming a diplomatic issue between the Land of Demons and the Land of Fire. They will undoubtedly send Anbu to ensure Ichihime’s safety.

With so many layers of protection, plus the Land of Demons being a neutral country, it’s unlikely that anyone would recklessly provoke Ichihime.

"I see."

As for the accompanying ninjas, they are undoubtedly elite forces from the military.

The two accompanying witches are likely not ordinary either.

In other countries, witches might be just regular women pursuing the profession to make the ends meet.

But the Land of Demons is the origin of witches, and while most witches here are ordinary people without many special abilities, some have mastered the orthodox powers of witches, following a slightly different cultivation path from ninjas.

These witches also utilize Chakra for combat, but the form of their techniques and the spiritual training they undergo cause them to slowly disconnect from the concept of ’human’.

One might say they resemble humans but aren’t.

These witches are now subordinates directly under Mire Witch, suppressing the ’evil’ unseen by humans within important shrines across the Land of Demons.

Dispatching these witches signifies that Ichihime’s identity forgery is flawless.

Konoha might even regard her as the future leader of witches from the Land of Demons.

"Any other questions?"

"None. When do we depart?"

Obito asked.

This escort mission isn’t difficult; it’s rated as A-level solely due to Ichihime’s unique identity, rather than the complexity of the task itself.

Missions like escorting princesses, government officials, and Daimyo start from B-level at the minimum because of the target’s special status.

"Tomorrow morning."

"That’s really soon."

Just the thought of not seeing Lin for a few days made Obito feel a bit melancholic.

However, the prospect of encountering that smug Kakashi... Obito started feeling anticipated once again.

◎

Traveling from the Land of Demons to the Land of Fire took five days altogether.

Ichihime finally laid eyes on the renowned Konoha Village.

Standing not far outside Konoha Village, she observed the tall walls enveloping the entire settlement, as well as the expansive gates, excessive in their grandeur, and the Kage Rock on the distant sheer cliffs – all falling within her view.

Though the Kage Rock appeared small to Ichihime, its immense scale allowed her to barely distinguish it.

These structures are incredibly iconic to Konoha.

Ichihime found them both familiar and unfamiliar.

Arguably, the Land of Demons is the country that has studied Konoha Village most thoroughly.

Perhaps they can perceive the essence of this village more clearly than Konoha itself.

Human geography, customs, beliefs, and notable figures all vividly illustrated in the textbooks at the Ninja School of the Land of Demons.

It even includes the three Ninja Realm wars Konoha experienced, and their various external and internal policies during wartime – all deemed key topics in historical classes at the Ninja School of the Land of Demons.

This history, all occurring within the last few decades, consists of bloody, real historical events.

Thus, Ichihime is not unfamiliar with Konoha’s cultural history, and may even understand it better than most within Konoha itself.

It’s now merely bringing what’s in the text to reality.

This way, practical investigation holds value.

Also, this place used to be the homeland of her parents, accounting partly for her interest in Konoha.

Despite the unpleasant events between her parents and Konoha, Ichihime doesn’t plan to get involved in generational feuds.

Her objective is solely to observe and verify her knowledge, without undertaking any unnecessary actions.

Furthermore, she won’t be staying in Konoha for long; Hakushi has only permitted two years. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

However, this doesn’t mean she will spend the entire two years there; every quarter she must return to the Land of Demons once, so during these two years, she won’t be completely residing in Konoha.

Upon realizing that the practical examination time in Konoha is only for two short years, Ichihime suddenly felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavier.

This is a mandatory path toward the throne of supremacy in the Land of Demons.

◎

"Then, for the various matters concerning Princess Ichihime in Konoha, I shall trouble the Hokage to look after her. I now take my leave."

Offering a slight bow to Third Hokage Hiruzen, the diplomat from the Land of Demons respectfully exited the Hokage’s office.